Quaker Call to Action invites a national dialogue on the urgent threats to U.S. democracy and what’s at stake. Participants are gravely concerned about the deliberate falsehoods and coordinated efforts currently underway to subvert our democracy. If this politically motivated takeover movement succeeds, any hope of progress on the urgent issues of our time will be lost. They invite Friends and friends of Friends to enter into a national dialogue to discern how best to respond to this urgent challenge.
Friends Center is proud to host this event. Since 1856, we have been a gathering place and event space for Philadelphia community groups and nonprofit organizations, both Quaker and non-Quaker. With our LEED Platinum green renovation and modern video and teleconferencing facilities, we are both historic and up to date. Friends Center is easy to reach by public transit, bike, walking, and car. We are two blocks from City Hall, near the hub of public transit and one block from the Broad Street exit of the Vine Street Expressway (Interstate 676).
Join us for a special screening of the feature-length film about the life and work of George Lakey at Friends Center. Get ready to be inspired by his story and his impact on movements for social justice.
A special treat for those who like to sing Broadway show tunes — come at 7pm for a singalong before the movie begins at 7:30.
Citizen George has been in the works for 3 years and is a feature length film directed by Glenn Holsten. Archival footage, interviews, and animation tell the stories of George’s decades of activism and participation in movements for justice throughout his life. The film shows George’s evolution over time highlighting spiritual inspiration, and the dynamic role of community in enabling activists to face danger and violence, aiding audiences who are highly anxious about today’s crises.
Friends Center is proud to host this event. Since 1856, we have been a gathering place and event space for Philadelphia community groups and nonprofit organizations, both Quaker and non-Quaker. With our LEED Platinum green renovation and modern video and teleconferencing facilities, we are both historic and up to date. Friends Center is easy to reach by public transit, bike, walking, and car. We are two blocks from City Hall, near the hub of public transit and one block from the Broad Street exit of the Vine Street Expressway (Interstate 676).
Friends Center Tenant Newsletter Issue 95 —- 6/2024
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Shifting to Summer for Friends Center and Friends
Happy summer! For many people in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), summer is a season of gatherings. The big one is the Friends General Conference’s Gathering. For the first time in many years, the FGC Gathering will be held near Philadelphia, on the campus of Haverford College. And Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, one of our three equity partners, will have its Annual Sessions there immediately afterwards. (These Annual Sessions for business and fellowship for Quakers in eastern PA, southern NJ, DE, and the Eastern Shore of MD are what gave Philadelphia Yearly Meeting its name.)
This Saturday, Historic Arch Street Meeting House, our sibling institution, will celebrate the 400th birthday of Quakerism’s co-founder and key organizer, George Fox.
Read on for more details below!
Meanwhile, Friends Center remains open to serve your organization and the wider community. If you know of groups that need space to meet, do let us know!
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
JOYFUL READERS: Welcome to Friends Center!
Friends Center’s newest tenant is Joyful Readers, whose mission is to ensure that all students gain the literacy skills they need to become successful, confident, and yes…joyful readers! Their AmeriCorps tutors are serving full-time, supporting nearly 1,000 students with daily reading tutoring this year. Together with our school partners, they are working to make sure that our students can become successful, confident, and joyful readers.
Prioritizing People over War in the US Federal Budget
AFSC recently called for elected officials to invest in health care, education, and public services that build just, sustainable communities. For a long time, the U.S. government has prioritized military spending over people. Since 9/11, there has been a more than 50% increase in military spending. The White House is requesting $895 billion for the Pentagon in FY25. In addition, President Biden approved $95 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which could bring us to a total of $1 trillion just on military spending.
AFSC says it is time for a shift: “The 2024 federal budget presents a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to human dignity and social justice. By prioritizing human needs over war and militarization, we can build a more equitable and prosperous society for all. Let’s urge our government to heed the voices of the people and invest in a future where compassion triumphs over conflict, and where the well-being of every individual is cherished and safeguarded.”
A Multi-Faith Revival 6/30/2024, 2-4 pm Friends Center
Join CPMM in proclaiming the urgent call for reparations in Philadelphia. This festive event will be hosted by Rev. Jackie Newsome, with a welcome from Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. Speakers will include our own .O, as well as Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari, Rev. Michael Nabors, Aziz Nathoo, and others. Songs will be provided by Pax Ressler, founder of the Rise Choir.
PYM Annual Sessions will take place at Haverford College on Saturday, 7/6 and Sunday, 7/7. We hope all Friends will participate in a day-long program focused on attending to the Yearly Meeting’s business. There will be options to join online with Zoom, commute to Haverford College without staying overnight, or select from a range of overnight options.
The “Runway” to annual sessions includes:
On Zoom: Bible Study: June 26, 7:00 – 8:00pm | Meeting for Business: June 25, 7:00 – 8:15pm
In person: 6/29:George Fox’s Birthday Celebration at Arch Street
Bring your friends, your children, and your neighbors for a birthday party at Arch Street Meeting House! On 6/29 Friends in the Philadelphia area will celebrate and reflect on the legacy of Quakerism co-founder, George Fox. Event highlights include:
George Fox and Hannah Penn (historical re-enactors)
Outdoor and indoor games – including a dunk tank!
Food trucks, birthday cake and ice-cream
“Fox Forward” panel discussion: learning from the past, visioning a Quaker future (including speakers from AFSC and FWCC here at Friends Center).
FRIENDS WORLD COMMITTEE FOR CONSULTATION, SECTION OF THE AMERICAS
FWCC RECEIVES $1.125 MILLION GRANT FOR QUAKER CONNECT
“Quaker Connect is responding to the need of local Friends to develop a spirit of experimentation in partnership with God to support the members of their meetings and engage in issues important to their communities,” said Robin Mohr, Executive Secretary for FWCC Americas. “Quaker Connect will equip Quaker churches to be more clearly who they are meant to be: profoundly Quaker, deeply rooted, and highly visible in their local community. We are very pleased that Jade Rockwell has joined us at this pivotal point.”
Friends meetings and churches who wish to be considered for the first cohort of the Quaker Connect program should check the FWCC Americas website, QuakerConnect.org, for updates. The application period is planned to open in September 2024.
As Associate Director of Friends Council, Deborra Sines Pancoe brought thousands of Friends school educators from numerous Friends Schools together in dynamic, engaging programming that is aligned with their needs as well as developments in the world around us. Deborra led the Spirited Practice and Renewed Courage (SPARC) program, brought SEED as an offering for Friends School educators, developed and led Educators New to Quakerism workshops, and ferried Friends Council programming through the pandemic. FCE was pleased to recognize her at their annual meeting earlier this year.
Building an Anti-Racist Future: A Report from CAIR’s Muslim Youth Leadership Summit
For its Muslim Youth Leadership Summit in Spring 2024, CAIR-Philadelphia partnered with MuslimARC for a dynamic one-day workshop designed to empower and equip young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to dismantle racism and Islamophobia in their communities. Through a comprehensive and interactive approach, participants delved into the complexities of anti-racist work and countering Islamophobia, exploring the systemic roots of these issues and practical ways to enact change.
Annual Gathering to Take Place at Haverford College 6/30 – 7/6/2024
The Gathering is a week of Quaker worship, workshops, and community for all ages. Friends come together from across the USA and Canada (and sometimes further) to deepen our connection to one another and the Spirit. For the first time in many years, the Gathering will be held in the Philadelphia region, at Haverford College.
FWCC WORLD PLENARY OF FRIENDS
Johannesburg, South Africa & online 8/5-12/2024
The Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) World Plenary Meeting (WPM) is a meeting for representatives from all four FWCC Sections to undertake FWCC business, surrounded by worship and fellowship with Friends from around the world. The theme is, “Living the Spirit of Ubuntu: Responding with hope to God’s call to cherish creation and one another.”
The Meeting House will join Philadelphia’s Historic District to celebrate the first annual Red, White, & Blue To-Do! On Tuesday, July 2nd, America’s most historic square mile will host the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, musical performances, special extended hours at neighborhood museums and historic sites, restaurant specials, and so much more.
Friends Center as a workplace for today and the future
This week I watched a webinar on “The Workplace of the Future.” It reviewed the changed needs and expectations for post-covid office work. Planned and spontaneous opportunities to collaborate add a lot of value to in-person work. As a result, facilities to support a variety of uses are in demand.
Fortunately, Friends Center was already configured to meet many of these needs pre-covid. Our office suites provide you access to shared, private conference rooms. You also have access to our public meeting and conference rooms in the larger facility.
We’re keeping our eyes and ears open for today’s best practices, to see how we might evolve further. If you have thoughts, please feel free to drop me a line: cmohr@friendscentercorp.org.
Meanwhile, our event rentals to outside groups are also back in full swing. Please refer your colleagues to Shakirah Holloway, our Events and Administrative Manager, who can help them find the right space for their needs: sholloway@friendscentercorp.org or (215) 241-7098. Thanks!
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
END OF SCHOOL YEAR CELEBRATIONS!
Friends Center is also a go-to location for Philly nonprofit events, for today and into the future! We can accommodate in-person and hybrid events in many of our large and small conference rooms and meeting rooms. Check out our event venue options here in Center City Philadelphia: https://www.friendscentercorp.org/event-space/.
May and June are the time for graduations and moving-up celebrations. Here some you’ll see around Friends Center in the coming weeks:
5/31: Friends Child Care Center end of year celebration
6/7: Friends Select School 8th grade moving-up ceremony
6/8: Friends Select School high school graduation
6/10: Delaware Valley Friends School high school graduation
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MIGRATION:
Q&A with Eunice Ndonga, AFSC’s International Migration Director
Q: What must be done to support people displaced by climate change?
“Low-income countries and communities—particularly Indigenous communities—have made the fewest contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, but they bear the brunt of climate injustices. That’s where the conversation must begin….
“Organizations such as AFSC are working on this. We are calling on governments to move money from military spending, national security, and controlling borders. Instead, governments must invest in meeting migrant needs, defending human rights, and preventing climate injustices in the long term to promote peace.”
Quaker Action Mid-Atlantic Region (QAMAR) will facilitate a discussion on its public policy work to address the climate crisis and reduce gun violence. We will also introduce our new intern, Andrew Cadwallader, hired through a grant from the CPMM Friendly Fund. Come learn how YOU can help!
QAMAR is a new 501(c)(4) organization initiated by Quakers, and which welcomes participation by all who share a vision for a peaceful and sustainable world. QAMAR seeks to effect policy change in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. See https://www.quakeract.org/.
This will be a hybrid event in the Rufus Jones Room. Refreshments will be served. (Contact the Meeting office at office@cpmm.org if you’d like the link to attend by Zoom.)
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)
PREVENTING ELECTION VIOLENCE Workshop with Emily Provance June 4 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The danger of election violence in 2024/2025 is real. The United States currently exhibits many of the societal risk factors that make election violence likely. But there’s also hope. There are things we can do about it, and the team for nonviolence is much bigger than we think.
This event will be part lecture and part interactive, with follow-up resources suggested. It’ll draw on best practices for election violence prevention as developed internationally. We’ll focus on how ordinary people can take specific actions to apply these strategies in their own communities. You’ll also hear about some of the underlying mindsets that make this work possible.
Facilitator Emily Provance is a Quaker traveling minister, currently working with groups across the country on election violence prevention.
At GJF, we are honored and inspired to work with and support organizations who don’t give up. We understand that change doesn’t happen overnight and have seen first-hand that the impact of our actions many not truly be seen until months, years, or even further into the future. We hope you’ll join us in rejecting apathy: join an organization, vote, donate, make your voice heard. Democracy hangs in the balance and our rights are being eroded; now is the time to be a part of the solution. — Farrah Parkes, Executive Director
DEI Book Awards Wed., 5/29, 5 pm Historic Arch Street Meeting House, 4th & Arch Streets
Friends Select’s Lower School presents the second-annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Book Awards ceremony at the Arch Street Meeting House. There will be book sales and games, and the ceremony begins at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served.
For this year’s DEI Book Awards, Friends Select is proud to partner with Hakim’s Bookstore, which is Philadelphia’s oldest Black-owned bookstore dating back to the late 1950s. Books will be available for purchase through this partnership.
WIDER QUAKER COMMUNITY
WORLD PLENARY MEETING OF FRIENDS 8/5-12/2024 Johannesburg, South Africa | Online
The Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) World Plenary Meeting is a meeting for representatives from all four FWCC Sections to undertake FWCC business, surrounded by worship and fellowship with Friends from around the world. Three interrelated strands will inform the World Plenary Meeting: ubuntu/community, healing historical injustice and care for creation.
Bennett Compost, Friends Center’s composting vendor, will be hosting FREE public tours of the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Compost facility that they operate in Lawncrest! Tours are the 4th Thursday of every month starting this month, Thursday May, 23rd.
» For more information or to register, please click here.
This week I received an email from a staff person at an organization that had an event here recently. They complimented the Friends Center staff for their care and support over multiple days. I wrote back to thank them for their kind words, and for taking time to give positive feedback. I promptly shared the note with our staff, who deserved the credit for a good experience far more than me.
What’s great is that this is not uncommon! I often get positive feedback for our staff and contractors who work here every day to care for our unique facility. So I want to take this opportunity to give positive feedback:
To Carla, Ed, Erick, Freeman, Ray, Shakirah, Takirah, and Teneshia from the Friends Center staff—
To Aida, Fajon, Kevin, Leilani, and Taleah from Team Clean—
And to John from Emcor Fluidics—
Thank you all so much for everything you do to support the facility, as well as the organizations and individuals who use our space. You enable the Friends Center to live into its mission and values!
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
New Walkie Talkies to be Deployed throughout the Facility Soon
Friends Center has purchased new walkie talkies to go throughout the facility. We use them to communicate during emergency evacuations, shelter-in-place situations, and other events where timely communication is of the essence.
Erick Emerick is in the process of programming and deploying the new radios. Once they are in place, tested, and fully in operation, we will refresh everyone about our emergency protocols and procedures. We will also return to having periodic trainings for new staff or those who’d like a refresher, which we used to do before the pandemic.
New mural outside Friends Child Care Center! Created by art students at Friends Select School
In partnership with the children of Friends Child Care Center, high school art students at Friends Select School have created a colorful, vibrant on the wall of the Lower Level. Join FSS and FCCC in the Lower Level hallway for a Community Celebration, April 27, 4:30 – 6:00 pm!
EQUITY PARTNERS
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC) AFSC Corporation met at Friends Center April 11-13
AFSC was delighted to host Jose Antonio Vargas as their keynote speaker for the 2024 Corporation Program on April 11. Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Tony-nominated theatrical producer, and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants. He is the founder of Define American, an organization that empowers diverse and nuanced storytelling about immigrant experiences across a variety of different media. In 2020, Fortune named him one of its “40 under 40” most influential people in government and politics. After his keynote address, Vargas will be available to sign copies of his bestselling memoir, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen.
CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING (CPMM) Friends to Share Their Vision for the Meeting Sunday, 4/21, 1:00 pm
Join us for a time of sharing. Whether it is your 1st day or your 40th year with Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, we would love to hear from you. In small groups we will spend time with following queries (among others):
What personal, social, and/or spiritual needs would you like to have met as a part of our community?
What future programs about Quaker activism, Quaker history and beliefs, and/or Quaker spirituality would you like to see offered?
Each small group will have a facilitator to create a safe space and record responses. You can also join by Zoom using the regular worship link.
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)
New Roadmap for Addressing Climate Change
As a LEED Platinum green building, Friends Center strives to be as sustainable as possible. Now, a tool is available for all Friends and meetings—and everyone—seeking to live out our yearly meeting-wide commitment to address climate change. The booklet Creating a Playbook for Climate Action helps Friends develop personalized plans for how to address climate change—in their meetings and in their homes. Because frankly, great intentions sometimes need a path forward to arrive at the destination.
PYSC has launched a new fund to support small, community-based organizations providing sport, play, and movement programs to our city’s youth. The fund aims to increase accessibility to and improve the quality of existing programs, particularly those offering introductory or “entry-level” recreational components. The goal is to ensure that more young people can participate in localized, instructional sports opportunities. The Philly Youth Sports Fund released a call for proposals on April 1, 2024. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support program-related needs. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2024, and grants will be awarded by June 30, 2024.
Singing for Climate & Social Justice Sunday, May 5, 3:00 p.m. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 23 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Featuring Rollo Dilworth’s Credo and Chickasaw classical composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Oka’ Aya’sha’ (The Water Place). Legendary jazz vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd and jazz trio will present selections from The Frances Suite, based on the life and poetry of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Special guests include singers from Commonwealth Youth Choirs.
The Cherry Trees on Cherry Street Friends Center’s cherry trees—on Cherry Street, naturally—usually bloom twice a year: partially in December, and fully in late March or early April. This year they have bloomed almost continuously since November. With spring on the way, they are blooming more fully now, earlier than usual. And they never really stopped blooming since the winter. I can’t help but think it’s the result of our warming climate.
This week, Erick Emerick and I gave tours of Friends Center to students from Sandy Springs Friends School in Maryland. He pointed out Friends Center is not only a tool in itself for slowing climate change, it’s also a model of a sustainably built environment, which can inspire others to act, too. (In case you don’t already know: In 2009 we renovated Friends Center to the LEED Platinum level, with a geothermal heating and cooling system, green roof, solar panels, graywater capture system, and more. See our website for details.)
Recently I heard Princeton Professor Ruha Benjamin speak at the Parkway Central Library about her new book, Imagination: A Manifesto. She stresses that imagination isn’t a luxury. It’s a powerful tool for liberation. Whatever our organization’s mission is, may we continue to imagine a better world through our efforts every day, where every cherry tree—and every person—has a chance to blossom in all the ways they’re meant to.
— Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Welcome to our newest tenant:
Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania! Junior Achievement of SEPA moved here in January. JA SEPA equips young people for economic mobility and the pursuit of their own ambitions. In collaboration with educators, community organizations, and businesses, they ensure young people (5-25) have access to high quality financial education and career-readiness learning experiences. JE SEPA focuses on under-resourced communities and expanded programming for middle and high school students. See: southeasternpa.ja.org
Many thanks to Stephanie Gambone and the JA SEPA team for hosting the tenant breakfast on March 5. It was a nice introduction!
♻ First Alert! ♻️ Earth Day E-Waste and Shredding Collection Drive Once again, in honor of Earth Day on April 24, Friends Center plans to collect electronics for recycling and papers for shredding. Most likely we will have collection bins in the lobby in mid-April, perhaps the week of April 15. Stay tuned for details!
EXTRA, EXTRA: See the end of this newsletter for two upcoming events curated and hosted by our own Carla Gamble!
EQUITY PARTNERSAmerican Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Gaza Relief Efforts A major current focus for AFSC is emergency aid effort in Gaza. AFSC is helping to alleviate suffering in the short term and reduce inequality and oppression in the long term. AFSC has provided emergency relief to displaced people in the Khan Yunis and Rafah regions of Gaza, reaching more than 297,673 people.
AFSC has offices and staff in Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan. AFSC has been present in the Middle East since 1948 when the United Nations asked us to organize relief efforts for Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (CPMM) Community Game Nights CPMM will have Community Game Nights on Friday April 19 and Friday May 10 in the Cherry Street Room. We set up around 6 pm (give or take) and end by around 9:30 pm. Bring games, snacks, friends—or just yourself! Game Night policy is that if any participant wants people to mask, then all people mask. We will have masks to hand out if needed.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) PYM Friends Join Pilgrimage for Peace Walk On February 14, PYM Friends gathered with neighbors of many faiths to help kick off the first day of a Pilgrimage for Peace journey, walking from Independence Hall in Philadelphia to Washington DC. The pilgrimage included nearly 400 people who joined at various points during the 150-mile walk to advocate for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid. The Pilgrimage took place in 92 cities around the world to call for change in Gaza. The pilgrims included a diverse coalition of faith leaders, activists, and artists from across the United States, and many faith traditions including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.
» Learn more: https://www.pym.org/friends-join-pilgrimage-for-peace-walk/
TENANT NEWS
SINGING CITY Spring concert: Earth, Wind & Fire Saturday, March 16, 4:00 pm
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
With Singing City, Rollo A. Dilworth, Artistic & Music Director Northeast High School Choir, Patricia Betcher, Director Philadelphia Creative and Performing Arts High School Choir, B. Lauren Thomas-Moyett, Director Teen Voices of the City Ensemble (T-VOCE), Whitney Covalle, Director
This concert explores the beauty of the natural world and invites us to examine the effects of climate change and environmental justice. Featuring The Voices of Earth, a newly commissioned work by Brandon Williams, Haydn’s The Heaven’s Are Telling and Awake the Harp from The Creation, Hark I Hear the Harp’s Eternal by Alice Parker, and much more!
COMMUNITY VENTURES Old First House Historic House Move As mentioned in December, Community Ventures is working with the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ to develop 34 permanent supportive housing apartments for formerly homeless individuals, as well as community, office, and commercial spaces. A historic home at 151 N 4th Street, built in 1760, will be restored to its original façade. The house was recently moved some 40 feet to make room for the new building!
PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH ACTION NETWORK (PHAN) WHYY: Delaware Valley saw first set of deadlines to pick 2024 health insurance during ACA open enrollment During Affordable Care Act open enrollment last fall, WHYY quoted Antoinette Kraus, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, who said that the most common advice she gives people is: “Don’t wait to shop.”
IN THE COMMUNITY
2 upcoming events curated and hosted by our own Carla Gamble!
Voices of Philly Soul Mental Health Panel & Brunch (Ladies Edition) Saturday, Mar 16, 2024, 11:00 AM In celebration of Women’s History Month, Philly’s own Carla Gamble has curated a Mental Health Panel of our city’s most beloved and celebrated music community leaders, pioneers, and visionaries. They will share their life experiences and offer advice from an artistic musical perspective. Facilitated by Roxi Fab, panelist Dyana Williams, Lady Alma, Ursula Rucker, Frenchie Davis, and Ciara Chantelle will discuss topics including:
“Life be Lifeing” – Grief, Anxiety and Depression
Your Network, Your Networth – Community Networking and Finances
Work-Life Balance – Family, Friends, and Social Life
Voices of Philly Soul – Ladies Edition Thursday, March 21, 2024
Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 8pm Music Hall at World Cafe Live | Ages 21 and up
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Philly’s own Carla Gamble has curated a local lineup of ladies in our city’s vibrant R&B and soul scene. Enjoy performances from musicians Carla Gamble, Seraiah Nicole, Nitro Nitra, Lady Sarkazym, Chioke, Jo Rivers, Rae Dianz, and Rhythm HB, plus DJ sets from DJ Queen Yaszy B. The event will also feature guest speakers, including Philadelphia City Council leaders and the Blackwell Cultural Alliance.
SEPTA Announces Bus Revolution Community Meetings for March/April 2024
SEPTA is holding eight (8) community meetings across Philadelphia from March 12 – April 4, 2024 to share the latest Bus Revolution recommendations. We invite you to learn more about changes to your bus route and ask questions of our project team. Can’t attend, but still want to be heard? You can provide input at the Bus Revolution website or submit comments by email at busnetwork@septa.org or by phone 267-291-6045. See SEPTA’s detailed listing of SEPTA Bus Revolution March/April Community Meetings here.
Welcome to Womanist Working Collective & Defenders Association of Phila.
Friends Center is pleased to welcome two new tenants to our community: the Womanist Working Collective (WWC), and the Defenders Association of Philadelphia/UAW Local 5502.
WWC is a radical grassroots social action and support collective for Black folks of marginalized gender experience, specifically women (trans* and cis), femmes, and other gender expansive folx.
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is the union for attorneys of the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The union is Local 5502 of the United Auto Workers.
Please introduce yourself if you happen to meet your new neighbors. In fact, I encourage you also to introduce yourself to folks who may not be so new, whether you haven’t met them before, or just haven’t seen them in a while!
A strength of Friends Center is our sense of community. Like so many communities, ours has become a bit more fragmented from the experience of the pandemic. Small opportunities to get to know one another, at least by name as well as face, can help rebuild our sense of connection.
With warm regards for the year-end holidays,
Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
FRIENDS CENTER YEAR-END HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Friends Center will be closed on the following days:
Covenant House Pennsylvania’s “Sleep Out” returned to Friends Center 11/16-17/2023
Friends Center was pleased to welcome Covenant House Pennsylvania back to the facility for their overnight Sleep Out event in the courtyard. As Covenant House writes, “The Sleep Out is not about pretending to be homeless. We Sleep Out to show our solidarity with those who are—and to let the world know about the ever-growing population of young people who face homelessness. And there’s more to Sleep Out than a night without a mattress. Sleep Out raises critical funds to help Covenant House provide 24/7 shelter, sanctuary, and support to youth overcoming homelessness.” Many thanks to Erick Emerick for staffing the overnight shift in support of the event.
Friends Select School & Friends Child Care Center to Collaborate on New Mural
Art students from the FSS Upper School will be painting a mural on the wall of the Lower Level hallway in a piece inspired by the Friends Child Care Center. Stay tuned for an announcement when this bright addition to our communal space is finished!
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC)
AFSC and numerous other Quaker organizations have called for a ceasefire and humanitarian protections in Gaza. Their statement reads in part:
“Quakers believe in the sacred worth of each person and stand against violence in all its forms. As Quaker organizations, we mourn all lives lost and lament with everyone who is suffering. We grieve for those in Israel and Palestine who have lost precious lives. We pray with those waiting for the return of loved ones and those living under siege and bombardment….
“Quakers have a long history of carrying out humanitarian assistance and leading efforts to build peace in situations of conflict. We hold that principles under International Humanitarian Law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, must be respected.…
“We call on international leaders of all countries to bear witness to this message and show the way of peace.”
Signers in addition to AFSC are the Canadian Friends Service Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Quakers in Britain, Quakers Australia, and the Quaker United Nations Office. The full statement is here.
CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING (CPMM)
On Sunday Nov. 19, CPMM held an informal panel presentation about the diverse ways in which CPMM Friends experience worship. Becky Birtha and Lee Junker were presenters. In a faith tradition where there is no or minimal preplanned program, it can be helpful to hear how others approach meeting for worship.
Also of note:
CPMM held a book fair to display recently banned books. (Banned elsewhere, that is!)
Community Hymn Singing takes place most Sundays at 10:00 before meeting for worship at 11 am. Communal singing can uplift our spirits in these trying times—all are welcome!
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)
Fall continuing sessions were held November 11 at Historic Arch Street Meeting House. Minutes are posted online.
PYM noted the recent release of “Rustin, ” a new movie about Bayard Rustin, the Quaker who was the chief planner of the 1963 March on Washington. It was released in theaters on November 3, and streaming on Netflix after November 17. The IMDB listing says, “Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington.” PYM offers additional resources about the life and work of this remarkable Friend at this link. AFSC also has a page about Rustin: https://afsc.org/newsroom/bayard-rustin
TENANT NEWS
Community Ventures Permanent shelter + affordable housing coming to 4th and Race
From Billy Penn, 11/21/23: “Officials broke ground yesterday on a new mixed-use development in Old City that’ll include 34 units of supportive housing for people facing chronic homelessness. The $20 million project, created in partnership with nonprofit developer Community Ventures, expands and makes permanent the shelter and services already offered by property owner Old First Reformed UCC, one of Philly’s oldest congregations.
“Fun side note: Instead of demolishing a 1760 rowhome at the site, the whole thing is being relocated 48 feet south, per the city, and will be renovated and restored.”
Further fun side note from Friends Center: The land where our 1501 Cherry Street office building is today was once a burial ground for what is now Old First Reformed UCC!
Housing Alliance
New Report, November 2023:
“After the Pause: The Rise of Eviction Filings Post-Pandemic. A Statewide Eviction Analysis”
A new Housing Alliance study found that evictions have returned to pre-pandemic levels, after being cut in half during the pandemic by robust tenant protections and financial assistance programs. In particular, 115,000 Pennsylvania households a year, or 310/day, face eviction filings.
Arch Street Presbyterian Church, 1724 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Ring in the holidays with Singing City! Featuring John Rutter’s Gloria with brass & organ, and Robert Ray’s Gospel Magnificat, with jazz/gospel soloist, piano, bass, and drum. Also featuring works by Randall Thompson, C.L. Alwes, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Andrea Ramsey, and more.
Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative Summit on Women in Sports
Congratulations to Beth Devine and the entire team at PYSC on their first ever PYSC Summit: Women in Sports. At the summit, held November 1, Philadelphia’s greatest female sports advocates unite to address equal opportunities for women in sports. Read more: https://www.pysc.org/pyscsummit/
American Friends Service Committee held its annual Corporation meeting here in a hybrid format the weekend before last. It was the first time they’ve had an in-person component in four years.
Friends Council on Education held its annual meeting, its annual in-person Heads of School gathering, and a training here last week.
And on April 18, we participated in International Day for Monuments and Sites by holding an open house to showcase the Race Street Meetinghouse—a National Historic Landmark. Many thanks to Jennifer Williams and Shakirah Holloway for organizing the event.
Please let your friends and colleagues that Friends Center is available for meetings and events of all sizes—from 6 to 600!
Our annual E-waste and Recycling collection began this week and will continue through April 27th. Collection will take place in the front lobby and basement.
Here is a list of what is accepted:
Computers
Flat Screens
Printers
Fax machines
Back up batteries
Switches/Routers
Laptops
Back up tapes
Surge Protector
Satellite Receivers/Cables Boxes
Desk phones
Cell phones
Dock Stations
Keyboards/Mice/Cabling
Tablets
Servers
Networking Equipment
Shredders
Toner cartridges
All Apple products
Cameras
We hope this service helps to lighten the load every office seems to collect.
Friends, food, and a campfire! Stories, games, and outdoor fun! It’s Spring Family Overnight at Camp Dark Waters!
This year, the overnight is open to all families with children in 8th grade and younger.
Join us for multigenerational activities for the whole family, dinner together, free time to play, bedtime stories, multigenerational worship on Sunday morning, and a chance for adults to spend time with other parents. And everyone will be home on Sunday in time to prepare for the rest of the week!
Note: All children need to have a Health/Permission form filled out when registering for in-person and overnight events (Family Overnights, Annual Sessions). This will be on file all year and is good for all events from Annual Sessions in July through the following June, when there will be an updated form due.
Strengthening civil society in Africa: An interview with Kennedy Akolo, Africa regional director.
“At the end of day, the Salama Hub is about transforming lives in this part of world. If this program is a success, it could change how the Horn of Africa responds to and prevents conflict.”
We seek to be a welcoming community to all people regardless of their race or ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or social situation, and we invite everyone to worship with us and to participate in our community life, whether they are members or not.
Why join Central Philadelphia Meeting?
How do I apply for membership?
Want to change your membership status?
For answers to the questions above and even more information about CPMM click here.
This year’s conference theme is “BodyDreaming: Self-Regulation, Jung, and Neuroscience in Trauma Recovery.”
This year, our plenary speaker is the accomplished Jungian analyst and author Marian Dunlea, from Ireland. In addition to being a delightful person, Marian is a passionate student of neuroscience with extensive training in a host of healing modalities.
Registration is now open for The Friends Conference on Religion and Psychology which will be held in person only at Pendle Hill, May 26 to May 29, 2023.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE: Tell your colleagues about Friends Center’s event and office space!
April 18 is the International Day for Monuments and Sites. Locally, Global Philadelphia is encouraging Philadelphia’s 67 National Historic Landmarks—including our own Race Street Quaker Meetinghouse—to host public programs that day.
This year, we’re joining in! Friends Center will host a public open house from 11 am to 5 pm to showcase our meeting and conference spaces. Please join us if you are new to Friends Center or just need a refresher on the rooms, their capabilities, and how to reserve space. Either way, you’re welcome to join us for light refreshments!
Please share with families this 5-minute survey from Youth Programs staff to help with planning for both Annual Sessions in July and future youth programs. Looking forward to being back in the Annual Sessions Family Neighborhood!
Honoring Quaker descendant Paul Robeson, the “beleaguered leader” and “artist as revolutionary,” groundbreaking recording, film, theatrical, and music star.
Featuring a discussion between Robeson scholars Dr. Gerald Horne, Dr. Charles Musser, and Dr. Harold D. Weaver.
Adult Religious Education/Racial Healing & Wholeness Program
“The Quaker Indigenous Boarding Schools: Facing Our History and Ourselves”
When and Where: Two complimentary programs
April 16 for CPMM, 1-2:30, hybrid in-person and virtual.
April 23 for Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting at Germantown, time TBD.
These two programs are not the same; they complement each other.
More details about the programs and Andrew available here.
TENANT NEWS
Gender Justice Fund featured in Billy Penn, 3/25/2023:
140 years ago, a group of Philly women set out to advance gender equity
A descendant of the New Century Guild is still active in philanthropic grantmaking today.
“The organization’s role shifted throughout the years, and a descendant of the organization — the Gender Justice Fund — still operates today as a local philanthropic grant-making foundation.” (And as a tenant at Friends Center!)
Glam.com feature: “Silent Weddings: The Simple, Unconventional Tradition that Could be Right for You”
Although some facts in this piece are off, it is an interesting take on “self-uniting” weddings: “If you’re an introvert who prefers a small and peaceful gathering over boisterous crowds, you might like the idea of having a silent wedding—commonly known as a Quaker wedding.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE: Tell your colleagues about Friends Center’s event and office space!
It has been nice to see more of you around Friends Center recently! We have also had an uptick in in-person and hybrid events.
Friends Center is beginning to market our office and meeting space more actively this year than we have for the last three years. Of course, the best advertising is word of mouth. So, we would be grateful if you would let your nonprofit colleagues know that limited space is again available to rent here in our LEED-certified green building. Smaller organizations with peace and justice missions are especially welcome.
In addition, our meeting and conference spaces are fully open. Space is booked more frequently as more organizations return to in-person as well as hybrid meetings, which we also support. Nonprofits receive an automatic 20% discount.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Friends Center community.
—Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
News from Friends Child Care Center
Friends Child Care Center has a 4-star rating in Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating & Improvement System, which carries the responsibility for recognizing and supporting continuous quality improvement in early care programs throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Each year, FCCC targets an area for improvement, and this year we focused our efforts and resources into removing lead paint from window frames, doors, and finishings in the First Day School Room, where infant care will resume by March 1, 2023. Lead abatement is very costly and so we sought to find outside funding sources.
FCCC is pleased to share that the City of Philadelphia: Child Care Facilities Fund awarded $25,000 to the project, which helped to significantly defray costs. The mission of the Facilities Fund is to provide support to high-quality early childhood education programs located in Philadelphia for the maintenance and improvement of their facilities in order to maintain a high-level STAR rating.
FCCC is incredibly grateful for this financial support as we are dedicated to providing a safe, clean and nurturing learning environment where children can play to learn, learn to love.
Cropwell Friends Meeting’s infrastructure got a big upgrade this week. Thanks to a generous gift from the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Quaker Buildings & Programs Granting Group, the building’s electrical system was rewired, and fire safety upgrades and security lighting were installed. The work was done by Front Line Electric of Glendora, N.J., who were prompt, professional, and courteous.
The Cropwell Friends Meetinghouse, built in 1809, was very much in need of work. The last known update to the electrical wiring took place in the 1920s. The type of wiring used at that time was “knob-and-tube,” which does not have a ground system for safety. This doesn’t necessarily make the wiring unsafe to use, but it does rule out important safety features and leaves appliances and sensitive electronics vulnerable to damage from power surges. Exterior lighting was also installed for safety and security purposes.
Stewardship & Community
The work on the meetinghouse spoke to the stewardship and community testimonies of Friends.
The current Cropwell Meetinghouse structure was built in 1809. It is on the historic registry, but like all old buildings, it has needs, and those needs have price tags. It is the Meeting’s responsibility to be good stewards to maintain the structure for current and future members.
Cropwell has a small number who attend regularly, but there is cohesion and commitment which has increased in intensity over the past year, and there is an openness to increasing and strengthening that community. The Meeting has received letters requesting membership from four individuals within the last year and have received loving support from members within Haddonfield Quarter.
In honor of Black History Month, the AFSC Pan Valley Institute (PVI) is pleased to announce the returning and touring production of “CODE SWITCH,” written and performed by ArteVism Alumnus Joshua Slack and directed by current Fellow Rodolfo Robles Cruz.
The ArteVism Fellowship program seeks to empower and foster civic engagement through artistic, creative expression, and collective leadership amongst the Central Valley’s youth of color.
“Code Switch” is a monologue that explores the navigation of code-switching. Code-switching involves adjusting one’s way of life in ways that optimize the comfort of others in exchange for fair treatment, quality service, and employment opportunities. The performance encourages audience members to ask themselves: At what cost to our lives do we make these adjustments? Why are we afraid to be ourselves?”
Joshua Slack was born into a military family; his mother served in the Coast Guard, and his father was a college professor. His life goal is to own a production company emphasizing TV, film, photography, theatre, and other art forms that express the uniqueness of niche storytelling within the Black community. He plans to offer it as a platform to tell the stories that mainstream media won’t tell and to uplift the voices of his community.
We will be following COVID-19 safety protocols, ordinances, and regulations. Masks may be required according to local guidelines during the event.
February 25, 2023, 6:30-8:30 pm PT Free event at the Fresno Art Museum, Bonner Auditorium 2233 N Fresno St. Fresno, CA
For more on this free event or the ArteVism fellowship program, please contact Rodolfo Robles Cruz at (559) 540-1028 or RRoblesCruz@AFSC.org.
Navigate through the sacred, the impossible, and the unexpected in these hard-won reflections on parenting. Tending Sacred Ground: Respectful Parenting is a series of essays, each of which alights on the experience of parenting and is inspired by a Quaker perspective. Pamela Haines shows how to cultivate respect, resilience, humility, connection, discernment, and joy while encouraging and inspiring a wider view toward inclusion.
Pamela has published widely on faith, money and economics, and on peace-building and right relationship. Please join us for a reading and discussion.
This concert will feature contributions to the choral art from Black composers and poets. Featuring Singing City Choir, Teen Voices of the City Ensemble (T-VOCE), Hatboro Horsham Singers, Germantown Friends School Choir, and Northeast High School Choir. Celebrating youth from across the region!
Jeffrey Brillhart, conductor
Saturday, March 4, 2023, 7 p.m. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 23 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Integrating Local Histories & Legacies in your Arts Classroom
Do you want to connect to our rich Philadelphia artistic lineage? Looking to integrate history and research in your arts classrooms?
Led by Love Notes Project Teaching Artists Rebecca Graham and Lindo Jones, participants will engage in a music and poetry workshop that highlights the work of three Black Philadelphia artists and cultural producers, past and present. The intention is for participants to leave the space feeling more connected to our city’s rich artistic lineage while gathering tools that may assist in your desire to integrate history and research in your arts classrooms.
Thu, February 23, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Section of the Americas Meeting
The Friends World Committee will hold its hybrid 2023 Section of the Americas Meeting on March 23 – 26 at Haw River State Park in Greensboro, NC. Registration for virtual attendance is available here. Scroll down to learn more and to register for the in-person event. All Friends are welcome! The last day for in-person registration is February 26, 2023, but register soon before options sell out!
The Friends Historical Association is pleased to offer funding to support contributions to the field of Quaker history. There are three grant opportunities: project support, publication subventions, and research funds. All opportunities run on the same cycle, and applications are due April 15, 2023.
