Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security.
We have heard about this recent lawsuit and agreed to send this statement of support to PYM: [Read more…] about Hemel Hempstead Local Meeting in Unity With the Decision of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting:
Yardley Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends fully supports Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the courage and conviction shown in joining New England Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Friends Meeting, and Richmond Friends Meeting as plaintiffs in bringing a lawsuit to block the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from its abrupt shift in policy that enables federal immigration enforcement officials to enter houses of worship for their immigration enforcement actions. We appreciate the swift response of the General Secretary, Clerks, and committee members who acted with purpose and clarity in making this happen. [Read more…] about Minute of Support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting from Yardley Monthly Meeting
MINUTE REAFFIRMING QUAKER VALUES IN LIGHT OF CURRENT EVENTS
In light of current events in our country, Newtown Friends Meeting (Quakers) affirms basic truths that guide and support us in good times and in trying times. These truths we share with religious traditions around the world:
There is one human family without regard to nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, gender, immigration status, sexual orientation, or any other category. Truth, honesty, and love bind our human community together.
Connected with one another and the Holy Spirit, the source of all life, we value compassion, empathy and mutual respect above wealth and power. There is that of God in everyone. We humans are part of nature, not outside or above it. [Read more…] about Minute of Reaffirming Quaker Values in Light of Current Events from Newtown Friends Meeting
Hockessin Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, in the State of Delaware, assembled on Third month 2nd day, 2025, in meeting for worship with attention to business, affirms its support for the lawsuit that Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and other yearly and monthly meetings have filed against the Department of Homeland Security. [Read more…] about Hockessin Friends Support Lawsuit Challenging Dept. of Homeland Security
Updated March 5, 2025
During Fall Continuing Sessions, Friends were provided with a minute from Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people. This minute, adapted from one shared by Germantown Monthly Meeting, connects to the ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms the shared commitment to stand beside them.
Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community
Below are a few provided resources that Friends may choose utilize, learn, and share when connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community members and Friends. The following resources were compiled by Karen Lightner of Germantown Monthly Meeting, There is hope that this list will continue to grow, if you have additional resources to share, we invite you to send them to communications@pym.org.
[Read more…] about LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
At a called Meeting for Business, Greenwich Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends minuted support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s recent corporate request to block the DHS federal policy that allows immigration enforcement officials to enter houses of worship.
Greenwich Friends Meeting
Feb. 19, 2025
We fully endorse Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s lawsuit asking the court to declare unconstitutional any policy permitting government agents to carry out immigration enforcement activities inside or on the grounds of houses of worship. This step was taken to ensure we can freely exercise core Quaker values of peace, equity, and social justice.
We hold in the Light those individuals who are actively moving this lawsuit forward to affirm long-held Quaker principles.
Greenwich Friends Meeting
Minute of Support Recorded on February 9, 2025
Richland Monthly Meeting would like to add its support for the lawsuit that Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, along with other yearly meetings and individual meetings, has filed against the Department of Homeland Security regarding the possible placement of agents of enforcement in houses of worship. Our Meeting agrees that this kind of activity disrupts worship, instills fear, and is unconstitutional. It is heartening to know that Friends are willing to stand up for their beliefs, as this lawsuit indicates.
[Read more…] about Minute of Support from Richland Monthly Meeting
On Saturday, February 15, the three councils that support Philadelphia Yearly Meeting—Quaker Life Council, Administrative Council, and Nominating Council—held their meeting in a new joint format. In this structure, all three councils meet together as one Joint Council to worship, discern, and conduct business collaboratively. This allows the Joint Council to share the minutes in a news story with the PYM community in the week following the meeting.
The Joint Council approved the revision of the job description of the General Secretary. The document was recommended by the Search Committee, which sought input from the Personnel Committee and senior staff. The changes are slight and bring it up to date.
This letter, signed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and other faith groups across the country, asks Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bring back foreign aid programs, restart USAID, and reopen refugee resettlement. It shares concern that cutting these programs hurts people in need, damages U.S. leadership, and makes the world less safe.
Dear Secretary Rubio,
Congratulations on your confirmation as Secretary of State. This position comes with profound responsibilities, as you represent the United States to the rest of the world and are the highest-ranking member of the Presidential cabinet. Your efforts are especially important in an increasingly connected and interdependent world.
[Read more…] about Faith Letter to Secretary Rubio on USAID and Foreign Aid
Dear Friend,
Greetings from the World Office of the Friends World Committee for Consultation. Grace and peace to you.
[Read more…] about Friends World Committee for Consultation Letter to Meetings
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