Have you ever been part of a project that has different parts working together? Like building something, gardening with others, planning an event? It can be challenging – especially when you think you don’t know what you need to do. Will you be given the right tools? The right instructions? Will the product or event be what we want? With a bit of coordination and commitment, something both memorable and magical can happen! [Read more…] about Pendle Hill Chorus – Many Voices with One Song
News
More Resources for Meeting Website Development
More Resources for Meeting Website Development
Earlier this year, we shared resources provided by Friends General Conference (FGC) for ‘What’s After Quaker Cloud?’. As meetings begin the transition of migrating their websites to alternative web hosting platforms, we’d like to introduce you to an additional alternative meetings can consider. [Read more…] about More Resources for Meeting Website Development
Fall Monthly and Quarterly Meeting Leadership Gatherings
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s General Secretary, Christie Duncan-Tessmer, invited Friends in monthly and quarterly meeting leadership roles to gatherings on Zoom on September 21 and September 28. Many leaders attended to share, listen, and learn from each other.
[Read more…] about Fall Monthly and Quarterly Meeting Leadership Gatherings
PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
As Friends around the globe gathered to celebrate World Quaker Day, PYM Friends joined in on the festivities, attending and even volunteering at events throughout the Delaware Valley and Upper Susquehanna regions hosted by monthly and quarterly meetings. There was truly something for everyone! So, how did you celebrate World Quaker Day this year?
[Read more…] about PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
Darby Friends Meetinghouse Named as Underground Railroad Site by National Park Service
Church Creek, MD – The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Darby Friends Meetinghouse and School site, in Darby, Pennsylvania., as one of 23 new listings, from the 46th round of applications, representing sites and programs in 14 states across the U.S. and Canada. These new listings, alongside more than 750 sites, facilities, and programs already in the Network, provide insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery and allies who assisted them. [Read more…] about Darby Friends Meetinghouse Named as Underground Railroad Site by National Park Service
Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight
Connection vs Recruitment
This October, monthly meetings are encouraged to send representatives 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 will focus on why outreach is important and what meetings can expect to learn from this upcoming event. [Read more…] about Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight
Seeking Ingrained Spirituality in the Face of Systemic Opposition
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
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!
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
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