Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Religious Education

Suggested Resources for Easter:

Books: (stories not predicated on atonement theory or the violence of the crucifixion)

  • The Light of the World: The Life of Jesus for Children by Katherine Paterson
  • This is the Mystery of Easter by Amelia Richardson Dress
  • Chapter on Herb Montgomery in Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints by Daneen Akers

“Stories of Faith on the Road to Easter” (PYM website) — 6-week series of videos of Godly Play and Faith & Play stories, Spring 2021

On the Faith & Play Stories website:

“Holy Week in a Box” activity for exploring the story of the week leading to Easter

An Introduction to the Life of Jesus for Quakers — using the music of Godspell (older youth) from KidsQuake

More on the Quaker Religious Education Collaborative website.

Suggested Resources for Easter 2021 (suggestions here, linked in printable PDF)

Program Planning:

Racial Justice Curricula and Resources:

Talking About Racial Injustice with Children  includes a collection of current resources for families (published on PYM website June 2020)

Black Lives Matter Instructional Library compiled by Pheobe Defino. An excellent collection of children’s racial justice books all in read-aloud format. Sections/shelves focusing on: Activism and Advocacy, Self-love and Empowerment, Black History, Libros en Espanol, Additional Resources and Contact.

Protest Song Activity created by the KidsBridge Center. Explore songs created to encourage, inspire, and get people moving for change!

Racial Justice Curriculum for Young Friends by Lisa Graustein, NEYM. A 10-lesson curriculum helping middle and high-school age Friends to grapple with racial justice issues beginning with their own understandings of their racial identity.

Children and Youth Resources Exploring Racism and Racial Justice  list of websites, blogs, online articles, curricula and children’s literature that begins with framing queries:

  • How do we approach the work of teaching/learning about undoing racism for both Friends of European and African descent? Other People of Color?
  • What scaffolding or tools can we create/recommend for working with a book resource? (queries, wondering questions, etc.)
  • How do we prepare the way in our meetings and RE programs for ALL children to feel welcomed, included and fully participatory in the Religious Society of Friends? How do we signal welcome and inclusion to visitors?

Lessons for At Home & Online Together

PYM Curricula