Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting

08/30/2026

Sometimes cats like to visit Quaker meeting, too.

08/26/2026

Most of our volunteer Lead Hosts were able to gather for an informal celebration of Signe Wilkinson (Signe Wilkinson) for her critical role in bringing James Turrell’s Greet the LIght Skyspace to Philadelphia.

It was Signe who had the inspiration, reached out to Turrell, and lined up generous donations from art patrons to incorporate the installation into the new Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting House.

Now, after 13 years of tirelessly leading the Skyspace Crew, Signe is taking a well earned step back. In that time, over 23,000 visitors have been able to experience the wonder of Turrell’s creation.

We thank Signe, and all our volunteer crew, for keeping the Skyspace program going. To join our mission, contact [email protected].

08/26/2026

Most of our volunteer Lead Hosts were able to gather for an informal celebration of Signe Wilkinson for her critical role in bringing James Turrell's Greet the LIght Skyspace to Philadelphia.

It was Signe who had the inspiration, reached out to Turrell, and lined up generous donations from art patrons to incorporate the installation into the new Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting House.

Now, after 13 years of tirelessly leading the Skyspace Crew, Signe is taking a well earned step back. In that time, over 23,000 visitors have been able to experience the wonder of Turrell's creation.

We thank Signe, and all our volunteer crew, for keeping the Skyspace program going. To join our mission, contact [email protected].

08/20/2026

BRAVER ANGELS TRAINING SEPT. 19
Sponsored by our Peace & Social Concerns Committee, Braver Angels is leading a training class called “Skills for Disagreeing Better” on Saturday Sept. 19, from 2 p.m. to 3:30. Braver Angels is a national organization founded to strengthen the ability of political opponents to listen to each other deeply, find common ground, and forge alliances to address shared problems. This interactive workshop will foster deeper understanding, appreciative listening, and sharing viewpoints effectively with others with whom we might disagree.

We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Goals
-More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
-Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard
-Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear — even if they disagree

*Tickets are Free, Donations Help Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

08/04/2026

From Thee Quaker’s Daily Quaker Message (an email list you can sign up for!):

“Most persons are awakened and set on their new track of life through the quickening and kindling power of some person who becomes for them the instrument of inspiration and of the creation of faith and the vision of a nobler way of life. Persons are set on fire by someone who is already aflame. It is a trumpet call to high adventure that starts the forward movements away from old forms.

That is one of the greatest stories in the long history of religion. It was through a long and wonderful circuit of souls, in a succession of forerunners, that the kindling idea of ‘Something of God in the soul of man’ came to George Fox.”

— Rufus Jones, 1944
Quaker historian, theologian, and philosopher

08/04/2026

Philadelphia: We have several Skyspace openings coming up in August and September—make a reservation online here: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/skyspace-at-chestnut-hill-friends-meeting/greet-the-light-skyspace-2026

All of our viewings are weather dependent.

We hope to see you soon!

07/19/2026

Plenty of spots still available for upcoming July and August Sunday evening Skyspace viewings.

Tonight should be a perfect evening for Skyspace enjoyment: air has cleared up, comfortable temperatures, and low chance of precipitation..

In James Turrell's Greet the Light Skyspace, light projected onto the ceiling of Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting Room slowly changes colors, contrasting dramatically with the evening sky visible through a rectangle cut out of the ceiling. The evening program starts at SunSET. The dawn program start

06/30/2026

Photo of our Family Promise Committee in full cleaning mode to prepare for our visiting families coming in July! They’ll be staying with us at the meetinghouse.

Our Family Promise committee coordinates the Meeting’s participation in helping to house families and prevent homelessness.

Family Promise is a nonprofit that helps families with children overcome housing instability by preventing eviction, providing shelter, and supporting long-term self-sufficiency.

phillyhomelessness

06/12/2026

Miriam (.fisher.schaefer) did such a nice job organizing our babies day last week! Here’s one sweet moment just before we all settled into a lovely silence full of baby sounds.

06/08/2026

We had such a lovely Quaker meeting!