THE FRIDAY BEE August 7, 2026
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
10:30am
Meeting for Worship
Germantown Friends Meetinghouse is closed during August.
Join us at Green Street Friends Meetinghouse (45 W School House Lane) –
- In-person at their meeting house,
- Or on Zoom
Our meetinghouse will re-open for worship, First Day School and child care on Sunday, September 6th.
MEETING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOMING OUR NEW CLERK – DOROTHY CARY
As of August 1, Dorothy Cary is our new incoming Clerk for Germantown Monthly Meeting.
Immense gratitude for Karen Lightner’s loving, committed and hard-working service to and support of our meeting over these past years. Dorothy (as Assistant Clerk) and Karen have worked closely together, so the baton is being passed with much continuity of care. Dorothy will facilitate our first Meeting for Business of the “new” year on Sunday, September 13. Thank you Karen, and welcome Dorothy! ♥️
ART SHOW OPENING RECEPTION – FEATURING WORK BY GMM MEMBER ROB SMITH!
When? This Saturday, August 8, 5pm - 7pm (opening reception)
Where? Studio 34 Art Gallery (4522 Baltimore Ave)
Come out to celebrate and see the opening of a special exhibition entitled "Bartram's Garden: The Seasons" – photographs taken by our member Rob Smith on his walks through Bartram’s Garden!
- The photographs will be available for purchase, with the proceeds going to Bartram's Garden.
- The exhibit will be up until early October 2026.
- Regular gallery hours are Mondays - Fridays, 5 - 7:30pm, and during Studio 34's arts events.
For more information, click here “Bartram’s Gardens: The Seasons”
CALLING ALL GARDENERS! 🌿
Do you love gardening, and want to make a difference at the meetinghouse?
We could use some ongoing and basic help with the lovely garden around the Meeting Office!
Whether you have a green thumb or just want to spend some quiet time outside, we would love to have your help.
Maybe we can call it a GMM Garden Club??
When? Starting ASAP!
- August is a quiet month at GMM, since the meetinghouse will be closed. So the garden will need some basic TLC, especially if it is hot, dry and sunny.
- Ongoing – Weeding and watering can even be done while you’re at GMM during/after Refreshments on Sundays. Grab a friend, and head outside for 15 minutes of help – it can be a new form of Fellowship!
What?
- Basic weeding & watering. This isn’t meant to be a “heavy lift.”
- Hose, watering can, and trash bags accessible/available to all helpers.
Interested? Contact Moira Duggan
QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: IS THIS FOR YOU?
Discerning, Deciding, Documenting, and Defending a CO Claim with Selective Service
When? 3-part series: Monday, August 10; Thursday, August 13; Monday, August 17, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Where? Remotely, on Zoom
Join Friends for this comprehensive, interactive workshop for all teens and young adults, of any gender, as well as all interested adults or mentors, of any age. The 3-part workshop covers Selective Service legislation, definitions of conscientious objection, activities to discern one’s beliefs and articulate them, and finally some strategies to defend them. By the end of the 3 sessions, participants will have a better understanding of conscientious objection, a deeper grounding about the source of their convictions, and a “CO letter” articulating their beliefs.
LAST CHANCE TO VIEW THE 1688 GERMANTOWN QUAKER PETITION AGAINST SLAVERY
When? Until Sunday, August 9 – open hours 10:00am - 4:00pm
Where? Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch Street)
In 1688, a group of German Quakers decided to use their voice and turn their faith into action by writing a public petition against enslavement. Last publicly exhibited in 2007 at the National Constitution Center, the 1688 Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery is now on view at Arch Street Meeting House for the first time since 2006, when it was rediscovered after nearly two centuries in its ‘fireproof vault’.
PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)
- PYM Weekly Update
- PYM Events Calendar: Check out upcoming and ongoing programs promoted by PYM
GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS
MAYOR CHERELLE PARKER VISITED BREAKTHROUGH
Last Wednesday, July 29, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker came to campus to visit the Breakthrough Program! She spoke with Scholars and Teaching Fellows in the High School Ready & Summer Capstone programs, sharing her life experiences, educational journey, and career trajectory, and offered words of wisdom and inspiration for all.
- See some media coverage here: CBS3 with Ukee Washington
The last day of the energy-packed summer Breakthrough program is today, Friday, August 7.
TAKE ACTION!
POWER NORTHWEST CLUSTER MEETING
When? Tuesday, August 11, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Where? Summit Presbyterian (6757 Greene Street)
At our August cluster meeting, we will recap our We Make Philly campaign launch and updates in our fall organizing plan. We will also have a training on how to organize and facilitate powerful meetings in our congregations/neighborhoods as we prepare to host gatherings to spread the word about our We Make Philly affordability agenda in the coming weeks.
There will be an option to join via Zoom. Dinner will be provided to folks joining us in person.
LEARNING TO BE BRAVE: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE – Live Webinar
When & Where? Wednesday, August 12, 1:00pm – Online via Live Stream (Link provided upon registration)
Join Sojourners for a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Bishop Mariann Budde, author of We Can Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, and Adam Russell Taylor, Sojourners President, as we explore what it means to cultivate courage in moments that demand moral clarity.
Free – Registration Required
PHILLY ACTIONS CALENDAR
A community resource for protests, rallies, marches, and direct actions in Philadelphia. Click on the day to see events for that day. This can cover events happening all across Philadelphia – although many appear to be happening in the West Philly area.
TRYING TO FIND SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS?
Mobilize is a central posting site with opportunities for local actions for protest and in support of social justice.
- See more here, and bookmark their site!
➤ LIST OF ONGOING/WEEKLY SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS
CLICK HERE for a list of ongoing, weekly/regularly scheduled vigils & protests supporting immigrants, Palestine, peace, Constitutional rights, etc.
- Includes standing events such as — Fridays @ Fettermans, Mondays @ McCormicks, We the People Wednesdays, etc.
(These used to be listed every week in the Friday Bee, but we are consolidating them into their own linked document.)
Have more ongoing protests and vigils to include?
Send them to the GMM Office (gmm@germantownfriends.org)
GERMANTOWN & NEARBY
SECOND SATURDAYS IN GERMANTOWN
When? Saturday, August 9
Every second Saturday thru November will have free tours, activities, events happening at various sites throughout Germantown and vicinity. Read more here to see the many options - including ….
- Stroll on the Farm at Awbury
- Bringing Everyone Together Cookout at Stenton
- and plenty of free tours!
G-TOWN GATHERING – AT JOHNSON HOUSE
When? Saturday, August 8, 12:00 - 4:00pm
Where? Johnson House (6306 Germantown Avenue)
What are G-Town Gatherings? A vibrant series of pop-up events hosted in some of Germantown’s most unique and historic spaces. Running monthly on 2nd Saturdays, from May through October, these gatherings will transform the neighborhood’s green spaces and cultural sites into lively hubs of music, food, and local commerce. Free and open to the public, designed to bring neighbors together, celebrate Germantown’s rich history, and support the local business community. A partnership event between Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC.
ENJOY THE FINAL DAYS OF SUMMER AT WYCK
Where? Wyck Historic House | Garden | Farm (6026 Germantown Avenue)
- Grounds are OPEN: Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM ; Saturday, 12 - 4 PM
- Summer Wednesdays: Grounds open until 7pm on Wednesdays, now through the end of August.
- House is OPEN for Tours: Thursday - Saturday, 12 - 4 PM
QUAKER RESOURCES
OTHER (VIRTUAL) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- Pendle Hill – Daily Zoom meeting for worship online from 8:30-9:10 am
- Friends Council on National Legislation (FCNL) Witness Wednesdays: Weekly worship at 5:15pm (ET)
- Friends General Conference’s (FGC) has many options for worship & discussion, including Newcomers & Seekers, Friends of Color Monthly worship, BIPOC Womxn’s space, White Friends Confronting Racism, Gen X Friends (new), Neurodivergent Friends (new). The offerings keep growing! Click here for the calendar
- Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) Worship with Attention to Gaza/Palestine: Tuesdays, 12:00noon (ET)
FOR QUAKER NEWCOMERS: Friends General Conference New Quaker Hub
QUAKER ORGANIZATIONS
Stay connected with news, work and resources of various Friends groups. Bookmark them for easy reference
Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM)
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM)
Friends General Conference (FGC)
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)