Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Annual Sessions

Meetings and Individuals Are Invited to Acquire a New Tool: Trust Circles

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In addition to being co-clerk of the yearly meeting, Jean-Marie Prestwidge Barch is clerk of PYM’s Ministry and Care Committee. She has shared this news story in the hope that meetings and individuals will be inspired to learn about Trust Circles and participate in transforming our yearly meeting. [Read more…] about Meetings and Individuals Are Invited to Acquire a New Tool: Trust Circles

FCNL Virtual Annual Meeting & US Child Poverty Conversations in Washington

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The story below on the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s (FCNL) Annual Meeting and work to reduce child poverty comes from one of PYM’s collaboratives (a network of individual Quakers working jointly on common interests specific to themselves). Collaborative work and witness are distinct from corporate ministry of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Though many individual Quakers join together in addressing social concerns, Quakerism is a faith of continuing revelation and PYM is a ‘big tent’ with many opinions. [Read more…] about FCNL Virtual Annual Meeting & US Child Poverty Conversations in Washington

Gifts We Seek: the Timeless, Eternal, Beautiful, and True

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Two Friends recently shared their thoughts with PYM. One wrote about what is timeless and true vs. political and divisive. The other wrote of the persistence it takes to access the long view. The news in these final two two stories of 2021 is that there is hope! By listening to diverse voices we maintain Truth within Quaker faith. By doing the work of climbing the stairs we see the far horizon. [Read more…] about Gifts We Seek: the Timeless, Eternal, Beautiful, and True

Fall Continuing Sessions News and Minutes

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On a sparkling fall weekend in November, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting convened Fall 2021 Continuing Sessions, offering opportunities to be in Quaker community across generations on multiple days. Friends participated as they were led. The theme for fall sessions and the coming year is: Across the generations as we repair broken foundations, we become unified in beloved Quaker community. [Read more…] about Fall Continuing Sessions News and Minutes

Ten Reasons to Come to Fall Sessions

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The air is crisp, and fall color is everywhere. Quaker events are happening, and PYM’s community is gathering in multiple ways for fun and business. There’s Historic Arch Street Meeting House’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie night on October 29th, then the following weekend, on November 5th, 6th, and 7th, there is Fall Continuing Sessions. [Read more…] about Ten Reasons to Come to Fall Sessions

Cherice Bock on Building Hubs of Climate Resilience

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In her July 31st Annual Sessions keynote, Cherice Bock explored the question “Will friends act in radical faithfulness?” with 78 Friends. She lifted up a range of ideas and possibilities for advocacy, emphasizing community-focused work that builds hubs of climate resilience.

[Read more…] about Cherice Bock on Building Hubs of Climate Resilience

Quakerism and Constructive Conflict Addressed by Dr. Sa’ed Atshan

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Dr. Sa’ed Atshan offered the closing keynote to 106 Friends at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s 341st Annual Sessions with a talk on managing conflict within the Religious Society of Friends. He spoke of the powerful healing force of a humble, empathetic approach to difficult conversations. In his personal work across the Palestinian-Israeli divide, he has forwarded a shared understanding of the facts, avoidance of social media, and an approach that recognizes the humanity of each person even when disagreeing.  Dr. Atshan began the talk by sketching his Quaker schooling at Ramallah Friends School and credited Quakerism with shaping his thinking on constructive conflict.

[Read more…] about Quakerism and Constructive Conflict Addressed by Dr. Sa’ed Atshan

Mai Spann-Wilson: A Powerful Question Is More Important Than The Answers

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Sankofa

Drawing more than 100 friends, Mai Spann-Wilson’s keynote presentation and poetry reading began with Sankofa, a piece he wrote as a teenager. It closed with an impromptu recollection by his aunt, Diane Spann, of Mai at 18 as he shared Sankofa in a spontaneous performance on the side of the road. [Read more…] about Mai Spann-Wilson: A Powerful Question Is More Important Than The Answers

Meeting For Business – Minutes of Sunday August 1

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With almost 100 Friends in attendance, Meeting for Business in Worship was held virtually from just before 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM on the morning of August 1st.  This was followed by Worship until noon. The agenda offered the following items of business: Proposed Minute from the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), General Secretary’s Report, and two Minutes of Service. Minutes follow with thanks to the PYM recording clerk, Kri Burkander.
[Read more…] about Meeting For Business – Minutes of Sunday August 1

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