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
Faith and Practice
Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions
We sat down with 19 yr. old Young Adult Friend, Alex Emmert to find out what drew him to Quakerism from his upbringing as Baptist, what he enjoyed most about Annual Sessions and what he is looking forward to seeing from Quakers in the next decade. Alex shares his personal, truthful experiences with Quakerism and insights on outreach to other young adults seeking solid spiritual grounding. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions
An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
Dear Friends,
I am so excited to invite you to join me at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s 343rd Annual Sessions. We’ll be gathering at The College of New Jersey and on Zoom, hopefully in ways that are accessible to as many Friends as possible across the Yearly Meeting.
[Read more…] about An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
The Spring Term at Pendle Hill
A 10-week on-campus residential study program for those seeking space and community in which to share the daily rhythm of learning, work, and worship.
In a moment when the world feels exhausted, fractured, and depleted, Pendle Hill’s Spring Term offers a greenhouse – a protected space for Friends and other seekers to bring leadings, ideas, questions, and other seeds of the “already but not yet” – to nurture these visions into being, through the daily rhythm of study, work, and worship in community.
Pillars of the Program
Study
The program will feature a series of courses centering around Pendle Hill’s three core, interrelated educational themes:
- Faith and Practice, including religious thought and spiritual practice, practices of spiritual discernment, Quakerism, and Biblical studies;
- Prophetic Witness and Social Concerns through the practice of community; and
- Nurturing Creativity through a creative exploration centered in the art studio.
Students will have space to share with each other the leadings which brought them to Pendle Hill and will support each other in their personal development.
Work
Each student will take part in caring for the needs of the community, within the areas of hospitality (including housekeeping and work in the kitchen), buildings and grounds (gardening and maintenance), and education (upkeep of the library and art studio).
In the daily rhythm of study, work, and worship, while also enjoying Pendle Hill’s shared meals and beautiful campus, students build a community focused on the integration of action and contemplation, returning to Pendle Hill’s roots as a school for prophetic witness in the world.
Worship
The heartbeat of Pendle Hill is daily Meeting for Worship. Students will be encouraged to join and support this and other spiritual practices.
Friends’ Decision-Making and Clerking: Participating in Meetings for Business with Joy and Confidence
An on-campus weekend workshop with Steve Mohlke and ,O on liberatory clerking skills and principles.
Nov 17-19, 2023
6:00pm Friday through lunch on Sunday
This is an opportunity for both new and experienced clerks of Friends’ meetings and committees to meet and think together about the role of presiding clerk in the spiritual practice of meeting for business.
The workshop will address racism in the context of Friends’ decision-making and clerking. We need to pay attention to racism because it affects (infects) nearly everything in this society. We will be lifting up decision-making processes that seek to liberate the Spirit among all participants.
There will be handouts to follow along during the program, exercises, and opportunities to share experiences, with most work being done in a whole group setting. It is expected that each person will leave the weekend with new energy and enthusiasm for being a clerk, feeling well grounded in both the theoretical and the practical.
PYM Launches New Info Line
Do you have a Question? The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) office can connect you with someone who has the answer!
Demystifying Planned Giving
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
— 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Many people enjoy giving, whether of their time or resources. Giving fosters a greater sense of community, connection, service, and philanthropy – plus it is an amazing feeling! Philadelphia Yearly Meeting believes anyone can give regardless of age, race, or income.
Sacred Creativity
An on-campus art series, inviting commuters to join Spring Term resident students in exploring creativity as a mode of spiritual discernment
Saturdays, 2:30pm – 5:00pm.
Tiered pricing:
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Holding each other in the Light in Pendle Hill’s art studio, we will explore how creativity can augment our spiritual discernment practices and our called ministries. We will support the development of our spiritual seeds, nudges, and leadings by:
- Practicing creative and spiritual discernment through art-making;
- Stepping into Spirit’s mystery with curiosity, fascination, wonder, and awe;
- Honoring various aspects of ourselves, including the parts that are creative and the parts that criticize;
- Developing creative prayer practices;
- Creatively maintaining our relationships with Spirit as we follow leadings.
During our time together we will explore:
- Drawing and painting;
- Single-sheet book-making;
- Journaling/writing poems;
- Following guided visualizations;
- Practicing movement/body-based prayer;
- 3D sculpting and/or mask-making with your choice of materials (air-hardening clay, plaster rolls, wire, yarn, twine, fabric, paper, and more!)
- Optional activities include music-making and dancing.
No particular creative skills or former arts experiences are required to participate in this program. Please bring a journal and a favorite pen. All other materials will be provided.
Sacred Creativity
An on-campus art series, inviting commuters to join Spring Term resident students in exploring creativity as a mode of spiritual discernment
Saturdays, 2:30pm – 5:00pm.
Tiered pricing:
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Holding each other in the Light in Pendle Hill’s art studio, we will explore how creativity can augment our spiritual discernment practices and our called ministries. We will support the development of our spiritual seeds, nudges, and leadings by:
- Practicing creative and spiritual discernment through art-making;
- Stepping into Spirit’s mystery with curiosity, fascination, wonder, and awe;
- Honoring various aspects of ourselves, including the parts that are creative and the parts that criticize;
- Developing creative prayer practices;
- Creatively maintaining our relationships with Spirit as we follow leadings.
During our time together we will explore:
- Drawing and painting;
- Single-sheet book-making;
- Journaling/writing poems;
- Following guided visualizations;
- Practicing movement/body-based prayer;
- 3D sculpting and/or mask-making with your choice of materials (air-hardening clay, plaster rolls, wire, yarn, twine, fabric, paper, and more!)
- Optional activities include music-making and dancing.
No particular creative skills or former arts experiences are required to participate in this program. Please bring a journal and a favorite pen. All other materials will be provided.
Sacred Creativity
An on-campus art series, inviting commuters to join Spring Term resident students in exploring creativity as a mode of spiritual discernment
Saturdays, 2:30pm – 5:00pm.
Tiered pricing:
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Standard: $395
Subsidizing: $445
Subsidized: $345If the subsidized price is financially inaccessible, please wait to register and first apply for financial assistance.
Holding each other in the Light in Pendle Hill’s art studio, we will explore how creativity can augment our spiritual discernment practices and our called ministries. We will support the development of our spiritual seeds, nudges, and leadings by:
- Practicing creative and spiritual discernment through art-making;
- Stepping into Spirit’s mystery with curiosity, fascination, wonder, and awe;
- Honoring various aspects of ourselves, including the parts that are creative and the parts that criticize;
- Developing creative prayer practices;
- Creatively maintaining our relationships with Spirit as we follow leadings.
During our time together we will explore:
- Drawing and painting;
- Single-sheet book-making;
- Journaling/writing poems;
- Following guided visualizations;
- Practicing movement/body-based prayer;
- 3D sculpting and/or mask-making with your choice of materials (air-hardening clay, plaster rolls, wire, yarn, twine, fabric, paper, and more!)
- Optional activities include music-making and dancing.
No particular creative skills or former arts experiences are required to participate in this program. Please bring a journal and a favorite pen. All other materials will be provided.
