Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Quakers & Quakerism

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Welcomes Sean Connolly as Executive Director

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The Board of Trustees of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Connolly as its new Executive Director, beginning June 9, 2020.

Sean comes to the Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust from Pennsbury Manor, where he oversaw the Education Department. Formerly, he was the Assistant Director for Historic Philadelphia Inc.’s Once Upon A Nation program and the Executive Director of the Manayunk Theatre Company. He has also taught in the Department of History at Drexel University. [Read more…] about Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Welcomes Sean Connolly as Executive Director

Quaker Farms – Then and Now

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Not long ago, a typed narrative from a transcribed letter written by a Quaker farmer in “Chester Township” Pennsylvania showed up in some files. It was dated 10th month, 1725, and began “Dear Sister Mary Valentine, this goes with a salutation of love to thee, brother Thomas, and the children…”

[Read more…] about Quaker Farms – Then and Now

News from 1652 Country, England

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This story was adapted from an email distributed by Terry Winterton, the Friend in Residence at Glenthorne’s guest house in Grasmere, Great Britain. Anyone who has read William Wordsworth will know that the walks, hillsides, and lakes in this region were powerful sources of inspiration for Wordsworth’s poetry. They also charm Quaker travelers seeking to access Pendle Hill, Swarthmore Hall, and the rural country roads and fells (mountains and hills) walked by George Fox in 1652. All are featured in this short film. (Interested educators can teach this history to children though Faith & Play Stories on George Fox and Margaret Fell.) The region also serves international hikers and nature lovers from around the world.

[Read more…] about News from 1652 Country, England

Women Quaker Artists: Dame Judi Dench, Bonnie Raitt, Sandra Boynton and Signe Wilkinson

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Today, Quakers are known to be actively involved in the creative and performing arts community; they are artists, actors, musicians, and lend their meetinghouses for art shows and performances.

It wasn’t always like this–George Fox (whose powerful vocal ministry sparked the Quaker faith in 1652) was against ornamentation in religion and viewed it as a distraction. Theater, dance, and musical performances were seen as leading Friends away from an investment in faith and virtuous reflection.

Over the years, that reality has evolved. Among many respected artists, Quaker artists have made a pronounced impact in their fields with their artistic abilities.

[Read more…] about Women Quaker Artists: Dame Judi Dench, Bonnie Raitt, Sandra Boynton and Signe Wilkinson

Quaker History: Clive Sansom, Ursula Franklin, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Lizzie Magie

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Friends in Quaker history have strong foundations and beliefs centered around faith. Many Friends also inspired and had a significant impact on important movements in world history and even influenced game design. But there are also lesser-known Quakers who touched others through their contributions to art, science, and sociology.

Some stories follow:

[Read more…] about Quaker History: Clive Sansom, Ursula Franklin, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Lizzie Magie

Worship with Lake District Friends at Glenthorne, Great Britain

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Glenthorne is a Quaker Guesthouse located in the Lake District, Great Britain. They invite Friends to join them for worship at 9:15 AM London time. Perhaps, due to the time difference this is only  for those insomniacs among us …

Terry Winterton is the Friend in Residence at Glenthorne Guest House and Conference Center. [Read more…] about Worship with Lake District Friends at Glenthorne, Great Britain

Travel & Witness Grant Report: Friends Reflect on Travel in Ghana

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In August of 2019, Vanessa Julye of Central Philadelphia Meeting led a group of Quakers to Ghana to explore the histories of Ghana and the United States. The trip, part of Vanessa’s 25-year ministry to address White Supremacy within the Religious Society of Friends, provided people of all races an opportunity to have critical conversations about history.

[Read more…] about Travel & Witness Grant Report: Friends Reflect on Travel in Ghana

Quaker History: Maria Mitchell, the First Female Astronomer in the USA

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The astronomer and educator, Maria Mitchell, was born in 1818 and grew up in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Raised in a Quaker family of ten children, she and her siblings were encouraged to learn and question by their astronomer father and librarian mother. This climate of inquiry and scientific training led Maria to become the first professional female astronomer in the United States.

[Read more…] about Quaker History: Maria Mitchell, the First Female Astronomer in the USA

Making a Difference: Black Quaker History

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February is Black History Month and there are Quakers of color who have delivered much to our modern world through their faith and advocacy. Knowing the past opens a door to the future that is framed within diversity and inclusivity. Our understanding of America’s history is deepened by the contributions of African Americans who struggled for freedom and equality.

[Read more…] about Making a Difference: Black Quaker History

CFP Deadline Extended: Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists, and Funding Opportunity

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***Deadline for Proposals Extended to December 20, 2019***

Call For Proposals
Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists
Earlham College
Richmond, Indiana
June 12-14, 2020

The Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists (CQHA) will hold its 23rd biennial conference at Earlham College on June 12-14, 2020.

CQHA is a community that brings together those who study the history of Quakers and Quakerism with practitioners from cultural institutions that make records of the Quaker past available for scholarship. The Conference takes place every two years at locations in North America and abroad, and welcomes both Quaker and non-Quaker participants from diverse backgrounds.

We invite proposals for presentations on any aspect of Quaker history, across all time periods and locations. This year we encourage proposals on the following topics: Challenges of diversity, equity, or inclusion in Quakerism; Quakerism in Indiana and the US Midwest; (Re)assessments of Quakerism and Quaker historiography.

[Read more…] about CFP Deadline Extended: Conference of Quaker Historians and Archivists, and Funding Opportunity

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