Friends United Meeting’s General Board (North American and Caribbean section) met in Richmond, Indiana last week, October 2–4. They continued to consider the significant decline in FUM’s operating funds, and how that situation might be addressed. Among their exercises was a challenge to think about FUM’s message to the world—what does FUM have to offer the world? Emily Provance, clerk of the Advancement Committee, compiled board responses into this “report.” This is how individual members of the FUM board see FUM’s message to the world.
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During the week, Kelly Kellum and Michael Sherman met with Antoliana Budna, Principal of Belize Friends School, and Stephen Whyte, head of the Belize Friends School board, to review transition plans, confirm school board nominations, and shape a path forward for the ministry. Michael, Antoliana, and Stephen will serve together as the new interim leadership team for FUM in Belize until a director is appointed. The staff also gathered one evening to express appreciation for Oscar’s ministry. One staff member reflected, “Oscar became the father that many of our young people never knew.” That testimony captures the impact of his ministry in Belize.
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It is with heavy hearts that we share the decision to suspend plans for the in-person Joint Triennial gathering originally scheduled for July 6–11, 2026.This difficult decision was reached after much prayerful discernment. Several factors contributed to the decision, the most significant being that U.S. immigration officials have denied visas to the majority of our international members who had applied to attend. Without the full participation of Friends from across our global fellowship, the essence of our Triennial—an event grounded in fellowship, worship, and discernment across cultures—would be diminished.
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Several years ago, I was inspired by the one of ten in the Gospel account, so I started the spiritual practice of “returning.” On a sheet of paper, I counted my many blessings, identifying places that were transformative in my life and people who have influenced and encouraged me along the way. My list became quite long. Then, when possible, I returned to those places and people to simply say, “Thank you.” I have had opportunities to return to my childhood church in Burundi, teachers, family members, pastors, colleagues, high school, friends, the youth camp where I answered the call to ministry, and other places of blessings.
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The wind is frothing the waters and whistling in their sails, and the sailors have been rowing against it all night. They’re tired and frightened. Their shoulders and arms are sore. They’re straining to see land, but instead they see a ghost-like figure walking across the water.
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Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the Sunday designated with the theme of Joy. This seems like a difficult time to speak of Joy. The condition of our country is confusing and distressing, leaving us all feeling a new level of vulnerability.
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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.
