Fourth graders receive self-selected editions of the Bible this year at the Newtown Quaker Meeting special Easter service

Pictured with Bibles are: Andrew Wetherill of Langhorne and Hannah and Julia Stebbins of Yardley

Newtown Friends Meeting recognizes the growing maturity of the young people in the Meeting by 1) awarding Bibles in the editions of their choice to fourth graders at Easter, 2) giving copies of the Quaker Faith and Practice booklet to eighth graders in June, and 3) giving copies of Edward Hicks’ painting of The Peaceable Kingdom at Quaker Homecoming in December to those who have turned 21 during the year.

Fourth graders receiving Bibles this year at the Newtown Meeting special Easter service last Sunday are: Charlotte Brock of Doylestown, Drew Mirarchi of Newtown, Hannah Stebbins and Julia Stebbins of Yardley, Ellie Umstead of Yardley, and Andrew Wetherill of Langhorne.

The Faith and Practice booklets presented to young members when completing the eighth grade describe generally accepted rules of belief and behavior among members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, the umbrella Quaker organization of 11,000 members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the Tri-State area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The Peaceable Kingdom replicas of the painting by Edward Hicks, co-founder of Newtown Friends Meeting in 1815, are given to 21-year-olds at Quaker Homecoming during the Christmas holidays in recognition of their attaining their majority as adult members of the community.

The historic Newtown Friends Meetinghouse also features on the walls of its lobby and Gathering Room a large number of replicas of Hicks paintings, including The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, General George Washington on horseback, Bucks County's Twining Farm, and several versions of Edward Hicks' Peaceable Kingdom. Edward Hicks’ home is on Center Street and his modest grave is in the burying ground at Newtown Friends Meeting.

Newtown Friends Meeting holds services every First Day (Sunday). During the school year, First Day classes for children and adults are at 9:45 a.m. Traditional Quaker Meeting for Worship at 11:00 a.m. is based on quiet meditation with ministry provided by anyone who feels moved by the spirit to speak. Professional childcare is provided. All meetings are open to the public and visitors are warmly welcomed.