Dear Friend,
I hope you have had a peaceful and joyous start to the new year. For many of us, the new year is a time to make resolutions for the year ahead and reaffirm our ongoing commitments. This year I would like to prioritize connecting with my community in a more intentional way, and I intend to continue advocating fiercely for a world free of oppression and violence. I feel grateful knowing that many of you will join me in this work to build peace with justice in your communities.
In this time of renewal, the Quaker Engagement Office is also taking the opportunity to make some changes to this newsletter. In this and future issues, Acting in Faith will highlight actions being taken for peace by Quaker communities across the globe. In our Quaker Community Spotlight section, we will uplift one community per month taking meaningful action that relates to the work of AFSC’s programs and campaigns.
If you have something to share, please reach out to us at friends@afsc.org. We would love to hear from you and feature your community.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Cease-fire is the beginning, not the end: Yesterday, a tentative deal was reached for a cease-fire in Gaza. After so much devastation and death, we celebrate this cease-fire deal even as it comes far too late. We hold in the Light all those who have been killed and injured, all who mourn, and all who have survived. We will continue to work with our staff and partners in Gaza to rebuild and ensure dignity and freedom are restored for all Palestinians. Read our full statement.
January quarterly liaison call (Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): Join us for this quarterly liaison call to hear about AFSC's work and share updates from your meeting. On this call, we will hear from liaisons about how their meetings are taking action for peace in their communities. We will also share AFSC resources that may be helpful to Friends and create opportunities for connection among liaisons across the U.S. Register today.
Third Tuesdays: Protect, Resist, and Build with AFSC (Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): In 2025 AFSC is launching a monthly webinar series on the third Tuesday of every month to bring together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies. Sign Up.
Call for AFSC governance volunteers: AFSC’s Standing Nominating Committee is looking for volunteers who are interested in serving on an AFSC committee, its Board of Directors, or the Corporation. Friends are invited to nominate themselves or others for consideration at the April Corporation meeting. Learn more.
Quaker Community Spotlight
In December 2024, Red Cedar Friends Meeting (Lansing, MI), hosted a community meal with 13 faith communities and six secular groups to learn together about advocating for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. In 2025, Red Cedar plans to continue hosting meetings of this interfaith network to focus on boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) work and local advocacy. Read the full report.
Meeting for Worship with attention to peace in Palestine and Israel: Please join us every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT as we worship with Friends from across the U.S.
You are also invited to attend our weekly Action Hour for Palestine, every Friday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT. Hear updates from AFSC staff and take collective action as we contact our elected officials. Please share this invitation with members of your Meeting and communities.
Thank you for your continued support of AFSC and all you do to create a more just and peaceful world!
With care,
Ainsley Bruton (they/them)
Quaker Engagement Coordinator
P.S. You're always welcome to contact the Quaker Engagement team at friends@afsc.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.