Through engagement, we find meaning in crafting genuine land acknowledgements as possible “first steps” in recognizing Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live and work. In creating, we are called into collaborating, being accountable, continuously taking up “next steps,” and tending respectful relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities by listening. We encourage the mindful practice of naming the Indigenous People(s) whose land you are on – at home, at work, and/ or while traveling. [Read more…] about First Contact Reconciliation Seventh Mo. 2022
Peace & Social Justice
State of the Meeting Reports, 2021-2022
Spiritual State of the Meeting reports give all of us a glimpse into the communities of meetings in our Yearly Meeting. Together, they create a tapestry that tells the story of our yearly meeting in the last year; a vibrant community engaged in spiritual formation and witness across four states and many experiences of the Spirit. When we are together in residence at an Annual Sessions gathering, there is a thick book with the collected ‘State of the Meeting’ reports. During the years we have gathered online, the special joy of leafing through those printed reports has needed a new model. This year, we again created a virtual “book” of all of the reports. You can access them in this news story and they will also be published in a booklet following Annual Sessions.
In the Light: The Yearly Meeting’s Print Newsletter
Earlier this month, we sent out a print newsletter to Friends in the yearly meeting. We plan to send out a print issue of the newsletter quarterly. This issue of the newsletter illustrates a new way in which our yearly meeting has been called—and our faithful response to it—the call to witness against racism. You can read it online. [Read more…] about In the Light: The Yearly Meeting’s Print Newsletter
The Next Spirited Step in Our Witness on Climate Change
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
Grave Marker, People of African Descent
A grave marker listing the names and burial years of some people of African descent who were buried in our Abington Meeting Graveyard has been installed. (See photo above.) These names were read out loud and honored during a memorial meeting for worship on October 15, 2016, when the Meeting dedicated the plaque at the entrance of the graveyard honoring those buried in our graveyard whose names are not known to us. At that time, several Meeting members had researched and discovered some lists that included names of people of color (designated by “Col.” next to their names in Quaker records) who were buried in our graveyard. The names were compiled into one list in our program for that Plaque Dedication event, and the memorial meeting for worship took place on that day. [Read more…] about Grave Marker, People of African Descent
Links: Our Food, Our Climate, and Biodiversity Loss
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
Workshop Saturday: Co-Regulating & Building Relationships Toward Equity & Justice
In this series of stories, we’ll highlight the workshops being offered on Workshop Saturday, June 25. Sessions Coordinating Committee and staff experimented this year with offering a one-day online event that includes five workshops on different topics of interest to Friends in our yearly meeting. We will gather and listen deeply together on a day of connection, learning, and meaningful conversations.
Read on to learn more about the facilitators and intentions of this Workshop Spotlight, and register for a workshop by Thursday, June 23.
[Read more…] about Workshop Saturday: Co-Regulating & Building Relationships Toward Equity & Justice
First Contact Reconciliation Update
Honor The Promise Campaign (Treaty of Amity: Perpetual Peace and Friendship)
Based on mutual attendance, Honor the Promise yard signs were taken to the 41st Annual Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Powwow, held at the Salem County Fairgrounds. Friends will be keeping alive the story of perpetual peace and friendship. Who is represented by this sacred wampum belt treaty; which rivers represent Lenapehoking; when might the yard signs be displayed? These and more relative inquiries are perpetuating The Treaty of Amity ‘story by the following monthly meetings: Atlantic City Area, Chestnut Hill, Kendal, London Grove, Woodbury, Woodstown; as well as Friends School Mullica Hill and Burlington Meetinghouse; and by request, gifted to the Native American Church/ St John UMC (Fordville) and Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation. [Read more…] about First Contact Reconciliation Update
Religious Education Resources and Events for June & July
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