Friends’ Meetings everywhere engage in supportive and compassionate programs for their communities. This story, written by Jim Fine of Bristol Meeting, will inspire meetings to do similar good in 2022. The meeting supports the Bucks County Interfaith Coalition’s Support Network (BCICSN) by bottom-lining a rainy day fund for Syrian refugees. Recently the meeting also stepped up to serve as an ad-hoc warehouse, collecting furniture donations for an influx of anticipated Afghan refugees. [Read more…] about Saying Yes to Bucks County Interfaith! Bristol Meeting Collects Furniture for Afghan Refugees
Peace & Social Justice
A Letter from Green Street’s Reparations Committee
As Friends Meetings initiate conversations about how to address racism, a number have looked into how their communities might make reparations. Two meetings, Trenton and Green Street have taken action. The story below shares the path Green Street Friends are now on. It has been a multi-year discernment process done under the stewardship of a reparations committee. For the Green Street Meeting, the project represents a deep spiritual commitment, and they feel that by working in relationship with Black Germantown residents their community is being enlivened. The committee has submitted much of the content for this report, and a list of committee members’ names follows the report along with ways to learn more about the project.
[Read more…] about A Letter from Green Street’s Reparations Committee
Advent Program Invites Reflection and Transformation
Over the last four weeks, more than 50 Friends registered to gather on Sunday evenings for an online adult religious education series exploring Advent — the time of expectant waiting before Christmas — with scripture, discussion, guided activities, prayers, and readings. [Read more…] about Advent Program Invites Reflection and Transformation
Religious Education Resources for December 2021
Dear Friends,
After I became a parent, I wanted to slow down the approach to Christmas for our young children. I hoped to celebrate more than one morning with presents under the tree, and wanted them to understand the story behind the familiar Nativity pageant scene of robed humans and animal acolytes. That was when I rediscovered the weeks of Advent in a new way, through the Godly Play story and its words: [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources for December 2021
George Schaefer: On the Practice of Pastoral Care
There are not many people who know George Schaefer and do not turn to him for wisdom, or for a much-needed and deft delivery of just-in-time Quaker advice and knowledge. This has been true on PYM staff, at every Annual Sessions, in crisis situations, and for those moments of song, fellowship, and joy that come our way as Friends in community.
[Read more…] about George Schaefer: On the Practice of Pastoral Care
Letter from a Quaker Translator for Indigenous Peoples in Brazil
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
City of Philadelphia’s Efforts to Welcome Afghan Families Fleeing Afghanistan
On September 16th PYM featured a list of resources on how to support Afghan refugees. This was one of our most widely read stories this fall, and meetings have stepped into the work of welcoming and resettling refugees with passion and dedication. Now the City of Philadelphia is coordinating a Spiritual Care Presence at the Airport to welcome Afghan families fleeing Afghanistan. Today’s story shows how Friends meetings, and individual Friends can connect with the city around that work.
The City of Philadelphia is continuing this effort and is also working to reactivate the Interfaith Prayer space to provide spiritual counsel and reflection at the airport. It includes Noon Prayer and providing daily spiritual care between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Many religious leaders in Philadelphia are participating in these efforts by lending support.
[Read more…] about City of Philadelphia’s Efforts to Welcome Afghan Families Fleeing Afghanistan
Report on Upcoming Staffing Shifts
On November 2nd, PYM hosted a second public meeting to provide a forum where Friends could hear and give feedback on the ongoing development of plans to shift PYM staffing structure.
[Read more…] about Report on Upcoming Staffing Shifts
Greenwich Meeting – A Place of Activity at the End of a Winding Road
At the end of the winding road, known as Ye Greate Street, in Greenwich, Cumberland County, NJ, stands a historic Quaker meetinghouse. Built-in the mid-eighteenth century and known at that time as “The Place of Prophets,” the building – situated at present far from the bustle of contemporary life on the banks of the Cohansey River – remains an active, albeit seasonal, Friends meetinghouse today. Yet for all of its contemplative and rural qualities, Greenwich Friends Lower Meetinghouse also serves, at times, as a touchstone of community activism, storytelling, education, and outreach.
[Read more…] about Greenwich Meeting – A Place of Activity at the End of a Winding Road
Assist Afghan Refugee Resettlement
PYM Quaker communities and individuals have asked how to help!
The recent events in Afghanistan have led to a dramatic uptick in the number of refugees who will need resettlement — a number that has reached crisis levels and requires unprecedented response.
Many meetings have contacted PYM for information about how they can collaborate with churches and communities to help. Resources and a video can be found below. [Read more…] about Assist Afghan Refugee Resettlement
