The event took place in the worship room at Friends Center, bringing together worship leaders, city officials, healthcare workers, legal professionals, and community advocates. They joined together to address the impact of immigration enforcement on Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and communities. The event allowed attenders to learn what is happening and ways to take action. [Read more…] about One Philadelphia: A Community Meeting about Immigrant Rights & Concerns
Worship
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
Finding Space for Transformation | PYM Spiritual Formation Collaborative Spring Retreat
“The retreat was a vessel; it provided the excuse for the Presence to come among us.” Anonymous.
The Spiritual Formation Program has been one of the great blessings of my life. I have been attending annual retreats for the last 25 years, facilitating for about 20. Here is what I have learned by “sweet experience.” The facilitators serve only as vessels. Our participants come together on Friday evening, mostly strangers to each other. During the weekend, a transformation occurs. By Sunday’s time of departure, we have learned about the sweetness of each precious Friend and experienced Spirit at the deepest level. That of God in each of us has been coaxed out of the shadows. And there is a great Light. The facilitators may miss the mark. But Spirit’s constant Presence always enables the transformation.
PYM Supports FCNL’s Award-Winning Peace Efforts
PYM Friends joined with Friends from different yearly meetings, schools, and organizations across the country for Friends Committee on National Legislation’s (FCNL) 2024 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., with opportunities to participate online as well. Friends visited congressional offices to lobby for blocking the sale of offensive weapons to Israel. These efforts reflected a collective spirit and dedication to creating meaningful change through lobbying.
[Read more…] about PYM Supports FCNL’s Award-Winning Peace Efforts
Partnership with Church World Service
In October, PYM announced a new partnership with Church World Service (CWS) as a covenant member. During the recent Joint Council meeting, Clerk Nikki Mosgrove led a discussion on PYM’s new relationship with CWS, a national faith-based organization focused on just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. This partnership allows PYM to nominate board members and collaborate closely on CWS’s work, although it holds no voting rights. CWS extended this invitation to deepen the connection, reflecting their commitment to building impactful relationships. The council plans to review this partnership at a future session to assess its impact.
[Read more…] about Partnership with Church World Service
Memorial to the Lost® Installation at Arch Street Meeting House Commemorates Victims of Gun Violence
The Friends Ending Gun Violence Collaborative, in partnership with Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence, will host a Memorial to the Lost® installation at Arch Street Meeting House from November 8th to November 14th, 2024. Friends are invited to gather for a dedication event on Friday, November 8th, at 3:00 PM. As well as a silent vigil at 5:30 PM following the Memorial Meeting for Worship.
Building Connections Through Grief, Loss, and Pastoral Care
On October 19th, Friends gathered at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting for a Thread Gathering focused on grief, loss, and pastoral care. The day provided space for conversations about how meetings offer support during life’s difficult moments. Participants shared their experiences, noting that strong relationships help meetings respond when members are going through challenges.
[Read more…] about Building Connections Through Grief, Loss, and Pastoral Care
Exploring PYM Connect: Features for Connection and Community
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is launching a new online community platform, PYM Connect, in January of 2025. PYM Connect is a secure and supportive virtual space to discuss, engage, and grow with PYM Friends. It allows participants to share updates and meaningful news, while also providing a virtual space to connect with other Friends within PYM who share similar ministries and leadings.
[Read more…] about Exploring PYM Connect: Features for Connection and Community
Making Spaces for Children In Worship
A rising interest in intergenerational worship in the yearly meeting has also led to meetings creating spaces for children in the places where they worship. This is more than putting a “children’s area” in the places where we worship — It is a visible message to any newcomer, including families with children: “Children are welcome here.” [Read more…] about Making Spaces for Children In Worship
Asma’s First FGC Gathering Story
May 19, 2023
by Joan Botto, (first published on the Friends General Conference website)
Asma arrived at her first Gathering in 2022 after driving 10 hours with Friends from her monthly meeting in Florida to Radford University in Virginia. [Read more…] about Asma’s First FGC Gathering Story
