Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Young Adult Friends

2018 Annual Sessions – Young Adult Friends Epistle

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29 July 2018

College of New Jersey, New Jersey, USA

To Friends Everywhere:

This is America: an environment riddled with fear for our entire lives as Young Adults, although we strive for and center justice and peace in this spiritual space. The search for justice and peace will always be ongoing, and never fully achieved. They are ideals we must constantly rediscover, redefine, and reinvigorate.

As one voice, Young Adult Friends speak to breathe life in our beloved community. Our entire lives, those our age have been politicized in the name of a War on Terror. We were all raised, to some extent, in a disconnected and violent world. The difference is that many of us were born with privileges that raised us with some shelter. [Read more…] about 2018 Annual Sessions – Young Adult Friends Epistle

How-To: State of the Meeting Reports

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This is the story of how one monthly meeting developed a great way to write a state of the meeting report that can also serve as a community-building tool.

History:

Lancaster Friends Meeting  has been doing state of the meeting reports for a long time. At least by the mid-1990’s, the meeting designated three people to write the report. These three individuals pulled things together from across the various groups and committees active in the meeting. With this process, the report gradually deteriorated into a very lengthy list of the all the things the meeting had done in the past year; it seemed the meeting’s newsletters accomplished the same basic task of listing all of the community’s activities. When this conundrum finally became apparent, no one really knew what to do.

There were a couple of years when there weren’t any state of the meeting reports written at all. [Read more…] about How-To: State of the Meeting Reports

Young Adult Friends Minute of Appreciation and Incoming Clerk

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On April 27-29, the Young Adult Friends community gathered at Green St Monthly Meeting for our annual spring retreat. In business,  the body approved by consensus the nomination of Carl Stanton as Pastoral Care Committee co-clerk. The body also approved the following minute of appreciation for outgoing clerk/YAF, Janaki Spickard-Keeler.  [Read more…] about Young Adult Friends Minute of Appreciation and Incoming Clerk

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

Young Adults at FCNL Spring Lobby Weekend

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Day 1- Feeling the Faith behind Lobbying

We gather on Saturday, March 17 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Hundreds of Young Adults from 40 States convene to learn how to effectively lobby our government from a place of faith on the topic of immigration for Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Spring Lobby Weekend. Today we go deep right away to answer the questions: “Why are we here?” and “What stories do we bring?” In small group discussions there is a shared shyness about opening up and telling our stories, but it starts, and our advocacy corps member gives guiding support for what stories are useful when talking to our representatives. When we gather back in our large group of around 400 people, we settle into silence and Friends begin to share their stories. Many of the people who stand up share that they themselves are DACA recipients, or have family members who are undocumented, and whose families have been affected by the criminalization of immigration in the United States. My witness to our lobby topic deepens in the worshipful sharing. In closing worship a Friend stands and quotes Assata Shakur, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support one another. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

Day 2- The Lobby Ask:

On Day 2, Immigration & Domestic Policy Lobbyist at FCNL, Hannah Graf Evans, introduces us to the lobby ask, or in other words, what exactly we are asking our government to do. This is the wording given by FCNL: “We urge Congress to protect Dreamers by enacting a pathway to citizenship without breaking families apart or ramping up extreme border enforcement. Passing protections for Dreamers is just a first step. True immigration reform will require much more to align policy with our shared values of welcome, compassion, and diversity.” You can find the full lobby ask here.

At the keynote today, Greisa Martinez Rosas from United We Dream shared her story and why she fights for people who are undocumented. She also shared with us a Mexican proverb, “They tried to bury us, but they did not know we were seeds.” You can watch the full speech on FCNL’s Facebook Page.

Day 3- Lobby Training.

After a Congressional Staff Panel, we gather in state-groups to plan our lobby visit. I meet with PA but there are other PYM YAF’s who are representing New Jersey. We have an afternoon appointment in Senator Casey’s (PA) office so there is a sense that the pressure is on. One of the most helpful pieces of Spring Lobby Weekend was the Lobby Visit Roadmap they shared with us (FCNL’s strategy for an effective meeting). It includes introductions, thank yous, the ask, and having three people share their stories, followed by repeating the ask, more thank yous and a post visit follow-up email. In our Pennsylvania delegation we identified the people who would be sharing stories today, which included a DACA recipient who is a student at Penn State, a friend from rural PA with a Christ-based faith approach to the ask, and ME! (Before working at PYM I did a lot of work with undocumented communities and I’m grateful I was able bring this experience here.)  

In the afternoon we follow the lobby visit roadmap and have a semi-successful meeting with a staffer of Senator Casey. Successful in the fact that Sen. Casey supports our ask. However, discouraging because the staffer believes the Democrats have no power even to get this on the floor right now. As I reflect on the meeting on the front steps of Russell Senate Office Building, Casey walks right up the stairs next to me!

Day 4- Lobbying and a snow storm

Unfortunately on the final day of Spring Lobby Weekend a snow storm picks up and I head off early as to not get snowed in. However the PA delegation kept lobbying and met with staffers of Senator Toomey!

written by Meg Rose
Young Adult Engagement Coordinator

Youth Programs, Give Feedback on Vision & Mission

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Dear Friends,
The Youth Programs Sprint group has nearly completed its work to propose a vision, mission and governance structure for our yearly meeting’s youth programs. The Sprint group, through several iterations, looked at the history of our youth programs and considered their future. The Sprint group intentionally sought out voices that we don’t always hear from, including those of LGBTQ families, Friends of Color, and Friends involved in religious education at monthly and quarterly meetings. Voices of young people themselves were also included in the discernment process, and several members of the Young Friends community serve on the Sprint group.
Friends from across the yearly meeting are invited to read the proposal and to submit feedback to the Clerk of the Youth Programs Sprint, Kri Burkander, at kri@burkander.com.
Based on feedback, the proposal will be revised, and a final version will be brought to the April meeting of the Quaker Life Council. The proposal will also be included in advance documents for Continuing Sessions on Saturday March 24, where Friends will have an opportunity to give feedback during the Quaker Life Council report.
Friends can read the report in full below or view it on the PYM website.
Sincerely,
Kri Burkander, Clerk
Youth Programs Sprint
You can also read on the PYM website about our new Youth Engagement Coordinator and our new Youth Programs Facilitators and Assistants.

The Proposal

Vision Statement
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting children, youth and their families will feel connected to and engaged with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) via programs and practices that provide for connection, engagement, and the invitation into deeper relationship with God.
Mission Statement
PYM demonstrates our commitment to community, accessibility, and the foundation of our Quaker faith by working together to provide youth of all ages with opportunities for meaningful participation in our Quaker community and support for their spiritual journeys.
This mission is anchored in four pillars: Community, Accessibility, Quaker Faith and Values, and Meaningful Participation.
The first pillar is Community. We aim to provide youth, children, families, and seekers in our yearly meeting with opportunities to gather and be known to one another through shared experiences. We note that these opportunities may take place at either monthly, quarterly, or yearly meeting levels, and we are committed to supporting integration between and across these offerings. Additionally, our youth programs have the intention to nurture a sense of belonging and building supportive relationships within and among our youth, children, families, volunteers, and staff. To support this intention and these relationships, youth programs are structured to support the provision of pastoral care as appropriate by staff. Lastly, we recognize and celebrate the different youth communities within PYM and wish to nurture connections among them.
The second pillar is Accessibility. We aim to provide programs that are welcoming (with respect to race, physical ability, class, gender, familiarity with Quaker process, geographic location, or any other condition brought forward) with adequate support and accommodations that encourage participation by all. Our commitment to accessibility means that we recognize that the diversity within our community, as well as the broader community, strengthens us.
The third pillar is Quaker Faith and Values. Our programs are intended to invite all children, youth, and their families into deeper relationship with Spirit and nurture an understanding of our Quaker faith, traditions, and practice. Our programs provide youth with opportunities to grow spiritually, cultivate their leadership ability, learn and own Quaker process, and care for each other in loving community. We aim to nurture the capacity of youth to build Quaker faith communities and equip our youth to bear Quaker witness in the world.
The fourth pillar is Meaningful Participation. We are driven to provide children, youth, and their families with experiences that speak to their needs for exploration, knowledge, spiritual growth, and leadership development. We believe that these experiences provide children and youth with important skills as well as engendering a commitment to remain engaged with the Religious Society of Friends and this Yearly Meeting through the years.
Governance Structure
Youth Programs Advisory Committee (“Y-PAC”)
A committee of Quaker Life Council.
Membership: 9 members
-Youth Engagement Coordinator (Melinda)
-Associate Secretary for Program and Religious Life (Zachary) – ex officio
-MSF youth representative
-YF youth representation
-at least one member of Youth Sprint III
-parent representative
3-at-large members suggested by Nominating Committee (approved by QLC)
Membership Notes:
In considering membership for this committee, attention should be paid to all aspects of diversity named above, including race, class, geographic location, and experience with Quakerism.
Youth members – at least one MSF and one YF who don’t necessarily serve as clerks (inviting new role as liaison to YPAC). Youth members may be active at any level of youth programming – monthly, quarterly, and/or yearly.
At large members are intended to provide outside voices that are not necessarily familiar to those on the YPAC or QLC, to ensure that youth programs are meeting the needs of all stakeholders. Guidance to Nominating should be to seek members from diverse parts of the YM, and those who bring the perspective of monthly and quarterly meetings, specifically those without Quarterly Meeting coordinators.
YPAC Responsibilities
  • This group should meet no less than 4 times per year, and be available for consultation as needed with the Youth Engagement Coordinator
  • Support the staff and volunteers in carrying out the mission and vision of the PYM youth programs
  • Serve as a sounding board for Youth Engagement Coordinator
  • Ongoing evaluation of the MSF and YF guidelines to ensure that they still meet the needs of the group and serve to support the vision and mission of youth programs
  • Support the organization and coordination of Youth Resource Friends
  • Consult with Administrative Council on any matters related to Youth Program staff
  • Provide policy guidance for staff and volunteers throughout the yearly meeting, including those related to child safety
  • Assisting with communication between youth programming and various communities within the YM
  • Regularly evaluate that the YM youth programs are supporting the Strategic Directions of the YM and that programs are serving the needs of youth (recommend surveying youth who are involved and those not involved to identify areas of improvement)

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.

Us & We Art Goes to Washington

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We are sharing this Feb 18 blogpost by Joey Hartmann-Dow, from  her US & We Art website as we feel it perfectly illustrates the spirit of Quaker activism.

Hey humans, I have some pretty rad news.

Next week I will be heading to Washington DC where I will fulfill a 3-month residency with the Friends Committee on National Legislation. I’ve been involved with FCNL for several years and when I found out about the Friend in Washington Program, I said “Hey, would you ever consider having an artist in this space? Because here’s my idea…”

I want to make a book that reads like a comic, following interconnecting story-lines around a specific social justice issue. My goal is to show the humanity of all the parts involved, to expose how we are all connected when it comes to social justice, and to empower anyone, no matter what your background, to engage with your representatives to affect change through policy.

This is so exciting to me– getting to work with an organization I love, dig into my Quaker roots, challenge myself in a new medium, and explore the possibility of powerful change through storytelling. It feels like a sweet intersection of my artistic, spiritual, and political journeys.

I hope to produce 2-3 comic/zine installments this Spring, and maybe the project will continue to grow beyond that!

Stay tuned for ways to be involved, and for my next adventures… looks like the next year will be full of them.

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

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