During Spring Continuing Sessions, at Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Young Friends (grades 8–12) led an interactive, intergenerational workshop on navigating disagreement—using humor, movement, and thoughtful reflection. [Read more…] about Young Friends Get Loud (and Stretchy!) in a Workshop on Navigating Disagreements
Religious Education
Quaker Families Continue To Build Community
Families from around Philadelphia Yearly Meeting gathered on February 22–23 at Camp Onas in Ottsville, PA, for PYM’s annual Winter Family Overnight! The weekend provided a chance for Quaker families to connect, build community, and step away from the busyness of everyday life. [Read more…] about Quaker Families Continue To Build Community
LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Updated March 5, 2025
During Fall Continuing Sessions, Friends were provided with a minute from Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people. This minute, adapted from one shared by Germantown Monthly Meeting, connects to the ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms the shared commitment to stand beside them.
Minute of Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community
Below are a few provided resources that Friends may choose utilize, learn, and share when connecting with the LGBTQIA+ community members and Friends. The following resources were compiled by Karen Lightner of Germantown Monthly Meeting, There is hope that this list will continue to grow, if you have additional resources to share, we invite you to send them to communications@pym.org.
[Read more…] about LGBTQIA+ Resources | PYM | Updated March 5th, 2025
Young Friends Met to Prepare Workshop for Spring Sessions
On Saturday, January 25th, nine Young Friends (YFs) from around the Yearly Meeting met at Old Haverford Meeting for their monthly in-person gathering. They spent the day having fun and building relationships, as well as preparing a workshop on the topic of polarity that they will facilitate at Spring Sessions. The day also included an icebreaker game, fun in the snow, a creative group activity, cooking a fabulous burrito bar lunch, and sharing quiet worship.
[Read more…] about Young Friends Met to Prepare Workshop for Spring Sessions
PYM Young Adult Friends to Commemorate Black History Month
The Young Adult Friends (YAF) community (ages 18-35) have been exploring ways they can live their testimonies in alignment with their Quaker values. During February, they will gather to visit The Time is Always Now special exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in honor of Black History Month. This exhibition features 28 Black and African diasporic contemporary artists who celebrate the nuance and richness of Black contemporary life. YAFs will commemorate the legacies of Black artists and histories while reflecting on how they can carry their work forward in their daily lives, in community with Friends around them.
[Read more…] about PYM Young Adult Friends to Commemorate Black History Month
Key Points on the Quaker Suit Against the Department of Homeland Security
Below is essential information about the lawsuit. This may be helpful to Friends in PYM for their own understanding and for discussing the case with others, including local media.
[Read more…] about Key Points on the Quaker Suit Against the Department of Homeland Security
Why DOES Palestine Matter? An Invitation to a 6 Session Course with Members of the Middle East Collaborative
Authorship of this invitation is attributed to Deb Wood and other resources.
As I thought about writing an invitation to the Why Palestine Matters course, I came across the following quotation, which fits the Palestine/Israel situation so well:
“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that other sets of people are human.”
— Aldous Huxley
The Palestine/Israeli relationship and conflict can often appear so complex and intractable that we don’t know how we can ever understand enough to move forward. News coverage often lacks the entire context, leaving us unable to honor the humanity of all involved. When we stop seeing a person or group as human, we much more easily discount and discredit their experiences and humanity, making it far easier to deny their needs and right to exist.
Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals
For decades, PYM has set benchmarks to guide our shared witness on critical issues. With the Creating a Playbook for Climate Action, this tool provides meetings with practical resources and ideas for planning, taking action, and staying accountable in areas like activism, education, and reducing carbon footprints.
[Read more…] about Net Zero Consultant | Request for Proposals
PYM Welcomes New Director of Development and Middle School Co-Facilitator
We are thrilled to welcome Joe Kirkenir as Director of Development (pictured left) and Daniel Doan as Middle School Co-Facilitator (pictured right). We are excited for the experience and dedication they will bring to their roles within PYM.
[Read more…] about PYM Welcomes New Director of Development and Middle School Co-Facilitator
PYM Connect Launches Next Phase in Second Week of January
Next week, PYM Connect reaches a new phase as many Friends will start engaging with this online space for the first time. It is a chance for our community to use the platform to share, collaborate, and celebrate among Friends. [Read more…] about PYM Connect Launches Next Phase in Second Week of January
