Throughout 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.
Many members of the Friends United Meeting community in both Africa and North America have been moved by the recent deaths of David Zarembka, on April 1, and his wife Gladys Kamonya, on March 25. David and Gladys were well-known for their peace work in East Africa, and for their work for Friends, which brought them into partnership with FUM in various ways.David worked closely with FUM as an FCPT leader, as a member of the Kaimosi Hospital board, and as an FUM General Board member and triennial representative. In addition to the many remembrances that can be found online, FUM staff and representatives who worked closely with David have shared these memories with us.
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During the first week of March, 1.02 million doses of the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine arrived in Nairobi. These doses were earmarked first for health care workers, with other recipients being added rapidly. This was the first shipment of the 3.56 million dose allotment designated for Kenya through the World Health Organization’s COVAX collaboration. (Read more about COVAX here.) Because Kenya has a population of 52.5 million people, officials feel it might take years to reach herd immunity to Covid-19.
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On March 24, Friends from Indiana Yearly Meeting, the Friends United Meeting Richmond and Africa Ministries Offices, and the African Missions Committee gathered in support of the missionary work of Nicholas and Dorcas Otieno. Nicholas and Dorcas are serving as FUM Living Letter Missionaries in Tanzania.
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The call to deepen our spiritual lives and inspire faithfulness among Friends moved FUM to launch the first Stoking the Fire retreat in 2015. This year, the gathering goes virtual as we adjust to a world still fighting a pandemic. We’ll be gathering over Zoom on May 21–23.
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On Sunday February 28, a number of area pastors gathered for worship and dedication, along with FUM Africa Programme Officers Shawn and Katrina McConaughey, and former Samburu Director Sammy Letoole. Shawn McConaughey shared from 1 Peter 5 the advice to shepherd the flock—not under compulsion, but willingly and with humility. To a group of people who are largely shepherds, this was advice to which they could all relate. Then the group of pastors gathered around Daniel, laid hands on him, and offered prayers of dedication. Nothing will be perfect, but if we keep our eyes focused on the Good Shepherd, we will all be in good hands. Let us all pray together for the work of Samburu Friends Mission.
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The mission of Friends United Meeting calls us to “energize and equip” Friends. While this is happening in multiple ways, the General Board is initiating a new effort to support the financial sustainability of our project partners and ministries. In June 2019, the Board adopted the policy that all current and future FUM ministries should move toward the goal of being self-sustaining. The Board recognizes that paternal missional systems that create financial dependency do not “energize and equip” the communities we serve. The Board committed FUM to come alongside ministry leaders and boards to develop sustainability plans that will result in long-term financial stability. At that time, the Board stated, “This absolutely does not imply a diminishing of our commitment and spiritual partnership with any given ministry. Rather, we believe that genuine spiritual partnership is one in which no one is indefinitely dependent on the other.”
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Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital's Adopt-a-Bed program saves an evangelist's life on Mt. Elgon. Missionary Jeremiah Akoto writes: "On Friday the 7th of August, in the morning, the first thing I did was to call FUM Africa Ministries Director John Muhanji. I explained to him the situation on the ground and requested for his advice as well as his assistance. I thank God that Brother John asked me to take Stanley to Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital (FLMH) as fast as I could, and he directed me to see the hospital administrator when I arrived."
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In East Africa, the three large Quaker “umbrella” organizations—Friends Church Kenya,, Friends World Committee for Consultation (Africa Section), and Friends United Meeting—came together at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic to make a united response. They served together to alleviate suffering, and along the way discovered the enormous spiritual blessings of unity. Richard Sitati, FUM's Vice Presiding Clerk, reflects on the experience.
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Turkana Friends Mission, which was founded fifty years ago this year, continues to plant new churches. There are now thirty churches within Turkana, five of which have grown up in the past three years. Many of these Meetings arise from new or existing relationships—through family members and friends, or through an introduction to Friends by way of Friends' schools, health care, water ministry, or relief work.
Read MoreFriends 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.
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