News from the Director
The big news this month is the centennial anniversary of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), one of our three Quaker ownership groups.
AFSC was founded here 100 years ago to provide service options during World War I to young male members of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, who followed the traditional Quaker peace testimony against participating in war. Today AFSC works in local communities as well as at the policy level in 16 countries.
From April 20 to 24, AFSC will have events at the nearby Sheraton Hotel, as well as several events here at Friends Center, so our shared event space is booked for that time. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Waging Peace Summit, April 20-23:
Registration is free for day guests; you’re welcome:
https://www.afsc.org/summit
Waging Peace Exhibition, through April 23
at the African American Museum of Philadelphia
http://exhibit.afsc.org/
Around Friends Center
Masonry Work
Friends Center has hired Wm. Proud Masonry Restoration to rebuild the front wall and to repoint portions of the Meetinghouse and 1520 Race Street buildings. Please be cautious around the active work sites.
New Tai Chi Class
Instructor Chris Luebbe is offering a free Yang Style Tai Chi class at Friends Center. In order to best serve interested participants, Chris has developed a survey to determine the best day and time for the class. Please contact Courtney with any questions, or to express interest in attending.
Pop-Up Lemonade Garden for May Day!!
In honor of nicer weather and the return of our porch furniture, Friends Center is hosting a Pop-Up Lemonade Garden! Meet and mingle with fellow tenants of Friends Center. Join us May 1, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm on the front porch of the Meetinghouse. Alternate in case of rain: Cherry Street Room
Tentatively, we will also host an E-Waste Recycling Drive that day. Last year we did it around Earth Day, but that is during the AFSC Centennial this year, so we don’t have the capacity to schedule it then. Stay tuned for confirmation.
In the News
Covenant House Sleep Out for Youth
On March 24, Covenant House PA held their Sleep Out for Homeless Youth: Young Professionals Edition event here at Friends Center. The event generates sympathy for homeless youth as well as funds for Covenant House’s services to support them.
See the Channel 6 News Coverage.
If you know of a nonprofit organization that needs a venue for their event, please direct them to our website:
– Hold Your Meeting at Friends Center
– New: Online Room Reservation Form
Witness to Innocence
Read about Witness to Innocence work with exonerated death row inmates, here.
Ben Franklin Parkway Centennial
Read about the $1M+ ‘dramatic’ art installation to mark Ben Franklin Parkway’s 100th anniversary.