This week has brought many changes our country, including ones that are out of alignment with Friends testimonies and the way we walk in the world. The PYM community and governance are actively listening and responding.
The Clerks Group, which includes the clerks of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and its councils, the treasurer and the General Secretary, had a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday. Their agenda prioritized consideration of our focus of action can look like. They followed up by calling a meeting of the Joint Council (learn more on the joint council experiment) on Wednesday evening, where they continued the discussion and considered next steps. As options and actions become clear they will be shared.
The General Secretary, Christie Duncan-Tessmer, has been in touch with her counterparts in neighboring yearly meetings and with the National Council of Churches, all of which are asking the same questions and exploring potential actions. Next week, Christie will attend a meeting called by Church World Service for “heads of communion” from more than a dozen denominational members from across the country. The meeting will focus on how we are caring for refugee and immigrant neighbors in the new political reality.
The presiding clerk of PYM, Nikki Mosgrove, is preparing agenda items for Spring Continuing Sessions with an emphasis on how we, as Friends and meetings can be a safe spaces for those impacted by recent changes in the United States. To support this effort, and in response to the body’s concern Fall Continuing Sessions, we have begun collecting resources for allying with and supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Share Your Story
PYM encourages Friends to share ideas or current initiatives from their meetings and communities that address the current political climate, as well as specific resources pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community or those living without recognized immigration status. Knowing what meetings are doing informs the councils as they continue in their role of helping our community be responsive to the Spirit.
Friends are also invited to contribute content or resources to PYM’s growing resource pages. Submissions can include anything from queries, blogs, books, and videos to financial tools and activities. Please forward these items to communications@pym.org.
