FUM News

A Visit to Samburu Friends Mission

A large group of USFW and Quaker Men representatives from North Yearly Meeting recently made a visit to Samburu Friends Mission that marked an important milestone for the Samburu community and Friends alike, as it fostered unity, understanding, and collaboration. Samburu Friends Mission is a ministry under North Yearly Meeting but it is very far away and often feels isolated. The Samburu people deeply appreciated the time, care, and fellowship extended to them during this visit. This connection has initiated a promising journey toward a stronger bond in evangelism, service, and spiritual growth. Together, we are now even more determined to support and strengthen one another in our faith and mission work. With gratitude and anticipation for our continued journey together, Felix Lekuyie Samburu Friends Mission Director

Spring FUM Board Meetings Scheduled at Quaker Hill - March and June 2025

The clerk of the FUM Board (Sarah Lookabill) has decided that the North American and Caribbean Region of the Board will meet in Richmond from March 6-8, 2025. Rania Maayeh, RFS Head of School and and Kelly Kellum, General Secretary have advised Sarah Lookabill that it is not advisable for the General Board to continue plans to host our Spring meeting in Ramallah, she approved. We did not decide to cancel the planned trip to Ramallah lightly, especially considering the tradition of hosting a General Board meeting at one of our field sites every triennium. The clerk has decided that the North American and Caribbean Region of the Board will meet in Richmond from March 6-8, 2025. Kelly Kellum is currently making arrangements to visit with a much smaller group on a pastoral care and solidarity trip to Ramallah during the first week of April.

Crossing a Border with Gratitude

As 2024 winds down it is important to reflect on the year that is passing. Friends United Meeting has invited a variety of Friends to share their thoughts on gratitude. As David Steindl-Rast the Catholic theologian said “It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful,” so we too shall take time to be grateful. This week's reflection is from Margaret Fraser, who served as executive secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas. She now lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. On a Saturday in mid-November, eighteen Quakers from Frederick Street Meeting in Belfast took the cross-border Enterprise train to Connolly Station, Dublin, two hours away. At Connolly we were greeted by two members of Eustace Street Meeting and guided on the light rail and on foot to the Eustace Street meetinghouse in Dublin.

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Thirty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Three

As One Who Lays Down Their Life For Others Friends derive our name from the Scripture passage John 15:15: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” When reading verse fifteen in isolation, there are no stipulations or directives—we are Jesus’ friends simply because he says so.

Thirty Days of Prayer - Day Twenty Two

GATHERED IN CHRIST - As One Who Abides Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5 NRSV)

Thirty Days of Prayer - Day Nineteen

The triennial theme is so relevant and captivating, “Come, Abide, Go”. These are words of Jesus Christ in the spirit of Gathering a special Community from ordinary people, Building and establishing them in the faith, and Releasing them in the world for Ministry work. Looking at Quakermen theme text, it paints a picture on how God is so committed and ready to partner with men in his ministry. The scriptures are so explicit that immediately Jesus begun his ministry he invited men to follow him “Come, follow me,” and “I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19).

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An Enduring Truth

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.