
The Summer is near and you may be wondering about how you can stay involved in the yearly meeting’s activities in the coming weeks. There is a whole roster of programming for you to choose from!
What’s happening in June?
There are a number of wonderful events happening this month! Be sure to learn more about the family-friendly Birding event happening at the historic Stenton House on June 14, which has Quaker connections to James Logan who was William Penn’s first Secretary, and then there’s also Young Adult Friends Beach Day, for ages 18-35, on Saturday, June 21! If you’ve been eager to be in fellowship with Friends, join us for Mid-Week Fellowship every Tuesday from 12:00-1:00 pm on Zoom. And be sure to share what you and your meetings are working on through PYM Connect.
What’s all this about Annual Sessions?
June is the month leading up to Annual Sessions which will be from July 23-27 at Cheyney University. Annual Sessions is the time each year when Philadelphia Yearly Meeting gathers as one body to do the work of the Spirit—together. Whether you’re a seasoned attender or someone wondering what “Sessions” even means (spoiler: it’s not a Quaker music festival, though we do have drum circles), this invitation is for you. Together we: worship, report, discern, listen, laugh, eat, and create. Be sure to register for Annual Sessions today!
We’re a spiritual community and a functioning organism. Every July, Friends from across the region gather to: Conduct the business of our yearly meeting, celebrate the richness of our faith with old and new Friends across generations, be present to what the Spirit is asking of us—individually and together.
(And yes, there’s also kickball. More on that later.)
Worship
Every day includes grounding worship—waiting worship, memorial worship, and joyful, all-ages worship spaces. This is how we remember who we are.
Worship with Attention to Business
Spirit-led decision-making around shared concerns, finances, nominations, and witness. Friends listen deeply for unity and discernment. This year Spirit-led decision-making agenda items include:
- Climate witness
- LGBTQIA+ inclusion
- Budget and stewardship
- Leadership nominations
- And the small-but-holy details of how we live in covenant with one another
Fellowship
This is the heartbeat. Meals, crafting, late-night tea chats (virtual and in person), affinity groups, and spontaneous hallway conversations. Also: Quaker Game Night. Seriously.
What’s New or Especially Cool?
- Keynote Addresses by Ayesha Imani (Wed. July 23) & Joyce Aljouny (Fri. July 25)
- Thursday Night Communities of Practice – gather around the PYM “threads”:
- Peace & Social Justice
- Ministry & Care
- Religious Education
- Governance & Stewardship
- Outreach & Communication
- Youth Programs every day
- Affinity Groups for LGBTQ+ Friends, Friends of African Descent, Disability Caregivers, Quaker Parents & Grandparents
- Kickball, Drum Circles, Campus Tours, and Craft Nights
What are the different kinds of youth programs available?
All youth and families are invited to join us for a fun-filled weekend at PYM’s Annual Sessions! Youth programming will focus on our theme of “Members One of Another”. There will be worship and worship sharing, conversations and relationship-building, games and art, water play, outdoor activities, and more! Youth will have the opportunity to get to know others in their age group, and there will be time for families to gather together to build community. In addition, we will offer affinity group conversations for both parents and grandparents during dinner on Friday evening. We hope that this will provide the opportunity for people to meet and share about the experience of Quaker parenting (grandparenting).
You can attend in person, online, or a mix of both. You don’t need a title. You don’t need to be a committee clerk. You can bring your whole self—your faith, your doubts, your leadings, your gifts.
We’re not meant to go it alone. This year’s theme, “Members One of Another,” reminds us that we belong to each other. Your presence matters. Not just to you—but to the rest of us.