As violence escalates and reverberates in the Middle East, Friends feel a call to act. For many, that action includes working in their own community to distill their grief, fear, confusion, and concern into a corporate, or collective, statement of belief and action. | View online ›  
​ Friends Committee on National Legislation ​
 

April Action

Share your meeting's or church’s minute on the war in Gaza to Quakers@fcnl.org and read what other Friends are saying below.

  Quaker Statements on the War in Gaza  
Dear John,
 
As violence escalates and reverberates in the Middle East, Friends feel a call to act. For many, that action includes working in their own community to distill their grief, fear, confusion, and concern into a collective and corporate statement of belief and action.

“In the way of peace, we urge all people, including those who hold political power, to set aside violence and aggression and to seek humane and compassionate ways of resolving conflict.” ~ Pima Friends Meeting, Pima, AZ

On Capitol Hill, FCNL lobbyists and advocates are continuing to persistently push for a ceasefire, de-escalation, and humanitarian aid in Gaza. Meeting minutes remind us of the foundation this advocacy is built on. They encourage us to dig deeper and draw strength from our community when the ins and outs of policy change feel frustrating or too slow.

“We recognize that in the United States we have a special responsibility to take action against the policies of our own country that contribute to the violence.” ~ Raleigh Friends Meeting, Raleigh, NC

These minutes are also powerful tools for advocacy. You can share your meeting's or church’s minute with your members of Congress, quote the minute in a letter to the editor in a local newspaper, and share the minute on your community’s website or in your meeting space.

"We believe peace is more than the absence of war. There is no true peace without justice, and history shows us that people who are oppressed will continue to find ways to resist their oppression.” ~ Fall Creek Friends Meeting, Pendleton, IN

If your community has not approved a minute on this war, is that an action they could consider? The many examples of minutes on FCNL’s website can provide inspiration.
 
If your minute is already approved, have you shared it with FCNL by emailing it to quakers@fcnl.org? What about with your members of Congress and local newspaper? How else could you creatively amplify your community’s voice in pursuit of peace? Let me know what your meeting or church is doing by replying to this email.
Alicia McBride

In peace,

Alicia McBride

Senior Director for Quaker Leadership

P.S. Thank you! As of today, more than 200 Friends communities have shared input on our legislative priorities for the 119th Session of Congress. Members of FCNL’s Policy Committee are currently reading all the responses and will meet in June to begin their discernment. Please hold them in the Light as they do this work. 

Opportunities for Friends

  1. On Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. ET, join us online for a Quaker Changemakers event, “Quaker Voices for Truth, Healing, and Justice.” It will focus on Quaker action in solidarity with Native Americans.
  2. Join the FCNL community in reflection and worship online, each Wednesday from 5:15-6 p.m. ET.

Act With Your Friends Community

  1. Send FCNL’s Legislative Ask to your legislators: Call for an Immediate Ceasefire, De-escalation, and Humanitarian aid in Gaza
  2. Tell Congress: No New Military Aid to Israel
  3. Read the article “We’re Building Pressure to End Military Support for Israel’s Brutal Gaza War” by Bryan Bowman

FCNL and the Wider Quaker World

  1. "A Different Future Is Possible: Shared Quaker Vision for Peace in Israel and Palestine,” is a new joint statement and action plan from FCNL and seven other Quaker organizations.
  2. See where FCNL is traveling among Friends this summer. Will we see you at your annual sessions gathering?

This digital newsletter connects FCNL’s advocacy with the Quaker faith and practice that underpins all our work. Please forward this email to your community or subscribe here. Not the FCNL Quaker Contact for your community anymore? Please reply to this email to let us know.

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