Dear Friends,
Friends in Africa and North America, leading officers of the United Society of Friends Women International and Quaker Men International, and the Executive Board of Friends United Meeting have jointly discerned the 2020 Triennial Sessions will be rescheduled.
The coronavirus pandemic that is now spreading through our nations is restricting travel and preventing international conferences. Collapsing markets, rising unemployment, and threatening financial hardships are causing the global community of Friends to reassess their current capacity to participate in the Triennial Sessions. We are mindful of the critical impact this virus is already having among our Yearly Meetings, and our local Meetings and Churches. During this crisis, Friends United Meeting is directing attention and resources to keeping the global community of Friends connected and providing support for the most vulnerable people we serve. Given these changing priorities during these uncertain times we will be rescheduling the 2020 Triennial Sessions.
Rescheduling
We are committed to working together to host a joint Triennial in the future. When? As of today, we do not know when it will be safe to do so. However, we are tentatively hoping to reschedule the conference in Kenya next year during the months of June or July. We are requesting the local host committee to continue for another year. FUM’s staff will provide oversight for communications, publicity, and registration. Rescheduling the Triennial will require us to confirm new dates, venue, programs, conference fees, and travel options. We will provide regular updates regarding the new schedule.
Registrations and Refunds
We are committed to honoring the Triennial cancellation policy by offering a full refund for registrants who paid conference and/or excursion fees. FUM’s office will contact registrants independently to learn how they wish to direct their refund. Because of this cancellation, FUM will incur deficits and Friends may consider directing all or part of their refund as a donation to FUM.
Triennial Theme
We are committed to carrying forward the inspired theme selected for the 2020 Triennial. We affirm the gospel message that Christ Jesus is inviting the community of Friends to Come. Abide. Go. To continue our spiritual readiness, we are inviting the global community of Friends to participate in the 30 Days of Prayer, beginning on Sunday, 12 July 2020 (the day the Triennial was scheduled to begin). The prayer guides prepared for the Triennial will be released by June. The unitive grace and power of prayer is needed during these critical days. We pray in hopeful anticipation of what Christ will do among us as we Come. Abide. Go. Please direct your questions to 2020triennial@FUM.org.
Grace and Peace,
Ronald K. Bryan
Presiding Clerk, Friends United Meeting
Kelly Kellum
General Secretary, Friends United Meeting
Patricia Shrock
President, United Society of Friends Women International
Lloyd Stangeland
President, Quaker Men International
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