Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Social Justice

Illuminating Our Paths to Abolition

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A First Monday Lecture with Lewis Webb, Jr.

7:30pm – 9pm Eastern Time (US & Canada) via Zoom.
Free to the public! Registration required.
The Thirteenth Amendment’s abolition of slavery included an exception for those convicted of a crime. Informed by the impacts of this exception clause, we will examine the morphing of slavery into the carceral state; identify abolition entry points along the punishment paradigm; consider abolition strategies and, as led, take our next steps towards a society that honors the light in all and is committed to true community wellbeing.
For more information and registration, visit:
https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminating-our-paths-to-abolition/

Let’s Talk About Healing Justice

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How do we keep our neighbors and communities safe? How does our current approach to crime, prosecution and punishment work for different Americans? Can we make it better? Lewis Webb, Jr., a graduate of Brooklyn Law School, has worked with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and the New York City Department of Corrections. Today, he focuses on mitigating paths to incarceration, lowering barriers for people leaving the carceral system, and improving police/community relations as Healing Justice Program Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee. An engaging speaker, Lewis offers a hopeful vision of how we can create a justice system that heals communities, and protects and serves us all. Moorestown Friends Meeting’s Anti-Racism Committee welcomes you to join the discussion via Zoom on Thursday 19 May at 7:30pm; click here or call 646-558-8656 and enter meeting ID 873 3565 8140 to join the conversation.

Let’s Talk About How We Share Our Witness

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How do you share your witness? Braver Angels, a nationwide effort to promote civil dialogue, has some suggestions for how anti-racists can have better conversations with those who do not share their views. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by conversations on race, join Moorestown Friends Meeting’s Anti-Racism Committee for a conversation about building respectful, inclusive conversations. Join us on Thursday 5 May at 7:30pm. All are welcome; please click here or call 646-558-8656 and enter meeting ID 815 8781 6369 to join the conversation.

Vanguard’s Big Climate Problem Walk Grand Finale Action

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We hope you’ll join us for the grand finale of Vanguard’s Big Climate Problem Walk on Friday, April 22 (Earth Day)!  What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to challenge those who profit from the Earth’s desecration? As one of the world’s biggest investors in coal, oil, and gas, Vanguard has the power to help steer our economy away from climate catastrophe and environmental injustice, but first it needs to chart a new course. That is why Earth Quaker Action Team and various partners are concluding a five-day walk from the Delaware River with a huge, vibrant action at Vanguard’s corporate headquarters in Malvern. Meet us at the Paoli Train Station April 22 at 8:30 am to walk the final mile with the walkers. Please register at the link provided below so we can send you final details. And more about the whole walk here: https://www.eqat.org/walk_2022

Let’s Talk About Black Quakers

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Let’s Talk About Black Quakers

Join the Black Quaker Project for a bi-weekly, free, online film festival, and Let’s Talk! Watch any or all of the five films screening on alternate Saturdays from 12 February through 9 April, or just bring your thoughts about Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Howard Thurman, Mahala Ashley Dickerson, Bayard Rustin and/or Paul Robeson to an informal discussion of what we’ve learned on Thursday 21 April at 7:30pm.  All are welcome; click here or call 646-558-8656 and enter meeting ID 873 3565 8140 to join the conversation.

Interfaith Street Seder Protesting Carbon Pharaohs

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Join a diverse group of people of faith as we take action for climate justice this Passover. We’ll be holding an interfaith Passover street seder in front of a local Chase bank branch on April 20th, demanding a sustainable and thriving future for all of creation. Chase Bank is the world’s largest funder of fossil fuels and Vanguard is Chase’s largest investor. At the seder, we will challenge the financial underpinnings of these Carbon Pharaohs, rooting ourselves in sacred action and moral inspiration.

This action is being organized in coalition by Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), Exodus Alliance, Dayenu, Jewish Youth Climate Movement, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, and more. More info about the action here: https://dayenu.controlshift.app/events/philadelphia-passover-climate-street-seder

Vanguard’s Big Climate Problem Walk

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Join Earth Quaker Action Team for Vanguard’s Big Climate Problem Walk, Monday, April 18 to Friday, April 22 (Earth Day)!  One of the biggest asset managers in the world, Vanguard’s business strategy makes it a major driver of climate destruction and environmental injustice. It is one of the largest global investors in coal, oil, and gas, as well as companies violating Indigenous rights. Vanguard could vote for climate-friendly shareholder resolutions in the short run, and over time, move its investments out of fossil fuel and forest-destroying companies, if those firms don’t come up with a plan to transition out of climate destruction. With $8.5 trillion under management, Vanguard could be a leader instead of a laggard. That’s why Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) is organizing a five-day walk to Vanguard’s southeastern Pennsylvania headquarters! Starting in Chester at the industrial banks of the Delaware River, our route includes sites of environmental injustice and climate destruction, as well as opportunities to challenge the money behind these travesties. We will conclude with a powerful action at Vanguard’s global headquarters in Malvern, PA on Earth Day, April 22. Learn more about the whole walk (including evening programs if you are not able to join during the day) here: https://www.eqat.org/walk_2022

A Brief Discussion on Climate Change

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Cropwell Meeting will host a presentation by  Marc Zamkotowicz, Assistant Professor, Rowan College at Burlington County, in the Division of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  Over the past twenty years he has taught courses in earth science, geology, and geography.  He holds a Masters degree in geology and earth science from Old Dominion.

Worship begins at 10 AM, followed by the presentation at 10:45, and a community pot luck.   Location:  810 South Cropwell, Marlton (corner with Old Marlton Parkway).

Providence Young Friends Host Immigration Vigil At Delaware County Courthouse

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Providence Meeting’s Middle School Friends led a highly successful vigil for immigrant rights at the Delaware County Courthouse on October 3, 2020. The event was to focus attention on the treatment of immigrants on the U.S. border and a call for action to address this issue. Supporting our middle school Friends were a large contingent from the Movement of Immigrant Leaders of Pennsylvania (MILPA) and local elected officials. [Read more…] about Providence Young Friends Host Immigration Vigil At Delaware County Courthouse

Providence Meeting Unites on Racial Justice and Anti-Racism Statement

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Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.

— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This fall Providence Meeting united around the following statement on Racial Justice and Anti-Racism.

Consistent with our mission, Providence Friends Meeting seeks to involve members and attenders as partners in the ongoing work of racial justice, advancing equity, and undoing the effects of racism. This work requires us to examine and transform our own individual beliefs and actions, the beliefs, actions and policies of our meeting as a corporate body, and to challenge the effects of racism in the larger society. These include, among others, disparities in healthcare, economics, housing, voting access, climate justice, the workplace, criminal justice, and education.

Goals

  1. As Providence Friends Meeting acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals, we strive to be a culturally safe space where all individuals and groups are treated with respect in regard to their unique cultural needs and differences.
  2. We strive to build a pluralist, anti-racist community that encourages participation and leadership among all Friends, and supports and elevates partners and community members most affected by racism and bias.

Providence Friends Meeting resolves to use these queries to further these goals.

Corporate Queries

  • How does our meeting support, model and encourage active and ongoing anti-racism work? How do we move all members forward on their journey to being their best selves?
  • How are we working to change the ways that our meeting benefits from privilege and systemic inequality?
  • How do we create “space at the table” for all individuals and groups?
  • How do we actively consider the effects of our decisions on those who have been harmed by racism?
  • How do we use Spirit-led decision making to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion rather than support structures that reinforce inequities?
  • How do we carry this work into our worship and committee work?

Individual Queries

  • How do I regularly examine myself for attitudes and behaviors that indicate any hidden prejudice?
  • If someone suggests that something I have said or done is racist or discriminatory, do I listen and consider their point of view?
    ● How do my lifestyle choices affect the causes of justice and injustice in our nation and the world?
    ● How do I seek ways to make my local community, state and nation more just and equitable?
    ● How do I challenge statements, practices, behaviors, and interactions that diminish, demean, disempower, or otherwise harm others and their identities?

How do I do this with loving kindness that honors that of God in each person?

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