Acting in Faith

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Change the story, change the world: A common Quaker project?
(December 11, 2012)

San Francsico Friends Meeting/AFSC Peace Vigil

San Francsico Friends Meeting/AFSC Peace Vigil

by Lucy Duncan

“Let them remember that there is a meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power, and that we can do — every one — our share to redeem the world despite all [the] absurdities and all the frustrations and all [the] disappointments. And above all, remember that the meaning of life is to live life as if it were a work of art.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

As I’ve gotten to travel to different programs of AFSC and bear witness to the organization’s wide-ranging work, I’ve seen that one of the...

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Called to Relate: An interview with David Niyonzima
(December 3, 2012)

David Niyonzima

David Niyonzima

by Madeline Schaefer

On a beautiful morning in 1993, Burundian David Niyonzima found himself caught in the middle of a violent ethnic conflict. Although he escaped unharmed, 25 people, including eight of his students at a local Quaker pastoral training school, were shot and killed. David spent the next few years fearing for his life and the safety of his family. But after a transformational experience of learning to forgive his attackers, David became committed to working for peace in his war-torn country. In 1998, David founded Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Service, an...

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One Big, Happy Family? Quakers and the AFSC
(November 26, 2012)

Steve Cary

Steve Cary

Stephen Cary, peace activist and longtime AFSC staff member.

Regularly we will be posting a piece inspired by the rich history and archives of AFSC. The below post is the first in the series. - Lucy

by Madeline Schaefer

When I asked AFSC’s archivist, Don Davis, for some information about the history of the organization’s relationship with Quakers, he handed me a flash drive with over 100 documents.  There were some themes:  A few looked at the main bones of contention between the two bodies.  Most fretted over what was to be done.  But throughout all of them was a kind of nostalgia for the halcyon...

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Quakers call for immediate end to use of force in Gaza
(November 21, 2012)

The below statement was issued by Britain Yearly Meeting on Nov. 18, 2012 in response to the violence in Gaza. Other Quaker organizations are invited to add their names to the statement and so far AFSC, QUNO, QCEA, New York Yearly Meeting and the Canadian Friends Service Committee have signed on.

If your Quaker organization, monthly meeting, church or yearly meeting would like to add your name to this...

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In Gaza: Dreaming with their feet on the ground
(November 19, 2012)

Gaza youth working with AFSC

Gaza youth working with AFSC

Gaza youth working with AFSC

Patricia Sellick, AFSC Regional Director for the Middle East, shares her experience working with AFSC’s Gaza team and the young people with whom they work.  She wrote this on November 18, 2012.          - Lucy

by Patricia Sellick

My first visit to the AFSC Gaza team, after taking up the position of Regional Director for the Middle East for AFSC, was in 2010. There are three overriding impressions that remain with me: I was visiting a people under siege; I was visiting a people who had just suffered a war; and I was visiting a people...

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