From 1916 to 1966, the Young Friends Movement of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting hosted a lecture series, which they called The William Penn Lectures (later renamed the Seeking Faithfulness Lectures). The Young Friends Movement began the lecture series “for the purpose of closer fellowship; for the strengthening by such association and the interchange of experience, of loyalty to the ideals of the Society of Friends; and for the preparation by such common ideals for more effective work through the Society of Friends for the growth of the Kingdom of God on Earth.” These lectures were published by the Book Committee of PYM, and PYM has granted Pendle Hill Publications permission to digitize them for the public.
[Read more…] about Pendle Hill Releases Historic Lecture Series
News
Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting Reopens
On March 27, Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting opened its doors and welcomed Friends back to the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania meetinghouse after months of Zoom hybrid worship. Over 50 returned to benches from long-laid-down meetings in the 62-year-old mid-century meetinghouse. Twenty-five more Friends joined via Zoom, arriving from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mexico, and Ireland, all of whom have become a familiar, beloved presence. Older and younger Friends alike greeted children and young people in the restored First Day School. After worship, Friends gathered outdoors and continued fellowship amid late-March chill and flurries. [Read more…] about Lehigh Valley Monthly Meeting Reopens
Performance Arts at Friends Home in Kennett
Friends Home in Kennett has made a commitment to serving Friends with care and enabling relationships to grow. Through a creative program of Performing Arts, their staff has created an enriching opportunity for their residents to reach others’ hearts through music. Last year, the PYM Aging Assistance Granting Group (AAGG) awarded Friends Home in Kennett a grant to be used by their activities staff for their needs. In this article, Wright Horne reports on the activities, thoughts behind their programming, and the residents’ responses. [Read more…] about Performance Arts at Friends Home in Kennett
Follow-up from Haddonfield Friends Meeting
On Sunday morning, April 3rd, members of Haddonfield Friends Meeting gathered for a celebration focused on peace and healing. This came about with the confluence of two events at the end of last week: receiving a sapling from the historic Salem oak tree and finding several trees at the entry to our graveyard had been spray-painted with graffiti including two swastikas. [Read more…] about Follow-up from Haddonfield Friends Meeting
What Happened at 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions
On the weekend of March 25 – 27, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting convened our 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions. The weekend began with a powerful and moving performance from Molly Hicks on Friday evening. On Saturday, Francisco Burgos delivered a keynote address, after which, we held PYM’s meeting for worship for business. During meeting for business, Green Street Meeting’s Reparations Committee presented on their work. This included a touching message from Kimberly Jones about the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis.
[Read more…] about What Happened at 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions
Abington Quarterly Meeting Endorses Minute of Reconciliation
Abington Quarterly Meeting in session endorsed Abington Monthly Meeting’s Minute of Reconciliation and agreed that it should be made available to all members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Abington Quarterly Meeting and Abington Monthly Meeting have also created a list of resources for friends who would like to learn more. You can find these resources at the end of the article. [Read more…] about Abington Quarterly Meeting Endorses Minute of Reconciliation
Meeting Target of Hate Symbols
“Intolerance festers and metastasizes in darkness and silence: it depends and feeds upon apathy and indifference. Each of us can play a part in preventing that from happening.”
— Dave Austin, Clerk, Haddonfield Friends Meeting
iPad Grant Enriches Residents’ Lives
The past couple of years revealed the importance of connecting with others to reduce social isolation. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) noted that more than one third of adults over 45 feel lonely and nearly one quarter of adults over 65 are thought to experience social isolation. Staff in long term care communities began using technology such as teaching residents how to utilize items such as an iPad which brought opportunities for residents to connect with friends and family
2022 Spring Continuing Sessions Minutes
Held by Zoom video conference [Read more…] about 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions Minutes
Together: Intergenerational Sundays
On Sunday of Spring 2022 Continuing Sessions weekend, local meetings were encouraged to “create your own” intergenerational gathering of Friends. Shared here are stories from meetings who created time for togetherness. Other meetings are planning future programs, and we would love to keep hearing and sharing those stories! [Read more…] about Together: Intergenerational Sundays