Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Communications & Outreach

Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight

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Connection vs Recruitment

This October, monthly meetings are encouraged to send representative teams to the upcoming October 21st Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering. Irene Oleksiw, member of Downingtown Quaker Meeting, and Joshua Ponter, member of Haddonfield Meeting, discuss connection versus recruitment in outreach efforts, as well as successes in growing meetings. Our discussion focused on why outreach is important, whether the focus should be solely about growth or meeting the needs of people and what meetings can expect to walk away learning from the upcoming event. [Read more…] about Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight

Religious Education Resources & Events Fall 2023

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In this year’s Fall issue of the The Tote Bag: PYM Religious Education and Family Resources newsletter you’ll find events and resources to support getting ready for children and youth programs in meetings, including programs on welcome and safety for adults who serve religious education programs. Also shared below are ideas for celebrating our world family of Friends with World Quaker Day on October 1st and the upcoming 400th birthday of George Fox. The Anti-racism Learning & Action section of the newsletter focuses this time on Native Justice and recommended books that center Native American voices.
[Read more…] about Religious Education Resources & Events Fall 2023

Pennswood Village Rededicates Its Peace Pole

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In 2001, Pennswood Village, the Quaker-founded retirement and health care community in Newtown, installed a Peace Pole in front of its community center. Two of the speakers were atomic bomb survivors (Hibakushas) from Japan, Mr. Shigeyuki Yama from Hiroshima and Mr. Hideo Tose from Nagasaki, the sites in 1945 of the two atomic bombs detonated over those cities which killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians.

[Read more…] about Pennswood Village Rededicates Its Peace Pole

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Epistles for Annual Sessions 2023

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Annual Sessions 2023 gathered Friends from across the PYM four-state region and beyond. While we have gathered for two hybrid Continuing Sessions, this was our first hybrid Annual Sessions, which included residential participation; Friends online were joined by those at The College of New Jersey during the weekend days. Following yearly meetings’ annual gatherings, outgoing epistles “to all Friends everywhere” are shared widely in our global Quaker community. (You can read others from 2023 posted on the Friend World Committee for Consultation website.) Shared below are links to this year’s epistles from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Please read and share widely, especially with Friends who might not have attended Annual Sessions. The epistle committee seeks to capture what occurred during our time together and how Spirit moved among us. [Read more…] about Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Epistles for Annual Sessions 2023

Scope of FGC’s Communications After Quaker Cloud

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When it comes to websites, web hosting, social media engagement, and other forms of electronic outreach, Friends General Conference (FGC) is in a period of evolving engagement with Friends and their meetings. Previously, FGC hosted several meeting websites through Quaker Cloud. That service, which will end at the end of 2023, was a useful tool for many meetings who needed a simple web presence.

[Read more…] about Scope of FGC’s Communications After Quaker Cloud

Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions

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​​​​​​​​​​We sat down with 19 yr. old Young Adult Friend, Alex Emmert to find out what drew him to Quakerism from his upbringing as Baptist, what he enjoyed most about Annual Sessions and what he is looking forward to seeing from Quakers in the next decade. Alex shares his personal, truthful experiences with Quakerism and insights on outreach to other young adults seeking solid spiritual grounding. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions

Summer Fun with Bucks Quarter Quakers

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The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2023 drove Bucks Quarter Quakers into their own separate spaces, replacing our regular gatherings with virtual Zoom meetings. While it was necessary at the time, after three long years, Friends were ready to see each other in person instead of on a screen.

With the declaration in the spring that the pandemic was officially “over,” the Bucks Quarter Oversight Committee felt it was time to get to get reacquainted with one another. So on Saturday, June 17th, under sunny skies with temperatures in the 70s, Friends from around the Quarter came together for a “Friends are Fun” picnic. [Read more…] about Summer Fun with Bucks Quarter Quakers

12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!

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We’re counting down to Annual Sessions! Here are 12 great reasons to join, July 26-30.  [Read more…] about 12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!

What’s After Quaker Cloud?

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December 2023 marks the end of the Friends General Conference Quaker Cloud, which many meetings have utilized to host their websites for over a decade. The transition to creating a new website may feel daunting to some meetings, but it doesn’t have to. Creating websites can truly be as simple or as complicated as anyone wants to make it, and there is a tool that will meet everyone’s skill-level and interests. [Read more…] about What’s After Quaker Cloud?

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