An Invitation to Worship
You are Welcome Here
Welcome to the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, also known as Arch Street Friends thanks to the location of our Meeting House on Arch Street in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood. Arch Street Friends offer unprogrammed Meeting for Worship twice a week to gather as Friends in silent worship. Join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am in person, or on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm on Zoom. Information about how to participate with us in Worship can be found in our Calendar.
Upcoming Events
Wed September 16
Midweek Meeting for Worship | Via Zoom
5:30-6:30pm
Venue: Virtual Meeting for Worship
Join Online Meeting (available shortly before event)
We welcome newcomers and visitors to join us for Midweek Meeting for Worship, held over Zoom. A host will welcome Friends as they arrive, hold Meeting for Worship, and bring it to its close. The Zoom room opens at 5:25 pm, worship begins at 5:30 pm and lasts around 45 minutes, followed by Joys and Sorrows and Announcements, ending at 6:30 pm.
As in all our meetings for worship, messages should come from the heart and fit the prayerfulness of the gathering. Only one message is shared at a time, and Friends listen in silence and do not respond verbally. If you have a message that doesn't feel inspired to share vocally, you're invited to share it at the rise of Meeting for Worship instead.
Please note that the "Join Online Meeting" link only becomes active the day of Meeting for Worship.
Sat September 19
Extended Meeting for Worship
2:00-5:30pm
Venue: Arch Street Meeting House
We will gather in silence in this longer-form opportunity for worship, with hearts and minds open and bent towards listening to that of God among and within us. Spoken ministry may arise from the silence, though it is not uncommon for worship to remain silent for the duration of our time together. Messages should be a deepening of the silence we share. To this end, we hold the silence as ministry itself, which has the capacity for transformation and transcendence.
Friends should plan to stay for the full time. Three hours of worship opening ourselves up to what may arrive asks something different of us than an hour.
Extended Meeting for Worship is open to all those who want to deepen their worship practice in a longer format.
Sun September 20
Children's Meeting
10:30-11:15am
Venue: Arch Street Meeting House
Children's Meeting is our version of Sunday School or First Day school and is overseen by a certified instructor. Geared towards a large range of ages—from Pre-K through 8th Grade—we offer a fluid curriculum perfect for regular attendance or drop ins.
Children's Meeting is held on the First, Second, and Third Sunday of each month (September through June) from 10:30 am–11:15 am and is open to the children of all members, attenders, and visitors. Children will be engaged so caregivers can attend Meeting for Worship. Children will join worship for the last 15 minutes.
Children's Meeting is offered at no cost to caregivers. Free childcare is also available onsite for younger children. Please see Children's Meeting for full details. We ask that all children not participating in Children's Meeting or childcare to join their parents in Meeting for Worship. No children should be left unattended in the meeting house.
Lesson Plan: Children’s Turn: What Does Quakerism Mean to Me/Quakerism Questions
You can find us at:
320 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
We meet:
- Every Sunday at 10:30am to 11:30am
- Every Wednesday at 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Our phone number:
(215) 625-0627
Children's Meeting:
Children's Meeting is held First, Second, and Third Sunday of each month (September through June) from 10:30 am–11:15 am and is open to the children of all members, attenders, and visitors. Childcare is available on Sundays for younger children. Children's Meeting and Childcare are both free to caregivers.
Accessibility:
✓ Hearing loop
✓ Wheelchair access
✓ Wheelchair accessible toilet
✓ Parking
Free year-round childcare provided during Sunday worship; younger children welcome even if not in Children’s Meeting.
Wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom; hearing loop available; free limited parking on site during worship.
Meeting for Business on 3rd Sundays (September – June), preceded by potluck. Adult Education typically offered on 4th Sundays (September – June).
Stay in Touch with Our Newsletter!
Sign up for our Meeting's Weekly Bulletin to receive our latest news, fresh Zoom links for worship, adult education classes, and Quaker events. If you are an attender or member who wishes to be included in our Meeting's directory, you can opt in when registering.
For any questions about the Weekly Bulletin, contact office@archstreetfriends.org.
Seeking Information about the Historic Arch Street Meeting House?
If you are looking for information on public visiting hours, rentals, or FAQs about the Meeting House, please visit Historic Arch Street Meeting House. The Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust operates the Arch Street Meeting House as a historic site on behalf of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia (Arch Street Friends) is a separate organization and does not handle the operations of the historic property.