Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Quaker history

Forum: “The Radical Theology and Spiritual Experience of Early Friends”

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On Sunday, November 24, Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin will offer a forum on “The Radical Theology and Spiritual Experience of Early Friends.”
    The first Quakers lived in a time of great social and religious turmoil, when many new ideas about Christianity and new practices were being expounded by many different groups.  When Quakerism arose in the mid-seventeenth century in England, the Quakers were the most original and radical on the theological spectrum, emphasizing that each person has a direct connection with divine guidance and offering group practices to make it easier to hear that guidance.  After decades of intense persecution, Quakers pulled back on some of their most radical ideas and stopped speaking about some of their extraordinary experiences.  Because they bowed to social pressure in this way, the radical Quaker tradition survived and still thrives today.  But now it’s time to reclaim the more radical aspects of the original Quaker theology.  The full truth in Quaker faith is needed to face the challenges of our time.
    The forum will be held from 11:45 am to 1 pm in Whittier Room at Swarthmore Friends Meeting.  It is free to attend and all are welcome.
 
No preparation is required.  For those interested in doing some background reading about the first Quakers, however, either before or after the forum, you can find three recent articles by Marcelle in Friends Journal, in print or online:
“The Radical Original Vision of George Fox” (June/July 2024 issue) https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-radical-original-vision-of-george-fox/
“The Glory of God Was Revealed,” about healing miracles associated with the first Quakers (March 2024 issue) https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-glory-of-god-was-revealed/  
and “Quaker Dreams” (an examination of how Quakers have used dreams as pathways to inner wisdom) (February 2024 issue)   https://www.friendsjournal.org/quaker-dreams/ 
Marcelle is also the author of two books and three Pendle Hill pamplets about Quaker spirituality.  For four years she was the resident Quaker Studies teacher at Pendle Hill, and since 1996 she has traveled extensively around the country leading workshops and retreats at Quaker meetings, retreat centers, and FGC summer Gatherings.  Her blog is A Whole Heart (https://awholeheart.com/)  She lives in Chester, PA with her husband, Terry, who serves as the first editor of almost all of her writing.
Some printed copies of the June/July Friends Journal issue are available in the Swarthmore meeting office.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

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This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

Providence Friends Meeting 340th Anniversary

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There will be a short program from 11:00–11:30 a.m., followed by a Treasure Map Tour and a garden lunch. Rain means the inside garden! Everyone will receive a “treasure map” to use to visit different displays throughout the meetinghouse and grounds. Highlights include our Underground Railroad “station,” the work we are doing to mitigate the effects of climate change, and our ongoing efforts to promote peace and racial justice.

Haddonfield Friends Meeting: Open House and Graveyard Tour

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Haddonfield Friends Meeting is holding an open house this Saturday. Learn about the birth of Haddonfield and the remarkable story of the borough’s founder, Elizabeth Haddon. Visit the historic graveyard, including her (presumed) resting place. Three hundred years of history await your discovery! 

This event is part of the Camden County History Alliance’s annual “History Month,” with more than 30 historical sites hosting activities between October 1-31 across the county. These activities include exhibits, re-enactments, and guided tours; most are free. A complete guide to all the activities can be found at: https://cchsnj.org/history-month/

We Invite You to Join a PYM Granting Group!

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Granting groups are a very meaningful part of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM), and each group is thankful for the volunteers who give their time and effort as granting group members. PYM Friends are encouraged to join a granting group to have the opportunity to practice philanthropy through discernment and to be part of distributing grants on behalf of all of PYM’s members.
[Read more…] about We Invite You to Join a PYM Granting Group!

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

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