Issue 79, June 2022
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Although the office and event spaces are still low-key at Friends Center, we have two active construction projects on site. Friends Select School is on track to complete renovation of the 1520 Race Street building by the start of the school year.
Friends Center is moving full steam ahead to build out a new facility for Friends Child Care Center in the lower level of the 1501 Cherry Street building. Our general contractor, MJ Settelen, is working hard to deliver the space by the end of August, depending on various supply chain issues. The Child Care Center and their consultant, Becker & Frondorf, have been terrific partners in getting the project done.
Once the new child care center is open, we will prep the rooms used as interim child care space (Jones Room, Mott Room, Cherry Street Room, and Room 21) and return them to service for tenant and outside events, we hope in September. Thanks to everyone for your patience during this milestone time at 15th and Cherry Streets!
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Welcome (Back), Friends Publishing Corporation!
Friends Publishing Corporation became Friends Center’s newest (old) tenant in May. FPC is the publisher of Friends Journal, the leading North American Quaker magazine, and the producer of the QuakerSpeak video series. Often known simply as Friends Journal for their flagship publication, FPC was a tenant at Friends Center for decades before moving elsewhere for a spell. Welcome back, Friends!
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)
Rise Up for Reparations
June 20, 2022, 2-4 pm
Co-Sponsored by Mayor’s Office of Interfaith and Faith-Based Affairs, POWER, The Truth Telling Project, and PYM
Save the Dates:
Looking Ahead to PYM Annual Sessions
- Saturday June 25 for Workshops
- Saturday July 23 for Affinity Groups
- Tuesday July 26 to Sunday July 31 for spiritual formation, worship, business, and keynotes.
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC)
Community Safety Beyond Policing:
Gun Violence and Policing
Many communities across the country have experienced an uptick in gun violence over the last 2 years at the same time that we are having a robust debate around the role of policing in our society. How has or should the movement to divest from policing and invest in community been responding?
CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING (CPMM)
CPMM is happy to announce that childcare services are once again available during meeting for worship! Join us for worship at 11 AM every Sunday in the Race Street Meetinghouse at Friends Center.
TENANT NEWS
Anna Crusis Women’s Choir:
Make Good Treble
6/18/22, 7:30 pm | 6/19/22, 2 pm
Tickets available here:
https://annacrusis.org/make-good-treble/
IN THE WIDER QUAKER WORLD
GREEN STREET FRIENDS MEETING
LEGAL CLINIC AND JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Saturday June 18, 11am-3pm
Green Street Friends Meeting
45 W Schoolhouse Lane, Philadelphia 19144
GSFM’s Reparations Committee will hold its last planned in-person legal clinic for Black Germantown homeowners and a Juneteenth celebration.
As you may know, fellowship over good food is a hallmark of GSFM, one thing which helps bind us together and draws people to us. We’ll have a great spread of food catered by Soul to Soul Philly (Doug and Noah White).
You’re invited along with the 68 Black Germantown homeowners we’ve met through the legal clinic sign-ups and 3 in-person clinics, the 20 or so volunteers and partners who have engaged with these neighbors, and a host of people we hope will come that Saturday. No RSVP is needed, just come, and enjoy!
EARTH QUAKER ACTION TEAM (EQAT)
Brings Climate Activism to Vanguard’s Doorstep
Grid Magazine, June 2022
A five-day journey to the headquarters of Vanguard, organized by Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) in collaboration with local communities and in partnership with a global campaign. Vanguard, which manages $8.1 trillion, is one of the largest global investors in coal, oil, and gas.