FROM THE DIRECTOR
Reflections from Friends Center’s equity partners
Friends Center is a partnership of three Quaker organizations. You can see their names behind the front desk in the lobby. In this issue, we highlight some of their responses to the current situation.
- The top story at Friends Center this month is the lawsuit filed this week by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends and several other Quaker organizations about maintaining houses of worship as sensitive sites with respect to enforcement of immigration law. A link to their announcement and some news coverage is below.
- One of three core strategic programs for the American Friends Service Committee is Just Responses to Forced Displacement & Migration. Below are excerpts from their recent, highly encouraging piece, “We Are Stronger Than We Think.”
- Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, the congregation that worships here on Sundays at 11 am, is chock full of committed, spiritually grounded activists for justice, peace, and more. Reflections from George Lakey, one of their elders, are quoted below.
May these snippets help center and ground you in your work here at Friends Center. Please know that you are part of a larger community working in a multitude of ways for a better city, nation, and world. Thank you for who you are as well as what you do.
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
Note: If any colleagues didn’t get this newsletter but would like to, please let me know! They need to opt-in to the Google Group.
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Emergency Preparedness + New AEDs
Friends Center strives to be prepared for emergencies, beyond our occasional fire drills. Recently, our full-time staff members were trained in First Aid and CPR, thanks to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
Thank you to the dozen tenants came to our emergency preparedness briefing on 1/7/2025. We’ve never had such a high turnout before! Please mark your calendars for the next emergency preparedness briefing on Thursday, March 13, 10:30 am.
We also purchased and installed two Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).
- One is located on the first floor of the office building across from the elevators (shown in the photo on the left).
- The other is on the lower level of the office building between the elevators (right).
If you have questions or need a refresher on emergency protocols, please contact Erick Emerick, eemerick@friendscentercorp.org.
EVENTS
Covenant House Sleepout Returned to the Courtyard
On the night of November 21, supporters of Covenant House slept out in the Friends Center courtyard in solidarity with the homeless youth and young adults Covenant House serves, and to raise fund for their programs.
Friends Center events: A great value for a Center City venue!
After holding the line through the pandemic, Friends Center increased its event rental prices as of January 1, 2025. We continue to provide a great value, with robust facilities, a convenient Center City location, and our friendly and staff.
Please let your colleagues, peers, and friends know about our meeting spaces, and be sure to tell them we always have a nonprofit discount! Thank you.
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM)
PYM joins lawsuit against federal policy reversal that now allows ICE to make arrests in houses of worship
The suit challenges an immigration enforcement decision that interferes with and could significantly impact freedom of religion.
Read PYM’s announcement: https://www.pym.org/pym-involvement-in-dhs-lawsuit/
Inquirer: Quaker groups, including in Philadelphia, sue to keep ICE out of religious sites
The lawsuit says “the very threat” of ICE enforcement deters congregants from attending services, violating First Amendment rights of religious liberty.
NBC: Quaker groups file suit over the end of policy restricting ICE arrests in houses of worship
The suit appears to be the first from a faith-based organization challenging the change in court.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
We Are Stronger Than We Think
We are stronger than we think. As a Quaker organization, [AFSC’s] work for lasting peace with justice is guided by the belief that there is that of God in each of us. And we are not starting from scratch. History is full of people and movements who refused to accept the future people in power had charted for them. Led by the Spirit, today we draw inspiration and strength from those who came before us.
AFSC was founded in 1917, just weeks after the United States declared war on Germany. In the chaotic aftermath of President Wilson’s announcement, a small group of Quakers gathered in Philadelphia to grapple with how they might live into their pacifist values in a time of war. Their goal was not just to refuse to fight, but to create the infrastructure for conscientious objectors to serve humanity in a constructive way…. [T]hey touched the lives of millions, fed children, built houses, and revived and expanded a tradition of conscientious objection….
Of course, they did not end war, oppression, and exploitation. It is up to us to continue to transform the world through loving and courageous action.
More than a century later, we once again face global upheaval defined by both acute and structural violence. And we must double down on our efforts to protect one another, to refuse and resist injustice, and to build something new.
These three tenets – protect, resist, and build – can help guide us.
Read the full piece:https://afsc.org/newsroom/we-are-stronger-we-think
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (CPMM)
Reflection by George Lakey, member of CPMM:
“Two nights after the election I was at the first New York City showing of the new documentary film Citizen George. I consistently tell crowds after the film showings my own, transformational view of what can be done in a time of big political polarization. Do we ever need it now! Once again I found that my surprising view opens people’s eyes and hearts to new possibilities.
“Here’s a concise version of that viewpoint:
https://wagingnonviolence.org/2018/03/how-build-progressive-movement-polarized-country
“If you’re a Quaker, you may find this version more useful:
The Fiery Forge of Polarization – Friends Journal
Please share these with others—sharing is not only supportive but also implicitly shows you care about them and want them to be “in there” with you as we do the vital work that may result in the biggest change we’ve made in our lifetimes! As my article asserts, the “gift” that polarization historically brings is the chance of more dramatic positive outcomes than can otherwise be gained.
TENANT NEWS
ANNA CRUSIS FEMINIST CHOIR
STILL talkin’ bout a REVOLUTION
ANNA’s winter concert on January 18 celebrated resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of justice through music, featuring uplifting and thought-provoking songs that speak to the ongoing fight for freedom and equality, including Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution,” and Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout.” The journey for change continues. We are all part of a vibrant, collective voice. It was a chance to reflect, rejoice, and unite through song! Together, we can weave a tapestry of resilience, hope, and revolutionary spirit.
PHILADELPHIA YOUTH SPORTS COLLABORATIVE (PYSC)
Be the Good podcast
Beth Devine, Executive Director of PYSC, was featured on the Be the Good podcast.
She discussed PYSC’s mission to empower Philadelphia’s youth through sports. You can catch the episode wherever podcasts are streamed or Click Here to Watch. 🎙️
Philly Youth Sports Fund aims to raise $5 million to support many of the city’s nonprofits
Smaller nonprofits that help children across the city will be able to apply for additional funding through the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative.
Via the Inquirer:
FRIENDS SELECT SCHOOL
Community Pantry on Race Street
Friends Select School is now hosting a community pantry on the 1600 block of Race Street.
A year ago, they initiated a pantry pilot program for spring semester. The pilot was incredibly successful, and the school decided to formally continue the pantry, which is now open to anyone in the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please help spread the word by sharing the following announcement:
Friends Select School Community Pantry
- The FSS community pantry is located on the 1600 Block of Race Street, mid block on the south side of the street.
- The pantry accepts and offers dry food goods, canned items, individual snacks or beverages, toiletries, clean socks, and clean hats & gloves seasonally.
- The pantry can not accept prepared food or meals or any items that need to be refrigerated.
- Items can be placed directly into the pantry, or, if the shelves are full, items can be left at FSS reception at 17th and the Parkway.
If your organization is interested in hosting a drive for pantry items and would like to schedule a drop-off time, please contact Margaret Smith (margarets@friends-select.org).
SINGING CITY
Winter Concert: Building Community Through Song
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 4 pm
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
With Singing City, Rollo A. Dilworth, Artistic & Music Director
Northeast High School Choir, Patricia Betcher, Director
Philadelphia Creative & Performing Arts High School Choir (CAPA), B. Lauren Thomas-Moyett, Director
Teen Voices of the City Ensemble (T-VOCE), Whitney Covalle, Director
Featuring the premiere of Yukayeke, a new work by Suzzette Ortiz, commissioned by Singing City. The program will include works by Brian Tate, Tara Mack, Brad Ellingboe and Karen Marrolli, among many others!