The 114th annual session of Wilmington Yearly Meeting was held July 8-10, 2005 at Wilmington College and Quaker Knoll Camp around the theme: "One Body, Many Members", taken from I Corinthians 12. The theme was emphasized by a special song, Bible meditations, and the celebration of the wide variety of ministries carried on by our Monthly Meetings. A very helpful pre-yearly meeting retreat was held July 7 at Quaker Knoll Camp. Each morning Mary Holmes Banner, interim pastor of Wilmington Friends Meeting, gave the Bible meditations followed by six worship sharing groups.
    Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends Yearly ``Meeting sessions were held concurrently. We appreciated the presence of representatives from Wilmington College, Friends United Meeting, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends World Committee and Quaker Hill Conference Center who reported on their areas of ministry. Dee Gibson, Executive Director of White's Residential and Family Services, shared moving accounts of that facility's ministry at the Quaker Men/United Society of Friends Women annual banquet.
    Mubarak Awad, a Palestinian who is founder of  Nonviolence International, gave the Peace Memorial Lecture. As a pacifist he worked with individuals and villages  until being deported from his country. He continues working for peaceful solutions to conflicts.  
    A Memorial service for deceased Friends was held. A complete revision of Yearly Meeting Queries was approved. Books were offered for sale by Quaker Hill Bookstore and other groups and/or persons. 
 Sunday morning worship was enhanced by the singing of the Yearly Meeting choir. Don McNemar, Wilmington native and currently professor in the International Studies Department of Bentley College in Massachusetts, spoke during worship Sunday morning at Quaker Knoll.
    Following worship Bob McNemar was recognized for his contributions of time and energy to Quaker Knoll Camp, Wilmington Meeting, Ada Chapel, Friends Housing Ministry, Wilmington Yearly Meeting and publications. A bench for Quaker Knoll was unveiled inscribed "In appreciation to Robert and Kathryn McNemar". 
    The Quaker Knoll Camp Board provided a picnic lunch as a fitting way to conclude our celebration of "One Body, Many Members".
    Wilmington Yearly Meeting will convene again in Tennessee in July 6-9,  2006 around the theme "Not Conformed but Transformed" based on Romans 12:1-2. 

 

     In Christian love,

 

     Lois Hackney, Presiding Clerk
     Robert McNemar, Recording Clerk