Friends open up their Philadelphia homes to provide "radical hospitality"!

At the 2009 PYM annual sessions, when Friends were deliberating holding the 2012 annual sessions in Philadelphia, some were expressing reservations about commuting into and paying for hotel rooms in Philadelphia.  It was then that  the idea of Philadelphia Friends offering Radical Hospitality to our fellow PYM Friends just bubbled forth.

While there will be additional housing options available for non-local Friends , such as Temple University dorm rooms, including a Family Neighborhood, my conviction is that there are many Philadelphia Friends who would joyfully host one or two or more at their own homes this coming summer.

I’ve always loved having the opportunity to get to know a new Friend while accepting hospitality at their home.  Have you tried it?  Would you be game?   The radical hospitality committee is looking for hosts who are within easy walking, transit, or driving distance to Center City Philadelphia and who would enjoy providing hospitality to others for the 2012 sessions.

Staying with a local Friend could mean taking the train or bus into the city, or commuting in by car and using the Arch Street meeting parking lot.  It might mean bed and breakfast or traveling in to have breakfast near Arch Street meeting in time to join your designated worship sharing group.  There are lots of possibilities.

Would you be interested in hosting?  Or being hosted?  Or, would you be willing to help us call and identify potential hosts?  If so, please contact Hollister Knowlton (hollisterknowlton@gmail.com) or Paula Cell (hpcell2@gmail.com) to let us know if you’d like to help or what sort of accommodations you need or can offer (i.e. number and size of beds, rooms, access to shared or private bath etc).  We are beginning to put together a master hospitality matching effort and are eager to hear from you!

Let’s see how great Radical Hospitality can be!