Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Eco-Justice Collaborative

The Work of PYM Collaboratives

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Last Saturday, June 28, Friends gathered to learn how Friends in our yearly meeting work together through collaboratives. Collaboratives engage individuals across local meetings in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting  region. Members generally hold a concern for a joy, social justice issues, or perhaps spiritual formation; these ministries can transform and engage our yearly meeting into an interconnected, community organized space.

This gathering was one way to stay connected before Annual Sessions, which will take place July 23 to 27.

Follow this link to register for Annual Sessions.

[Read more…] about The Work of PYM Collaboratives

Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals

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For decades, PYM has set benchmarks to guide our shared witness on critical issues. With the Creating a Playbook for Climate Action, this tool provides meetings with practical resources and ideas for planning, taking action, and staying accountable in areas like activism, education, and reducing carbon footprints.

[Read more…] about Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals

Program & Religious Life | A Year in Review

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Hello Friends,

How has spirit moved among us in 2024? As we, the staff of PYM’s Program and Religious Life Department, reflect on this question, we have many joyful tidings to share.

The Big Picture

This year we saw many examples on how being a part of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting community gives Friends a place to share their gifts and ask for support in times of need. This flow of sharing and receiving is a core part of what it means to be “part of the body.” Our PYM programs create spaces of joy, learning, spiritual nurture, and concrete resources. And none of it would be possible without Friends like you sharing their gifts, showing up, participating, and building community together. Thank you!

Read on to hear more about the programs and events we’re proud of this year.

[Read more…] about Program & Religious Life | A Year in Review

Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on “Going Veggie” and Using “Creating a Playbook for Climate Action”

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Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting has embraced a new initiative to support climate action by “going veggie” on the third Sunday of each month. This meeting-wide project is the result of collaboration between the Climate Action and Hospitality Committees, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing climate change.

Sarah Whitman, a member of both committees at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, shared her perspective and the behind-the-scenes on this new initiative. “Last spring, we started a Climate Action Committee to help the meeting address climate change,” Sarah shared. “There have been individual leadings and practices related to climate change, but not a project that the whole meeting does together. I happen to be a member of both Hospitality and the Climate Action Committee, so I felt like this was an opportunity for synergy between those two committees.”

[Read more…] about Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on “Going Veggie” and Using “Creating a Playbook for Climate Action”

George School Climate Action Club

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The March 2024 Eco-Justice Collaborative newsletter featured a story from students at George School in Newtown, PA, who are leaders of the school’s Climate Action Club. The mission of the club is to “promote faithful stewardship of the earth,” and it serves a crucial role in educating students and faculty about pressing environmental and social issues as well as encouraging youth activism. The club is composed of 9-12th grade students from all parts of the globe who are passionate about enacting change.  [Read more…] about George School Climate Action Club

Plastics—What’s the Big Deal?

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Friends Take Steps to Address the Climate Crisis

We know that many Friends throughout the yearly meeting and around the world are following their leadings to work on climate change, environmental justice, and habitat and biodiversity protection. The Eco-Justice Collaborative’s monthly newsletter often includes stories of action, and this month we hear from Ray Elberson, an attender at Medford Monthly Meeting, about the work of the Plastics Committee of the South Jersey GreenFaith Circle to which he and his wife, Carla, belong. Visit the Eco-Justice Collaborative’s website here, and subscribe here to the EJC newsletter by choosing “Peace & Social Justice.”

[Read more…] about Plastics—What’s the Big Deal?

PYM Statement on the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)

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The Religious Society of Friends witnesses to the truth of our times. In this moment, we recognize that we are facing an existential crisis that requires a response greater than individual actions.  The systemic structures as well as the daily choices of peoples, governments and faith communities across the globe must act in radical concert to address the climate catastrophe we have created. [Read more…] about PYM Statement on the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)

Eco-Justice Collaborative Spotlight Q&A With Patricia Finley

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“The whole eco system is connected and we are a part of it!”
— Patricia Finley, co-clerk of the Eco-Justice Collaborative

Q: Why was the Eco-Justice Collaborative formed?

The Eco-Justice Collaborative (EJC) has been in many forms since 1988. It began as the Environmental Working Group (EWG); in 1993, there was a renewed desire and commitment to elevate the EWG after a young person, during Annual Sessions, shared their experience of having nightmares about the future of our planet. A husband-and-wife team, Ed Dreby and Margaret Mansfield, foundational in creating EJC, doubled their efforts in visiting 50+ meetings encouraging other Quakers to get involved. Then in 2009, the Environmental Working Group became the Eco-Justice Collaborative which focused on lifting leaders with environmental expertise and interest to support each other’s projects. [Read more…] about Eco-Justice Collaborative Spotlight Q&A With Patricia Finley

John Munro of Unami Monthly Meeting on the Carbon Forest Project

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Unami Monthly Meeting recently introduced a Carbon Forest Project through their Peace and Social Concerns committee. As one of their first projects, they have made plans for a ten-acre site to build Old Growth forests, an ecologically diverse native forest that can sink carbon permanently by planting 435 trees per acre, tending to the need for organic surface, shrubs, and herbs. They plan to steward these forests as they grow to maturity. [Read more…] about John Munro of Unami Monthly Meeting on the Carbon Forest Project

Climate Change Sprint and Eco-Justice Collaborative News

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On March 27, 2021, during Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Continuing Sessions, Friends united to come under the weight of climate change and eco-justice as a Yearly Meeting Witness. They recognized that while approving such a Witness was an important step forward, a specific plan of action is required. The Climate Change Sprint is drafting a plan to be presented to PYM Annual Sessions 2021 this summer.

The Climate Change Sprint members are Robert Greene, Bill Cozzens, Ruth Darlington, Pat Finley, .O, Kathryn Metzker, Christy Tavernelli, and Shelly Xia (Liyiran). The action plan created by the members recommends focus on education, activism, carbon footprint, finances, and mourning loss, and instilling hope.

[Read more…] about Climate Change Sprint and Eco-Justice Collaborative News

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