Adult Education Class: Former member of Abington Friends Meeting, Martha Kemper, narrates a slide presentation sharing her research on her family’s connection to slavery and a path toward Reparations.
Social Justice
Minute of Support from Richland Monthly Meeting
Minute of Support Recorded on February 9, 2025
Richland Monthly Meeting would like to add its support for the lawsuit that Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, along with other yearly meetings and individual meetings, has filed against the Department of Homeland Security regarding the possible placement of agents of enforcement in houses of worship. Our Meeting agrees that this kind of activity disrupts worship, instills fear, and is unconstitutional. It is heartening to know that Friends are willing to stand up for their beliefs, as this lawsuit indicates.
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Opportunities Following the PYM Lawsuit
PYM meetings can support the lawsuit in a variety of ways. This suit is a single step in a march toward seeking justice in the current state in our country.
While the need for the lawsuit—and for many other suits—may be daunting and depressing, the opportunity it brings for practicing our faith is energizing. There are five sections below, each offering a starting point for meetings to think about their next steps.
The primary motion to keep in the forefront, regardless of the focus or activity, is being obedient to the Spirit, faithful in strengthening our community, and effective in supporting our neighbors.
Faith Letter to Secretary Rubio on USAID and Foreign Aid
This letter, signed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and other faith groups across the country, asks Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bring back foreign aid programs, restart USAID, and reopen refugee resettlement. It shares concern that cutting these programs hurts people in need, damages U.S. leadership, and makes the world less safe.
Dear Secretary Rubio,
Congratulations on your confirmation as Secretary of State. This position comes with profound responsibilities, as you represent the United States to the rest of the world and are the highest-ranking member of the Presidential cabinet. Your efforts are especially important in an increasingly connected and interdependent world.
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Minute of Support from Middletown Monthly Meeting (Lima, PA)
Review of the PYM & other Quaker organizations suit against Department of Homeland Security
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Message from St. John’s Worship Group, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dear Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Friends Meeting & Richmond Friends Meeting,
We are from St. John’s Quaker Friends Worship Group, a meeting in Newfoundland & Labrador that was formed in the late 1970’s. Some of our members are from the United States, many of us have family and other ties there, and our convener, Liz Ohle, is a member of Mount Toby Monthly Meeting, which is part of New England Yearly Meeting.
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Minute from North Shore Friends Monthly Meeting
North Shore Friends Monthly Meeting commends NEYM for their prompt action in partnering with Friends in Philadelphia and Baltimore Yearly Meetings in a lawsuit challenging new policy changes which would allow immigration enforcement in houses of worship.
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A Greeting from Northern Monthly Meeting
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you in my role as clerk of Northern Monthly Meeting, based in Auckland New Zealand.
Minute of Support from Boise Valley Friends Meeting
Boise Valley Friends Meeting Minute Regarding Support for the Lawsuit Filed by the Philadelphia, New England, and Baltimore Yearly Meetings and the Adelphi and Richmond Meetings of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Challenging Immigration Enforcement Actions within Houses of Worship.
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Declaration of Support from Wicomico River Friends Meeting
At Meeting for Business on February 9, 2025, Wicomico River Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Salisbury, Maryland declared its support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s (PYM) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that seeks to block government officials from entering houses of worship for their immigration enforcement actions. We affirm that PYM has acted on our behalf and we are grateful for its swift response.
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