FUM News

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.

FUM Staff Visits The Quakerdale Ministry Fair

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.

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Who We Are and What We Do

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FUM Journal

Held

There was a dark time – there are always dark times – when I felt my light almost sucked out. I was in a hard group and I didn’t know why. Big personalities, mental-health issues and sketchy facilitation. “God,” I asked repeatedly, where are you?” Only when I began to paint could I see where God had been: holding ALL of us, together.

Four flat tires

Recently, the Africa Ministries Office sold the truck that Eden Grace used for transport when she was in Kenya as Field Staff. In fond commemoration of the truck—and by popular demand—we are running again Eden’s reflection on one of the lessons the truck taught her.—ed.

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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.