Two Friends recently shared their thoughts with PYM. One wrote about what is timeless and true vs. political and divisive. The other wrote of the persistence it takes to access the long view. The news in these final two two stories of 2021 is that there is hope! By listening to diverse voices we maintain Truth within Quaker faith. By doing the work of climbing the stairs we see the far horizon. [Read more…] about Gifts We Seek: the Timeless, Eternal, Beautiful, and True
Communications & Outreach
A Letter from Green Street’s Reparations Committee
As Friends Meetings initiate conversations about how to address racism, a number have looked into how their communities might make reparations. Two meetings, Trenton and Green Street have taken action. The story below shares the path Green Street Friends are now on. It has been a multi-year discernment process done under the stewardship of a reparations committee. For the Green Street Meeting, the project represents a deep spiritual commitment, and they feel that by working in relationship with Black Germantown residents their community is being enlivened. The committee has submitted much of the content for this report, and a list of committee members’ names follows the report along with ways to learn more about the project.
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Upper Susquehanna’s Crystal Lake News
With more than a little trepidation, the planning group for Upper Susquehanna Quarter’s Fall Retreat and Meeting with Attention to Business, decided that Crystal Lake 2021 was a GO for last September!
Knowing that in a COVID-leery environment we might attract far fewer participants, planners decided to focus on a home-grown event. One that was less reliant on well-known presenters (who might draw well, but would also cost us a lot in presenter fees) and leaning more toward things we could do ourselves. An event that would be inclusive as possible of all ages of attendees, and that would aim to bring the Upper Susquehanna Quarter (USQ) community together after a prolonged period of self- enforced isolation. [Read more…] about Upper Susquehanna’s Crystal Lake News
South Jersey Gathering: Welcoming Families, Spiritual Writings, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Judicial Court
Tri-Quarter 2021 Virtual Gathering Information
The news below has been adapted from web content and email information shared by Carleton Crispin on behalf of the South Jersey Quakers. At their September tri-quarter meeting, Friends in South Jersey shared presentations by Greenwich Meeting, Gary Smith, Rev. J. R. Norwood, Ph.D., and PYM’s Youth Religious Life Coordinator, Melinda Wenner Bradley. Friends who missed these interesting presentations can access links to the recordings. Brief content summaries are also included. [Read more…] about South Jersey Gathering: Welcoming Families, Spiritual Writings, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Judicial Court
Greenwich Meeting – A Place of Activity at the End of a Winding Road
At the end of the winding road, known as Ye Greate Street, in Greenwich, Cumberland County, NJ, stands a historic Quaker meetinghouse. Built-in the mid-eighteenth century and known at that time as “The Place of Prophets,” the building – situated at present far from the bustle of contemporary life on the banks of the Cohansey River – remains an active, albeit seasonal, Friends meetinghouse today. Yet for all of its contemplative and rural qualities, Greenwich Friends Lower Meetinghouse also serves, at times, as a touchstone of community activism, storytelling, education, and outreach.
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Young Adult Friends Epistle at Annual Sessions 2021
Each year the Young Adult Friends of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting share an Epistle at the close of Annual Sessions. Below please find their 341st Annual Sessions Epistle.
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Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Epistle for Annual Sessions 2021
Each year Philadelphia Yearly Meeting shares an Epistle at the close of Annual Sessions. Below please find the yearly meeting’s 341st Annual Sessions Epistle.
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Youth Epistle “We Were Here”
Each year the three Children and Youth programs of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting share Epistles at the close of Annual Sessions. This year, one united Epistle was shared by Youth Programs staff. Below please find their 341st Annual Sessions Epistle.
Meeting For Business – Minutes of Saturday July 31
With 107 Friends in attendance, Meeting for Business in Worship was held virtually from just before 1:00 to 4:00 PM on the nose during the afternoon of July 31st. The agenda offered the following items of business: Introductions, Climate Change Sprint Report, Epistles 1st Reading, and an exercise on Deep Listening from the Ministry & Care Committee. Friends moved through the agenda with joy and recognition of the magnitude of their work. Minutes follow with thanks to the PYM recording clerk, Jim Herr. [Read more…] about Meeting For Business – Minutes of Saturday July 31
Minute of Declaration and Commitment of the Ujima Friends Meeting
Below is a minute that the Ujima Friends Meeting has shared with the PYM community.
Minute of Declaration and Commitment
In an act of declaration and commitment, we, a people of African descent, our families and friends, respond to the movement of the Spirit among us to form Ujima Friends Meeting within the Religious Society of Friends. Ujima Friends Meeting is a community of faith without borders, dedicated to bearing witness to peace, justice, and love. [Read more…] about Minute of Declaration and Commitment of the Ujima Friends Meeting