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 eighth installment is by Kat Griffith, of Northern Yearly Meeting. Beating Megaphones Into Ear Trumpets*—Being a Friend in This Election CycleOn my bike ride today I passed by a big new sign that said “Trump 2024 F*** Your Feelings.” I took a picture before continuing on my way—a nudge to think about the query, “What does it mean to be a Friend in this election cycle?”The thing is, I represent this guy on the county board. And I find that serving in elected office has changed both my vision and my options for Friendly political activism.
Read MoreFriends United Meeting sends Living Letters trips to join in the celebration and to experience the life and witness of Cuban Quakerism. We hope to encourage Friends, and to worship with Friends in Cuba, and to receive encouragement from Friends on the island. This one-week intervisitation trip is gentle enough for older Friends and is focused on sharing in worship and fellowship.
Read MoreThis Sunday’s lectionary texts present the familiar vision of the peaceable kingdom: a place of harmonious coexistence of those who might seem like “natural” enemies. This is the place where God perfectly enacts just rewards and punishments, perfect winnowing. We get a taste of this Reign of God as we live in harmony with one another.
Read MoreDuring this time of Advent preparation for the birth of Jesus, I offer you a message of hope. This is a hope embodied in the spirit and will of all those who refuse to submit to the forces of oppression, violence and injustice, to the structures of domination, colonialism and foreign occupation. This is a hope embodied in truth-telling — in a Truth that is eternal.
Read MoreThroughout 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.