A rising interest in intergenerational worship in the yearly meeting has also led to meetings creating spaces for children in the places where they worship. This is more than putting a “children’s area” in the places where we worship — It is a visible message to any newcomer, including families with children: “Children are welcome here.” [Read more…] about Making Spaces for Children In Worship
Intergenerational
Asma’s First FGC Gathering Story
May 19, 2023
by Joan Botto, (first published on the Friends General Conference website)
Asma arrived at her first Gathering in 2022 after driving 10 hours with Friends from her monthly meeting in Florida to Radford University in Virginia. [Read more…] about Asma’s First FGC Gathering Story
Why I go to Friends General Conference (FGC) Gathering
In 2000 I attended my first FGC Gathering in Rochester, NY. My daughter had been campaigning to go, and it was the last year she could be in the High School Program (which got rave reviews from her PYM friends), AND I had grown up in the Rochester Friends Meeting. I took a workshop on spiritual growth where we had prayer partners and shared deeply with each other. I felt so nurtured that I was able to take a big step in my personal life. We planned to go back the following year. [Read more…] about Why I go to Friends General Conference (FGC) Gathering
PYM Youth at Camp Swatara!
Young Friends (high school) and Middle School Friends from around PYM are invited to participate in Caln Quarter’s annual gathering of Friends at Camp Swatara on May 3 – 5!
The weekend features both structured programs and free time, with opportunities to worship, play games, and dine together. There are activities for everyone including hiking, yoga, an art exhibit, singing, bird-watching, and of course the renowned Intergenerational Talent Show on Saturday evening. A plenary presentation on the theme of the weekend and a handful of workshops provide time for learning and sharing experiences. Youth will have their own program and will have the opportunity to bond with teenagers from other meetings. It’s a beautiful, low-key setting where we step away from daily demands, have fun, and re-charge. PYM youth staff will facilitate the programming for YF and MSF.
Registration closes on April 15th!
Registration and detailed information can be found here!
When registering, please select “Adult Registration Fee”, cabin lodging, and “pay as led” for meals.
*NOTE – Scholarships are available for high school and middle school youth…please do not let finances keep you away! If you are unable to pay the full cost, please use the “pay as led” option for registration fees. Please contact Kristin Simmons, Youth Engagement Coordinator, ksimmons@pym.org, with any questions about scholarships.
Third Haven Helps Members and Attenders Navigate Life Stages as Friends
A meeting with Lorraine Claggett, member of the Third Haven Friends Meeting Pastoral Care Committee, during fellowship at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions opened many doors to learning about dedication, creativity, and outreach to the meeting’s aging Friends. Connecting with Dona Sorce, past Clerk of the Pastoral Care Committee was also enlightening. Several years ago, the meeting recognized many members were over the age of 50. Subsequently, the group invited George Schaefer, a member of Abington Meeting who previously served Philadelphia Yearly Meeting from 2009 to 2022 as Care and Aging Coordinator, to discuss PYM’s resources for aging Friends. We recently connected with Pastoral Care Committee members Bill Schauer, Terry Thomas-Primer, and Dee Rein to learn more about their efforts. [Read more…] about Third Haven Helps Members and Attenders Navigate Life Stages as Friends
Friends of Barnegat Monthly Meeting Send Holiday Cards and Share Cheer
It’s a holiday tradition for members and guests of Barnegat Monthly Meeting of Friends to write messages on greeting cards. [Read more…] about Friends of Barnegat Monthly Meeting Send Holiday Cards and Share Cheer
A Look Back at 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions
It was a brisk Saturday morning on November 11th as Friends gathered at Arch Street Meeting house in Philadelphia from all over the PYM network of meetinghouses for our 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions. [Read more…] about A Look Back at 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions
AFSC Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine and Israel
The Quaker Engagement Office of the American Friends Service Committee invites you to join us in a Meeting for Worship with attention to peace in Palestine and Israel. This is a time for Friends to come together in worship and solidarity as we grapple with the tragic events and lives lost as a result of ongoing conflict. Please share this invitation with your meeting or church and members of your community.
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
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
