Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Climate Justice

What Does It Feel Like When The World Smiles Kindly Upon You?

Written on: 

Authorship attributed to Harrison Mace

On a sunny Tuesday in February, everyday people – strangers to me before, friends to me now – gathered to hold Meeting For Worship in the plain air of Rittenhouse Square, underneath the sparkling windows of luxury high-rise condos. One of these belongs to the new CEO of Vanguard, Salim Ramji. Vanguard manages over $10 trillion of individuals’, organizations’, and corporations’ investments. It is the world’s largest investor in fossil fuels and the second largest investor in expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. Last year, Vanguard decided not to support a single social or environmental shareholder proposal voted on by its stewardship team – and there were 400 of them. It follows then that the people would take the issues they care about – clean water, healthy air, a livable planet – directly to Salim Ramji’s doorstep. [Read more…] about What Does It Feel Like When The World Smiles Kindly Upon You?

Old Haverford Friends Meeting Reimagining Land to Be a Mini Forest

Written on:

At Old Haverford Friends Meeting, over April 12 and 13, volunteers planted 20 trees on the meeting’s grounds. The planting is a continuation of an ongoing effort to reimagine the land as a mini forest—one that can offer environmental benefits, habitat for wildlife, and a space for reflection. [Read more…] about Old Haverford Friends Meeting Reimagining Land to Be a Mini Forest

PYM Connect Launches Addressing Climate Change Channel

Written on:

The yearly meeting-wide witness on climate change began when Friends with care for the environment asked that all of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting be part of this concern. In March 2021, PYM agreed to carry climate change as a shared witness. This past weekend, PYM Connect launched a new channel that helps PYM Friends stay connected, share ideas, and support each other to continue this work in Addressing Climate Change.

JOIN PYM CONNECT!
[Read more…] about PYM Connect Launches Addressing Climate Change Channel

Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities supports the work of Native Roots Farm Foundation

Written on:

The Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities provides grants to Indigenous communities enabling their work to build cultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being. We give priority to projects created and carried out by Indigenous peoples of a one-time nature: pilot projects and seed money to help initiatives which serve a community get off the ground. One organization we have supported this past year is Native Roots Farm Foundation (NRFF) for their work rematriating culturally meaningful plants. [Read more…] about Quaker Fund for Indigenous Communities supports the work of Native Roots Farm Foundation

Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals

Written on:

For decades, PYM has set benchmarks to guide our shared witness on critical issues. With the Creating a Playbook for Climate Action, this tool provides meetings with practical resources and ideas for planning, taking action, and staying accountable in areas like activism, education, and reducing carbon footprints.

[Read more…] about Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals

Strengthening Connections Across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting | PYM Connect

Written on:

During Fall Continuing Sessions, Christie Duncan-Tessner, General Secretary, and Claire Kinnel, Community Engagement Coordinator, Had the opportunity to present on PYM Connect. This online community platform, set to launch in January 2025. PYM Connect is designed to support a more interconnected yearly meeting. Built as a secure, supportive space, PYM Connect will offer Friends a way to engage and share resources with one another across shared ministries and leadings.

[Read more…] about Strengthening Connections Across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting | PYM Connect

Add Your Quaker Meeting to the QuakerEarth Action Map!

Written on:

Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW), in partnership with Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), is thrilled to announce the launch of the QuakerEarth Action Map! This dynamic tool highlights Quaker-led climate action efforts worldwide—connecting, amplifying, and supporting our shared commitment to Earthcare and climate justice.

[Read more…] about Add Your Quaker Meeting to the QuakerEarth Action Map!

Ways to Connect Before Sessions

Written on:

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has multiple October events that will provide ways to engage within our community before Fall Continuing Sessions. Three opportunities include fellowship of the thread gathering, a family-centered peace-building event, or the collective discernment over climate during a virtual threshing session. Each of these events offers a unique opportunity to engage with the PYM community and prepare ourselves spiritually for the work ahead. Whether you are seeking fellowship, family engagement, or discernment on critical issues, these events will help ground us as we come together as a faith community:

[Read more…] about Ways to Connect Before Sessions

Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on “Going Veggie” and Using “Creating a Playbook for Climate Action”

Written on:

Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting has embraced a new initiative to support climate action by “going veggie” on the third Sunday of each month. This meeting-wide project is the result of collaboration between the Climate Action and Hospitality Committees, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing climate change.

Sarah Whitman, a member of both committees at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, shared her perspective and the behind-the-scenes on this new initiative. “Last spring, we started a Climate Action Committee to help the meeting address climate change,” Sarah shared. “There have been individual leadings and practices related to climate change, but not a project that the whole meeting does together. I happen to be a member of both Hospitality and the Climate Action Committee, so I felt like this was an opportunity for synergy between those two committees.”

[Read more…] about Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on “Going Veggie” and Using “Creating a Playbook for Climate Action”

Event Recap: Check-in on Creating a Playbook for Climate Action

Written on:

On Wednesday, May 29, Friends gathered to check in on their progress on working with Creating a Playbook for Climate Action. Participants ranged from those currently using the resource to those looking to mobilize their meetings.

The attendees talked about the efforts their meetings are making or intending to make. Ideas included updating heating systems and insulating buildings to be more efficient, carpooling, and planting gardens that support the environment. They expressed hopes to reach out further within their meetings and to other organizations within their communities.

Concerns about climate change in general were voiced. There is a feeling that people go about their daily lives, business as usual, but climate change is a reality that is already affecting the world, with rising sea levels, increased natural disasters, and record-high temperatures. Broader impacts on complex systems, including food and housing structures, and how the climate crisis impacts those were discussed.

It was lifted up that people are scared, feel disempowered, and are unsure how to take action. Participants discussed several documentaries and resources they have screened, though there is a collective concern about recommending them, as they want to make sure they are educating and supporting people in a way that doesn’t also overwhelm them.

The group discussed ways to take personal action, naming political action at the state level as an avenue. Spiritual commitment to remain seated in the Light and compassion is also a means to find comfort in a challenging topic.

Our named commitment to a yearly meeting-wide witness on climate change means we will continue to hold space for this work. The next check-in around Creating a Playbook for Climate Action will be on Zoom on October 10 from 7-8 p.m.

Learn more about the Creating a Playbook for Climate Action resource here.

Update your contact & Meeting information at pym.org/updates

© 2025 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting · Privacy Policy