FUM News

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.

Friends Meet in Tunduma for Tanzania Annual Conference

The Friends Church Tanzania (FCT) Annual Conference officially began on October 23 under the theme “Rebuilding the Broken Walls,” inspired by Isaiah 58:12, “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Over 300 delegates attended, many of whom were participating in a Quaker conference in southern Tanzania for the very first time. The excitement was contagious as delegates arrived from across Tanzania—from Mwanza, Kahama, Manyara, Iringa, Morogoro, Tabora, Sumbawanga, Kyela, Dar es Salaam, and even from neighboring Malawi and Zambia. The joy of these new connections and friendships filled the air.

For more news, click here.

Who We Are and What We Do

Find Out About. . .

FUM Journal

Thirty Days of Prayer - Day Eight

Jesus this makes it clear to the Samaritan woman, and by extension to us that he is the centre of our lives and that he is ready to grow us and to enlarge our territory for his own glory. When we do his will, he uses us to impact others. God made all things. He made us in his image, and he commands us to love him with all pour heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. God is love and we cannot love others without first loving him. In choosing to let him abide in us, that is living by his word, we choose to serve h only and not to turn to other hodd--Deut 6. God commands us to obedience in all that we do.

Thirty Days of Prayer - Day Six

One church member was sick in a church where, the pastor, the leaders and the members were known not to offer visitations to each other and their members. But on this occasion one evangelist on hearing about it decided to pay him a short visit and pray together. Looking at his gate, the sick member was surprised to see this evangelist come to his house and wondered how? Because he was not such critical. As we gather here, the beauty of the Gospel should not be heard in our churches only. Let’s take it to our estates, homes and away from where we are abiding. Be an evangelist to the world.

For more reflections, click here.

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.