This past Christmas day, a devoted son made a gift to a mother he loved whose life he wanted to honor. In doing this, he both helped the Quaker Faith and also created a lasting tribute to the person who nurtured and raised him–Irene Ranck Christman. [Read more…] about Irene Ranck Christman Legacy Fund Gift on Christmas Day
News
How Meetings Coped with a (Mostly) Virtual Christmas
As the nation welcomes new leadership in Washington, and our state health systems continue to confront Covid 19 with vaccine roll-outs, it’s important to celebrate what we have right at home: faith, connection, and fresh ideas.
This Christmas, PYM worship communities and meetings needed to reconsider exactly how to engage Friends in virtual or distanced Christmas celebrations. With the help of many people, including resources shared by PYM’s Youth Religious Life Coordinator, Melinda Wenner Bradley, Friends came up with the wonderful ideas shared below. [Read more…] about How Meetings Coped with a (Mostly) Virtual Christmas
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Fellowships, 2021-2022
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections is now accepting applications for its 2021-2022 fellowship program. Fellowships are available to scholars at any stage of their careers; projects funded by these fellowships should engage with our collections in unique and creative ways. [Read more…] about Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Fellowships, 2021-2022
Providence Young Friends Host Immigration Vigil At Delaware County Courthouse
Providence Meeting’s Middle School Friends led a highly successful vigil for immigrant rights at the Delaware County Courthouse on October 3, 2020. The event was to focus attention on the treatment of immigrants on the U.S. border and a call for action to address this issue. Supporting our middle school Friends were a large contingent from the Movement of Immigrant Leaders of Pennsylvania (MILPA) and local elected officials. [Read more…] about Providence Young Friends Host Immigration Vigil At Delaware County Courthouse
Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Swarthmore Monthly Meeting
To Philadelphia Yearly Meeting:
We write on behalf of our Quaker Meeting (Swarthmore Friends Meeting) to voice our deep concern for the future of our democracy, in the light of the violent insurrection that the President of our nation inflamed with the support of other elected government officials. It was aimed at denying the valid certification of the votes from the states to confirm the election of Joe Biden as our 46th president and Kamala Harris as the vice president. [Read more…] about Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Swarthmore Monthly Meeting
Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Westtown Monthly Meeting
From the early years of Quakerism, Friends have felt themselves called to make public statements on current affairs. We offer this statement in that spirit.
We, the members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) of Westtown Monthly Meeting, are committed both to upholding the equal rights of every member of our society and to the search for truth. When we comport our lives with integrity, there is a fundamental integration of our beliefs and harmony in the manner in which we act in daily life. [Read more…] about Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Westtown Monthly Meeting
Quaker Houses: Germantown’s Historic Johnson House
The Johnson House is Philadelphia’s only documented, accessible, and intact Germantown stop on the Underground Railroad. It is open to the public as a place of historic importance. Johnson House was built in 1768 and owned by a family of Quaker abolitionists who worked with free and enslaved people to secure a safe passage to freedom for numerous African Americans.
[Read more…] about Quaker Houses: Germantown’s Historic Johnson House
Technology Access for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Access to technology and social connection has become ever more necessary, particularly for those who for a variety of reasons remain predominantly inside their current place of residence. This includes seniors and people with disabilities across ages. TechOWL – part of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University – is a lending library sending iPads, laptops, and internet connections (via hotspot) to seniors and people with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania. This technology would allow Friends to participate in online community activities, including worship and sessions, as well as to stay connected with family and attend telehealth appointments.
All devices can be borrowed for 4 weeks with an option for longer. The program is free and a local TechOWL specialist will:
- work with you to select the right device;
- load the software and the apps that you need and want;
- support and teach you throughout the process.
More information about the Assistive Technology Lending Library program can be found on the TechOWL website. You can also contact them at 800-204-7428 or send them an email at techOWL@temple.edu.
Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Schuylkill Monthly Meeting
As a people committed to peacemaking, grounded in our testimonies of truth, peace,
integrity and equality, Schuylkill Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers) denounces the recent violence enacted at the US Capitol and elsewhere. We
also condemn the incitement of citizens to violence by political leaders in recent months. [Read more…] about Statement Concerning Recent National Events from Schuylkill Monthly Meeting
Pastoral Care for Our Children in These Times
As the pandemic continues, and this week our nation struggles once more against the legacy of racial injustice and violence, our children look on.
Children and teens are experiencing the continued uncertainty of Covid and its impact on school, peer relationships, and future plans. Additionally, the events in Washington D.C. on January 6 were deeply disturbing and young people may feel anxiety, confusion, fear, sadness, or anger, and have questions about what they see and hear in the media and from friends. As parents, we’re holding space for our children’s feelings alongside our own anxiety, fury, and questions about moving forward. What follows are resources specifically for children, youth, and families.*
[Read more…] about Pastoral Care for Our Children in These Times
