A parent in my meeting shared with me that they were not sure how to talk to their children about Russia’s war on Ukraine. I recalled a line in an article that had resonated for me as a parent and educator: We don’t have to protect children from difficult feelings, but we must not leave them alone with them. The Tote Bag newsletter for March/April has many resources and events to share with meetings and families, but these ideas for supporting one another and talking about ways to create peace are perhaps the most important. [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources for March & April 2022
Communications & Outreach
Statement Against Expression of Racism in Our Country
February, Black History Month, began with threats of bombing directed to Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The month ended with the bombings in the Ukraine. Friends believe that there is that of God in everyone. We deplore this violence. The following statement was crafted by PYM’s clerks group in February with the intention of publishing it that month. Staff transitions and the war in Ukraine interrupted and delayed that intention.
[Read more…] about Statement Against Expression of Racism in Our Country
The Mighty Salem Oak
Get a Seedling from the Mighty Oak
The seedling offspring of a 600 year old grand oak tree from Salem Monthly Meeting (NJ) are being planted in sixty Quaker locations – 20 of them are still available. In 2019 this historic tree came down. The tree was so loved that the meeting held a memorial service for it. The memorial program is reprinted below. Salem Meeting had gathered her acorns the previous year and following the tree’s demise they collaborated with the NJ Forest Service to plant them. The seedlings are now large enough to be replanted. Forty will join the landscape of New Jersey meetings. Many more are ready to be claimed for meetings or other Quaker grounds in PYM. If you would like one for your meeting, there is a simple two-step process: [Read more…] about The Mighty Salem Oak
Stories of Faith on the Road to Easter
We are a people full of stories. Stories help us create meaning, make sense of our world, and develop identity. Stories are how some of the greatest teachers, including Jesus of Nazareth, shared their message and showed the path of a faithful life. This series of Godly Play and Faith & Play stories about the life and ministry of Jesus can be used during the time leading up to Easter, and are for viewing with meeting communities or sharing at home. While the style of this storytelling is often associated with programs for children, we all need and yearn for stories. These are for all of us at any age! [Read more…] about Stories of Faith on the Road to Easter
QuakerSpeak Completes 8th Season, Gears up for Season 9
QuakerSpeak videos are useful tools for researching the faith. You can post links to them on your social media or website, or embed them in newsletters. Friends enjoy sharing them with the community. They are concise lessons in faith and practice delivered in well edited soundbites.
With over 856,000 video views on YouTube, 2021 saw the most viewers yet in the Quaker video project’s eight-year run. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the QuakerSpeak team created and posted 18 all-new videos, while vigorously promoting classic videos to new audiences. [Read more…] about QuakerSpeak Completes 8th Season, Gears up for Season 9
Legacy Fund Donor: Amy Kawabe Kurkjian (1923 – 2020)
Last summer Philadelphia Yearly Meeting received a significant bequest to PYM as well as a Legacy Fund gift. When the bequest arrived, accompanied by a letter from Pat McBee, the executor, we knew that Amy Kurkjian had an interesting life story. There was a second story, too. Amy’s executor and care advocate, Pat McBee, was challenged to figured out how to support Amy’s goal of living independently. Pat found a way forward and the causes near and dear to Amy’s heart, including PYM, benefited. So did Amy! [Read more…] about Legacy Fund Donor: Amy Kawabe Kurkjian (1923 – 2020)
Friends Committee on National Legislation Priorities Process
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will again determine its legislative priorities by asking Meetings and Churches to discern their own lists for work in Washington. During January and February, each monthly meeting in PYM will receive an invitation from FCNL to discern what issues should be the focus of FCNL’s work in Washington over the next Congress.
[Read more…] about Friends Committee on National Legislation Priorities Process
Meetings and Individuals Are Invited to Acquire a New Tool: Trust Circles
In addition to being co-clerk of the yearly meeting, Jean-Marie Prestwidge Barch is clerk of PYM’s Ministry and Care Committee. She has shared this news story in the hope that meetings and individuals will be inspired to learn about Trust Circles and participate in transforming our yearly meeting. [Read more…] about Meetings and Individuals Are Invited to Acquire a New Tool: Trust Circles
Shoemaker Fund Enables Monthly Meeting Tech Support Grants
Update: 2/2/2022: There has been a rapid response to the granting program for Monthly Meetings and all seven of the monthly meeting grants are now allocated. However the Membership Development Granting Group is currently accepting outreach project grant requests for up to $1000. To pursue this please complete the Membership Development Grant Application Form (.pdf).
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is inviting monthly meetings to apply for $1,000 grants for needed technology purchases and implementations to support outreach/in-reach goals, and virtual or hybrid meeting capacity-building.
There is no grant deadline. Eligible projects will be funded on a first-come-first-served basis according to when they are received. The application process for the grants is simple; meeting representatives should fill out the form at the end of this news story. Only one project per meeting will be funded. [Read more…] about Shoemaker Fund Enables Monthly Meeting Tech Support Grants
Grants for Quarterly Meetings – With Thanks to the Shoemaker Fund
Last fall, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting received a grant from the Thomas H. and Mary Williams Shoemaker Fund to support hybrid meetings and meeting outreach. A portion of the grant provides $13,000 as financial support to PYM’s quarterly meetings. Each of PYM’s 13 quarterly meetings is eligible to apply for a $1000 grant. Quarterly and monthly meetings do excellent work that taps into Friends’ talents and meetings’ needs, so it is a pleasure to be able to support them through this Shoemaker funding. [Read more…] about Grants for Quarterly Meetings – With Thanks to the Shoemaker Fund
