The 188th Founders’ Day celebration at Cheyney University brought together alumni, students, and guests to honor the school’s long history as the first HBCU in the country. Among those attending were Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s presiding clerk Nikki Mosgrove and general secretary Christie Duncan-Tessmer, who were guests at the event. The celebration included speeches, music, and reflections on Cheyney’s past and future. Throughout the event, speakers mentioned Cheyney’s Quaker roots, recognizing the role Quakers played in helping to establish the school and its focus on education and opportunity.
[Read more…] about Honoring Cheyney University Legacy and Deepening Quaker Connection
Religious Society of Friends
Minute of Support from Richland Monthly Meeting
Minute of Support Recorded on February 9, 2025
Richland Monthly Meeting would like to add its support for the lawsuit that Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, along with other yearly meetings and individual meetings, has filed against the Department of Homeland Security regarding the possible placement of agents of enforcement in houses of worship. Our Meeting agrees that this kind of activity disrupts worship, instills fear, and is unconstitutional. It is heartening to know that Friends are willing to stand up for their beliefs, as this lawsuit indicates.
[Read more…] about Minute of Support from Richland Monthly Meeting
Opportunities Following the PYM Lawsuit
PYM meetings can support the lawsuit in a variety of ways. This suit is a single step in a march toward seeking justice in the current state in our country.
While the need for the lawsuit—and for many other suits—may be daunting and depressing, the opportunity it brings for practicing our faith is energizing. There are five sections below, each offering a starting point for meetings to think about their next steps.
The primary motion to keep in the forefront, regardless of the focus or activity, is being obedient to the Spirit, faithful in strengthening our community, and effective in supporting our neighbors.
Minute of Support from Middletown Monthly Meeting (Lima, PA)
Review of the PYM & other Quaker organizations suit against Department of Homeland Security
[Read more…] about Minute of Support from Middletown Monthly Meeting (Lima, PA)
Message from St. John’s Worship Group, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dear Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, Adelphi Friends Meeting & Richmond Friends Meeting,
We are from St. John’s Quaker Friends Worship Group, a meeting in Newfoundland & Labrador that was formed in the late 1970’s. Some of our members are from the United States, many of us have family and other ties there, and our convener, Liz Ohle, is a member of Mount Toby Monthly Meeting, which is part of New England Yearly Meeting.
[Read more…] about Message from St. John’s Worship Group, Newfoundland and Labrador
Minute from North Shore Friends Monthly Meeting
North Shore Friends Monthly Meeting commends NEYM for their prompt action in partnering with Friends in Philadelphia and Baltimore Yearly Meetings in a lawsuit challenging new policy changes which would allow immigration enforcement in houses of worship.
[Read more…] about Minute from North Shore Friends Monthly Meeting
A Greeting from Northern Monthly Meeting
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you in my role as clerk of Northern Monthly Meeting, based in Auckland New Zealand.
Minute of Support from Boise Valley Friends Meeting
Boise Valley Friends Meeting Minute Regarding Support for the Lawsuit Filed by the Philadelphia, New England, and Baltimore Yearly Meetings and the Adelphi and Richmond Meetings of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Challenging Immigration Enforcement Actions within Houses of Worship.
[Read more…] about Minute of Support from Boise Valley Friends Meeting
Declaration of Support from Wicomico River Friends Meeting
At Meeting for Business on February 9, 2025, Wicomico River Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Salisbury, Maryland declared its support of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s (PYM) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that seeks to block government officials from entering houses of worship for their immigration enforcement actions. We affirm that PYM has acted on our behalf and we are grateful for its swift response.
[Read more…] about Declaration of Support from Wicomico River Friends Meeting
Minute of Support for PYM from London Grove Monthly Meeting
February 16, 2025 Minute of Support for PYM
London Grove Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is in unity with the decision of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting et al. to join the lawsuit to block the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its sudden policy shift. This shift would enable federal immigration agents to enter places of worship for their immigration enforcement actions.
[Read more…] about Minute of Support for PYM from London Grove Monthly Meeting
