Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Continuing Sessions

How We Gather: Hybrid, Virtual, or In-Person? 

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We are again in a time of shift.

This time, we are asking how, when, and why our gatherings are hybrid, virtual, or in-person. We have much to learn about the needs in our community and we hope Friends will unite in seeing this as a time of experimentation and learning. At this year’s Spring Continuing Sessions, the morning Meeting for Business will be hybrid (more details below) and our regional afternoon program will be in-person only.

[Read more…] about How We Gather: Hybrid, Virtual, or In-Person? 

Religious Education Resources & Events for Winter 2023

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Onward into the new year and new opportunities to learn and grow together in our Yearly Meeting in 2023! Two of those opportunities focus on intergenerational worship and Bible study. We have so much to learn from one another in our approaches to these topics, and the PYM “Worship & Care Package” is one way we will explore new possibilities together. Friends who support religious education in our meetings are a community of practice; let’s consider about how we might accompany one another in the next year, sharing the ways that children, young people, and their families are part of our meeting communities. [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources & Events for Winter 2023

Religious Education Resources & Events for Fall

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When the afternoon sunshine softens and the crickets take over for the cicada chorus, I know it’s back to school time. The former classroom teacher in me feels the tug to get ready for the new year, and of course in meetings we may be getting ready to welcome children and youth back from summer adventures to school-year routines. One of the ideas I’m thinking about a lot is rethinking “First Day School” — both that language and the scholastic model. It’s not “the way we’ve always done things” as Friends, and the interruptions of the pandemic continue to create opportunities for new ways of exploring, listening, and being community in our meetings. Join me for a conversation on this! Below you’ll find resources for Fall and events for conversation, service, and fellowship.
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Religious Education Resources and Events for June & July

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Happy summertime, Friends! In the coming weeks, children and teens will be done with school and families will shift into summer routines. I’ll be back in touch in August with ideas for looking forward to the Fall, and if you’re ready to start thinking in that direction this planning guide is still a good place to begin this summer. The resources and events offered below for June and July include Juneteenth, FGC’s “YAY!” gathering, and what’s for families and youth at our Annual Sessions. I hope you will pass them along to families and youth in your meetings and communities! [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources and Events for June & July

What Happened at 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions

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On the weekend of March 25 – 27, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting convened our 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions. The weekend began with a powerful and moving performance from Molly Hicks on Friday evening. On Saturday, Francisco Burgos delivered a keynote address, after which, we held PYM’s meeting for worship for business. During meeting for business, Green Street Meeting’s Reparations Committee presented on their work. This included a touching message from Kimberly Jones about the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis.

[Read more…] about What Happened at 2022 Spring Continuing Sessions

Together: Intergenerational Sundays

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On Sunday of Spring 2022 Continuing Sessions weekend, local meetings were encouraged to “create your own” intergenerational gathering of Friends. Shared here are stories from meetings who created time for togetherness. Other meetings are planning future programs, and we would love to keep hearing and sharing those stories! [Read more…] about Together: Intergenerational Sundays

“Together” Sunday of Spring Sessions

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On Sunday of Spring Continuing Sessions weekend, we encourage meetings to “create your own” intergenerational gathering of Friends. While the pandemic has opened the possibility to join together from across the PYM region without travel, which we’ll do on Saturday online, our local meetings are where we gather most often across generations for fellowship, worship, learning, and business. Let’s continue the energy of being together at Sessions in the time after worship on Sunday morning, March 27. Shared here are resources and suggestions to plan simple opportunities for togetherness!

[Read more…] about “Together” Sunday of Spring Sessions

Religious Education Resources for March & April 2022

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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

Gifts We Seek: the Timeless, Eternal, Beautiful, and True

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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

Fall Continuing Sessions News and Minutes

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On a sparkling fall weekend in November, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting convened Fall 2021 Continuing Sessions, offering opportunities to be in Quaker community across generations on multiple days. Friends participated as they were led. The theme for fall sessions and the coming year is: Across the generations as we repair broken foundations, we become unified in beloved Quaker community. [Read more…] about Fall Continuing Sessions News and Minutes

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