Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Climate Justice

Eco-Justice Collaborative Spotlight Q&A With Patricia Finley

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“The whole eco system is connected and we are a part of it!”
— Patricia Finley, co-clerk of the Eco-Justice Collaborative

Q: Why was the Eco-Justice Collaborative formed?

The Eco-Justice Collaborative (EJC) has been in many forms since 1988. It began as the Environmental Working Group (EWG); in 1993, there was a renewed desire and commitment to elevate the EWG after a young person, during Annual Sessions, shared their experience of having nightmares about the future of our planet. A husband-and-wife team, Ed Dreby and Margaret Mansfield, foundational in creating EJC, doubled their efforts in visiting 50+ meetings encouraging other Quakers to get involved. Then in 2009, the Environmental Working Group became the Eco-Justice Collaborative which focused on lifting leaders with environmental expertise and interest to support each other’s projects. [Read more…] about Eco-Justice Collaborative Spotlight Q&A With Patricia Finley

The Next Spirited Step in Our Witness on Climate Change

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After fifty years of minuting concern about climate change, in March 2021, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting felt it was time for a new approach. On that day, we committed to become more unified by addressing the impending climate catastrophe as a witness—not just as an organization, but as individual Friends and as meetings and as the yearly —everyone a witness!

[Read more…] about The Next Spirited Step in Our Witness on Climate Change

Links: Our Food, Our Climate, and Biodiversity Loss

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We have been talking about the connection between our dietary decisions and what happens to the planet’s climate system. What about the interconnected link from our diets to struggling species?

Red wolf communities once populated the continent, from Texas and Oklahoma and Kansas in the west, to Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the east. Were they still here, they’d be naturally curbing the population of white-tailed deer. They are completely gone from our state, chased off by hunting and agribusiness.

Our age has been coined the Anthropocene. We have gone so far as to alter the climate that protects all living beings on Earth. [Read more…] about Links: Our Food, Our Climate, and Biodiversity Loss

Policy on Advocacy Explained

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Quaker practice invites Friends to listen deeply to the Inward Teacher and then to follow the leading that comes as a result. This is foundational to our faith, and individuals and meetings expect ourselves to be guided by Spirit in our daily decisions and with the direction of our lives. One way of responding to Spirit is through political action, including creating lasting and structural change through local, state, and federal legislation. Individuals may do this without limitation. When monthly, quarterly, and yearly meeting engagement is political, in addition to seeking unity in spiritual discernment we must also consider what is legally necessary for our non-profit organization. [Read more…] about Policy on Advocacy Explained

Approved Policy on Advocacy

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Administrative Council, after months of research and listening, approved a Policy on Advocacy in our yearly meeting which encourages Friends to follow their individual leadings and also articulates the limitations of a religion under the law. This story shares the policy and offers context and examples.
[Read more…] about Approved Policy on Advocacy

Apply for a Travel & Witness Grant at the March 1 Deadline

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The Travel and Witness Granting Group (TWGG) provides grants to support active service and witness by individuals following leadings of the Spirit.

The group has made fewer grants since March 2020 as a result of the pandemic’s impact on travel plans and gatherings.  This decrease means that the group has more funds available for future grants, and therefore welcomes applications for creative ideas that involve connecting with other communities through travel or witness. [Read more…] about Apply for a Travel & Witness Grant at the March 1 Deadline

Letter from a Quaker Translator for Indigenous Peoples in Brazil

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Meg Kidd is a Friend who has been translating human rights documentation for indigenous peoples in Brazil. The people she has been working with, the Mbya Guarani, have a deep relationship with nature and keen knowledge of botany, which makes this conversation by email an interesting story to share on Thanksgiving. 

With thanks to Richard (Dick) Nurse, (Princeton Meeting) who brought this story to PYM.

[Read more…] about Letter from a Quaker Translator for Indigenous Peoples in Brazil

Cherice Bock on Building Hubs of Climate Resilience

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In her July 31st Annual Sessions keynote, Cherice Bock explored the question “Will friends act in radical faithfulness?” with 78 Friends. She lifted up a range of ideas and possibilities for advocacy, emphasizing community-focused work that builds hubs of climate resilience.

[Read more…] about Cherice Bock on Building Hubs of Climate Resilience

Introducing Runway to Sessions with Olivia Brangan

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The Runway to Annual Sessions 2021 begins on Tuesday, May 4, and runs through July 24. The Runway to Annual Sessions are the weeks that lead up to Annual Sessions week (July 27 – August 1) and is filled with workshops, gatherings, youth programs, a multigenerational documentary viewing and discussion, a Young Adult Friend retreat, a Collaborative Fair, Q&As, and reports from PYM representatives to other Quaker organizations.

[Read more…] about Introducing Runway to Sessions with Olivia Brangan

Calling All PA Meetings: Consider Joining POWER

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A Member Reflects on Her Experience

Linda Clark is a member of Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting. As a whole meeting, Chestnut Hill Friends has joined an organization called POWER. In this article, Linda reflects on her experiences working with POWER and why it’s important for meetings across PA to join. If you have questions if your meeting is interested, please contact Linda at lindapat49@gmail.com. [Read more…] about Calling All PA Meetings: Consider Joining POWER

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