As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- Luke 10:38-42 New International Version
Continuing Sessions
October 2025 | Joint Council Update
On Saturday, October 11, the three councils that support Philadelphia Yearly Meeting—Quaker Life Council, Administrative Council, and Nominating Council—held their meeting in the joint format. In this structure, all three councils meet together as one Joint Council to worship, discern, and conduct business collaboratively. Their practice is to share the minutes in a news story with the PYM community in the week following the meeting.
What Are Affinity Groups?
Affinity Groups within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting are small gatherings of Friends with shared experiences or identities. They offer time to connect, share, and learn together in practical ways. Some meet throughout the year; others begin when there is interest. Each group supports connection that fits within the wider life of PYM. [Read more…] about What Are Affinity Groups?
July 2025 | Joint Council Update
On Saturday, July 12, the three councils that support Philadelphia Yearly Meeting—the Quaker Life Council, Administrative Council, and Nominating Council—held their meeting in the joint format. In this structure, all three councils meet together as one Joint Council to worship, discern, and conduct business collaboratively. This allows the Joint Council to share the minutes in a news story with the PYM community following the meeting.
Minutes from the Joint Council meeting this past Saturday are forthcoming. However the council wanted to share the following key updates prior to sessions.
As Philadelphia Yearly Meeting prepares to gather for Annual Sessions, the yearly meeting councils want to particularly highlight two items of their work that will be advancing to the Sessions agenda: the Future of Sessions survey results and an update on evaluating the yearly meeting’s carbon footprint.
Annual Sessions to Address Deferred Question: How Are We Called at This Moment?
Photograph of a building at Cheyney University.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Annual Sessions will take place from Wednesday, July 23 – Sunday, July 27 at Cheyney University’s campus, offering a space for Friends to worship in community and practice our faith. The theme of sessions, Members One of Another, reminds us that our faith is not just about the places we meet, but the relationships we build, nourish, and support. [Read more…] about Annual Sessions to Address Deferred Question: How Are We Called at This Moment?
Spring Continuing Sessions Afternoon Activities at Six Locations
Throughout Spring Continuing Sessions, Friends from across the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting region gathered in person and over Zoom to worship, conduct business, and share meals before engaging in afternoon programs focused on welcome, belonging, and Quaker process. Friends of all ages participated, some attending for PYM business for the first time, while others joined from long-standing roles in their meetings. The afternoons offered space for reflection, creativity, and connection, with common themes emerging across locations: the importance of listening deeply, meeting people where they are, and intentionally creating spaces of belonging. [Read more…] about Spring Continuing Sessions Afternoon Activities at Six Locations
Young Friends Get Loud (and Stretchy!) in a Workshop on Navigating Disagreements
During Spring Continuing Sessions, at Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Young Friends (grades 8–12) led an interactive, intergenerational workshop on navigating disagreement—using humor, movement, and thoughtful reflection. [Read more…] about Young Friends Get Loud (and Stretchy!) in a Workshop on Navigating Disagreements
Connected as Members One of Another Across Four States | All Together Worship
On Sunday, March 9th at 10:00am, members and attenders across the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting region will gather in worship, joining from meetinghouses, online, and wherever they are able to participate. All Together Worship is an opportunity for our intergenerational community to experience semi-programmed worship, held in as part of Spring Continuing Sessions. [Read more…] about Connected as Members One of Another Across Four States | All Together Worship
LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Updated March 5, 2025
During the 2025 Annual Sessions, Friends approved a yearly meeting minute in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people. This minute, adapted from one shared by Germantown Monthly Meeting and Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, connects to the ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms the shared commitment to stand beside them.
Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community
Below are a few provided resources that Friends may choose to utilize, learn, and share when connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community members and Friends. The following resources were compiled by Karen Lightner of Germantown Monthly Meeting, There is hope that this list will continue to grow, if you have additional resources to share, we invite you to send them to communications@pym.org.
[Read more…] about LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Honoring Cheyney University Legacy and Deepening Quaker Connection
The 188th Founders’ Day celebration at Cheyney University brought together alumni, students, and guests to honor the school’s long history as the first HBCU in the country. Among those attending were Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s presiding clerk Nikki Mosgrove and general secretary Christie Duncan-Tessmer, who were guests at the event. The celebration included speeches, music, and reflections on Cheyney’s past and future. Throughout the event, speakers mentioned Cheyney’s Quaker roots, recognizing the role Quakers played in helping to establish the school and its focus on education and opportunity.
[Read more…] about Honoring Cheyney University Legacy and Deepening Quaker Connection
