.png)
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.
Read More.jpg)
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.
Read More.png)
As the world’s attention remains focused on the unfolding crises in Gaza and southern Lebanon, the resilience and struggles of those living in the West Bank—particularly in Ramallah—remain alarmingly under-reported. Among those profoundly affected by these ongoing tensions are the families, staff, and students of Ramallah Friends School, who daily navigate the uncertainties and fears of this war.
Read More.jpg)
What an extraordinary joy to celebrate the work of Turkana and Samburu Friends Missions. On Sunday, September 15, FUM’s Advancement Committee sponsored a nine-hour Zoomathon to raise awareness and support for our two pastoralist missions in Kenya. Emily Provance was the host and throughout the day, Friends sang hymns, offered prayers, listened to reflections from Scripture, shared stories, and participated in Bible, FUM, and Kenya trivia games.
Read More
To be a true Friend of Jesus in this election cycle is to be mindful of the temptation that we all have to retreat into our comfortable and defensive rhetorical silos. To be a Friend this election cycle is to spend time with those who see things differently and to really listen for the concerns, hopes, fears and wounds beneath the words.
Read More.jpg)
This past weekend the Vassalboro Quarterly Meeting of Maine held their annual “Fall Gathering” at Friends Camp in China, Maine. The day was centered around Luke 8: 5-8, considering how Friends in Maine are tending to good soil in order to welcome the seeds of the Holy Sower—especially in relationships with Native Wabanaki peoples and building bridges of healing in Maine.
Read More