Blessings, f/Friends throughout the world from the 346th Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. We were embraced as family by Cheyney University, the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States, which was founded as an act of reparation by Friend, Richard Humphreys. In this time when we are so horrified by the cruelty we’re witnessing in our country, to be so Held as beloved guests by these neighbors is a balm.
Much of our work & play were hybrid & allowed us to be in community with f/Friends who couldn’t join us in person.
Our opening keynote speaker, Clinton Pettus, a former faculty member at & president of Cheyney, set the tone by emphasizing who we are, beyond our appearances or demographics, rather than what we are. He encouraged us to see beyond what we can see with our eyes & to look at each other’s essence. “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:5 (ESV) He also reminded us that our way, as Friends, is to preach what we practice rather than practice what we preach & brought our theme, “Members One of Another” to life by saying “if you want to go far, go together.”
Our Clerk invited us to join in our work, with open minds & open hearts & in that spirit we united, even though we did not always come to unity. But who are we when we can not unite over an issue? Although we can’t see it we are still traveling together.
Our Friday keynote speaker, Christy Randazzo, continued the motif of our connectedness “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1 (ESV) Our connection, Members One of Another, was grounded in our Worship which we carried with us through our engagement during our workshops, our intergenerational fun, & our renewed joy in being together. And as we continue to strive through our imperfections, as Christy Randazzo reminded us, we are hope.
