Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Ministry & Care

Closing the Grant Making Circle

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By Doug Humes
Quaker Buildings and Programs Granting Group

We grantmakers (at least for “bricks and sticks” – building and renovation projects) participate in the project at the beginning and in the middle, but typically we never see “the end”.  At the beginning, we receive an application that describes the project, a new roof, a bathroom, in addition, an energy saving device, a budget and how the applicant proposes to pay for the project outside of the requested grant funds.  [Read more…] about Closing the Grant Making Circle

PYM Grants – Sharing Our Stories

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The magnolia buds are slower to bloom this year but the sight of them means it is time for the PYM Annual Grant Makers potluck at Arch Street Meeting. The PYM Granting Committee sponsors two annual gatherings for the many Friends who are led to support the yearly meeting by being stewards of our grant funds. The fall Grant Makers Appreciation Luncheon will be held Saturday, October 6th at Friends Center. [Read more…] about PYM Grants – Sharing Our Stories

Community Building: Awareness & Empowerment

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Beth Popelka has followed a leading about theatre as a transformative practice that connects communities to the sacred since early in her adult life. For the past twenty years, she has worked to continue the legacy of Augusto Boal and other innovators to create dramatic group experiences that open communities to hidden sources of healing and wholeness.

“The exploration of embodied imagery empowers communities to face issues which they might otherwise avoid,” according to Beth. It helps them access others way of knowing. Ways that tap into the body’s wisdom.

The Wisdom of the Body to Heal Itself

“The body knows our condition if you will. It holds our traumas and our hurts. But, it can also open us to so much wisdom about coping with life and overcoming trauma and pain. When we get to be in our bodies, to enact our stories of pain and of joy as a group, we discover that our awareness of our needs and of others expands. Creating a connection,” says Beth.

“Not only that but the stories we tell ourselves about life, especially our lives and our troubles with others, come to be seen in a new and often healing light.” This is what makes the work so exciting for Beth. “For me, it is a sacred practice because, like Quaker meeting, when it works well, it is a collected peak experience that connects us to the mystery and wonder of being alive.”

A Source of Empathy and Compassion

At the recent, PYM Pastoral Care Thread Gathering, Beth led the morning workshop on responding to conflict in meeting. As each small group presented its embodied dramatic image, the picture-story of its conflict, Friends watching could be heard expressing sighs of recognition and “a-ha’s” of empathy and insight.

The compassion expressed by everyone to the image and the wisdom revealed in its embodied presentation was profound and moving. It led to a strong sense of empowerment, knowing that the solution to many of our problems may be found in the images we hold about them. And, that creatively embodying these image reveals a deep wisdom that leads to transformation and renewal for communities and individuals.

Beth Popelka is available as a Resource Friend to conduct Empowerment and Community Building Workshops and can be reached at popelkavision@yahoo.com

Junior Friends Conference Hosted by Abington Quarter

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      “This is the best week of my life.” 4th Grade Student

For more than forty years, Abington Quarter has supported two summer youth programs for members and attenders of Friends Meetings within the Quarter: Junior Friends Conference (JFC) and Middle School Friends Conference (MSFC). The opportunity to join the Junior Friends Conference is open to all young people in PYM completing grades 2-6! The JFC program is a one-week residential conference. This year, it will be held Sunday, June 17- Friday, June 22, 2018 at The George School in Bucks County.  The week will feature: arts, ecology, games, worship, swimming, talent sharing, team building, and campfires.

The JFC program offers participants the opportunity to live in a “Friendly” community that strives to live Quaker testimonies.  It is called a “conference”and not a camp because while there is fellowship and fun, the focus is to provide an environment rich in Quaker values.  The hope is for all children to benefit spiritually, emotionally and physically as a result of their experiences. A 5th Grade student reflected: “Thank you sooo much for helping me to come here, and I can’t explain how thankful I am to be in this wonderful community.”

Friends are asked to register no later than April 30, and questions can be directed to Karen Shanoski shanoski@comcast.net.

Junior Friends Conference 2018

Junior Friends Conference Registration

Youth Programs, Give Feedback on Vision & Mission

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Dear Friends,
The Youth Programs Sprint group has nearly completed its work to propose a vision, mission and governance structure for our yearly meeting’s youth programs. The Sprint group, through several iterations, looked at the history of our youth programs and considered their future. The Sprint group intentionally sought out voices that we don’t always hear from, including those of LGBTQ families, Friends of Color, and Friends involved in religious education at monthly and quarterly meetings. Voices of young people themselves were also included in the discernment process, and several members of the Young Friends community serve on the Sprint group.
Friends from across the yearly meeting are invited to read the proposal and to submit feedback to the Clerk of the Youth Programs Sprint, Kri Burkander, at kri@burkander.com.
Based on feedback, the proposal will be revised, and a final version will be brought to the April meeting of the Quaker Life Council. The proposal will also be included in advance documents for Continuing Sessions on Saturday March 24, where Friends will have an opportunity to give feedback during the Quaker Life Council report.
Friends can read the report in full below or view it on the PYM website.
Sincerely,
Kri Burkander, Clerk
Youth Programs Sprint
You can also read on the PYM website about our new Youth Engagement Coordinator and our new Youth Programs Facilitators and Assistants.

The Proposal

Vision Statement
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting children, youth and their families will feel connected to and engaged with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) via programs and practices that provide for connection, engagement, and the invitation into deeper relationship with God.
Mission Statement
PYM demonstrates our commitment to community, accessibility, and the foundation of our Quaker faith by working together to provide youth of all ages with opportunities for meaningful participation in our Quaker community and support for their spiritual journeys.
This mission is anchored in four pillars: Community, Accessibility, Quaker Faith and Values, and Meaningful Participation.
The first pillar is Community. We aim to provide youth, children, families, and seekers in our yearly meeting with opportunities to gather and be known to one another through shared experiences. We note that these opportunities may take place at either monthly, quarterly, or yearly meeting levels, and we are committed to supporting integration between and across these offerings. Additionally, our youth programs have the intention to nurture a sense of belonging and building supportive relationships within and among our youth, children, families, volunteers, and staff. To support this intention and these relationships, youth programs are structured to support the provision of pastoral care as appropriate by staff. Lastly, we recognize and celebrate the different youth communities within PYM and wish to nurture connections among them.
The second pillar is Accessibility. We aim to provide programs that are welcoming (with respect to race, physical ability, class, gender, familiarity with Quaker process, geographic location, or any other condition brought forward) with adequate support and accommodations that encourage participation by all. Our commitment to accessibility means that we recognize that the diversity within our community, as well as the broader community, strengthens us.
The third pillar is Quaker Faith and Values. Our programs are intended to invite all children, youth, and their families into deeper relationship with Spirit and nurture an understanding of our Quaker faith, traditions, and practice. Our programs provide youth with opportunities to grow spiritually, cultivate their leadership ability, learn and own Quaker process, and care for each other in loving community. We aim to nurture the capacity of youth to build Quaker faith communities and equip our youth to bear Quaker witness in the world.
The fourth pillar is Meaningful Participation. We are driven to provide children, youth, and their families with experiences that speak to their needs for exploration, knowledge, spiritual growth, and leadership development. We believe that these experiences provide children and youth with important skills as well as engendering a commitment to remain engaged with the Religious Society of Friends and this Yearly Meeting through the years.
Governance Structure
Youth Programs Advisory Committee (“Y-PAC”)
A committee of Quaker Life Council.
Membership: 9 members
-Youth Engagement Coordinator (Melinda)
-Associate Secretary for Program and Religious Life (Zachary) – ex officio
-MSF youth representative
-YF youth representation
-at least one member of Youth Sprint III
-parent representative
3-at-large members suggested by Nominating Committee (approved by QLC)
Membership Notes:
In considering membership for this committee, attention should be paid to all aspects of diversity named above, including race, class, geographic location, and experience with Quakerism.
Youth members – at least one MSF and one YF who don’t necessarily serve as clerks (inviting new role as liaison to YPAC). Youth members may be active at any level of youth programming – monthly, quarterly, and/or yearly.
At large members are intended to provide outside voices that are not necessarily familiar to those on the YPAC or QLC, to ensure that youth programs are meeting the needs of all stakeholders. Guidance to Nominating should be to seek members from diverse parts of the YM, and those who bring the perspective of monthly and quarterly meetings, specifically those without Quarterly Meeting coordinators.
YPAC Responsibilities
  • This group should meet no less than 4 times per year, and be available for consultation as needed with the Youth Engagement Coordinator
  • Support the staff and volunteers in carrying out the mission and vision of the PYM youth programs
  • Serve as a sounding board for Youth Engagement Coordinator
  • Ongoing evaluation of the MSF and YF guidelines to ensure that they still meet the needs of the group and serve to support the vision and mission of youth programs
  • Support the organization and coordination of Youth Resource Friends
  • Consult with Administrative Council on any matters related to Youth Program staff
  • Provide policy guidance for staff and volunteers throughout the yearly meeting, including those related to child safety
  • Assisting with communication between youth programming and various communities within the YM
  • Regularly evaluate that the YM youth programs are supporting the Strategic Directions of the YM and that programs are serving the needs of youth (recommend surveying youth who are involved and those not involved to identify areas of improvement)

PYM Staff Join National Walk Out Day

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Quakers in our region have a long history of concern about gun violence. Individual monthly meetings and the yearly meeting have approved minutes and spoken with lawmakers about it. A campaign that grew out of PYM peace work successfully closed a Philadelphia gun shop with a tremendous reputation and record for straw purchases.  At this time when the youth of our nation are taking leadership on addressing gun violence we have opportunities for joining them and for learning and action.

Today, the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting staff who were moved to do so joined youth across the country in a national walk out. At 10 AM, PYM staff stood with students from Friends Select School and others in front of City Hall. The students read aloud the names of those who were killed at the Parkland, FL high school shooting and called on our leaders to take action.  More information about the walk out is on the web here.

You can follow live updates on walk outs happening all over the country on the New York Times website.

PYM Resource Friends in Ministry & Care

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Friends Find Inspiration and Support for the Journey of Ministry at Resource Friends Gathering

As a volunteer, George Salloom remembers being profoundly affected by a hospice patient who was different, he didn’t fear his own death. This man’s clear-eyed courage, wisdom and compassion inspired George to become a hospice worker and eventually a bereavement counselor, a vocation which he continues to pursue.

At the February gathering of Resource Friends in Ministry & Care, George found himself excited by the morning program on Building Gifts. Acknowledging one’s spirit-given gifts in ministry, having these gifts affirmed by others and teaching from the authority of the spirit, opened for him a way to pursue his concern for aging, death and dying among Friends.

Spirit-led ministry defines who we are as Quakers

As Friends our learning in the spirit is a life-long pursuit, one that often unfolds without our direct awareness. For George, having the opportunity to reflect on his journey in supportive community with others was “something missing from my previous religious practice.”

George came away from the gathering understanding that, “learning about myself with others, (who I am to God, to my meeting and to the world!) challenges me to embrace the uncomfortable aspects of my calling, the hard parts, using my gifts in ministry to overcome my fear.” For George, facing the realities of life with courage and compassion continues to inspire.

Indian Committee Fiscal Year Report ’16-’17

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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. – Dakota

Indian Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 

Report for October 2016 through September 2017

During the Fiscal Year 2016-17 fifteen individuals were active as Members and Attenders at ten meetings held during the year. On average nine people attended each meeting. We were greatly saddened by the sudden loss of one of our long-term members, Amanda Ivory, in July 2016. [Read more…] about Indian Committee Fiscal Year Report ’16-’17

Grantmakers Go High Tech!

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This photo is not a screen grab of the Brady Bunch.  It is an action photo showing old dogs learning new tricks!

Yesterday was the big Eagles Parade that closed Center City Philadelphia to all but those wearing green, to celebrate the self-proclaimed Underdog Philadelphia Eagles.  The PYM Granting Committee was scheduled to meet there as well.  But we thought better of it.  Instead, we tried new software, Zoom, that allowed us to conference call with visuals from our homes or officers.  Ten in attendance, and apparently the software would accommodate up to 100.  The sound quality was great.  You can all view the same document together; can view each face participating by video, and also hear the folks who have phoned in.  It was a very successful first attempt.  Thanks to Carol Walz and Ken Park for cheerleading us through the process. [Read more…] about Grantmakers Go High Tech!

Nurturing Multigenerational Spiritual Community in Salem Quarter

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“If we want to rediscover human joy and wholeness and creativity, and to learn to care for our planetary household as one earth family, we cannot continue to insulate adults and children from each other. Children need to be present to us, and we to them.” – Elise Boulding

My first visit to a local meeting as Youth Engagement Coordinator was in December, when I was invited to speak at Salem Quarterly Meeting on the topic of nurturing multigenerational spiritual community. Friends of all ages gathered at Woodbury Friends Meeting for introductions and the program “All Together Now,” which began with an activity to explore images, stories, and themes we encounter during the winter holiday season. After playing “silent squares” together, younger Friends transitioned to their program with Gail Scuderi, where they continued to explore their responses to the activity through art. Older Friends gathered to discuss how the whole meeting community can support children’s spiritual lives, including how to create multigenerational programs in a local meeting. The younger Friends returned from their program for the last part of worship together with the community.

The program was filmed, and you can watch it in the video linked below, which is now part of the Salem Quarter podcast series, “Clearly Quaker.” Some main points lifted up in the message:

  • Affirmation that spiritual formation is a life-long journey.
  • When a new family with children comes to a meeting, we need to attend to three kinds of needs: the spiritual formation/religious education of the children, parents who are seekers themselves, and the family’s hope for a faith home.
  • Let’s make a place for young Friends in our worship; there is a place at this table for them.
  • Spiritual community with their peers in a First Day program is vital as well — with a balance of informational and experiential learning. (The “kids table!”)
  • Our children need authentic relationships with adults other than their parents or primary caregivers.

In these places, adults can find ways to be fully present to children. Boulding also wrote, “To be a good futurist is to be a good listener to the young, who see shapes on the horizon that older folks miss.”

I encourage you to visit the Salem Quarter website and explore the wonderful podcast series,  “Clearly Quaker”. You’ll find Friends speaking on a variety of topics, sharing their truth, witness, and demonstrating our living faith!

Melinda Wenner Bradley, Youth Engagement Coordinator

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