Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting

Photo by Terry Foss

We are currently holding outdoor meeting for worship on the meetinghouse grounds at 9:00 AM and hybrid meeting for worship both in the meeting room and online at 10:30 AM.  We recommend that those who attend the in-person component of worship be fully vaccinated.  For more information or to receive the link to join online, sign up for our email newsletter here or email worship@chestnuthillquakers.org

Updated 11/13/2021

“Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.”  George Fox, founding Quaker (1656).

Our meetings for worship have no pastor or liturgy and are “unprogrammed.”  Sitting together in the centering silence of meeting for worship, we seek a communion with the Divine and each other.  We step back from the chattering world and open ourselves to the eternal Spirit that each of us can experience directly in our own way.  

As we settle into silence, we wait expectantly for the Spirit to speak to us and through us. One who feels deeply moved may rise and deliver vocal ministry.  On occasion, meeting for worship may be completely silent, and at other times may include Spirit-led messages, prayers, songs, or meditations.

We have no creed or common theology, but we have shared understandings:

  • There exists something Divine that we may describe as Spirit, God, the Inner Light, Christ, or simply Love.
  • We can each experience this Divine presence, and so experience continuing revelation.
  • Our experience of the Divine is enhanced when we engage as a community both in our worship and in our ministry to the world.

Although Quakerism arose as a Christian sect during the Protestant Reformation, our members and attenders come from many faith backgrounds and have varied beliefs about the role and nature of both the Bible and Jesus.  As a Quaker community, we seek to “let our lives speak” through the testimonies of peace, simplicity, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.

All are welcome to our meetings for worship, and visiting children are welcome to our First Day School program.  Visitors may wish to read our page on worship for additional information about our practices.  Newcomers might also want to view “QuakerSpeak: What to Expect in Meeting for Worship.”

Meeting Times

Sunday Schedule

  • Outdoor Meeting for Worship - 9:00  - Most Sundays
  • Adult Class - 9:00 - First and Second Sundays, September through June
  • Meeting for Worship - 10:30
  • First-day School - 10:45
  • Monthly Meeting for Business - 12:15 pm - Third Sundays

Monthly Calendar of Events

Directions to the Meetinghouse

Contacting the Meeting

Email (preferred):  Click here.
Voicemail is checked on Monday and Thursday: 215-247-3553

James Turrell Skyspace

For information about the James Turrell Skyspace, Greet the Light, visit the Skyspace website.

Rentals

See this page for information about renting space at the meetinghouse. Once you have reviewed this information, contact the rentals administrator at this email address.    

Meeting Directory

Access to the directory is limited to people with  a website account; see this page for instructions on requesting an account, and then go to this page to download the PDF.

Newsletters and Bulletins

Our electronic newsletter is published near the first of the month. Bulletins are published as needed.

Philadelphia Quarter

Chestnut Hill is one of eight monthly meetings in the Philadelphia Quarter of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

What to do if you lose your password

See instructions on this page.

What's New

Meeting for Worship for Business

March 17, 2024 at 12:15 pm

Hybrid - Attend in person or join via Zoom

Public
Public

Meeting for Worship for Business

February 18, 2024 at 12:15 pm

Hybrid - Attend in person or join via Zoom

Public

Meeting for Worship for Business

January 21, 2024 at 12:15 pm

Hybrid - Attend in person or join via Zoom

Public

CHFM is hiring an event facilitator to work with tenants and guests who use the meetinghouse for special events.  A job description is attached.

Public

Meeting for Worship for Business

November 19, 2023 at 12 pm

Hybrid - Attend in person or join via Zoom

Public

Worship with us!

Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting
20 E. Mermaid Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118-3505
United States
Meeting Times: 

Sunday Schedule

  • Outdoor Meeting for Worship - 9:00  - Most Sundays
  • Adult Class - 9:00 - First and Second Sundays, September through June
  • Meeting for Worship - 10:30
  • First-day School - 10:45
  • Monthly Meeting for Business - 12:15 pm - Third Sundays

Monthly Calendar of Events

Directions to the Meetinghouse

Contacting the Meeting

Email (preferred):  Click here.
Voicemail is checked on Monday and Thursday: 215-247-3553

James Turrell Skyspace

For information about the James Turrell Skyspace, Greet the Light, visit the Skyspace website.

Rentals

See this page for information about renting space at the meetinghouse. Once you have reviewed this information, contact the rentals administrator at this email address.    

Meeting Directory

Access to the directory is limited to people with  a website account; see this page for instructions on requesting an account, and then go to this page to download the PDF.

Newsletters and Bulletins

Our electronic newsletter is published near the first of the month. Bulletins are published as needed.

Philadelphia Quarter

Chestnut Hill is one of eight monthly meetings in the Philadelphia Quarter of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

What to do if you lose your password

See instructions on this page.