Quakers In The Hudson Valley

Quakers have a long history in the Hudson Valley , spanning well over 200 years. They helped to found early fishing, agricultural, and business activities in the region. In 1796, they founded the School of Nine Partners in Millbrook, NY, the first coeducational Friends boarding school in the country. Oakwood's predecessor school was founded under the care of the New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, and Oakwood continues "under the care" of that regional Quaker organization today. New York Yearly Meeting is an umbrella organization serving local meetings (similar to churches) around New York, western Connecticut, and northern New Jersey. Members of NYYM meet annually for a week in the summer at Lake George, in the Adirondacks , to conduct business. Quakers believe that:

• There is a divine spirit in each person
• All people have equal worth and all human life is sacred
• It is crucial to respect the earth and all life upon it
• Religion is about the whole of life and inspires values-based action
• In stillness, a deep sense of spirit and truth can be discovered

Local meetings within easy reach of Poughkeepsie are listed below, and all of them extend a warm welcome to those wishing to explore Quaker worship. Quaker worship is typically held on Sunday mornings, and takes the form of expectant silence, growing from the belief that each of us has a measure of divine spirit within. From time to time, a member of the gathered group may rise and share a brief message. There may also be long periods of silence. The worship period generally lasts about an hour and ends when members greet one another with a handshake. For worship times and options for children, please call the individual meeting.

Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting
Poughkeepsie , NY
tel 914 454-2870

New Paltz Friends Meeting
New Paltz, NY
tel 845-883-0265

Cornwall Friends Meeting
Cornwall, NY
tel 845-534-7474

Bulls Head-Oswego Friends Meeting
Salt Point, NY
tel 845-266-4618

Housatonic Friends Meeting
Danbury , CT
tel 860-355-9330

For additional information contact New York Yearly Meeting at 212-673-5750 or www.nyym.org.