Providence Monthly Meeting (PMM) in Media, PA, celebrated its 340th anniversary on October 26, 2024. The event began with a program led by PMM Clerk Meg Barney, which included a Land Acknowledgment delivered in both English and Lenape, a brief history of PMM, and introductions of guests from local faith communities, community organizations, and government representatives. During the celebration, attendees explored guided stations across PMM’s grounds, learning about the Meeting’s legacy through exhibits on topics such as the Underground Railroad, climate justice, and racial equity, as well as historical landmarks like the grave of abolitionist Graceanna Lewis. State Senator Tim Kearney presented a citation from the Pennsylvania Senate.
The PMM community of Friends enjoyed the garden-party atmosphere, engaging program, catered food, games, and the sense of peace created by the 75–80 attendees. Leftover food was shared with local organizations. PMM hosted an event that both honored its past and inspired ongoing engagement with its mission and values.
PMM is grateful for the support provided by PYM’s Membership Development Granting Group for the celebration. Friends and Meetings are encouraged to apply to the Membership Development Granting Group to support upcoming projects or events that aim to attract new members and increase membership, regardless of size. Friends are also invited to participate in the grantmaking process by joining the Membership Development Granting Group. Applications for this round are due by December 31. For more information, please contact grants@pym.org.
PMM Provided the Following Full Report:
Report to PYM MDGG re: Providence Meeting’s (Media, PA) 340th Anniversary Celebration on October 26, 2024
This report focuses on Providence Monthly Meeting’s (PMM) 340th anniversary celebration, which was held on Saturday, October 26th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PMM’s Program and Outreach Committee led the planning effort with support from several other dedicated meeting members who worked together over several months.
We settled on a program of no more than 30 minutes. With Meg Barney (PMM clerk) serving as MC, the program included a Land Acknowledgement in English and Lenape, composed and read by Sam Lemon, and a brief history of Providence Meeting by Ken Park. Guests were introduced and included representatives from Media Friends Meeting, First Methodist Church Media, Media Presbyterian, Christ Church Episcopal, and the Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County. There were also representatives from community organizations, including Media Fellowship House, NAACP Media Branch, Sustain Delco, Media Upper Providence Library, and Transition Town Greater Media, as well as an elected official from Delaware County Council.
After a brief period of silent reflection in the manner of Friends, attendees were invited to walk the grounds and visit stations, staffed by members of our community, that told the story of Providence Meeting. Stations included the United for Justice wind chimes, the Salem Oak, PMM’s new solar array, the grave of abolitionist and suffragist Graceanna Lewis, the Minshall House, and the Underground Railroad room, as well as displays on the Meeting’s work on the climate crisis, racial and retrospective justice, and religious education. Each attendee used a printed guide to direct them to each station, where they were met by docents.
Catered food was set up on the front lawn, along with tables, chairs, and a beanbag toss. Our aim was for a relaxed garden party atmosphere, where people could mingle and learn about Providence Meeting.
We estimate that attendance was between 75 and 80 persons. Given that there were several local competing events, we were delighted with that number. Based on feedback from guests, the event was a big success. The program was very well received and not too long. Several attendees remarked on how they enjoyed learning about the Meeting in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. Each of the stations was well attended, and the printed guide helped attendees make their way around the building and grounds. (We anticipate inviting students and families from Media-Providence Friends School to use our guide for a walk through PMM.) Others remarked on the quality of the food, which was plentiful. Leftover sandwiches and cake were delivered to the Delco Life Center for distribution, and leftover apples were given to students at Delaware County Community College.
The sense of the organizing group, and PMM as a whole, is that this was a highly successful event. It provided a throughline of the Meeting’s activity from 1684 to the present while also connecting our past to our future. The program was outstanding, the stations were staffed by individuals passionate about each topic, and the food was plentiful and good. While not all our invited guests were able to attend, those who did thoroughly enjoyed themselves while learning about Providence Meeting.
One of our invited guests, State Sen. Tim Kearney, arranged for a citation from the PA Senate, which is now on view for those who visit the meetinghouse. Another guest, State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, expressed interest in holding a community forum at Providence Meeting following the election. Additionally, we expect that the extraordinary Land Acknowledgement read at the event will be considered for formal approval by the Meeting.
All of us at Providence Meeting are extremely grateful for the support we received from PYM’s Membership Development Granting Group. We have attached a spreadsheet comparing our actual and anticipated expenses.
With deep gratitude,
Leslie Friedman, on behalf of Providence Meeting (Media, PA)
