Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Peace & Social Justice

AFSC Presentation at Moorestown Friends Meeting

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Quaker Action for a Just World: The work of AFSC

As part of a speaking tour with Quaker communities in New Jersey, Ainsley Bruton (AFSC’s Quaker Engagement Coordinator) will share information about opportunities for Friends to get involved in AFSC’s work to promote peace and justice in the U.S. and around the world. Ainsley’s presentation will give a brief history of AFSC, explain its organizational structure, and spotlight some of AFSC’s programs and campaigns. Come learn about AFSC’s humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, their work to protect immigrant communities in the U.S., their initiatives divest from corporations complicit in borders, weapons, and apartheid, and more!

Christ in the Stranger and the Outcast

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This session explores the themes of the stranger and the outcast through the stories of Friends working within Asylum and Refugee advocacy across three Yearly Meetings. The session is an opportunity for Friends to explore together our shared Quaker understanding of justice, hospitality and care. PYM General Secretary Chris Mohr will be one of the speakers, addressing the PYM lawsuit.

AFSC Presentation at Solebury Friends Meeting

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Join us on Sunday, April 26th at Solebury Friends Meeting for a presentation from Ainsley Bruton, AFSC’s Quaker Engagement Coordinator, about AFSC’s work to promote peace and justice around the world.

Ainsley will share about AFSC’s economic activism, efforts to de-militarize police forces, peacemaking in Palestine and Israel, immigration justice, and more.

Ainsley will also be connecting with Friends to learn more about peace and justice work being done by Solebury Friends.

Please bring a salad, soup, dessert, or something to share for a potluck lunch following the presentation.

Love as Action: Philadelphia

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Love as Action:

Stop War on Venezuela/Resist Authoritarianism

Bearing Witness, Building Hope

Quaker public witness has stood in opposition to cruel and authoritarian actions in our country before. It is time for us to show this love in action again.

Please join the American Friends Service Committee and Philadelphia area Friends to bear witness and show resistance to our country’s militaristic, authoritarian actions.

On Saturday, January 17 at 2:00 p.m., Friends, members of other faith communities and people of conscience will gather for one hour of silent public witness at the south facing entrance of Philadelphia City Hall (at Broad Street).

Our hope is that our presence will give hope to all who see us – to show that we can choose resistance – and remind everyone of our moral obligations to one another.

Our intent is to gather monthly in communities across the country, showing our communities love in action as a public witness of our Quaker values in a time of rising fascism.

Join us!

To find our more about Love as Action nationally and get more resources visit us at afsc.org/love-action

Young Friends Overnight at Bucks Quarter Peace Fair!

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All Young Friends (grades 9 to 12) are invited to join us for the first gathering of the school year!

Overnight – Begins at 7:00 PM on September 19th at Buckingham Friends Meeting.  Join us for get-to-know-you activities, information about PYM’s Young Friends program, free time, and snacks!

Peace Fair – The following morning, YFs will have breakfast and then serve as volunteers for the Bucks Quarter Peace Fair, helping with tasks such as set-up and clean-up, running kids’ games, and food preparation and service. In addition, there will be time to visit Peddler’s Village during breaks. Pick-up be will late afternoon on Saturday, following the clean-up of Peace Fair.

YFs may earn school service hours for their volunteer time.

All are welcome…bring a friend!

**All YFs must have an updated 2025/2026 Health/Permission Form on file in order to attend this event.

 

Please Register Here!

 

Questions?  Please contact Kristin Simmons, Youth Engagement Coordinator,  ksimmons@pym.org

Honoring the Past and Protecting the Future: 80 Years of Resistance Against Nuclear Weapons

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August 6 and 9, 2025 mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These attacks killed a quarter of a million people by the end of 1945 and harmed the Hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings, and their families in the decades to follow. We must honor the legacy of the Hibakusha and commit ourselves to ridding the world of these indiscriminate weapons.

Join us for the August First Monday Lecture on August 4 to hear from two professionals who have long worked for nuclear abolition. The lecture will cover the humanitarian and health impacts of nuclear weapons, testimonies from Hibakusha and other impacted communities, and the role of faith communities in working to abolish these weapons. Participants will leave with concrete ideas for how they can take action locally and internationally.

Continuing Revolution 2025: Queer Liberation and Spirit-Rooted Justice

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A gathering of young adults (ages 18-35) to explore connections between our spiritual, political, and interpersonal lives. Join us on-site at Friends Place in Washington, DC, or participate online hosted by Pendle Hill.

In celebration of World Pride taking place in Washington, DC, this year’s programming is centered around the theme of queer liberation and spirit-rooted justice. Participants will be invited to explore where their spiritual practice intersects with the collective pursuit for queer liberation. They will leave with a sense of connection with individuals and organizations that can support and inform their role(s) in creating peace and justice in their communities and in the world.

See the full schedule of workshops and activities.

This program welcomes young adults aged 18-35 who are Quaker or Quaker-adjacent/interested, “fellow travelers and seekers,” and any of the following:

  • Inspired to seek justice;
  • Curious about the structures of our world at present;
  • Curious about queer liberation in particular;
  • Curious about the interplay of current structures and oppression;
  • Looking for tools to bring about a more just and sustainable future;
  • Seeking to be in community with other spiritually-minded individuals;
  • Seeking spiritual grounding/tools.

PYM’s Response to the Political Reality

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This week has brought many changes our country, including ones that are out of alignment with Friends testimonies and the way we walk in the world.  The PYM community and governance are actively listening and responding.   
 [Read more…] about PYM’s Response to the Political Reality

Why DOES Palestine Matter? An Invitation to a 6 Session Course with Members of the Middle East Collaborative

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Authorship of this invitation is attributed to Deb Wood and other resources. 

As I thought about writing an invitation to the Why Palestine Matters course, I came across the following quotation, which fits the Palestine/Israel situation so well:

“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that other sets of people are human.”

— Aldous Huxley

The Palestine/Israeli relationship and conflict can often appear so complex and intractable that we don’t know how we can ever understand enough to move forward. News coverage often lacks the entire context, leaving us unable to honor the humanity of all involved. When we stop seeing a person or group as human, we much more easily discount and discredit their experiences and humanity, making it far easier to deny their needs and right to exist.

[Read more…] about Why DOES Palestine Matter? An Invitation to a 6 Session Course with Members of the Middle East Collaborative

PYM Connect Launches Next Phase in Second Week of January

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Next week, PYM Connect reaches a new phase as many Friends will start engaging with this online space for the first time. It is a chance for our community to use the platform to share, collaborate, and celebrate among Friends. [Read more…] about PYM Connect Launches Next Phase in Second Week of January

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