Tag: news

August Newsletter – Podcast, Annual Sessions and New beginnings!

Issue 51, August 2019

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE

In a time when it seems every day brings news of some fresh example of injustice, violence, and inequality, I’m glad to be a part of the Friends Center community. Of course, it’s true that the people who work, attend events, or worship here are by no means perfect nor better than anyone else. Still, a lot of good things are happening here to advance justice, peace, and equality. This newsletter gives just a few examples.
                Speaking of the newsletter, Jennifer Williams has been doing a great job collecting your stories for it. I thank her for her good work. I am also pleased to announce that she was recently promoted to the position of Guest Reception and Marketing Coordi­na­tor. She has taken on new duties, such as producing our new podcast (see next item), and I know you’ll want to join me in congratulating her.

– Chris Mohr, Executive Director

AROUND FRIENDS CENTER

As you all know by now (or at least that‘s what we’re hoping) Friends Center has launched its Podcast “Friends On 15th”  and it’s a hit!!! Friends On 15th was birthed out of the appreciation we have for the good works being done by our tenants. Friends Center houses roughly 40 non-profit organizations, both Quaker and non-Quaker, whose mission statements we support. By this we were compelled to find a new way to help get their good doings on the front line.

We will be interviewing the organizations in our building, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments.

We hope that you will give Friends On 15th a listen and look forward to hearing your feedback.

EQUITY PARTNER NEWS

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE (AFSC)

The American Friends Service Committee was one of several groups protesting the conditions and treatment of children at the Homestead facility and organizer Mariana Martinez declared victory Saturday. Read more on this amazing story!

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

The Annual Sessions has ended and the atmosphere has shifted! As light hearts and smiling faces pass me by I couldn’t help but to wonder (as a non-Quaker) why are these individuals so filled up? Soon after, the opportunity to sit and briefly chat with attendees of Sessions was upon me.

I was able to gain a better understanding of the annual sessions and as a result, I am no longer in the dark about the Light. Below is a lovely and enlightening quote from one the the delegates who attended.

“It is no coincidence Sessions comes at a time of full bloom. A sense of expansiveness & freedom pervades the day and we are reminded of our commitment to come together. We gather with full whole hearts seeking spiritual renewal while enjoying sweet fellowship in an environment full of integrity & love.”

-Kimani Keaton, Gifts processing and data entry associate, PYM

CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING (CPMM)

  • Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting is a Quaker congregation.
  • We don’t typically refer to ourselves as a church; instead we call our congregation a “Monthly Meeting” (because we hold a business meeting once a month) or “Meeting” for short.
  • You’re welcome to join us for waiting worship in the manner of Friends any Sunday at 11 am.
  • CPMM is a diverse and affirming environment; we welcome people of all ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations and faith backgrounds.

TENANT NEWS

  • ARSP says goodbye to its U.S. programs director, Mark McGuigan.
  • PLSE Releases Report on First Year of Pardon Project. Read more here.
  • Girls Inc.: In the spring of 2019, a class of senior FOX Sports University students in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State were challenged to create a strategic campaign for Girls Inc. that encourages FOX Sports fans and viewers to learn more about the organization’s mission: inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Watch here on YouTube.

EVENTS OUTSIDE FRIENDS CENTER

Pardon Workshop with
X-Offenders for Community Empowerment

When: August 12, 2019 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Where: 2227 N. Broad Street Philadelphia PA 19132

Need assistance with a pardon? Wayne Jacobs, Co-Founder and Executive Director of X-Offenders for Community Empowerment is hosting a workshop to get you started with the pardon application. Mr. Jacobs hosts his clinic at 2227 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 every 2nd Monday from 6-7pm. For more details, please call 215-668-8477 or email jacobs19132@yahoo.com.

Hidden Lives Illuminated

Mark your calendars for the debut of Hidden Lives Illuminated! Short films created by currently-incarcerated artists will be projected onto the walls of Eastern State nightly August 15 through September 12. Learn more at HiddenLives.org. #HiddenLives

Happy New Year!!! CPMM staff changes and much more.

Friends Center Tenant Newsletter
Issue 44, January 2019
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome back to the Friends Center! As we said in our year-end holiday card: Best wishes for a happy, healthy, more peaceful, and more just year for you and everyone in 2019. — Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Happy New Year!!! Friends Center’s 2019 Holiday Closure Calendar is now online. Please bookmark or download for your reference.
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS  
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
Campaign Action
Since mid-October (2018), groups of asylum seekers escaping violence and poverty have been traveling north from Central America through Mexico. Instead of responding with compassion, President Trump has deployed thousands of troops, shot tear gas at children, and pursued policies to criminalize all who seek refuge. People fleeing violence and poverty in Central America and elsewhere should be treated with humanity and compassion—not face family separation, military troops, or criminalization. It’s time for Congress to stop funding cruelty against immigrants.
Sign the petition: Respect the human right to migrate and end militarization at the border    

CENTRAL PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING    
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting is glad to announce the hiring of a new Meeting secretary, Dan Zemaitis. Dan will be taking over for Amy Ward Brimmer, who has been the secretary for the previous 4 years. Dan is a member of Moorestown Monthly Meeting, a graduate of Moorestown Friends and Haverford College and holds a PhD in Religion and Theology with a focus on Quaker Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK. Dan also teaches Comparative Religion at Rowan College of Burlington County.  
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING
The PYM Community Events Calendar is for all events in the PYM region under the care of any Quaker meeting, organization, school, committee, collaborative, or another group. See https://www.pym.org/calendar.   Here’s one example of a calendar listing: “Women of Our World: Photojournalism with Love” When: January 5, 2019 – April 24, 2019 all-day America/New York Timezone Where: The Barn Gallery at Pendle Hill 338 Plush Mill Rd Wallingford, PA 19086 Cost: Free Contact: Jesse White, 610-566-4507, ext 137 A series of photographs of women from around the world taken by Quaker photojournalist Blair Seitz will be on display through April 24, 2019.
TENANT NEWS
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity When: January 18, 2019 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Drexel University Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Parnerships 3509 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: Email, Event website , Expungement Clinics
We will cover the creation, dissemination, and destruction of criminal records in Pennsylvania during a Know Your Rights sessions. Sit for a one-on-one expungement eligibility intake session to see if you have charges from Pennsylvania arrests that are eligible for an expungement. This clinic is FREE and OPEN to the public and operates on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed. Graciously hosted by the Drexel University’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.

Singing City: The Children’s March Sunday, February 24, 2019, 3 p.m. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral 23 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 With Singing City, The SC Children’s Choir, T-VOCE, Keystone State Boychoir’s Anonymous 8 Germantown Friends School Middle School Choir Charlotte Blake Alston, narrator A work that unites all ages in re-telling the story that changed the direction of the Civil Rights movement in America.

Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation Lesson
Planning for Engagement and Belonging Tuesday, January 15 @ 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Free   Dig into the “why” as well as the “how” of strong lesson planning.  Join Julia Katz, ArtWell Associate Executive Director and Sarah Chavez, ArtWell School Partnerships Assistant Coordinator, to learn intuitive and accessible ways to develop workshop goals, then plan your lesson working backwards. We will explore key components of a strong lesson plan as well as how workshop structure and facilitation can decrease anxiety and power dynamics, and encourage active learning, safety, and youth voice.  Artists in all disciplines are welcome.
COMMUNITY ITEMS OUTSIDE FRIENDS CENTER
Arch Street Meeting House has a devoted group of volunteers who interact with visitors as docents and greeters. They are always looking for new folks to join in! If you have questions feel free to reach out to Volunteer (@) historicASMH.org.