It was a brisk Saturday morning on November 11th as Friends gathered at Arch Street Meeting house in Philadelphia from all over the PYM network of meetinghouses for our 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions. [Read more…] about A Look Back at 2023 Fall Continuing Sessions
Families
Sessions is Coming! A Look at November 11 & the Future
Friends of all ages are encouraged to attend Fall Continuing Sessions on November 11. Throughout the day, the current Sessions theme, “Living with our neighbors, Growing into beloved community,” will be centered in our worship, fellowship, youth programs, and the business of the yearly meeting. We’re also sharing a preview of Sessions in 2024 and how a shift in this summer’s Annual Sessions creates new opportunities in the coming year.
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Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering: Support in Community
Why does your meeting want to grow?
What tools and resources do you need?
These were among the questions considered at the November 21 Thread Gathering focused on Outreach and Communications. Membership development was explored through lenses that include why people are seeking religious community, community outreach, newcomer follow-up, and welcome for families with children. [Read more…] about Outreach and Communications Thread Gathering: Support in Community
PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
As Friends around the globe gathered to celebrate World Quaker Day, PYM Friends joined in on the festivities, attending and even volunteering at events throughout the Delaware Valley and Upper Susquehanna regions hosted by monthly and quarterly meetings. There was truly something for everyone! So, how did you celebrate World Quaker Day this year?
[Read more…] about PYM Celebrates World Quaker Day During A Super Quaker Weekend
It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!
Get ready for a Super Quaker Weekend! During the last weekend in September, PYM Youth Staff will be joining in youth and family-centered events throughout the region, leading up to World Quaker Day on Sunday, October 1st, hosted by our friends at Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). No matter where you are located within PYM, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and participate in during this Fall weekend. All are welcome! [Read more…] about It’s A Super Quaker Weekend!
Quaker Spotlight: A Woman of Note
As we began our interview with Demie Kurz, a long-time member of the Religious Society of Friends and retired professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, who also co-directed the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies program, we were immediately impressed with her flow of conversation and emphasis on the history of Quaker women. Nowadays, Demie Kurz spends her time in retirement writing a book on parenting, written from a sociological perspective. This is her story. [Read more…] about Quaker Spotlight: A Woman of Note
Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions
We sat down with 19 yr. old Young Adult Friend, Alex Emmert to find out what drew him to Quakerism from his upbringing as Baptist, what he enjoyed most about Annual Sessions and what he is looking forward to seeing from Quakers in the next decade. Alex shares his personal, truthful experiences with Quakerism and insights on outreach to other young adults seeking solid spiritual grounding. [Read more…] about Young Adult Friend Alex Emmert Shares Experience With Quakerism and Annual Sessions
An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
Dear Friends,
I am so excited to invite you to join me at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s 343rd Annual Sessions. We’ll be gathering at The College of New Jersey and on Zoom, hopefully in ways that are accessible to as many Friends as possible across the Yearly Meeting.
[Read more…] about An Invitation from Presiding Clerk, Melissa Rycroft
12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!
We’re counting down to Annual Sessions! Here are 12 great reasons to join, July 26-30. [Read more…] about 12 Days to Annual Sessions … 12 Reasons to Join!
Meet the Father and Daughter Co-clerking Duo of Old Haverford Meeting
When Kristin Simmons’ youngest daughter was born, her husband Tim was working at Delaware Valley Friends School. As lifelong Catholics, they were feeling disillusioned with church, and decided it was time for a change. Together the family turned to Quakerism, looking for a simpler, connected life to the divine Light. It was both faith and community that drew the couple to Old Haverford Monthly Meeting seventeen years ago. When Kristin was young, her mother worked as a librarian at a Quaker school for 20+ years and committed time focusing on social justice issues and sharing key insights among various faith groups. Kristin’s father, George Salloom, and his wife remained practicing Catholics until about seven years ago when George became a member of the Quaker community.
The father and daughter duo, George and Kristin, now serve as co-clerks at Old Haverford Meeting. They both hold master’s degrees in social work; George graduated from Howard University while Kristin graduated from University of Pennsylvania. Kristin also currently serves as PYM’s Youth Engagement Coordinator on the Program and Religious Life team. Their stories of how they became Quakers and co-clerks of Old Haverford Monthly Meeting are heartwarming and engaging.
[Read more…] about Meet the Father and Daughter Co-clerking Duo of Old Haverford Meeting
