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.
Worship
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?
October Opportunities That Invite PYM Friends Of Every Age
As Fall begins, the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting community gathers again, with different opportunities to be together at Haverford Friends Meeting, Friends Center, Arch Street Meeting House, and online.
These opportunities invite Friends of every age and group, from families and Middle School Friends to whole committees, to gather in fellowship, discernment, and learning as a faith community, continuing connection through time spent as Members One of Another. [Read more…] about October Opportunities That Invite PYM Friends Of Every Age
Every Ministry. Every Meeting. Every Friend. Has a Story.
Friends from every meeting, region, and generation across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting carry impactful legacies forward each day. Committees and meetings record minutes, councils carry forward the business of the yearly meeting, organizations in our region act in ministry, and faith moves through individual Friends. Each of these moments creates a story worth sharing. [Read more…] about Every Ministry. Every Meeting. Every Friend. Has a Story.
PYM Annual Sessions 2025 Children’s Epistle
The 345th Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting happened this past July online and at Cheyney University. This children’s epistle records a reflection of the fellowship during sessions and is not meant to serve as minutes. [Read more…] about PYM Annual Sessions 2025 Children’s Epistle
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.
This Month with Programs and Religious Life and Other Opportunities
July is a big month for the Programs and Religious Life Team! Why you may ask? It’s because we’re gearing up for Annual Sessions, which will be taking place from Wednesday, July 23, through Sunday, July 27, at Cheyney University. Sessions will offer 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. If you haven’t already, be sure to register! [Read more…] about This Month with Programs and Religious Life and Other Opportunities
Dr. Ayesha Imani and Joyce Ajlouny Will Speak at Annual Sessions
Picture left Dr. Ayesha Imani and Pictured Right General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee Joyce Ajlouny
Dr. Ayesha Imani and Joyce Ajlouny will speak at Annual Sessions. Ayesha’s Quaker faith journey is rooted in being true to her relationship with the Divine, committed to Black liberation, and grounded in a spirituality that affirms her Africanity. She is a founder of the Fellowship of Friends of African Descent, Ujima Friends Peace Center, and Ujima Friends Meeting, and is a member of both Ujima Friends Meeting and Unity Monthly Meeting – a Pan-African Quaker community within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Joyce is a Quaker leader with 30 years of experience in non-profit management and international work for peace and justice. She served as director of Ramallah Friends School in Palestine for 13 years and is now General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee.
Register for Sessions [Read more…] about Dr. Ayesha Imani and Joyce Ajlouny Will Speak at Annual Sessions
Bristol Friends Meeting Awarded $10,000 Grant
Bristol Friends Meeting made their meetinghouse more open and usable through a $10,000 grant from the PYM Quaker Buildings & Programs Granting Group. The work addressed long-identified needs with attention to both the history of the space and the people who continue to gather in it. [Read more…] about Bristol Friends Meeting Awarded $10,000 Grant
This April with the Programs and Religious Life Team and Grant Opportunities to Know
The Programs and Religious Life Team has an abundant month of gatherings ahead, and they invite all to participate this April! [Read more…] about This April with the Programs and Religious Life Team and Grant Opportunities to Know
