October began for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting with the announcement that Chris Mohr will serve as the next General Secretary. Friends have come to know his work through the years, and the announcement invites tenderness across community of Friends as PYM continues through a time of transition. Christie Duncan-Tessmer’s final weeks in the role brought thoughtful messages and shared gratitude for her service; the month closed with thanks that her leadership has shaped how Friends move together in faith.
Volunteering
Pennsylvania Council of Churches Launches Community Garden (Press Release)
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is a voting member of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. PYM provides a representative who participates in their ongoing work for Christian unity and social justice across Pennsylvania. PYM leadership also provided a letter of support for the PACC’s recent grant application for its Community Garden Project.
[Read more…] about Pennsylvania Council of Churches Launches Community Garden (Press Release)
Resources from the Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering
During the Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering, Friends and organizations offered resources connected to their work and experience. Those who attended may find this a helpful way to revisit what was shared. Those who could not attend can begin here to access the same materials.
PYM Friends who have materials from the gathering are welcome to share them on PYM Connect so others can find and use them. [Read more…] about Resources from the Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering
Gatherings for Business-Minded Friends
About Friends in Business
Whether it was John Cadbury and the Cadbury chocolate company, Paul Cuffe and his merchant enterprises, or Abraham Darby with his cast iron business, there is no shortage of notable Quakers throughout history who have had faithful service in commerce and industry.
While business leaders like these and countless other Friends practiced integrity, simplicity, peace, and other Quaker values in their professional lives due to their spiritual convictions, they soon found that faithfulness leads to trust and good order, helping them influence many of the business practices and movements we take for granted today. Notable contributions include being often associated with the early adoption of fixed prices and playing a key role in the Industrial Revolution due to their conviction to treat everyone they work with or employ with honesty, fairness, and quality. [Read more…] about Gatherings for Business-Minded Friends
Hives of Activity: Collaboratives in PYM
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
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.
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
Care for the Needs of PYM Friends 60 Years and older!
Aging Grants at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting support the needs of Friends 60 years and older and in financial need to age in place or in communities. [Read more…] about Care for the Needs of PYM Friends 60 Years and older!
The Work of PYM Collaboratives
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.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
Last Friday, June 27, Friends gathered to learn how our yearly meeting stays connected to the wider Quaker world. PYM Friends who serve as representatives to affiliated organizations shared how the work is carried, what is changing, and where Friends are needed. The session provided examples of how Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is part of the work of these organizations, and how the work depends on us being present.
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 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
