We are a community of Friends connected by faith, and worship is a big part of what we do together. But Friends meetings and PYM are also responsible for properties, utility bills, staff, and programming that our Quaker community values and relies on. All of this requires financial support.
Here are some tax-wise suggestions on how to provide that support without breaking the bank.
Robert Smith is a member of Germantown Meeting and a life-long Quaker. He is also a University of Pennsylvania neuroscientist who specializes in the study and mapping of neural circuits in the retina. His research identifies how retinal circuits process visual signals.
When he is not at work, Rob is building a deep and detailed genealogical record of all the Quaker families in his family tree, complete with interesting tidbits about the houses they lived in and the things they accomplished. Sparked by the impact of vitamin deficiencies on vision, he has also written two books on vitamins (one covering vision the other on arthritis).
As his family is all Quaker and Quakers kept excellent records, he can pretty much trace his ancestry all the way back to the first Friends. [Read more…] about Neuroscientist, Quaker, and Amateur Genealogist: Robert Smith
Ten years ago, a non-profit child welfare organization ran a program called Family School that worked with parents at risk of losing custody of their children for neglect and abuse. One of the most wonderful field trips they organized each fall was a hayride and apple picking excursion at Linvilla Orchards. This simple but grounding visit brought families together, helping to rebuild a sense of connection between generations. [Read more…] about Quaker Farms Series – The Linvill Family Farm Story
PYM Presiding Co-Clerks Frank and Jean-Marie Barch presented the following report in the called December 8th Meeting for Business in Continuing Sessions. They shared information gathered from Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in response to the three PYM Initiatives launched at Annual Sessions in July 2020.
Clerks of Meetings who have not already submitted feedback to Jean-Marie and Frank Barch may use this form to do so.
Meeting for Worship with Attention Business at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is held at Fall and Spring Continuing Sessions and during the summer at Annual Sessions in late July. Nominations are approved and yearly meeting wide initiatives are reviewed or established.
The following minutes were taken by recording clerk, Kri Burkander and approved in Sessions on December 8th. There were 104 participants in the meeting, which began at 6:30 and closed at 8:45. [Read more…] about Minutes of PYM’s Meeting for Business in Sessions – December 8, 2020
Land acknowledgments connect us with the rich heritage and spiritual thinking of the native people of this land. They appear as prayers and help convene Friends in the truths of the past and opportunities of the present. Each time we gather for Sessions, a land acknowledgment is offered as vocal ministry out of worship. This one was offered on Tuesday, December 8th by sandra o’scheyichbi (Boone Murphy).
[Read more…] about Land Acknowledgment Prayer – December 8th, 2020 Meeting for Business
Meetings may be seeking to create meaningful Christmas programs that keep Friends connected while also being safe about Covid-19. Two online Conversation Circles were hosted by the Youth Religious Life Coordinator to share ideas and support each other with how to plan for celebrations in this challenging time. [Read more…] about Christmas Together in New Ways
This is the second part of our interview with Arch Street Meetinghouse‘s Executive Director, Sean Connolly. The first interview was published two weeks ago. The current story deals with the Historic Arch Street Meetinghouse’s planning for a new outdoor interpretive exhibit. [Read more…] about Part II: Interview with Sean Connolly, Executive Director of Arch Street Meeting House
Below are prayers for this week. It was an idea to offer these along with a sense of why these prayers were meaningful to the people who shared them. [Read more…] about Prayers for this Holiday
Update your contact & Meeting information at pym.org/updates
