We have concluded the 343rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The “Mott Memo” daily recaps here on the website are a brief look-back on the day’s events. Shared below is the news from Sunday, July 30.
- Watch for the 2023 Epistles to be posted as their own story in the coming days!
- Minutes from Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be posted on the Sessions pages of the website.
After several hot and stormy days, Sunday dawned fresh and cool — a welcome way to begin a day that would include packing up and farewells for those on campus at The College of New Jersey.
Our final morning together began with All Together Worship — all ages, from all places across the Yearly Meeting. The Zoom screen was a quilt of squares showing Friends in their homes and meetinghouses, including those worshipping at a Quaker retirement community. In the plenary room at TCNJ, we could see everyone on screen and also settle into waiting worship next to those we had connected with in previous days. The quilts on the floor were occupied by children and youth and adults, and others moved in and out of the space through doors opened to the sunshine outside. There was a feeling in the room of being held by Spirit, and several Friends shared vocal ministry through song.
Our final meeting for worship with attention to business turned to the topic of belonging, with stories from meetings and Quarters where nurturing belonging has been an emergent ministry of their community. The clerk shared about upcoming programs in the Yearly Meeting, including an October 5 Threshing Session on PYM’s Advocacy Policy, and the October 21 Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering with a focus on membership development. Business concluded with the second reading and approval of the PYM epistle to all Friends everywhere, and we heard additional epistles brought forward from the Youth Programs participants and young adult Friends community. Please note that both the epistles and the minutes from all business sessions will be added to the website in coming days.
Our time together ended with song. Led by Amy Duckett Wagner (Fallsington Meeting) and one of the youngest Friends together, we all sang “Dear Friends” and brought Annual Sessions 2023 to a gentle close. Onward!
Dear Friends, Dear Friends
Let me tell you how I feel
You have given me such treasures
I love you so.
Save the Date! Fall Continuing Sessions — Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Arch Street Meetinghouse.
