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
Middle School Friends
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
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
Program & Religious Life | A Year in Review
Hello Friends,
How has spirit moved among us in 2024? As we, the staff of PYM’s Program and Religious Life Department, reflect on this question, we have many joyful tidings to share.
The Big Picture
This year we saw many examples on how being a part of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting community gives Friends a place to share their gifts and ask for support in times of need. This flow of sharing and receiving is a core part of what it means to be “part of the body.” Our PYM programs create spaces of joy, learning, spiritual nurture, and concrete resources. And none of it would be possible without Friends like you sharing their gifts, showing up, participating, and building community together. Thank you!
Read on to hear more about the programs and events we’re proud of this year.
[Read more…] about Program & Religious Life | A Year in Review
Ways to Connect Before Sessions
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has multiple October events that will provide ways to engage within our community before Fall Continuing Sessions. Three opportunities include fellowship of the thread gathering, a family-centered peace-building event, or the collective discernment over climate during a virtual threshing session. Each of these events offers a unique opportunity to engage with the PYM community and prepare ourselves spiritually for the work ahead. Whether you are seeking fellowship, family engagement, or discernment on critical issues, these events will help ground us as we come together as a faith community:
Talking about the Election with Children and Youth
Authorship is credited to Melinda Wenner Bradley (West Chester Meeting), Quaker Religious Education Collaborative
The intensity of the election cycle is an experience both for adults and for the children and youth in our families and communities. Depending on their age, preschoolers to teens may be aware of the anxiety in the adults around them — and experiencing their own anxiety about the outcome of the election in November.
[Read more…] about Talking about the Election with Children and Youth
Young People and the Gathering
Mom & Dad, how many sponsors must I have to go to Gathering by myself?
Our 9-year-old son kept asking us this after we attended our first Gathering (Live Love!) in New York in 1992. We had told our sons that the 19933 Gathering in Oklahoma (Riding the Wind of Spirit) was too far away. His persistence made us recognize what an important event just one Gathering had been in his young life. He led us all to go to Oklahoma! Such is the power and the draw for young Friends to attend Gathering. It is a life-changing experience!
PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
As Friends around the globe gathered to celebrate World Quaker Day, PYM Friends joined in on the festivities, attending and even volunteering at events throughout the Delaware Valley and Upper Susquehanna regions hosted by monthly and quarterly meetings. There was truly something for everyone! So, how did you celebrate World Quaker Day this year?
[Read more…] about PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!
Get ready for a Super Quaker Weekend! During the last weekend in September, PYM Youth Staff will be joining in youth and family-centered events throughout the region, leading up to World Quaker Day on Sunday, October 1st, hosted by our friends at Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). No matter where you are located within PYM, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and participate in during this Fall weekend. All are welcome! [Read more…] about It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!
PYM Youth Programs Welcomed Spring with a Series of Weekend Events
PYM Youth Programs welcomed Spring with a series of weekend events that included young people of all ages! We’re excited for our upcoming Annual Sessions July 26-30th. Be sure to stay connected for news about Fall programs for children, youth, and families!
[Read more…] about PYM Youth Programs Welcomed Spring with a Series of Weekend Events
