Report from the FUM General Board

Friends United Meeting’s General Board met in person and via Zoom from March 6–8, 2025. The meetings started with a development session led by Colin Saxton, Director of Church Relations and Stewardship Theologian for Everence Financial Services. Colin initiated a discussion on how Everence could further build financial capacity within Friends United Meeting, prompting a deeper conversation among board members.

Kelly Kellum reported on the significant impact of the suspension of USAID/ASHA funds, which have supported FUM’s ministries for the past two decades, particularly affecting Ramallah Friends School and Lugulu Hospital. He detailed the situation at Ramallah Friends School, where $1.4 million had been granted for the construction of an assembly hall on the lower campus. Due to the funding suspension, construction workers were immediately terminated, and the payment of a $332,000 claim remained uncertain.

The Board also received staff reports from Karla Jay, John Muhanji, Getry Agizah, Rania Maayeh, Michael Sherman, Kathryn Kouns, Dan Kasztelan, Kira Young, and the team from Belize Friends Ministry. A significant announcement concerned Oscar and Mariam Mmbali, who have offered their resignations as our field staff in Belize. They are planning to leave Belize in January, 2026. Kelly Kellum will initiate a search for a new director this spring.

Further updates were provided through committee reports from the Executive Board, Trustees, and Triennial Planning. Lloyd Stangeland reported on the Sustainability Committee’s work, highlighting plans to grow plantains in La Democracia, Belize. He also spoke on the progress at Ambwere Farm in Kenya, where the ground is being prepared for planting. He announced a new contract with Kenya Seed to grow seed maize on the farm.

The Cuba Living Letter’s Team shared insights from their recent trip in January, sharing stories and pictures from their visits to Friends communities in Porte Padre, Holguin, and Gibera. The team delivered 500 lbs of essential aid to Cuban Friends, including items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, aspirin, and band-aids. Board members expressed appreciation for the report and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Cuban Friends.

The board expressed its appreciation for the presence of two representatives from Canadian Yearly Meeting, Sain Brown-Cole and Jane Wright. They also were glad for the renewed engagement of the New Association of Friends, represented by Tom Hamm and Cathy Harris. They welcomed new members of the Western Association, Keith Barton, Richard Stotler, and Lynda Ladwig.