FUM News

Prayer of Lament

On the one year anniversary of Hamas’ violent incursion into Israel, and Israel’s violent response against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, FUM General Secretary Kelly Kellum has been asked to participate in a service of lament sponsored by Churches for Middle East Peace. This state of ongoing war affects us all, but most especially our friends—students, teachers, and staff—at Ramallah Friends School, who have been living with uncertainty, an ever-increasing military presence, aerial bombardment, and escalating settler violence for the past year. In commemoration and sorrow, we want to share with the entire FUM community the prayer that Kelly will be offering at the ecumenical service of lament:

Friends and the U.S. Election

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.

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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.

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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.