Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Addressing Racism

Authors of Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities

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This year’s One Pamphlet, One Yearly Meeting selection is Pendle Hill Pamphlet 495, Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities, by Lauren Brownlee (she/her) and Zenaida Peterson (they/them). Together, the authors invite Friends to consider how racial harm can occur within Quaker communities and what accountability, repair, and more loving relationships can ask of us.

As Friends across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting continue to read and begin to discuss the pamphlet, learning more about Lauren and Zenaida offers helpful context for the experiences and perspectives they bring to this conversation.

Gather online on Thursday, October 29, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for an evening discussion on this years One Pamphlet, One Yearly Meeting.

Friend can also access an audible version of the pamphlet at https://www.audible.com/pd/Patterns-of-Racial-Wounding-and-Racial-Justice-in-Quaker-Communities-Audiobook/B0H2ZT35HW

[Read more…] about Authors of Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities

Answering to That of God at Delany Hall

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Authorship is attributed to Christopher Pensiero.

I have been traveling to witness to the shared humanity of us all, and that of god in everyone at Delaney Hall in Newark I had been much disturbed by the racial inequality and rising violence on display in this country. I also had a concern that the vitriol that seems to be flung by both sides. I was reminded of the dichotomy with two of our great abolitionists Woolman and Lay and while Lay spoke the truth with anger Woolman spoke with love. [Read more…] about Answering to That of God at Delany Hall

Juneteenth and the Continued Journey Toward Equality | Addressing Racism Collaborative

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Authorship attributed  to Joan Broadfield, member of Addressing Racism Collaborative.

All around our Quaker meetings  there are institutions in the communities celebrating the African American past and present, and June is a month to learn and visit.  Consider the meaning of Juneteenth, a day that African Americans celebrate to recognize the end of the civil war and the beginning path to equality. Quaker history has not always reflected a testimony of true equality. By putting Juneteenth in all our lives as an important time, we expand our sense of shared community.  Consider the larger history that those of us who are of European heritage may not viscerally feel.  Growing up at an HBCU in my white family,  being part of that community, I learned more than I realized, and it feels part of me. We need that for our Quaker community. [Read more…] about Juneteenth and the Continued Journey Toward Equality | Addressing Racism Collaborative

40X40WalkForReparations | Press Release

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Philadelphia Yearly Meeting received this press release on May 13 from a Friend in the body regarding the 40X40WalkForReparations, which will take place on May 14.

ON THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOVE BOMBING, PASTOR AND REPARATIONS ACTIVIST REV. DR. ROBERT TURNER LAUNCHES 40-MILE WALK ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA AND CALLS FOR STATEWIDE REPARATIONS

March from Columbia to Harrisburg Connects the Birthplace of the Underground Railroad to the Capitol Steps — and Demands Pennsylvania Finally Repair Its Wounds.

[Read more…] about 40X40WalkForReparations | Press Release

PYM Friends Can Take Part in a Racial Conflict Transformation Program

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Star Smith and Shannon Roberts Smith, both of Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association (SAYMA) recently shared on an opportunity for all Friends, no matter what yearly meeting

The SAYMA Racial Conflict Transformation Program is happening again this fall and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) Friends who choose to take part will be part of small monthly affinity groups of Friends working collectively on identifying and eliminating racial oppression in Quaker spaces. The program will offer training modules in systemic racial analysis that include historical context, racial power dynamics, and practical tools for addressing racial conflict.

Complete Interest Form

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Mott Memo | Spring Continuing Sessions 2026

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The Mott Memo is a message for Friends in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) to know what happened during sessions activities. Some Friends reading this message joined online this past weekend, while others didn’t directly participate but still want to know what had taken place.

However you were able to connect this past weekend, we hope this update provides you with the opportunity to stay close to your community of Friends.

Friends are also encouraged to take the Sessions Survey, even if you did not attend Spring Continuing Sessions. Your feedback will help navigate these gatherings in the future.

[Read more…] about Mott Memo | Spring Continuing Sessions 2026

Robert Best and Sharing Messages Through Signs

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Robert Best, an attender of Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting can be found in Center City Philadelphia, near the plaza across from the Clothespin sculpture every Wednesday between 12:00 and 1:30. Robert stands there with a tall pole and a set of signs. [Read more…] about Robert Best and Sharing Messages Through Signs

Addressing Racism Collaborative Meeting Summary | February 2026

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The following summary and cover photo is attributed to the Addressing Racism Collaborative of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

On February 16, 2026, eight Friends gathered for the Addressing Racism Collaborative meeting. The collaborative sent out an email to all meeting clerks requesting that they set aside time between now and March 31 to answer questions about the state of their meeting’s work on addressing racism. We sincerely thank the PYM staff for formatting and disseminating this email to the PYM body!

[Read more…] about Addressing Racism Collaborative Meeting Summary | February 2026

General Secretary Holding Listening Sessions on Yearly Meeting-Wide Witnesses

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Chris Mohr, General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, led a listening session over Zoom during the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM) session this past Sunday, January 25. The day, originally planned to be hybrid, was fully virtual due to snow.

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Commemorating Juneteenth | Our Yearly Meeting Wide-Witness of Addressing Racism

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What is Juneteenth?

June 19 marks the historical milestone of Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration that marks the end of enslavement in U.S. history. Juneteenth is formed from combining the words “June” and “nineteenth,” and pays homage to the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned from Major General Gordon Granger, along with accompanying Union soldiers, that they had a legally recognized free status across the state of Texas and that the Civil War had officially ended. Then, annual Juneteenth celebrations began the following year in 1866. Juneteenth has also been called Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day. [Read more…] about Commemorating Juneteenth | Our Yearly Meeting Wide-Witness of Addressing Racism

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