Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

Young Friends Program Transitions

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With deep gratitude, the PYM community acknowledges the many gifts of Young Friends Program Co-Facilitators Hannah Mayer and Kody Hersh as they each enter new stages of their lives and ministries, and move on from the Young Friends program. For many years they have anchored the Youth Program team with both administrative and program work, and also modeled for us deeply caring, authentic relationships with Young Friends. Their approach to youth work has helped to shape how our yearly meeting is moving forward with collaborative energy and joy in youth programs. [Read more…] about Young Friends Program Transitions

Some Thoughts from the 1955 Friends Journal

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I received a mailing from Friends Journal, which describes its goal today “to serve the Quaker community and the wider community of spiritual seekers through the publication of articles, poetry, letters, art, and news that convey the contemporary experience of Friends.” I signed up for the one-year subscription, and in today’s world of instant gratification, I immediately became able to download the latest issue, and peruse the archive of all issues going back to 1955, the year that both the Journal and I got our start in the world.
I selected the issue closest to my birth date and began reading. The discussion of the Korean conflict, of the arms race, of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, could all have been written today. And for a lunch-time meditation, this article, on preparing for meeting, was just the right size for reading over my soup and sandwich. Nothing earthshaking – just some suggestions for preparing for silence. But part of the process is always reviewing what you may already know, and hearing how others come to the same point. So, let me share that article with you all – a voice from 1955 – but passing along timeless advice.
Preparing for Meeting
JANET WHITNEY’S article “Some Thoughts on the Meeting for Worship” in the first issue of FRIENDS JOURNAL was cogent in its description of the type of ministry which all too often violates the silence of our meetings. Smaller groups often sense a real feeling of embarrassment rising from the fear that visitors or newly convinced Friends might find a silent meeting too difficult. Also when the children come to worship, someone is sure to feel that they need a message. It is, indeed, one way of “relieving the silence,” and achieving a more active sense of participation.
The author then asks, “Do we … need to bring nothing to meeting but our need?” The answer was, perhaps, not quite satisfactory. Surely we need to bring with us more than a need and a smattering of the week’s intellectual accumulations. May I suggest a few thoughts on the three modes of preparation I have found helpful before going to meeting?
First, I want a bit of serenity gained by deliberately abandoning the Sunday paper and household chores for the half hour before meeting. Often it has to be done by walking to meeting, and I recommend the practice. Meditation and reverent reading of Scripture is not always possible in the midst of a large family. The meeting hour itself is too precious to be used for settling down.
Second, I want an active feeling of respect, interest in, and love for the members of the group. I anticipate being with them. While one may very well worship with strangers, the bonds of fellowship will always assist in uniting us. Love of man is the first step toward love of God.
Third, I feel I must bring more than hunger and hope. I need the firm expectation that I shall be filled. All worship is an act of faith. No one knocks convincingly at a door when he does not really expect to be answered.
When we come to worship thus prepared, our feeling of participation is so concrete that silence needs no relief. When many Friends attend in this same mood, the unity of love will embrace even newcomers, and we have heard them speak about it with appreciation. We do not carry food to a banquet; nor do we bring a sermon to a meeting. But we should come with good appetite, an awareness of fellowship, and the confidence of enjoying the occasion.
WILLARD E. MEAD (September 1955 Friends Journal)
If you would like to subscribe to Friends Journal, go to the website – link given below – and for the sum of $25 you will get not only a one year subscription, but access to the wisdom of the ages – or at least ages back to 1955. “ That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”
Friends Journal: https://www.friendsjournal.org/subscribe/

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

Live Streaming Event: Join Christie & Oscar on the National Mall

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PYM Friends Christie Duncan-Tessmer and Oskar Castro will be speaking at the ACT to End Racism Rally on the national mall on Wednesday, April 4 at 10:30, giving remarks after Rev. Jim Wallis speaks.

The full event will be live streamed at the following link:

Members of Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Native American and numerous other congregations from all over the United States will be joined by individuals from the Religious Society of Friends to convene a day of prayer, and mobilization on the National Mall in Washington DC. The cause is ambitious – putting an end to Racism – and the tools are simple; standing together, sharing words of inspiration, expressing contrition for complicity, and taking responsibility for change.

As invited speakers for this National Council of Churches event, PYM Friends Christie Duncan-Tessmer, General Secretary, and Oskar Castro, Social Justice Resource Friend for PYM and Director of Equity and Inclusion for Quaker Voluntary Service are sharing personal reflections and prayers at about 10:30 AM on April 4th. You can tune in to hear their remarks live, and know that members of our faith are present and hopeful for a better future.

The full program of events runs from 9AM-4PM – 50 years to the day on which Dr. Martin Luther King died.

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.

Youth Programs Staff Update: New and Continuing Friends

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Dear Friends,

We are delighted to introduce to you the wonderful team of staff who will be working with PYM Youth Programs. Some Friends are familiar faces shifting into a new role, others are new to the Yearly Meeting community. Each of them brings significant gifts to the program they will serve, and their energy and dedication to youth work are inspiring.

Questions about the youth program gatherings can be directed to both the Facilitators and to me. Please reach out to MWennerBradley@pym.org about registration and other administrative questions, and to the Facilitators with questions related to one of the weekend or retreat programs. The Facilitators can be reached at their program emails:

ChildrenAndFamilies@pym.org

MiddleSchoolFriends@pym.org

YoungFriends@pym.org

In addition to the collaboration among Youth Programs staff, my hope is for us to create bridges between the Yearly Meeting programs offered by the Friends below, and the ministry of Friends supporting their local meeting children and youth programs. You’ll find a list of upcoming PYM programs at the end of this email. Also watch for news about upcoming “Conversation Circles.” These are places to share joys and challenges in First Day programs. Friends gather virtually using online tools to share ideas that work and to exchange new resources within the spiritual formation of children and youth.

I look forward to the many conversations ahead, and the journey of learning together.

Melinda Wenner Bradley, Youth Engagement Coordinator

 

 WELCOME! (and Huzzah!)

Kimani Keaton
Children and Families Program Facilitator 
A woman of many talents, Kimani is a retired West Philly nanny. Since graduating from Dickinson College with a degree in Sociology & Religion, she has also been an Assistant Teacher for First Grade Math and Science classes at the Kindezi School in Atlanta, and served children’s programs for Atlanta Friends Meeting and PhYM. Kimani is passionate about plants, cooking, dancing, music, art, storytelling, singing, and self-care. She brings enthusiasm, excellent communication skills, an appreciation and love for Quakerism, and thorough and varied experience with kids to her new PYM role. She feels called to lend her gifts to spiritual spaces and to nurture a more spirit-led and self-aware generation of young Friends.

Amy Connelly
Children and Families Program Assistant
Amy is new to PYM and thrilled to accept the Children and Families Program Assistant position. Amy has more than 10 years’ experience in planning meetings and events that she will apply in the new role.  As a mother of two young toddlers, she is motivated both to learn and share ideas for the spiritual development of young families. Amy hopes to join Buckingham Meeting in 2018.

Elizabeth Croce
Middle School Friends Program Facilitator
Elizabeth is thrilled to assume the Middle School Friends Program Facilitator position for PYM to create a spiritually grounded, exciting, and fun program for the MSFers. Elizabeth graduated from Guilford College in 2015 with a double major in Religious Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as well as a minor in Quaker Studies. She has worked as a Quaker Voluntary Service fellow in Germantown Friends School’s Community Involvement Office where she taught 7th grade Quakerism and coordinated service opportunities. She has also held positions as an assistant teacher in both 4th grade as well as kindergarten classrooms at GFS and in John B. Kelly public school. Since April 2016, Elizabeth served PYM as the Middle School Friends Assistant. Currently, Elizabeth is the First Day School Teacher/Coordinator for Haverford Friends Meeting and is enrolled in Chestnut Hill College’s Master’s of Education (PreK-4) program. Elizabeth is a member of Orlando Monthly Meeting in SEYM.

Colleen Hayes
Middle School Friends Program Assistant
Colleen spent many weekends growing up out in the woods of New Jersey with her family and as an eleven year Girl Scout. She studied English Literature and German at Guilford College, where she discovered and connected with the Society of Friends, Greensboro’s rich history of community-organizing, and the student run café’s consensus-model decision making process. An avid traveler, she taught English as a second language for two years in Austrian middle and high schools in conjunction with the Austria Fulbright Commission. She moved to West Philadelphia in 2016 and has been a Friendly Adult Presence at MSF gatherings since and an occasional attendee of West Philly Friends Meeting. In her free time she sings from the Sacred Harp, cooks big family meals with her house, and explores Philly.

Kody Gabriel Hersh
Young Friends Program Co-Facilitator
Kody has been working with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting youth programs since 2011. He is passionate about supporting young people to build communities that are creative, respectful, youth-led, spiritually deep, and anti-oppressive. Outside of youth work, he is a writer, musician, and LGBTQ advocate, serves with Christian Peacemaker Teams providing accompaniment to communities impacted by violence and oppression, is involved with PYM’s Undoing Racism Group, and loves to cook. Kody is a member of Miami Monthly Meeting, Southeastern Yearly Meeting. He may or may not be an actual unicorn.

Hannah Mayer
Young Friends Program Co-Facilitator
Hannah has been enjoying work with the PYM Young Friends program since 2010 when she first moved to Philadelphia. She is a member of Maury River Friends Meeting in Baltimore Yearly Meeting and was very active as a young person in BYM, engaging in the Young Friends community and working at BYM’s Quaker camps. A graduate of Earlham College, she now lives in West Philadelphia and works at Pendle Hill as the Assistant to the Executive Director. When she isn’t working at Pendle Hill or with Young Friends, Hannah can be found atop a trapeze practicing circus arts, troubleshooting an issue with her house, or experimenting with a new grain-free recipe.
Upcoming Youth Programs: 
  • Young Friends Winter Gathering, Feb. 9-11 at West Chester Meeting
  • MSF Winter Gathering, Feb. 16-18 at Solebury Meeting
  • Spring Continuing Sessions, March 24 in Caln Quarter — Programs for all ages, including Sat-Sun overnight for Middle School Friends
  • Young Friends and Middle School Friends at Camp Swatara, May 4-6
  • Spring Family Overnight, May 26-27 at Camp Dark Waters
  • Annual Sessions! July 25-29 at the College of New Jersey

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

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