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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In the physical realm, none of us wants to abide (stay, remain, live) in the darkness. When they were young, my children feared that an approaching storm might cause us to lose power and be cast into darkness. Explaining that it would be temporary didn’t give them much comfort. But a flashlight placed in their hand seemed to do the trick. Having a light with them gave them reassurance that they would not be left in the dark...
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One morning, as my knees made their way to my yoga mat where I intended to remain for the next 40 minutes, my mind immediately began formulating prayer requests and praises. I got busy about prayer. And, much to my surprise, I heard the audible voice of God respond in kind. My eyes flew open. I turned to find Him. His voice – I knew it was His – had come from the chair behind me, as if He had been seated there all along, watching from the periphery. ...
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We are the inheritors of the disciples being sent to share the love of God made known through Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Emory Rees, a distant cousin, was one who went to Kenya in 1903. Assisted by Kenyans, he made a verbal, tribal language into a written one and translated the New Testament. Many others have been called and have responded by going as led to provide education, technical help, and medical services....
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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.
