In recognition of PYM’s Witness on Climate Change, Birmingham Meeting‘s Peace and Social Concerns Committee has chosen to focus on climate change and the environment this year. In exploring programs we might promote, we wanted to make sure that we chose something that our Children and Youth would have an interest in. After consulting with the Youth Committee and educating ourselves about beekeeping, a proposal was made for our Business Meeting to purchase two beehives to be placed on our Meetinghouse grounds. [Read more…] about Birmingham Meeting has a Bee Yard
Monthly Meeting News
Salem Oak’s Next Generation of Stewards
When a centuries old oak tree located at the Salem (Quaker) meetinghouse fell in 2019, the local Quaker community along with other South Jersey natives mourned its loss. The significance of the mighty oak dates back to the late 1600s when John Fenwick, credited as founder of Salem, New Jersey, settled in Salem in 1675. According to legend, the Lenni Lenape people living on the land signed a peace treaty with Fenwick while seeking shade and comfort under the tree. The Salem Quaker meetinghouse held a traditional Quaker memorial service to commemorate the life and legacy of the historic “Treaty Tree”.
Quakers & Historical Epidemics Part 1: Yellow Fever, 1793
“Those who ventured abroad, had handkerchiefs or sponges impregnated with vinegar of camphor at their noses, or smelling-bottles full of the thieves’ vinegar. Others carried pieces of tarred rope in their hands or pockets, or camphor bags tied round their necks… People hastily shifted their course at the sight of a hearse coming towards them. Many never walked on the footpath, but went into the middle of the streets, to avoid being infected in passing by houses wherein people had died. Acquaintances and friends avoided each other in the streets, and only signified their regard by a cold nod. The old custom of shaking hands fell in such general disuse, that many shrunk back with affright at even the offer of a hand. A person with crape [mourning crepe], or any appearance of mourning, was shunned like a viper.” (Mathew Carey, publisher)
[Read more…] about Quakers & Historical Epidemics Part 1: Yellow Fever, 1793
Knitting for Peace
As bombs dropped on towns in Ukraine last February, people all over the world wanted to help in any way they could. Knitting for Peace is Seaville Friends (Quaker) Meeting’s response to the loss currently experienced in Ukraine. We send them our love, our Light, and beautiful handmade gifts to keep them warm in the freezing months. We want them to know that they are not forgotten, and that they are important and supported by gifts of our hearts. [Read more…] about Knitting for Peace
Bucks Quarterly Meeting Goes Hybrid
For the first time since February 2020, Bucks Quarterly Meeting of Friends met in person, ironically, both times at Middletown Friends Meeting. The difference between 2023 and 2020 was the presence of computers, screens, microphones, and projectors that are all part of the technology needed to hold a hybrid Quarterly Meeting. [Read more…] about Bucks Quarterly Meeting Goes Hybrid
Lenape Voices: the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
On January 15, 2023 Birmingham Meeting hosted a special program with guests Adam Waterbear DePaul and Grandmother Shelley DePaul, members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. Adam is a member of the tribal council and is its Chief of Education and Tribal Storykeeper, and Grandmother Shelley is a Clan Mother and has also been a storykeeper and instrumental in preserving the Unami language of the Lenape. Both have worked in the university setting and helped bring the story of their people to the wider world through classes and exhibits in libraries and museums, public presentations like this one, and their involvement with the Lenape Nation Cultural Center in Easton, PA. [Read more…] about Lenape Voices: the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
Monthly & Quarterly Leadership Gatherings – January 2023
Three times a year, Christie Duncan-Tessmer, General Secretary, invites PYM Friends in monthly meeting and quarterly meeting leadership roles to attend gatherings on Zoom. Over 100 leaders attended one or both of the January 18 and January 25, 2023 events, gathering for sharing, listening, and learning. [Read more…] about Monthly & Quarterly Leadership Gatherings – January 2023
Bolivian Friend Visits Philadelphia Area
Emma Condori Mamani is a Bolivian Friend who travels in the ministry frequently. She is a founder and current Executive Director of El Centro Bilingüe Internacional Amigos (Friends International Bilingual Center or FBIC for short) and has hosted PYM Friends in La Paz as well as visiting and speaking at our Annual Sessions in 2019. [Read more…] about Bolivian Friend Visits Philadelphia Area
Discussion Held on the Quaker Peace Testimony at Cropwell
Cropwell Meeting held an introductory program on the Quaker peace testimony on Sunday afternoon. Geared toward newcomers, presenter Martin Kelley gave a 25 minute overview of the history of Quaker peacemaking, from the foundational 1660 Statement to more recent expressions of Quaker peacemaking, such as the climate-change advocacy of the Earth Quaker Action Team and the “Statement on the Peace Testimony and Ukraine” release in late October.
[Read more…] about Discussion Held on the Quaker Peace Testimony at Cropwell
The Community Outreach of Greenwich Friends Meeting
On Saturday September 24th, 2022, the Quaker Bakers of Greenwich Friends Meeting participated in the 50th Greenwich Artisans Faire at the historic Gibbons House on Ye Greate Street in Greenwich, Cumberland County. Through the sale of baked goods, tea and coffee as well as the Meeting’s signature cookbook (which combines Quaker family recipes and local lore), funds are raised annually for Greenwich Friends Community Outreach activities. The Faire draws hundreds of people to Greenwich and is a delightful opportunity to meet and greet friends and neighbors. [Read more…] about The Community Outreach of Greenwich Friends Meeting
