REGISTER FOR 2025 ANNUAL SESSIONS!
Welcome to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions
Gathering as a community is part of our shared commitment to each other and our faith.
This year, Annual Sessions will return to a five-day Sessions format. Friends can expect keynote speakers, opportunities for fellowship, learning, worship, and thoughtful attention to the work of the yearly meeting.
This summer, Annual Sessions will take place at Cheyney University and on Zoom. We are grateful to be partnering with Cheyney – The first Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Cheyney University was founded in part with a grant from a Quaker family. This partnership is an opportunity to nourish meaningful relationships. Friends are invited to join as a community – either in person or online – based on what works best for you.
Ways to join
Wednesday and Thursday of Annual Sessions are online-only, using Zoom. All registered participants will receive the link.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be hybrid. Friends are welcome to attend onsite at Cheyney University or take part online through Zoom.
Schedule
Pre-Sessions Events
Join Presiding Clerk, Nikki Mosgrove, for two inspiring meetings in the lead up to Annual Sessions. At these meetings Friends will hear from:
PYM Reps to Sister orgs
Friday, June 27, 5:00 – 7:00pm
PYM Collaboratives
Saturday, June 28, 10:30am – 1:30pm
Join Tom Zemaitis (Treasurer) and David Park (CFO) for a conversation about the FY25 budget, which will be presented for approval at Annual Sessions in July.
More information here
Wednesday, July 16, 7:00-9:00pm
Opportunities
PYM is offering several opportunities to PYM members to help offset the cost of attending Annual Sessions. Please review the opportunities below, and reach out if you have any additional questions.
Aging Assistance Grant for Annual Sessions
Friends who are 62 years or older may apply for financial assistance to attend Annual Sessions. This fund is intended to support Friends who have financial need and would otherwise not participate in Annual Sessions.
Annual Sessions Volunteer Work
PYM Friends attending Annual Sessions can have their program fee waved by agreeing to volunteer 4-6 hours of their time to keep Sessions programming running well.
What is Sessions?
Annual Sessions is one of the oldest Quaker traditions! Today, all over the world, yearly meetings gather once a year to bring together members and attenders from their local meetings. We call them “Sessions” because meeting for worship with attention to the business of the Yearly Meeting is central to these times together. Continuing Sessions are our one-day events on the second Saturday of November and March, where we attend to the continuing business of the Yearly Meeting and enjoy fellowship across generations. During all these times we ask: What is God’s big idea for PYM Friends?
