COMPLETE TEXT MATERIAL updated July 1, 2009
Find more information at www.pym.org
INDEX
Study Guide Published for FGC Book on Racism Among Friends
Afghan for Afghans at Sessions
From the Greater Pennsylvania Climate Action Network
Friends Association Seeks Foster Parents
Young Adult Friends Working Group Formed
Parking at Arch Street
Publications Service Group looking for a few good Friends
Website Offers International Quaker Community
Writing and Art Workshops for Quaker Youth
Conflict Resolution Training for Classroom Educators
August 21-23 Quaker Lesbian Conference in August
September 12 Celebrating Green at Friends Center in Philadelphia
November 14 Quaker College Fair
FRIENDS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Middle School Friends Program Assistant
TEXT
Study Guide Published for FGC Book on Racism Among Friends
More than 200 people celebrated the publication of “Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship: Quakers, African Americans, and the Myth of Racial Justice” by Donna McDaniel and Vanessa Julye at the book launch February 5 in Philadelphia’s Arch Street Meeting House.
Now, Monthly Meetings in New York, Philadelphia, New England, and Lake Erie Yearly Meetings (to name a few) are planning to use the Fit for Freedom Study Guide, also published by Quaker Press of FGC. This newly available resource addresses issues raised in the book in hopes to move toward a more racially inclusive Religious Society of Friends. Visit www.fitforfreedom.org
Afghan for Afghans at Sessions
Each year at PYM sessions (now twice a year) those of us who like to knit or crochet have created squares to be combined into an afghan. Last summer we refocused the project just a bit. We now are making strips to create a wool afghan which will be donated to the Afghans for Afghans project (www.afghansforafghans.org).
Knitting needles, crochet hooks and wool yarn will be available at PYM sessions (March and summer) for anyone who would like to participate. If you would like to get a head start or simply participate from home, the requirements are as follows: Crochet or knit strip(s) with wool yarn 6 to 8 inches wide, 44 inches long. The wool may be any color except white (or any other very light color) and bright colors are appreciated.
Donations of wool yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks may be brought to sessions. There will be an afghan table with supplies. If anyone would like to mail a contribution to this project, please send it to Friendly Crafters, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102. Happy knitting/crocheting!
From the Greater Pennsylvania Climate Action Network
The United Nations’ Copenhagen summit in December 2009 will set the agenda for the effort to halt climate change. The impact of climate change on human conflict and suffering in the century ahead cannot be overlooked. As Friends, our numbers are small. For us to have the most profound impact on the future of peace, action now is among our best recourses.
The more support the US delegation receives from US citizens and from the US Congress, the better able they will be to promote and agree to a strong climate change treaty. Our members of Congress need to hear from us! Our Senators and Representatives need to know that there are many thoughtful citizens who want significant actions that will bring about major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Ask your Senators and Representative to encourage the delegates to the Copenhagen summit to back a strong treaty that will lead the US and other countries toward reduction in greenhouse gases.
Friends Association Seeks Foster Parents
Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children is reaching out to Friends Meetings in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties for foster parents. The West Chester-based agency also can arrange adoptions throughout Pennsylvania.
Every child needs a family. Over 1,000 children in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties (ages 0-17) are currently in foster care, and there aren’t enough loving, skilled foster families to care for them all. That means many foster children remain in group homes, where they don’t receive the individual attention they need. Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children is looking for families who are willing to consider fostering. Come to an Information Night to learn more. To register call Melrena Flowers at Friends Association at 610-431-3598 ext. 209. You could transform the life of a child.
Young Adult Friends Working Group Formed
A new Young Adult Friends Working Group is being formed under the care of the Education Standing Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. This group will strive to help provide vision for the PYM community of Young Adult Friends, season ideas and leadings, create events and opportunities for worship and fellowship, be a resource for Monthly Meetings in relation to YAFs, and work collaboratively with the PYM Young Adult Friends Coordinator.
The working group hopes to hold its meetings at Monthly Meetings on First Days, worshiping first with local Friends. Meetings will be held every other month beginning in January, with additional meetings scheduled when necessary for event planning. If you have questions about the new YAF Working Group, or would like to be involved, please contact PYM YAF Coordinator Sadie Forsythe at 215-241-7075 or sadief@pym.org
Parking at Arch Street
Friends wishing to use the parking lot at the Fourth and Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia for personal business (when not attending meetings there) should obtain an annual permit. The fee is $150 for the calendar year.
2009 parking tags are now available from the PYM Business and Finance Department at Friends Center. Please note: Parking tags will no longer be issued from the Arch Street Meeting House.
If you have a 2008 tag, you will be notified by mail for renewal. For all others, please send inquiries to Jess Purvis, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Email: JessP@pym.org
Publications Service Group looking for a few good Friends
Friends with editorial skills, and those with knowledge of Quaker history, are invited to join the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting publishing program.
Publications Service Group develops materials to meet Meetings’ needs and keep various Quaker classics in print. At present, we oversee the final production and marketing of Faith and Practice, curricula and other works sponsored by PYM committees, pamphlets, and the Arch Street Lecture Series. We also contribute to the development of PYM’s website.
We work with other Quaker publishers to produce publications such as the Journal of George Fox and Whispers of Faith. We are exploring new technologies like print-on-demand that allow reprinting short runs. We are working on general information for visitors at Arch Street Meeting House, Friends Center and other Quaker sites.
Interested Friends should email lairdh@fgcquaker.org. Publications Service Group meets once a month in the evening at a location best suited to the group.
Website Offers International Quaker Community
Quaker Faith and Fellowship is a new website presence at http://www.quakerfaithandfellowship.org
This Friendly cyberspace community offers online Meeting for Worship with a “Coffee & Tea room” for after-meeting discussions and a Forum for informal discussions.
Organizers are praying that others from around the world will come to their site and take on responsibilities for the scheduling of online Meetings for Worship in the hope that all those who are isolated for one reason or another will have the opportunity through the Internet to unite with others for spiritual nourishment.
Writing and Art Workshops for Quaker Youth
Quaker Youth Book Project editorial board members have designed workshops on writing and art that encourage reflection, creative work, and written and visual ministry by young Friends ages 15-35. The workshops draw upon the writings of historic Friends, Bible verses, other writers, artists, and creative writing techniques. They will help young Friends in your Meeting, church, youth group or school to reflect on their lives, faith and witness in the world as Friends.
The submission of work developed in a workshop to the Quaker Youth Book Project is not required -- but it is certainly encouraged!
Editorial board members and Friends from Quakers Uniting in Publications (QUIP) may be available to lead these workshops in person. If no one is available, we will work with and support young Friends, youth workers and teachers so that they can facilitate the workshops themselves. E-mail quipyouthbook@gmail.com if you are interested. More information at
www.quakeryouth.org/quipbook
Conflict Resolution Training for Classroom Educators
As of July 1 there are still spaces open, with scholarships available for Friends and for teachers in Friends schools, for a 2-day training in August: "Building Safe Communities in our Classrooms and Conflict Resolution Skills in our Students." Please register now for this August 14 and 15 event at Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia by contacting Elke Muller at elkem@pym.org or 215-241-7223.
The activities in this workshop are designed to help teachers:
build a caring classroom community,
teach kids creative conflict resolution skills,
help kids learn to manage their anger,
integrate conflict resolution teaching into an on-going classroom curriculum,
and support kids' resiliency.
This annual training for elementary and middle school educators is sponsored by the Non-Violence and Children Working Group of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
The workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. Act 48 credits available for Pennsylvania educators. Childcare gladly provided by request. A $40 fee includes training, meals, information packet and hand-outs.
July 6 to 10 Quaker Institute Plans Summer Seminar
Quaker Institute for the Future (QIF) is inviting applications for its 2009 Summer Seminar, at Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California. The Summer Seminar July 6 to 10 offers a unique blend of research time and group reflection in a setting of excellent resources. Daily meeting for worship, individual study, and collaborative discernment. Quaker Institute for the Future originated from the work of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Earthcare Working Group. For further information contact Shelley Tanenbaum at sheltan@pacbell.net or 510-525-8964.
August 21-23 Quaker Lesbian Conference in August
The 33rd Quaker Lesbian Conference will take place the weekend of August 21-23 at the Brinton House at Pendle Hill. The theme is “To Everything There Is a Season: A Time to Gather.” For information email QLConf@aol.com or visit http://qlcnews.blogspot.com
An announcement from the organizers says, “The Quaker Lesbian Conference exists to be a loving time and space in which self-defined women (including those who are transgendered) who are Quaker or familiar with Quakerism, and who are lesbian, bisexual, or moving towards those identities, can connect with Spirit and with each other. We envision a community in which each woman shares worship, spiritual exploration and loving relationships in an environment that embraces diversity, individual leadings, struggle, and play.”
September 12 Celebrating Green at Friends Center in Philadelphia
Quaker Gray has gone Green and you are invited to join the celebration of the transformation of Friends Center at 15th and Cherry Streets. Come for tours, workshops and refreshments from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 12, as we appreciate and celebrate our environmental witness for peace, integrity, equality and simplicity.
November 14 Quaker College Fair
The Quaker College Fair sponsored by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and the Friends Association for Higher Education will be Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. High school students and recent graduates (and parents) are invited to come learn about Quaker colleges and adult study centers including Bryn Mawr, Earlham, George Fox, Guilford, Haverford, Pendle Hill, Swarthmore, Whittier, William Penn, Wilmington, and Woodbrooke. For more information, visit the Friends Association For Higher Education page on Facebook, watch www.pym.org or contact Kori Heavner at 215-241-7116 or FAHE@quaker.org.
FRIENDS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is searching for a Middle School Friends Program Assistant.
The part-time, on-call Middle School Friends (MSF) Program Assistant position works closely with the MSF Program Coordinator in planning, organizing, and leading MSF events; 5 weekend retreats during the school year. Successful candidate must possess a good knowledge of Quaker principles and practices and be able to:
- relate well to young people.
- work well with adult and high school volunteers.
- share leadership.
- organize programs.
- build large and small group dynamics.
- handle crisis situations.
Please visit our web site (www.pym.org ) to view the full job description and the application process or contact Ginny Connolly, Human Resources Coordinator,
humanresources@pym.org or 215-241-7225.