On the 3rd Month, 9th Day 2025, Trenton Monthly Meeting approved a Minute of Solidarity with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) Community. A copy of the Minute is shown below. [Read more…] about Trenton Minute of Support for LGBTQIA Community
Peace & Social Justice
Join PYM Connect Today!
PYM Connect is a space for Friends to come together, exchange ideas, and support one another. Join now and be part of a growing community where ministries in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting take shape and meetings collaborate. While the platform is still developing, it’s available now because the need is real. If something isn’t working as expected, kindness and feedback will help make it better for everyone. [Read more…] about Join PYM Connect Today!
Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities supports the work of Native Roots Farm Foundation
The Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities provides grants to Indigenous communities enabling their work to build cultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being. We give priority to projects created and carried out by Indigenous peoples of a one-time nature: pilot projects and seed money to help initiatives which serve a community get off the ground. One organization we have supported this past year is Native Roots Farm Foundation (NRFF) for their work rematriating culturally meaningful plants. [Read more…] about Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities supports the work of Native Roots Farm Foundation
State College Friends Meeting Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA Community
State College Friends Meeting
Minute of Solidarity with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) Community
Adapted from a similar minute from Germantown Monthly Meeting:
Those who would extinguish freedom have historically targeted the most vulnerable and disregarded in society — those with the fewest allies, the fewest willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend them, the fewest who see their fate as inextricably bound up with them. [Read more…] about State College Friends Meeting Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA Community
LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Updated March 5, 2025
During the 2025 Annual Sessions, Friends approved a yearly meeting minute in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people. This minute, adapted from one shared by Germantown Monthly Meeting and Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, connects to the ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms the shared commitment to stand beside them.
Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community
Below are a few provided resources that Friends may choose to utilize, learn, and share when connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community members and Friends. The following resources were compiled by Karen Lightner of Germantown Monthly Meeting, There is hope that this list will continue to grow, if you have additional resources to share, we invite you to send them to communications@pym.org.
[Read more…] about LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Honoring Black Quaker Legacies: A Celebration through Collage & Remembrance
On February 19th, PYM staff gathered in the Rufus Jones Room for a Meeting for Learning, with a focus on Black Quaker contributions. While Black History Month provides a moment to center these contributions, we recognize that the legacies of Black Quakers are essential to the ongoing story of Quakerism and deserve continuous reflection. After an initial discussion, we broke into small groups to create collages that highlighted the lives and impacts of individual Black Quakers, showcasing their enduring influence on both the Society of Friends and society at large.
[Read more…] about Honoring Black Quaker Legacies: A Celebration through Collage & Remembrance
Judge Blocks ICE Enforcement In Houses of Worship | As Featured on Democracy Forward
Democracy Forward Filed Suit on Behalf of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento, Six Quaker Yearly Meetings
Court’s Order Blocks Enforcement In Plaintiffs’ Houses of Worship
Greenbelt, Maryland – Today, the U.S. District Court of Maryland issued an order blocking the Trump administration’s policy that enables immigration officials to enter houses of worship indiscriminately to conduct immigration enforcement operations. The order, which outlines the ways in which the Trump administration policy is likely to violate religious freedom and expression rights, applies to Plaintiffs’ houses of worship.
Opportunities Following the PYM Lawsuit
PYM meetings can support the lawsuit in a variety of ways. This suit is a single step in a march toward seeking justice in the current state in our country.
While the need for the lawsuit—and for many other suits—may be daunting and depressing, the opportunity it brings for practicing our faith is energizing. There are five sections below, each offering a starting point for meetings to think about their next steps.
The primary motion to keep in the forefront, regardless of the focus or activity, is being obedient to the Spirit, faithful in strengthening our community, and effective in supporting our neighbors.
Faith Letter to Secretary Rubio on USAID and Foreign Aid
This letter, signed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and other faith groups across the country, asks Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bring back foreign aid programs, restart USAID, and reopen refugee resettlement. It shares concern that cutting these programs hurts people in need, damages U.S. leadership, and makes the world less safe.
Dear Secretary Rubio,
Congratulations on your confirmation as Secretary of State. This position comes with profound responsibilities, as you represent the United States to the rest of the world and are the highest-ranking member of the Presidential cabinet. Your efforts are especially important in an increasingly connected and interdependent world.
[Read more…] about Faith Letter to Secretary Rubio on USAID and Foreign Aid
How Meetings Can Support the Lawsuit?
Friends and meetings want to be able to support the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. While there is not a direct role, such as joining the suit, there are a number of important things that can be done.
