It was a brisk Saturday morning on November 11th as Friends gathered at Arch Street Meeting house in Philadelphia from all over the PYM network of meetinghouses for our 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions.
After a light breakfast, all ages participated in intergenerational worship to ground the day. During the rest of the morning, young friends enjoyed fun indoor and outdoor games, crafts, and storytelling activities with the childcare team. Friends gathered both in person and online for meeting for worship with attention to business. PYM General Secretary Christie Duncan-Tessmer shared the current and future implementation plans for approved strategic directions. The ministry of lobbying was also discussed.
After a delicious catered lunch of artisan soups and salads, Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia member Hazele Goodridge helped commemorate the grand opening of the new Friends Pantry Community Refrigerator with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Joined by PYM Presiding Clerk Melissa Rycroft and Executive Director of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Sean Connolly, Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval shared a few words of encouragement, inspiration and reflection focused on the theme of hunger and tackling food insecurity issues at both the local and global level.
Songs were sung around the peace pole at the front of the historic meeting house as Friends stood in solidarity in the desire for wanting peace for all mankind. Afternoon program focused on sharing gifts, as Friends discovered how to connect, grow, and explore gifts given by God through stories, queries, movement and discussion.
Looking forward to our next time together at Spring Continuing Sessions during the weekend of March 8-10, 2024. Stay connected and subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming happenings!
