Unfortunately, some of FUM’s business email accounts were compromised on September 2, and some spam messages were sent out recently from our FUM address. Nothing included in the email originates from Friends United Meeting, and we strongly urge you to delete the email without opening any of the attachments. If you did open the attachment, run your virus scan software, and take any recommended actions. We’ve taken immediate steps to secure our account and sincerely apologize for any concerns this may have caused.
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On the one year anniversary of Hamas’ violent incursion into Israel, and Israel’s violent response against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, FUM General Secretary Kelly Kellum has been asked to participate in a service of lament sponsored by Churches for Middle East Peace. This state of ongoing war affects us all, but most especially our friends—students, teachers, and staff—at Ramallah Friends School, who have been living with uncertainty, an ever-increasing military presence, aerial bombardment, and escalating settler violence for the past year. In commemoration and sorrow, we want to share with the entire FUM community the prayer that Kelly will be offering at the ecumenical service of lament:
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Editor’s note: During this election season, when our political life in the United States seems especially contentious, Friends United Meeting has invited a variety of Friends to share their thoughts on how to navigate as a Quaker through these divided times. Our sixth installment is by Michael Jay, of New Association of Friends. I’ve considered what it meant to be a Friend at the ballot box since my first election. My Yearly Meeting’s Faith and Practice had a testimonies section which included a number of testimonies that were understood to be political positions. Unfortunately for me, these positions did not match the names on my ballot.These testimonies are in an unsorted list, so for convenience I will put them in three categories: Public Morality, Life Issues, and Human Dignity. Again unfortunately, no candidate nor political party used Faith and Practice to build the planks of their platform.
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Global Ministries Coordinator Karla Jay and North American and Caribbean Ministries Coordinator Michael Sherman recently traveled from the Friends United Meeting’s Richmond office to attend the inaugural Quakerdale Ministry Fair, held on September 18. Founded in 2018, Josiah White’s Quakerdale Foundation is a nonprofit organization that describes itself as “faith-driven and community-focused, seeking to impact our world for the gospel by serving as Christ serves.” The foundation provides grants and consultation assistance to nonprofits that support children and families. The Ministry Fair served as an opportunity for Quakerdale’s ministry partners to see each other and the kinds of work each organization is doing to impact their community.
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This Sunday’s lectionary texts surprise us with a vision of peace that breaks in, disrupting business as usual. Isaiah’s rousing vision of nations streaming to God’s mountain is jolting with its graphic images of the ways in which the ancient war machine will be decisively overcome. God’s enactment of justice will catch us unawares.
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During this time of Advent preparation for the birth of Jesus, I offer you a message of hope. This is a hope embodied in the spirit and will of all those who refuse to submit to the forces of oppression, violence and injustice, to the structures of domination, colonialism and foreign occupation. This is a hope embodied in truth-telling — in a Truth that is eternal.
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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.
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.
