Three times each year, Friends in local and quarterly meeting leadership (clerks, assistant clerks, treasurers, committee clerks) gather online with the presiding clerk and General Secretary. The gatherings include timely announcements and shared conversation, and are one way that we connect across meetings in the yearly meeting. The May 2024 gatherings included several announcements to share back to meetings, and small group discussions around topics of interest. [Read more…] about Monthly and Quarterly Meeting Leadership Gatherings
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Come to the Table! Friendly Community Outreach
As the summer months begin, local communities will be hosting festivals, street fairs, and events in parks and other outdoor locations where Friends meetings will find opportunities for outreach and community connections. “Tabling” at these local events is a great opportunity for conversations and sharing information about the meeting. For those who don’t know our meetinghouses are more than historic buildings, meeting Friends at community events lifts up our current presence and vital ministries. [Read more…] about Come to the Table! Friendly Community Outreach
Millville Meeting: Service to the Aging and One Friend’s Story
A Meeting’s Deep Care:
I was delighted to interview Elaine Graham, a member of Millville Monthly Meeting’s earlier Senior Concerns Committee, which is currently part of the meeting’s Spiritual Care Committee. The names of the committees both fit well with Elaine’s background as a nurse at Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA, and a professional educator who taught comunication courses. With care and communication as her background and with the support of members of the Senior Concerns Committee members including Dean Girton, Melanie Anderson, and Sandra Smith (now worshipping with Mountain View Monthly Meeting, Denver), programs and meeting guidelines regarding aging friends were developed. [Read more…] about Millville Meeting: Service to the Aging and One Friend’s Story
Quaker Call to Protect Our Elections and Save Democracy
In February, 2022, Bruce Birchard, Sam Caldwell and Michael Wajda, all members of meetings in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, initiated what became “An Urgent Call to the Religious Society of Friends.” This was a call to Friends and meetings to join in an effort to protect the integrity of the 2022 elections. Many other Friends joined in drafting the call, which was released in June of 2022. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and many individual PYM members endorsed the Call.
We formed a “steering committee” of eight experienced Friends who have guided this work. We are an ad hoc group, not a formal organization, no tax exempt status, etc. Our mission is to bring Friends (and Friends meetings) together to take action to protect our federal, state and local elections, save and strengthen our democracy, and stand up for truth and integrity in our American political life. [Read more…] about Quaker Call to Protect Our Elections and Save Democracy
Attending The Gathering From Childhood Reinforced Lifelong Connections with Friends
Attending the Gathering from Childhood Reinforced Lifelong Connections with Friends
When I was nine, my family’s move brought us to a different unprogrammed meeting in a new state. My newly- made friend’s warm, cheerful mother invited me to go to the Cape May, New Jersey, Conference (not called the Gathering yet) with her and my friend, since my family was not able to attend. I eagerly accepted. [Read more…] about Attending The Gathering From Childhood Reinforced Lifelong Connections with Friends
Friends Fiduciary Welcomes New Executive Director
Last month Friends Fiduciary named a new Executive Director: Ethan Birchard. PYM, as well as many meetings, Friends schools, retirement communities, and other Quaker organizations trusts Fiduciary to invest funds and advocate for change in a way that is in alignment with Quaker testimonies. The announcement letter from Bennett Lomax (Doylestown Meeting), board chair for Fiduciary, shares some information about Ethan and welcomes him to the role.
[Read more…] about Friends Fiduciary Welcomes New Executive Director
Spring Brings New Growth and Talent to PRL & Communications
PYM staff is growing!
Welcomes Claire Kinnel and Larry Tiblis to PRL & Communications [Read more…] about Spring Brings New Growth and Talent to PRL & Communications
Creating a Roadmap for Addressing Climate Change!
A yearly meeting tool for Friends and meetings seeking to live out our yearly meeting-wide commitment to address climate change is now available! The booklet Creating a Playbook for Climate Action helps Friends develop personalized plans for how to address climate change – in their meetings and in their homes. Because frankly, great intentions sometimes need a path forward to arrive at the destination.
[Read more…] about Creating a Roadmap for Addressing Climate Change!
PYM’s Joey Leroux Accepts New Role
PYM’s very own Joey Leroux has been working with PYM as the data coordinator for nearly two years. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce Joey accepted the new role of Director of Grantmaking and Data earlier this month. We sat down with Joey to discuss the future of this key position and how it will best serve Friends. [Read more…] about PYM’s Joey Leroux Accepts New Role
Religious Education Resources & Events for Spring 2024
Spring is here! We often talk about renewal in this time, and there is also a duality about springtime that can feel liminal. In March, the warmer sunlight belies the chill still in the air. Flowers pop up along the edges of lawns still covered in autumn leaves. Easter has the dual, entwined messages of loss and joy. Resources and ideas are offered below for families and meetings as we move into the spring months! Please also check out and share with families in your meeting the April and May events for children,youth, and families being hosted by the wonderful PYM Youth Programs staff! [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources & Events for Spring 2024