We are delighted to announce PYM’s very own Ashanta Washington has accepted the role of Director of HR and Inclusion. Ashanta has worked with PYM for the past five years. Please join PYM in congratulating Ashanta on her new role!
[Read more…] about Ashanta Washington Accepts Role as PYM’s New Director of HR and Inclusion
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
— 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Many people enjoy giving, whether of their time or resources. Giving fosters a greater sense of community, connection, service, and philanthropy – plus it is an amazing feeling! Philadelphia Yearly Meeting believes anyone can give regardless of age, race, or income.
We are thrilled to announce Merri Brown as Director of Development (pictured left) and Cecilia Filauro (pictured right) as Executive Assistant to our General Secretary. With the addition of both staff positions, we are looking forward to increased relationship-building with PYM members as well as organizational support for leadership.
[Read more…] about PYM Welcomes New Director of Development & Executive Assistant
“The whole eco system is connected and we are a part of it!”
— Patricia Finley, co-clerk of the Eco-Justice Collaborative
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
The Communications department at PYM is growing! Please join us in welcoming Samantha Slade, Director of Communications (pictured left), and Tiffanie McKinnon, Senior Content Manager (pictured right), to our team. With the addition of these seasoned professionals, we will increase outreach and visibility for PYMs community of meetings and annual sessions. Compelling storytelling strengthens our appeals, outreach and events, which grows all aspects of the health of our organization. [Read more…] about PYM Welcomes Samantha Slade & Tiffanie McKinnon to the Communications Team
Arch Street Meeting House has reimagined the annual William Penn Lecture! The inaugural Annual Spring Kickoff will happen Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 5-7pm. The evening will include a cocktail hour and will be followed by a presentation by John Dickinson, portrayed by Doug Thomas. Join the “Penman of the Revolution” as he discusses his role in the journey that took us from colonies to country. In anticipation of this event, we interviewed Sean Connolly, Executive Director of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust, to learn more about this exciting new take on a beloved event. [Read more…] about About the Annual Spring Kickoff: An Interview with Sean Connolly
Across the Yearly Meeting, Friends gathered on March 11 and 12 for Spring Continuing Sessions. This year we tried something new, and rather than be at one meeting on Saturday, we gathered at six meetings in three states! As we seek to gather in new ways this year, all of our Sessions events are working to blend hybrid and onsite experiences so that Friends can participate in a variety of ways. Spring Continuing Sessions was our most recent experiment – and it was a hit! Worship and Meeting for Business were based at Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia in the morning with Friends joining on Zoom. In the afternoon, meetings opened their doors and hosted six regional gatherings for an afternoon of uplifting activities led by PYM Community Engagement and Youth Programs staff.
[Read more…] about Spring Continuing Sessions: Friends & Neighbors
We are so excited to share with you that we have now fully met – exceeded, in fact – the Worship & Care Package Challenge! Back in early November, we announced to you that a generous Philadelphia Yearly Meeting family had agreed to donate $30,000 if we could meet that amount through new and increased gifts. Because of Friends like you, we did it. Then, our generous PYM family extended the Challenge by $20,000.
Many Quaker meetings are changing. A lot of our numbers are smaller. What are some of the ways we might adjust? What does it look like to have faith and cherish our communities while also recognizing that our energy levels are getting low? An upcoming series of conversations explores the life cycles of meetings and offers support and resources for questions rising in meetings. [Read more…] about Life Cycle of Meetings Series
The Friends Historical Association is pleased to offer funding to support contributions to the field of Quaker history. There are three grant opportunities: project support, publication subventions, and research funds. All opportunities run on the same cycle, and applications are due April 15, 2023.
Details about each opportunity and application instruction are provided at https://www.quakerhistory.org/grants.
Update your contact & Meeting information at pym.org/updates
