Illinois Yearly Illinois Yearly MeetingMeeting

Dreams and Dreams and rereVisionsVisions

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

December 2001 vision workshop:

“What is the future of our historic yearly meeting site?”

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingIn 2001-2002,

• Survey of ILYM Friends• Listening Project at Monthly Meetings• Additional workshops• Focus meetings• Joint committee meetings

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingWe learned:

• Wonderful history since 1875• Meetinghouse is the heart and soul of

ILYM• Meetinghouse meets our spiritual

needs but falls far short meeting our physical needs

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Uncomfortable anddangerous dormitory

Dank dining room

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Unsanitary kitchen

Outmodedappliances

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

And severe termite damage in the meetinghouse foundation

Our vision sent us in new directions

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingWe fully restored the meetinghouse

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingWe deconstructed the dorm and…

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting…built six new cabins from its recycled

materials

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingMoved the Junior

Yearly Meetinghouse across the road to the campground…

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

…creating a new home base for the teens

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingEnhanced the grounds around the

meetinghouse, planting trees and a prairie

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

We raised over $300,000 to complete the restoration and renewal of old buildings

Then we turned our attention to designing a dining hall and residence halls

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

But that is not all….

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly MeetingBy initiating a Dream Gathering Project to listen to

the needs of our monthly meetings…

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

More programming came forth such as workshops on peacemaking, religious education, and web presence

A Winter Retreat became an annual event at Menno Haven Camp for adults and kids

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

In June 2009, ILYM raised over $175,000 in one weekend to purchase the six acres and farmhouse adjacent to the property

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

We call it the Mills Homestead

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

Illinois Yearly MeetingIllinois Yearly Meeting

So …. We have come together today to renew our visioning process with you!