About Us
We are a coalition of seven Quaker congregations in Washington and Oregon. We also have about 40 individual (direct) members. A yearly meeting is a group of Quaker congregations that meets once a year.
We are part of the Society of Friends, whose nickname is Quakers. Over the years since its founding in about 1650, we Quakers have spread all over the world. Different yearly meetings have adopted different approaches to what it means to live and believe as Quakers. Sometimes, we celebrate this diversity of theology and spiritual practices and sometimes we worry about it.
Sierra-Cascades is Christ-centered and dedicated to welcoming LGBTQ people as full participants in the life of our meeting. This is because Jesus was radically inclusive in his life and teachings.
All seven churches (or meetings) currently in Sierra-Cascades have a tradition of having pastors. If you visit a meeting for worship, you can expect some prepared speaking and some time for singing together. We also value what we call open worship or unprogrammed worship. This is time we spend listening together for how the Spirit is moving. During this time, some people may be led to speak or pray or sing out loud. And sometimes, the richest experience is a deep and regenerative silence.
Hillsboro Friends holds a “service for service”. They offer companionship and a meal for the community, including those without houses.
Sierra-Cascades was founded in 2017, after our seven churches plus several others were removed from Northwest Yearly Meeting. NWYM did not allow LGBTQ people in leadership or allow same-sex marriages.
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We welcome to membership local meetings and individuals who want to participate with SCYMF in worship, ministry, and service as we seek to experience and follow Christ in the manner of Friends. Many of our member churches offer zoom worship; we invite you to join us in person and on zoom.
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We are members of Friends World Committee for Consultation and Friends Committee on National Legislation.
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Sierra-Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends is an Oregon nonprofit religious corporation. This corporate organization is comprised of individual members, affiliated churches (local meetings), and the individual members thereof. It is also commonly known as Sierra-Cascades Yearly Meeting, Yearly Meeting, and SCYMF.
These bylaws are intended to be separate and distinct from the Faith and Practice of SCYMF, which may include Statements of Faith, Testimonies of Friends, and Queries. These bylaws do not constitute a doctrinal statement for SCYMF.
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