We sat down with 19 yr. old Young Adult Friend, Alex Emmert to find out what drew him to Quakerism from his upbringing as Baptist, what he enjoyed most about Annual Sessions and what he is looking forward to seeing from Quakers in the next decade. Alex shares his personal, truthful experiences with Quakerism and insights on outreach to other young adults seeking solid spiritual grounding. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions
News
Annual Sessions Recap: Sunday, July 30
We have concluded the 343rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The “Mott Memo” daily recaps here on the website are a brief look-back on the day’s events. Shared below is the news from Sunday, July 30.
- Watch for the 2023 Epistles to be posted as their own story in the coming days!
- Minutes from Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be posted on the Sessions pages of the website.
After several hot and stormy days, Sunday dawned fresh and cool — a welcome way to begin a day that would include packing up and farewells for those on campus at The College of New Jersey. [Read more…] about Annual Sessions Recap: Sunday, July 30
Annual Sessions Recaps: Friday & Saturday, July 28 and 29
This is the 343rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting! We’re sharing the Mott Memo daily recaps here on the website, a loving tribute to the august Quaker, Lucretia Mott. Each Mott Memo is a brief look-back on the day’s events. We hope you enjoy taking part in Annual Sessions through this tradition. Shared below is the news from Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29.
Because of a power outage on campus at The College of New Jersey on Friday evening, our recap and the Mott Memo were delayed and Friday and Saturday are combined below.
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Annual Sessions Recap: Mott Memo for Thursday, July 27
This is the 343rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting! We’re sharing the Mott Memo daily recaps here on the website, a loving tribute to the august Quaker, Lucretia Mott. Each Mott Memo is a brief look-back on the day’s events. We hope you enjoy taking part in Annual Sessions through this tradition. Shared below is the news from Thursday, July 27.
It was a very full day at Annual Sessions! Early morning worship grounded a day of connection, sharing, and laughter.
Thursday’s Bible Study continued a theme from the Spiritual Formation Retreat’s exploration of the Good Samaritan, and explored the Parable of the Sower. Participants had the choice to work with the parable in a discussion group or in a breakout room where the Godly Play version of the story was shared, and they reunited for final reflections. The conversation included themes of generous/wasteful spreading of seed and pondering the identity of the sower, the seed, and the places where the seed fell. When have we each been the sower, the seed, the rocky or thorny ground — and the good earth ready to receive and grow? A resource lifted up in the time was The Gospels: A New Translation by Quaker scholar Sarah Ruden. [Read more…] about Annual Sessions Recap: Mott Memo for Thursday, July 27
Annual Sessions Recap: Mott Memo for Wednesday, July 26
This is the 343rd Annual Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting! We’re sharing the Mott Memo daily recaps here on the website, a loving tribute to the august Quaker, Lucretia Mott. Each Mott Memo is a brief look-back on the day’s events. We hope you enjoy taking part in Annual Sessions through this tradition. Shared below is the news from Wednesday, July 26.
The College of New Jersey is buzzing with preparations for online and onsite programs! Staff arrived today on campus to set up tech spaces, childcare and youth rooms, tents for conversations on the lawn, tables for registration and welcome, and more. In this time of preparation, special attention is being given to how we will gather in hybrid ways when Friends arrive on campus on Friday. Three years of online Annual Sessions and our Continuing Sessions programs in the past year have set the stage for us to connect both across Zoom and in person as a blended community. Close to 400 Friends are registered for this year’s Annual Sessions, joining on Zoom, as commuters to TCNJ, and staying on campus in the dorm. [Read more…] about Annual Sessions Recap: Mott Memo for Wednesday, July 26
Summer Fun with Bucks Quarter Quakers
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2023 drove Bucks Quarter Quakers into their own separate spaces, replacing our regular gatherings with virtual Zoom meetings. While it was necessary at the time, after three long years, Friends were ready to see each other in person instead of on a screen.
With the declaration in the spring that the pandemic was officially “over,” the Bucks Quarter Oversight Committee felt it was time to get to get reacquainted with one another. So on Saturday, June 17th, under sunny skies with temperatures in the 70s, Friends from around the Quarter came together for a “Friends are Fun” picnic. [Read more…] about Summer Fun with Bucks Quarter Quakers
Caregiving for the Aging: A Family Story
Following a Friend reading the June 6 story, “History & Vision of Quaker Aging Resources” on the PYM website, I had the opportunity to connect and learn their family’s story. A member of a PYM meeting, the Friend and their family went through various stages of long-term care needs with both their parents. One parent requested to age in place at home while the other parent, although initially having the same wish, needed increased care and supervision 24/7.
The Friend’s parents had written living wills. A living will is a legal document that details how you prefer to receive medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. This link provides examples of living will documents for all states within the PYM region.
An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
Dear Friends,
I am so excited to invite you to join me at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s 343rd Annual Sessions. We’ll be gathering at The College of New Jersey and on Zoom, hopefully in ways that are accessible to as many Friends as possible across the Yearly Meeting.
[Read more…] about An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!
We’re counting down to Annual Sessions! Here are 12 great reasons to join, July 26-30. [Read more…] about 12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!
Newtown Quaker Meeting Kids Raise $4,008 at Lasagna Dinner for MicroLending
NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Quaker Kids at Newtown Meeting served its annual lasagna dinner for charity at the historic Quaker Meetinghouse and raised a whopping $4,008 for their designated charity, Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR)!
[Read more…] about Newtown Quaker Meeting Kids Raise $4,008 at Lasagna Dinner for MicroLending
