The 2025 Fall Gathering of Blue River Quarterly Meeting is scheduled for September 19–21 at DuBois Center, near Mt. Vernon.

Click here for the brochure and registration forms.

Theme: Hope

Adult/Intergenerational Program: The Saturday morning adult program will focus on the theme of Hope and will be facilitated by Mark McGinnis, one of the ILYM Field Secretaries. During the Saturday evening Intergenerational Program Steve Tamari will update us on AFSC programs related to the genocide in Gaza including Apartheid Free Communities that can be taken back to our monthly meetings.

High School Friends will be having a Quake at BRQ and will have their own programming but will attend intergenerational programming. They will bunk together in a cottage.

Children’s Program: Steve Tamari and Charles Howard-McKinney will lead the Children’s Program (for children through Middle School).
Free Time Activities: During free time (Saturday afternoon, 1-3 pm) there is horseback riding and boating available for a fee (see registration form). There is a limit of 20 people for horseback riding. First come first served.

BRQ SCHEDULE

Friday, September 20th

6:00 – 7:30 Registration/Brown Bag Supper
7:30 – 9:00 Informal socializing – Adults please bring a picture of yourself between the ages of 4 and 12, if possible. (Baby pictures only for the children in the Children’s program.)

Saturday, September 21st

7:15 – Early Worship
8:00 – Breakfast (Please arrive on time)
9:00 – 11:00 Adult Program (Oak)
9:00 – 11:45 – Children’s program (Hickory)
11:15 – 11:45 – ILYM Planning (Oak)
Noon – Lunch (Please arrive on time)
1:00 – 3:30 – Free Time
3:30 – 5:30 – Children’s Program (Hickory)
3:45 – 5:15 – BRQ Business (Oak)
5:30 – 6:00 – Young Friends will come to share their experiences (Oak) 6:00 – Dinner (Please arrive on time)
7:00 – 8:00 – Intergenerational Program for older children and adults (Oak)
7:00 – 8:00 Childcare for younger children
8:00 – Bonfire with singing & S’mores

Sunday, September 22nd

8:00 – Breakfast (Please arrive on time)
9:00 – 10:15 – Adult Program if needed (Oak)
9 – 11:15 – Children’s Program (Hickory)
10:30 – 11:30 – Meeting for Worship (Oak)
11:15 – Younger Children join Worship
12:00 – Lunch (Please arrive on time)
1:00 – Clean up and goodbyes

Parents are responsible for their children at all times other than during adult programs.

Volunteer Signup: Friends who are able are encouraged to sign up for volunteer activities (assisting children’s program, Sunday cleanup, etc.) at on-site registration.

Possible Things to Bring: Snacks to share, jeans for horseback riding, flashlights, hiking shoes, towel, fishing pole & tackle, organization displays, games and toys, musical instruments, and copies of music (especially Rise Up Singing), a sense of humor, a modicum of patience, and love to share.

Facilities and Housing: DuBois Center resides on over 300 acres of woods and two lakes. There is horse trail riding, boating, hiking, a labyrinth, and a playground. Adult programming will take place in Oak Lodge. Hickory Lodge will be the location for registration, sleeping, fellowship, and most children’s programs.
There are also dormitory-style cottages with bathrooms, and more remote, rustic cabins with showerhouse access. Camping tent sites are available but there is no electricity and no shower access nearby. We need a minimum of 2 adults for 2 nights for us to be able to use the cabins/campsite. Linens are provided for Hickory Lodge. People staying in cottages, cabins, or camping should bring their own linens and pillows. Bathrooms accommodate multiple users. Rooms may be shared depending on attendance. High schoolers will be housed in a cottage.

Please register in a timely manner and indicate any needs you have when sharing spaces.

Meal Costs: Breakfast-$11, Lunch-$13, and Dinner-$16 each. BRQ absorbs all costs of participants under age 19. Please donate as you can to cover them. All meals will be in the Oak Lodge.
Alternative Meals: If anyone wishes to prepare their own meals in Hickory Lodge, we have use of the small kitchenette with microwave, fridge, and dishes.

Registration: Please send by September 8 to Margie Haworth-Davis,
margiehd8@hotmail.com, OR 43 CR 2150N, Mahomet, IL 61853
Make checks payable to Blue River Quarterly.
Bring or send a medical emergency form for each person under 18!

Click here for the brochure and registration forms.

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*Registration is $15 to 30 per adult on a sliding scale. No one should hesitate to attend because of financial reasons. Please just pay the amount you can afford, and join us.