Portland, Oregon’s Multnomah Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and associated plaintiffs in their legal challenge to the new policy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow federal agents to take immigration enforcement actions within churches, meeting houses, and other places of worship. [Read more…] about Multnomah Monthly Meeting Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Minutes
West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends Minute of Support
April 13, 2025
Minute of Support to:
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
New England Yearly Meeting
Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Adelphi Monthly Meeting
Richmond Monthly Meeting
West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends (Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative) was aware of the lawsuit filed jointly by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Monthly Meeting and Richmond Monthly Meeting, asking the court to declare unconstitutional any policies permitting government agents to carry out immigration enforcement activities at or near houses of worship.
Recent policy changes by the current presidential administration have represented a significant change from prior policy and practice. This has been deeply concerning. We were glad for the favorable judgement you received, although the concern remains.
We are grateful for your efforts in this regard, and share your assurance — enshrined within the US constitution — that all people of faith be free to associate for religious services and religious practice. We trust that your care has laid good groundwork for future discernment as our communities and nation work to create a future rooted in our shared life in the Spirit, and in our common good as a human family.
With appreciation,
Jane Cadwallader Howe, Clerk
West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Westfield Monthly Meeting Minute in Support
Westfield Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Minute in support of PYM’s lawsuit in opposition of the Dept. of Homeland Security:
On April 24th, 2025 Westfield Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business approved support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) as one of several plaintiffs in bringing a lawsuit to block the US Department of Homeland Security from allowing federal officials to enter houses of worship for immigration enforcement actions.
We believe that government agents monitoring or entering our place of worship is in opposition to our religious practices and beliefs. Under the First Amendment, the government must respect houses of religion, wherein adherents should be free to practice their faith without fear of intervention. They must be recognized as sacrosanct and under the care of a higher power than humankind.
Friends have a fundamental belief in “that of God in every person,” which has led to historic testimonies of peace and nonviolence. This necessitates protecting those within and those entering, both physically and spiritually.
Westfield Monthly Meeting
Of the Religious Society of Friends
2201 Riverton Rd. Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Phone: 856-829-7569
www.westfieldmonthlynj.com
email: westfieldmonthlynj@gmail.com
Kennett Friends Meeting Solidarity with LGBTQIA2S+
Kennett Friends Meeting
April 20, 2025
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender or Non-binary, and Two-Spirit (The plus-sign signifies additional identity terms). The danger posed to members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community has always been present. However, the threat to LGBTQIA2S+ lives is now growing, as the recent flood of “anti-gay” state laws clearly shows. Examples of this legal assault on civil rights include laws banning gender-affirming medical care, censoring discussion of LGBTQIA2S+ people in schools, and laws allowing discrimination based on “religious freedom.”
As a minority-within-a-minority, trans people are specifically targeted. The scapegoating of trans people by political campaigns puts them in even greater danger. At such a time we are called to do more than assure persecuted people and communities of our acceptance, goodwill, and support. We of Kennett Meeting commit ourselves to active solidarity with LGBTQIA2S+ people everywhere, in ways including:
• Being individually responsible for understanding the processes and systems of social devaluation for all marginalized groups.
• Declaring to the world that individuals are entitled to joy, celebration, and freedom from persecution regarding their sexual orientation, gender, race, or religion.
• Actively supporting and campaigning for laws and policies that promote equality including safeguarding marriage rights.
• Providing a safe space for all LGBTQIA2S+ children, adults, and families.
• Continually educating ourselves on issues of concern to the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
• Charging our committees to consider the LGBTQIA2S+ community in their work.
• Being allies in word and deed.
In support of this minute, we endorse the following actions:
• Identifying changes/additions to curriculum for children and adult education.
• Booking June PRIDE Month speaker and/or event.
• Sharing resources on our website on relevant topics around the processes and systems of social devaluation for all marginalized groups.
Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting in Support of the LGBTQIA+ community
This past First Day, Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting (LVMM) had a Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business. At that Meeting, LVMM approved the following minute of concern in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. We previously approved sending it to both of you once approved. I have also attached the minute as a .pdf and Word version.
As is our practice, our Corresponding Secretary, Nancy Johnston, will forward you a printed copy of this minute on our official letterhead.
With love and gratitude, we stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQIA+ community within our meeting and beyond.
As Quakers, we believe that there is that of God in everyone. From this belief flows the Quaker testimony of equality, based in the religious conviction that all people are of equal spiritual worth, that each one of us is unique and precious, a child of God. LGBTQIA+ people are no exception. Indeed, it has been our direct experience that the gifts of the Spirit are bestowed without consideration of distinctions such as gender, race, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Accordingly, it is clear to us that acts of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people, whether by individuals, organizations, or governments, are a grave assault on our most deeply cherished testimonies and beliefs.
Our meeting has been powerfully enriched by the many contributions of our LGBTQIA+ members and attenders. Without them, we would not be the meeting that we are and that we love.
Downingtown Monthly Meeting Minutes Their Support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
At Meeting with Attention to Business this day, Downingtown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends minutes their support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s recent corporate witness undertaken to block federal immigration enforcement officials from entering houses of worship for immigration enforcement activities. This step was taken to ensure Quaker values are maintained as we support vulnerable community members. We hold in the Light those individuals impacted by this new policy as well as those who are actively moving this lawsuit forward on behalf of long held Quaker principles of peace, equality, and social justice. [Read more…] about Downingtown Monthly Meeting Minutes Their Support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting Letter of Support Concerning Lawsuit for Religious Liberty
We are with you — and commend your joining with New England and Baltimore Yearly Meetings and Adelphi and Richmond Friends Meetings in recently submitting a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
We admire this speedy reaction to the rescinding of religious protections of people in Religious buildings and the broadened power of the Department of Homeland Security. We agree that our Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is at stake and that your strong response is exactly what is needed.
In his drafting of the Pennsylvania Constitution, William Penn wrote “No people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyments of civil liberties, if abridged of the Freedom of their Conscience as to their Religious Profession and Worship”. Further, “No men, nor number of men upon earth, hath power or authority to rule over men’s consciences in religious matters.”
We are all struggling with what is currently unfolding in Washington, D.C. However, we are heartened by your forthright and speedy action in defense of religious freedom.
With sincere and heartfelt appreciation,
Miyo Moriuchi
Clerk, Chestnut Hill Monthly Meeting
Philadelphia, PA
Abington Monthly Meeting Minute In Accord with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Abington Monthly Meeting Minute 2/20/25
Abington Monthly Meeting is in accord with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, associated yearly meetings, and other denominations, in their lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security for suddenly revoking sanctuary protections for immigrants in houses of worship. We believe in the freedom of religion, for all to worship as they choose without fear. Quakers aim to speak to and importantly to live the testimonies that guide Quaker faith especially here Equality, Community and Peace. Sacred spaces cannot be violated by immigration officials surveilling or seeking to enter them. Our community welcomes new immigrants and would be harmed by the inhumane treatment of them.
In addition, we support the multifaith coalition that includes Friends General Conference together with The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) in a second lawsuit opposing the recision of ICE’s sensitive locations policy, a policy that has been in effect since 2011.
The Syracuse Friends Meeting Minute of Support in Response to DHS Lawsuit
Syracuse Friends Meeting shared the following minute with New York Yearly Meeting. They also gave Philadelphia Yearly Meeting a copy to share with the PYM community.
The Syracuse Friends Meeting supports New York Yearly Meeting in its lawsuit seeking to halt the new federal policy of allowing U.S. Department of Homeland Security intrusions in and around houses of worship. We hold in the Light those who have brought this lawsuit and are grateful to them for acting with clarity, courage, and conviction. [Read more…] about The Syracuse Friends Meeting Minute of Support in Response to DHS Lawsuit
Minute of Support from Newark Monthly Meeting
Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting from Newark (Delaware) Monthly Meeting
Approved at Meeting for Business, 9th March, 2025.
Newark Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, acting with Baltimore Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Monthly Meeting, and Richmond Monthly Meeting, as plaintiffs, in their lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security for its actions to allow federal immigration enforcement agents to enter places of worship in order to take immigration enforcement action. [Read more…] about Minute of Support from Newark Monthly Meeting
