This past December 2023, the yearly meeting’s Friends in Business group gathered for the 25th year at Arch Street Meeting House for its annual fall event. Forty-five Friends and staff attended, enjoying fellowship before and during dinner, and then a post-meal program.
At this past December gathering, there were two co-presenters: Jay Coen Gilbert, cofounder of B Lab and Executive Advisor to Imperative 21, a global network building narrative power for a just economy; and Eric Mayer, a lifelong Quaker and Quaker educator, currently head of school of Lansdowne Friends School. Eric invited Jay to share how Quakerism speaks to his work. Jay and Eric then invited guests to grapple with queries about how Quaker testimonies might lead us to nurture a sacred economy that advances economic justice and a world in which everyone can thrive such as:
· Who and what do I care about?
· How much is enough? For my family? For my community? Who is my community?
· How is that reflected in my economic life – my work, my investments, my consumption – and in the economic system in which those exist?
· What am I most anxious about right now regarding my economic reality or potential?
· What am I afraid of/resisting about changes to my behavior or our economic system that would bring my economic life in closer alignment to my values?
The presentation ended with a robust Q&A session and after program fellowship.
Honoring Friends in Business Founding
As founding member Norval Reece recalled more than two decades ago, “a Friend shared over lunch that numerous business folks in meetings ‘felt looked down on, felt unappreciated, and were considered second-class citizens by many members in their meetings who were academics, teachers, and social workers,’ and broached the idea of a Quaker business persons’ group.” Friends in Business was founded in 1998 to gather a network of Friends engaged directly in for-profit businesses who wanted to reflect their values in their work. Since then, the Friends in Business group has gathered a couple times a year for dinner at Arch Street Meeting House, followed by a speaker.
Before the December 2023 program began, co-founders and longtime members of the group’s steering committee — Norval Reece (Newtown Meeting), Joseph Evans (Newtown Meeting), and Mark Myers (London Grove Meeting) — were honored by PYM’s General Secretary Christie Duncan-Tessmer, who thanked them for their years-long commitment and service to the group: “Norval, Joe, and Mark bring acumen and care for our spiritual community together. The unique space that Friends in Business fosters has been thriving for more than two decades because of their insight and commitment.”
Looking to the Future
The social group has grown over the years with the guidance and commitment of its steering committee members — Norval Reece, Joe Evans, Mark Myers — and most recently — Lauren Hastings (West Chester Meeting), who hopes to serve as a bridge to the group’s future. Lauren is “excited about welcoming individuals who represent our diverse business spectrum … welcoming the styles, tones, and facets of all of those voices.”
Another aspect of the evolving future of Friends in Business is a departure from the traditional dinner and speaker for Friends in Business. Everyone in PYM is invited to an event that promises to foster community and connection and phun! “Phriends Influencing Philly” is a walking tour (stroller and wheelchair accessible) of Quaker businesses and people that have influenced the Philadelphia business community. It will start with a light breakfast at Arch Street Meeting House, then the walking tour will commence visiting four or five sites, ending up with a bit of food and fellowship at National Mechanics. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, June 1. There will be more information coming soon so stay tuned!
To register or for more information, please contact Merri Brown or call 215 241 7115.
