Collaboratives are hives of activity in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting community. Friends work and meet together around shared interests or concerns. All Friends are welcome to join an existing collaborative or start a new one. If joining a collaborative isn’t the right fit at the moment, you can still engage with and support their work by attending events or sharing information. [Read more…] about Hives of Activity: Collaboratives in PYM
Governance & Stewardship
Aging Support Coordinator for PYM Featured on Honestly Aging Podcast
Sheila Sorkin, Aging Support Coordinator for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, recently joined the Honestly Aging podcast by Friends Life Care VigR®. Speaking with host Cheryl Proska, she shared that she grew up in a three-generation household and learned from an early age to hold respect and value for older persons. That early experience continues to connect to her care for others. [Read more…] about Aging Support Coordinator for PYM Featured on Honestly Aging Podcast
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?
Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities Grants $2,000 to Indigenous Peoples Day Philly Inc.
The Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities (QFIC) of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting supports Native American/Indigenous-led initiatives that strengthen communities and continue cultural heritage. This year, QFIC granted $2,000 to Indigenous Peoples Day Philly Inc., which has organized an annual cultural festival and awareness campaign for Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) since 2017. Since 2019, they have celebrated this Native American/Indigenous social justice movement at Shackamoxon, also known as Penn Treaty Park.
The QFIC funds that were granted included support for expenses to Lenape Delaware tribal members from the federally recognized tribe to participate in IPD Philly on October 13 this year as well as other programs in which they might participate at other times of the year.
[Read more…] about Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities Grants $2,000 to Indigenous Peoples Day Philly Inc.
New Philadelphia Yearly Meeting General Secretary Named
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Mohr as the new General Secretary of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM), joining us starting November 8th! Chris brings the spiritual grounding and the administrative and governance experience to help shepherd PYM into the next stage in its long history.
[Read more…] about New Philadelphia Yearly Meeting General Secretary Named
Learning and Action in Five Areas of Climate Care
Creating a Playbook for Climate Action is a tool for Friends and meetings to work in five areas: activism, education, reducing our carbon footprint, finances, and mourning loss & instilling hope. The playbook gives a framework to set goals, share ideas, and track progress.
The playbook connects with Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering on Saturday, October 25, at Arch Street Meeting House with participation also available online. The day is intergenerational, with workshops and activities for children, youth, and adults. The playbook may not be named in every workshop, however Friends will find that each workshop touches one or more of the five action areas and can be carried into their own planning for themselves or their meeting. [Read more…] about Learning and Action in Five Areas of Climate Care
PYM Epistle – 2025 | 345th Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
The 345th Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting happened this past July online and at Cheyney University. This epistle records the work and witness of those sessions and is not meant to serve as minutes. Fall Continuing Sessions will be held in hybrid format at Arch Street Meeting House on Saturday, November 8, with All Together Worship on Sunday, November 9.
[Read more…] about PYM Epistle – 2025 | 345th Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Finding One Another Made Easier
Friends in our yearly meeting use a mix of tools to share information and stay in touch. Some of these tools help with conversations, some with finding meetings, and some with keeping contact details current. Together they give a picture of how community life continues between gatherings. [Read more…] about Finding One Another Made Easier
PYM Welcomes New Development Associate and Friends Counseling Service Counselor
We are thrilled to welcome Alix C. Vallery as Development Associate (pictured left) and Ashley Slaff as a new counselor with Friends Counseling Service (pictured right). We are excited for the experience and dedication they will bring to their roles within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. [Read more…] about PYM Welcomes New Development Associate and Friends Counseling Service Counselor
Eileen Flanagan: Following Ministry Into Common Ground
Eileen Flanagan worships with Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting and holds a minute of religious service. Her new book Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation is part of that ministry. Published this month, the book comes from years of climate justice organizing and public action brought forward from her faith.
[Read more…] about Eileen Flanagan: Following Ministry Into Common Ground
