One of the wonderful things about going to Meeting for Worship each week is that you never know who will be there. This January, Haverford Meeting welcomed two distinguished South African Friends, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge and her husband Jeremy Routledge. Sitting in the sunny corner of the Meeting house, they brought a bit of South African Quaker Spirit to our chilly winter. Nozizwe was first elected to Parliament in 1994, and later served her nation as Deputy Minister of Defense (1999-2004), then Deputy Minister of Health (2004-2007) and finally, Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (2008-2009). [Read more…] about Distinguished leader and South African Friend, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, is teaching at Haverford College
Religious Education
Young Friends Christmas Gathering
A lively group of Young Friends gathered at Woodstown Meeting in Woodstown, NJ for their annual Christmas Gathering, December 27th-30th. Two Young Friends led workshops for the community: an interactive performance about bravery and self-expression, and an exploration of gender identity that included decorating “genderbread” cookies. Young Friends participated in productive meetings for worship with a concern for business, shared deeply in worship sharing groups, and played a couple rowdy games of Wink. With an ice skating trip and a dance party celebration of two Young Friends’ birthdays, it was a busy and joyful gathering full of singing, laughter, and kazoos.
– Olivia Chalkley, Young Friends Program Facilitator
Winter Family Overnight Was Wonderful!
This past weekend the Children and Families Program hosted another classic Winter Family Overnight at Camp Onas under the care of program staff Kimani Keaton and Crystal Hershey. Except it didn’t feel like winter at all, it felt like the first days of spring! [Read more…] about Winter Family Overnight Was Wonderful!
Young Adult Friends minute support for the 2020 Poor People’s Campaign
At our Winter Retreat at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on January 3-5, 2019, the Young Adult Friends community created and approved the following minute in support of the Poor Peoples Campaign. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friends minute support for the 2020 Poor People’s Campaign
YAF Minutes of Appreciation for Outgoing Clerks
At our Winter Retreat at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting on January 3-5, 2019, the Young Adult Friends community created and approved the following minutes of appreciation for our outgoing Young Adult Friends Clerking team. [Read more…] about YAF Minutes of Appreciation for Outgoing Clerks
Youth Programs Team Updates: New Staff and An Invitation
New staff! The Youth Programs team is delighted to announce that Crystal Hershey has agreed to serve as the Children and Families Program Assistant. While Crystal is a new addition to our team, she is a familiar face in youth programs and the PYM community.
[Read more…] about Youth Programs Team Updates: New Staff and An Invitation
Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges team up for Tri-Co City classes
This fall, about 35 students from Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges took courses at the Friends Center in Philadelphia as part of a new Tri-College Philly Program.
[Read more…] about Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges team up for Tri-Co City classes
MSF Fall Gathering: Apples, Unicorns, and Community
October 18th – 20th, Middle School Friends joined together in community and autumnal fun at West Chester Friends Meeting. We are grateful to the meeting community for hosting us, and their warm welcome after worship on Sunday morning. [Read more…] about MSF Fall Gathering: Apples, Unicorns, and Community
Quakers & the 09/2019 Global Climate Strike
Today I was on campus at the Quaker Senior Community called the Hickman (West Chester, PA). This note is to share how uplifting & motivating it was to see the children from W.C. Friends School (our neighbor), leading our staff and residents into intergenerational Witness for Climate on the street today. I’d love to see photos of other Friends participating in this Global Movement today and in the coming week!
FGC Shares Children’s Resources from PYM Staff
The September issue of “Vital Friends,” the e-newsletter from Friends General Conference (FGC), highlights “Religious Education Programming for Children.” Melinda Wenner Bradley, serving PYM as Youth Religious Life Coordinator, was asked to contribute to the issue.
FGC staff write, “Melinda’s work as a consultant and trainer for religious education programming has produced several worthwhile resources for Quaker parents and teachers. Here, we’ve included highlights of her work, beginning with a beautiful essay about her ministry.”
The essays and articles shared can be found — along with other great resources for children’s religious education programs — at this link. They include pieces on fostering community, exploring vocal ministry, a lesson on being present and worship, and nurturing children’s spiritual lives.
See the PYM website page, “Writings on Religious Education: Practical and Prophetic” for more resources for welcoming and nurturing children, their families, and the people who support programs for youth in meeting communities.