Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Ministry & Care

Older Americans Month – What Does It Mean for PYM?

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An Invitation to an Online Conversation

A Time to Listen, Share and Help Friends FOCUS on How to Age My Way

This year, PYM is pleased to celebrate Older Adults Month with a conversation hosted by Sheila Sorkin, PYM Aging Support Coordinator. The conversation (on Zoom) will center the theme of, “A Time To Listen, Share, and Help Friends FOCUS on How to Age My Way.  It will be a time to listen and share ideas for building a proactive focus on aging within PYM. Ensuring that older adult Friends are involved and included in the PYM Community Engagement program planning is a goal! Having input and sharing new ideas for education, health and involvement will be valued! [Read more…] about Older Americans Month – What Does It Mean for PYM?

Barclay Friends Share a Cyber Security Event

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On April 27th, Barclay Friends presented on Cyber Crime, Scams and Seniors. Sean Tomlinson informed Sheila Sorkin, PYM Aging Support Coordinator that Barclay Friends are happy to provide resources like this and make them available to the public.

Download the presentation (.pdf)

This information is being made available to provide support to those in our aging community in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as part of the To Brighten Your Day series.

Performance Arts at Friends Home in Kennett

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Friends Home in Kennett has made a commitment to serving Friends with care and enabling relationships to grow. Through a creative program of Performing Arts, their staff has created an enriching opportunity for their residents to reach others’ hearts through music. Last year, the PYM Aging Assistance Granting Group (AAGG) awarded Friends Home in Kennett a grant to be used by their activities staff for their needs. In this article, Wright Horne reports on the activities, thoughts behind their programming, and the residents’ responses. [Read more…] about Performance Arts at Friends Home in Kennett

iPad Grant Enriches Residents’ Lives

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The past couple of years revealed the importance of connecting with others to reduce social isolation. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) noted that more than one third of adults over 45 feel lonely and nearly one quarter of adults over 65 are thought to experience social isolation. Staff in long term care communities began using technology such as teaching residents how to utilize items such as an iPad which brought opportunities for residents to connect with friends and family

[Read more…] about iPad Grant Enriches Residents’ Lives

Together: Intergenerational Sundays

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On Sunday of Spring 2022 Continuing Sessions weekend, local meetings were encouraged to “create your own” intergenerational gathering of Friends. Shared here are stories from meetings who created time for togetherness. Other meetings are planning future programs, and we would love to keep hearing and sharing those stories! [Read more…] about Together: Intergenerational Sundays

Resource Friends Offer Tech Support to Meetings

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Resource Friends help our community thrive by providing support in specific areas of concern in our monthly and quarterly meetings. These are Friends who offer a diversity of gifts and extensive “how-to” knowledge. [Read more…] about Resource Friends Offer Tech Support to Meetings

“Together” Sunday of Spring Sessions

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On Sunday of Spring Continuing Sessions weekend, we encourage meetings to “create your own” intergenerational gathering of Friends. While the pandemic has opened the possibility to join together from across the PYM region without travel, which we’ll do on Saturday online, our local meetings are where we gather most often across generations for fellowship, worship, learning, and business. Let’s continue the energy of being together at Sessions in the time after worship on Sunday morning, March 27. Shared here are resources and suggestions to plan simple opportunities for togetherness!

[Read more…] about “Together” Sunday of Spring Sessions

Religious Education Resources for March & April 2022

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A parent in my meeting shared with me that they were not sure how to talk to their children about Russia’s war on Ukraine. I recalled a line in an article that had resonated for me as a parent and educator: We don’t have to protect children from difficult feelings, but we must not leave them alone with them. The Tote Bag newsletter for March/April has many resources and events to share with meetings and families, but these ideas for supporting one another and talking about ways to create peace are perhaps the most important. [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources for March & April 2022

Stories of Faith on the Road to Easter

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We are a people full of stories. Stories help us create meaning, make sense of our world, and develop identity. Stories are how some of the greatest teachers, including Jesus of Nazareth, shared their message and showed the path of a faithful life. This series of  Godly Play and Faith & Play stories about the life and ministry of Jesus can be used during the time leading up to Easter, and are for viewing with meeting communities or sharing at home. While the style of this storytelling is often associated with programs for children, we all need and yearn for stories. These are for all of us at any age! [Read more…] about Stories of Faith on the Road to Easter

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