All Together Worship

A true sense of community across meetings and generations, which I found enriching and uplifting.
It was so inspiring and renewing to see such a large community of Meetings gathered together.
A sense of PYM unity I had not before experienced. The Zoom opportunity allowed those of us who would otherwise not be able to participate to be a part of the whole. Seeing people joined from some Meetinghouse settings I knew from the past was particularly meaningful.
On July 31, 2022, more than 300 Friends came together from across the geography of our Yearly Meeting on Zoom for an intergenerational, cross-state meeting for worship. During All Together Worship, we were blessed with vocal ministry shared in song and messages, and with the sight of more than 20 meetinghouses onscreen along with individuals and families in homes. The feedback that Sessions Coordinating Committee received was overwhelmingly positive -- and Friends asked to repeat the experience!

A New Sessions Tradition

On Sunday, November 6, we will gather all together again on Zoom -- from meeting houses and from homes for those who join their meeting for worship online.
10:00-11:00 AM is All Together Worship time. We heard from some Friends that 45 minutes was too brief in July! Recognizing that this will be a different worship time for some meetings, we hope you will join this hour all together as the Yearly Meeting.
The Zoom link for All Together Worship will be shared with everyone who registers for Fall Continuing Sessions, and also with Clerks of meetings to share with Friends who join your Sunday worship online. There will be a password.
10:00-10:15 will be lightly programmed with greetings and readings to support all ages entering into worship together.
How will vocal ministry work? Participants will be asked to raise their "electronic hand" on Zoom, and PYM Elders will call upon people to minister. Discipline is required of everyone, and expectations will be shared at the beginning of worship.
As with any meeting on Zoom, Friends are welcome to keep their video turned off, and we ask that you not take screen shots to follow our practices for online gatherings where youth are attending.

Intergenerational = for All Ages
All Together Worship is a great time to gather as an all ages meeting community for worship! The first 15 minutes of our time together on November 6 will include greetings and readings to help all of us gather as Friends and neighbors. Meetings are encouraged to set up a quilt on the floor, baskets of quiet things to help everyone center and listen, and welcome children to stay in worship with their family and Friends. Learn more about intergenerational worship.

All Together Worship "Tech Check"
Anyone interested in talking through how this will work from your meetinghouse can register to join a check-in on Wednesday, October 26, 7-8pm. Register here to join the Tech Check. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link to join the meeting. Feel free to come anytime between 7-8pm with questions!
Questions? Reach out to Director of Programs, Melinda Wenner Bradley, at mwennerbradley@pym.org.