The Quaker College Fair is for students interested in Quaker values-based higher education. Students in High School from across the country were invited to attend a series of conversations and panels held in March and April 0f 2022 to ask questions, meet current Quaker college students and reps, and get to know other Quaker(ish) students. [Read more…] about Quaker College Fair, Vision & Renewal
News
Religious Education Resources and Events for June & July
Happy summertime, Friends! In the coming weeks, children and teens will be done with school and families will shift into summer routines. I’ll be back in touch in August with ideas for looking forward to the Fall, and if you’re ready to start thinking in that direction this planning guide is still a good place to begin this summer. The resources and events offered below for June and July include Juneteenth, FGC’s “YAY!” gathering, and what’s for families and youth at our Annual Sessions. I hope you will pass them along to families and youth in your meetings and communities! [Read more…] about Religious Education Resources and Events for June & July
Interfaith Witness to End Gun Violence
On June 4, 2022, community members from Old Haverford Friends Meeting, Congregation Or Zarua, the congregation that shares the meetinghouse space, and Bethel AME Church of Ardmore set up a “T-shirt Memorial to the Lost” on the lawn of the meetinghouse and joined together for the dedication service. The reflections shared here by two Friends provide the perspective of how the memorial came to be at Old Haverford as well as background on shared interfaith work, and the historical perspective on helping to start Heeding God’s Call. Rabbi Shelly Barnathan speaks to the meaning of the event for the Jewish community and gives us a unified vision for the future.
Friends in Business featuring Joseph M. Evans, Jr.
Friends who are in business are invited to contact PYM’s general secretary, Christie Duncan-Tessmer, to receive information about Friends in Business events.
Integrating The Golden Rule into Business Practices
Joseph M. Evans, Jr. recently spoke on the topic of “Friends in Business” at Cropwell Meeting, in Marlton, NJ. Now retired, Evans was founder of Awbury Partners, L.P. a family investment partnership. He is also a co-founder of PYM’s “Friends in Business” – a network of Friends who want to reflect their values in their work. [Read more…] about Friends in Business featuring Joseph M. Evans, Jr.
A Message From Friends Fiduciary
PYM and many of the meetings in PYM hold their investments at Friends Fiduciary because of their high performance and commitment to investing with Quaker values. On May 23rd Friends Fiduciary shared a message about their work in the context of the current market volatility. The message is reposted here for PYM Friends to see. [Read more…] about A Message From Friends Fiduciary
Summer of Freedom: Ujima Friends Peace Center
Last summer, Ujima Friends Peace Center launched a 100% outdoor freedom school that was designed to allow the neighborhood children to explore “friendly spaces” while engaging in activities that would be good for the mind, body, and spirit. Our children participated in environmental projects, literacy activities, and self-care/conflict resolution sessions. The summer was a resounding success!
Freedom Summer 2021 we were hosted by Abington Friends Meeting and the Historic Fairhill Burial Grounds. Our young people enjoyed trips to Snipes Farms, Taylor Wildlife Preserves, the Goat Project, One Art Community Center, Up from Salem and Salem Monthly Meeting.
We are planning for Freedom Summer 2022 and would love for our children to once again experience some of the green spaces in Quaker meeting houses and schools that so many of us take for granted but serve as a balm for the souls of many of our children.
We hope to serve 30 children and engage a team of college students. We will bring all our own equipment and materials. We simply would like to have our children in spaces that are safe, green, and provide opportunities for bonding with the environment and with one another.
If you are interested in helping us this summer here are things you can do:
- Sign up to host our children in your meeting house or school grounds.
- Assist us in locating a place for our children to swim.
- Donate to assist us in paying for transportation and trips.
Please send donations to:
Ujima Friends Peace Center,
PO Box 50647,
Philadelphia, PA
Supporting Children and Teens After Violent News
In the last two weeks we have been repeatedly confronted with the legacy of gun violence and ongoing, communal trauma in this country. The three events in recent days have happened in the kinds of everyday places that should be safe — the grocery store, church, and school. How do we talk to children and adolescents about gun violence, racialized violence, and senseless tragedy? Parents and caregivers are helping their children process their feelings alongside their own, and signs of anxiety are different in children and adolescents when compared with adults. Pastoral care for children begins with pastoral care for their caregivers, and the resources below are offered to support parents and families—please share.
[Read more…] about Supporting Children and Teens After Violent News
Newtown Quaker Meeting Fourth Graders Receive Their Bibles
Newtown Quaker Meeting recognizes the growing maturity of the young people in the Meeting by:
- Awarding Bibles to fourth graders at Easter.
- Giving copies of the Quaker Faith and Practice booklet to eighth graders in June.
- Presenting copies of Edward Hicks’ painting of The Peaceable Kingdom to those who have turned 21 during the year at Quaker Homecoming in December.
[Read more…] about Newtown Quaker Meeting Fourth Graders Receive Their Bibles
Older Americans Month – What Does It Mean for PYM?
An Invitation to an Online Conversation
A Time to Listen, Share and Help Friends FOCUS on How to Age My Way
This year, PYM is pleased to celebrate Older Adults Month with a conversation hosted by Sheila Sorkin, PYM Aging Support Coordinator. The conversation (on Zoom) will center the theme of, “A Time To Listen, Share, and Help Friends FOCUS on How to Age My Way. It will be a time to listen and share ideas for building a proactive focus on aging within PYM. Ensuring that older adult Friends are involved and included in the PYM Community Engagement program planning is a goal! Having input and sharing new ideas for education, health and involvement will be valued! [Read more…] about Older Americans Month – What Does It Mean for PYM?
Welcoming Melinda Wenner Bradley as the New Director of Programs
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is pleased to share the good news that Melinda Wenner Bradley is now serving our community as the Director of Programs. This newly created role holds responsibility for cultivating relationship and ministry amongst Friends and meetings and working with program staff to direct their energy and resources to engage PYM Friends. Melinda, a member of West Chester Meeting, has been with PYM as the Youth Religious Life Coordinator for the last four years and brings to this new role her insight on how we nurture our experience of community and the spiritual formation of Friends of all ages. The Director of Programs job description includes holding a portfolio of program-focused work and many Friends will be glad to know that Melinda will continue to support religious education.
[Read more…] about Welcoming Melinda Wenner Bradley as the New Director of Programs
