Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Yearly Meeting News

Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering Spotlight

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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

Seeking Ingrained Spirituality in the Face of Systemic Opposition

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An Interview with a Senior LGBTQ Friend

Tom Woodward is a retired Westtown School English and Latin teacher. Chatting with Tom about the challenges of his personal life and highlights of his teaching career was both heartwarming and enlightening. It was at Westtown School in West Chester, PA, Tom truly began his spiritual journey and discovery of Quakerism. [Read more…] about Seeking Ingrained Spirituality in the Face of Systemic Opposition

PYM Program & Religious Life Team Expands

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The Yearly Meeting’s Program and Religious Life staff team is growing! Heading into the 2023 Fall season, expect great things as we are delighted to welcome two new team members, Inaara Shiraz, Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator and Abigaile Brace-Higgins, Children and Families Co-Facilitator to the PYM staff. In addition, Tara Rubinstein’s role on staff has expanded to a full-time position supporting both Sessions and other yearly meeting events. [Read more…] about PYM Program & Religious Life Team Expands

It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!

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Get ready for a Super Quaker Weekend! During the last weekend in September, PYM Youth Staff will be joining in youth and family-centered events throughout the region, leading up to World Quaker Day on Sunday, October 1st, hosted by our friends at Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). No matter where you are located within PYM, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and participate in during this Fall weekend.  All are welcome! [Read more…] about It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!

PYM Welcomes New Deputy General Secretary, Salvador Orellana

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PYM is Proud to Welcome F. Salvador Orellana To Our Staff as Deputy General Secretary (DGS)

Salvador brings vast experience in direct support to the General Secretary in this new PYM operations leadership role. Salvador’s passion lies in organizational change and strategic relationship-building to transform the lives of communities he connects with. Many of you may have met Salvador this past July at The College of New Jersey, as on day one he graciously jumped right into serving our community during this year’s Annual Sessions.

[Read more…] about PYM Welcomes New Deputy General Secretary, Salvador Orellana

Pennswood Village Rededicates Its Peace Pole

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In 2001, Pennswood Village, the Quaker-founded retirement and health care community in Newtown, installed a Peace Pole in front of its community center. Two of the speakers were atomic bomb survivors (Hibakushas) from Japan, Mr. Shigeyuki Yama from Hiroshima and Mr. Hideo Tose from Nagasaki, the sites in 1945 of the two atomic bombs detonated over those cities which killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians.

[Read more…] about Pennswood Village Rededicates Its Peace Pole

ʻĀina – Help for Maui Wildfire Survivors

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“ʻĀina,” Hawaiian for “land,” means that which feeds; a worldview of reciprocity and familial relationship between people and land.

[Read more…] about ʻĀina – Help for Maui Wildfire Survivors

Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions

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​​​​​​​​​​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

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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

12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!

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We’re counting down to Annual Sessions! Here are 12 great reasons to join, July 26-30.  [Read more…] about 12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!

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