Living Stewardship at UFS: Friends Helping Friends, All Year Long

Gratitude invites reflection, the quiet moments, the small kindnesses, and the shared experiences that make UFS feel like home. From that reflection grows stewardship.

At UFS, gratitude is not just a feeling. 

It’s something we do. 

It’s something we live. 

It’s something we pass forward.

What Stewardship Really Means at UFS

Stewardship isn’t simply about taking care of things; it’s about honoring the people, places, and possibilities that shape our community. It’s woven throughout daily life here:

• When friends refill the bird feeders so younger friends can watch the cardinals outside the window.

  
  

• When friends tend the garden beds with our energized Garden Committee, caring for a space that future friends will enjoy.

  
  

• When friends take turns in the mud kitchen, our newest outdoor classroom addition, because they’ve learned that shared spaces stay joyful when we care for them together.

  
  

• When friends step carefully along the creek bank during science investigations, making sure they leave the ecosystem healthier than they found it.

These small moments aren’t just habits.

They are lessons in responsibility, community, and connection, lessons our alumni carry with them long after they leave our halls.

Embracing Stewardship: A Core Quaker Practice

In a Friends school, stewardship is more than just a concept; it is a vibrant expression of our core testimonies. It reflects our commitment to caring for:

• The Earth (Stewardship):  Nurturing our environment is a fundamental part of our responsibility to the world around us. We acknowledge that our actions have a direct impact on the health of our planet.

  
  

• One Another (Community):  Building a strong, supportive community is essential. We foster relationships rooted in kindness, respect, and mutual support, recognizing that each person contributes to our collective well-being.

  
  

• Our Shared Resources (Integrity): We honor the resources entrusted to us and use them wisely and responsibly. Integrity guides our stewardship, ensuring that we act with honesty and transparency in all our dealings.

  
  

• The Experiences We Create Together (Equality and Peace):  Collaborative experiences enrich our learning and personal growth. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and engaged, promoting peace and equality in all our interactions.

Stewardship weaves these principles together, reminding us that we all hold a piece of this community and environment. Our actions today not only shape our present but also set the stage for future generations of Friends. Let us embrace stewardship as an ongoing commitment, ensuring that we leave a positive legacy for those who follow.

Passing Something Forward

Some of the most heartwarming stewardship stories come from those who return to our cherished community: 

• Imagine an alum walking the familiar hallways, hand in hand with their child, reminiscing about the transformative moments that unfolded during Meeting for Worship, a place where they first found their voice. 

  
  

• Consider a former parent reflecting on how UFS instilled a sense of confidence in their child, and now, fueled by gratitude, they’re inspired to pass that gift forward to the next generation. 

  
  

• Think of a dedicated teacher who has lovingly guided countless circles of friends, nurturing each new wave of learners as they embark on their own journeys. 

These stories remind us that UFS is more than just a school; it’s a vibrant legacy, lovingly nurtured over 41 years, and carried forward by an incredible community of individuals who have all embraced and cherished it. Your connection to this place, whether as a student, parent, or teacher, is an invaluable thread in the beautiful tapestry of our history. Together, we are creating a future filled with hope and inspiration.

Friends Helping Friends: All Day, All Year

We’re proud to launch Friends Helping Friends with our Annual Appeal, the start of a year-long tradition of support, care, and connection.

It’s a theme for every moment, every day, and every action at UFS. It’s about how we care for one another, lift each other up, and steward the heart of our school throughout the year.

Your generosity, no matter the amount, supports:

• The wonder of our outdoor learning spaces,

  
  

• The joy of new programs like First Light for our youngest friends,

  
  

• The creativity of project-based learning,

  
  

• The daily warmth and connection that fills our campus.

Friends Helping Friends reminds us that each gift, each act of care, and each choice to step forward strengthens the community that makes UFS extraordinary.

Why Your Support Matters

When you give to UFS, you are practicing stewardship.

You are nurturing a community you care about, helping it thrive and flourish.

Your support ensures that this school will continue to grow, evolve, and remain a place of belonging for generations of learners to come.

Every gift strengthens the foundation our friends stand on.

Every gift gives us hope and resilience to face challenges.

Every gift lights the way for future UFS learners.

This year, our goal is to raise $50,000 as a community—and we need your help to reach it. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to ensuring that UFS continues to thrive for all our friends, today and tomorrow.

Click here to provide a cash donation! 

Invest your tax dollars in the EITC scholarship fund, or help connect us with individuals and businesses who are eager to invest in the future of UFS students. 

We are grateful to PA Representative Craig Staats for highlighting the impact of EITC in his recent video featuring UFS. His message underscores the significance of these scholarships for our families and the power of your support.

For more information or to set up an EITC information session, please contact Amy Wall at  awall@unitedfriendsschool.org | 215-538-1733 x107.

Together, through stewardship and the spirit of Friends Helping Friends, we keep the UFS light shining brightly, beautifully, and forward every day, all year long.

Click Here To Donate