Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight

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Connection vs Recruitment

This October, monthly meetings are encouraged to send representative teams to the upcoming October 21st Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering. Irene Oleksiw, member of Downingtown Quaker Meeting, and Joshua Ponter, member of Haddonfield Meeting, discuss connection versus recruitment in outreach efforts, as well as successes in growing meetings. Our discussion focused on why outreach is important, whether the focus should be solely about growth or meeting the needs of people and what meetings can expect to walk away learning from the upcoming event. [Read more…] about Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight

Seeking Ingrained Spirituality in the Face of Systemic Opposition

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An Interview with a Senior LGBTQ Friend

Tom Woodward is a retired Westtown School English and Latin teacher. Chatting with Tom about the challenges of his personal life and highlights of his teaching career was both heartwarming and enlightening. It was at Westtown School in West Chester, PA, Tom truly began his spiritual journey and discovery of Quakerism. [Read more…] about Seeking Ingrained Spirituality in the Face of Systemic Opposition

PYM Program & Religious Life Team Expands

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The Yearly Meeting’s Program and Religious Life staff team is growing! Heading into the 2023 Fall season, expect great things as we are delighted to welcome two new team members, Inaara Shiraz, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator and Abigaile Brace-Higgins, Children and Families Co-Facilitator to the PYM staff. In addition, Tara Rubinstein’s role on staff has expanded to a full-time position supporting both Sessions and other yearly meeting events. [Read more…] about PYM Program & Religious Life Team Expands

It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!

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Get ready for a Super Quaker Weekend! During the last weekend in September, PYM Youth Staff will be joining in youth and family-centered events throughout the region, leading up to World Quaker Day on Sunday, October 1st, hosted by our friends at Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). No matter where you are located within PYM, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and participate in during this Fall weekend.  All are welcome! [Read more…] about It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!

Quaker Spotlight: A Woman of Note

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As we began our interview with Demie Kurz, a long-time member of the Religious Society of Friends and retired professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, who also co-directed the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies program, we were immediately impressed with her flow of conversation and emphasis on the history of Quaker women. Nowadays, Demie Kurz spends her time in retirement writing a book on parenting, written from a sociological perspective. This is her story. [Read more…] about Quaker Spotlight: A Woman of Note

PYM Welcomes New Deputy General Secretary, Salvador Orellana

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PYM is Proud to Welcome F. Salvador Orellana To Our Staff as Deputy General Secretary (DGS)

Salvador brings vast experience in direct support to the General Secretary in this new PYM operations leadership role. Salvador’s passion lies in organizational change and strategic relationship-building to transform the lives of communities he connects with. Many of you may have met Salvador this past July at The College of New Jersey, as on day one he graciously jumped right into serving our community during this year’s Annual Sessions.

[Read more…] about PYM Welcomes New Deputy General Secretary, Salvador Orellana

Religious Education Resources & Events Fall 2023

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In this year’s Fall issue of the The Tote Bag: PYM Religious Education and Family Resources newsletter you’ll find events and resources to support getting ready for children and youth programs in meetings, including programs on welcome and safety for adults who serve religious education programs. Also shared below are ideas for celebrating our world family of Friends with World Quaker Day on October 1st and the upcoming 400th birthday of George Fox. The Anti-racism Learning & Action section of the newsletter focuses this time on Native Justice and recommended books that center Native American voices.
[Read more…] about Religious Education Resources & Events Fall 2023

ʻĀina – Help for Maui Wildfire Survivors

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“ʻĀina,” Hawaiian for “land,” means that which feeds; a worldview of reciprocity and familial relationship between people and land.

[Read more…] about ʻĀina – Help for Maui Wildfire Survivors

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Epistles for Annual Sessions 2023

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Annual Sessions 2023 gathered Friends from across the PYM four-state region and beyond. While we have gathered for two hybrid Continuing Sessions, this was our first hybrid Annual Sessions, which included residential participation; Friends online were joined by those at The College of New Jersey during the weekend days. Following yearly meetings’ annual gatherings, outgoing epistles “to all Friends everywhere” are shared widely in our global Quaker community. (You can read others from 2023 posted on the Friend World Committee for Consultation website.) Shared below are links to this year’s epistles from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Please read and share widely, especially with Friends who might not have attended Annual Sessions. The epistle committee seeks to capture what occurred during our time together and how Spirit moved among us. [Read more…] about Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Epistles for Annual Sessions 2023

Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions

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​​​​​​​​​​We sat down with 19 yr. old Young Adult Friend, Alex Emmert to find out what drew him to Quakerism from his upbringing as Baptist, what he enjoyed most about Annual Sessions and what he is looking forward to seeing from Quakers in the next decade. Alex shares his personal, truthful experiences with Quakerism and insights on outreach to other young adults seeking solid spiritual grounding. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions

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