In recent weeks, the FUM E-news has reported on the impact the suspension of US foreign aid is having on ministries under the care of Friends United Meeting. We carry a burden of concern and responsibility for Ramallah Friends School and the Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital. For years, FUM has collaborated with USAID to oversee grants through the ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) Program. Both the Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital and Ramallah Friends School have benefited from this program.
Read MoreThe FUM Living Letters service-learning trip to the Ramallah Friends School this summer will be June 13 to July 1, dates subject to slight change depending on flights. It will be led by Jane and Max Carter, of New Garden Friends Meeting, in North Carolina, who have led more than thirty trips to Palestine and Israel. During the 2½ week sojourn, the group will stay on the campus of the Friends School, do simple projects around the campus, meet with local leaders of Palestinian religious, cultural, and political society, and enjoy meals in the homes of families connected with the School. Travel away from Ramallah will include visits to Jerusalem, the Galilee, the Jordan Valley, Bethlehem, Hebron, and meeting with Israelis who are working with Palestinians towards a just peace. For information and an application, contact Jane Carter (click to send email).
Read MoreFriends United Press is delighted to announce the publication of Simple Joy: Women, Ministry, Friends, by Marlene Pedigo and edited by Linda Selleck.The inspiration for Simple Joy came to Marlene Pedigo while she was a student at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, uncovering the stories of the New Testament women compelled to travel in Holy Spirit-led ministry and proclaim the Risen Christ, and learning about Friends women ministers.
Read More1 John 2:6 (NASB) “6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Abiding in something is often translated as ‘remaining’. But in order to remain we must first have a beginning. This verse says that if we say we are remaining in Him (Christ) then we must continue after our awakening. I believe it was John Punshon who taught our spirit must be quickened by the Holy Spirit in order to become a believer and follower of Christ.
Read MoreJesus this makes it clear to the Samaritan woman, and by extension to us that he is the centre of our lives and that he is ready to grow us and to enlarge our territory for his own glory. When we do his will, he uses us to impact others. God made all things. He made us in his image, and he commands us to love him with all pour heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. God is love and we cannot love others without first loving him. In choosing to let him abide in us, that is living by his word, we choose to serve h only and not to turn to other hodd--Deut 6. God commands us to obedience in all that we do.
Read MoreThroughout our history, the people known as Friends (or Quakers) keep rediscovering an essential and enduring truth: There is one who speaks to our most basic needs and most significant hopes—Christ Jesus the Lord. Both individually and communally, we are learning to know and follow the Voice that guides us in the way we should go. Together, we seek to understand and obey that truth which sets us free. As a people, we share in the experience of that powerful life which makes all things new. Maybe you are searching for an authentic and transforming faith and community to call home—if so, come in and join us as we seek to know and follow Christ.
Friends United Meeting commits itself to energize and equip Friends through the power of the Holy Spirit to gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved, and obeyed as Teacher and Lord.