Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) is bringing back community-led workshops at Annual Sessions. Friends can submit a proposal to lead a workshop that connects with this year’s theme, Members One of Another, or that supports Friends’ faith and commitment in the life of the yearly meeting.
For Annual Sessions, facilitator Friends can choose a 90-minute session or a 3-hour block, offered either online on Zoom or onsite at Cheyney University. Workshops will not be hybrid. Online workshops can request PYM Staff help with screen-sharing, breakout rooms, and chat. Onsite workshops can request advance printing, and basic supplies like flip charts, markers, and art or office materials will be on hand. Some rooms at Cheyney University may have AV assistance for slides or video, and PYM Staff can help facilitators connect to the room’s system; onsite photocopying will not be available.
PYM Friends can submit a proposal by March 1, 2026, using this form. The timeline that follow is that Friends will be notified that their proposals has been received three working days after submission, after those workshops will be reviewed in March and April, and Friends who submitted will receive notification by April 15, 2026.
Workshops that welcome all ages, or that invite intergenerational participation, are encouraged. Workshop proposals should include time for practice and participation, such as queries, small-group discussion, partner sharing, movement, or hands-on activities. Please keep prepared remarks to 20 minutes total, with no more than 10 minutes at a time. If a workshop includes sensitive content, please let PYM Staff know in the workshop proposal so pastoral care Friends can be available to support participants.
Facilitation is a volunteer role, and Annual Sessions program and meal fees will be waived for up to two facilitators per workshop; residential housing or dorm fees are not included. If you need any further information, contact Tara Rubinstein at trubinstein@pym.org or (215) 241-7068.
*This day of active learning will provide opportunities to explore topics for adults, youth and intergenerational programming and will happen onsite at three regional locations simultaneously: Haverford Meeting – 855 Buck Ln, Haverford, PA | Unami Meeting – 100 Fifth St., Pennsburg, PA | Wicomico River Meeting – 519 Dykes Rd, Salisbury, MD
