Dear Friend,
In the summer months, many Quaker communities across the U.S. come together at yearly meeting annual sessions. Our staff look forward to these sessions every year as an opportunity to be in community with Friends, learn what is happening at the yearly meeting level, and share about AFSC’s programs and campaigns.
Between April and August of this year, AFSC staff plan to visit at least 16 yearly meetings. In workshops and interest groups, my colleagues will share about AFSC’s efforts to end unjust detention and deportation policies, our humanitarian response in Gaza, how Friends can create community safety beyond policing, and more opportunities for Friends to engage with our work.
We are grateful to be able to connect with Friends in this way every year. I encourage you to read our 2025 epistle for updates on our work with Quaker communities. And if we are not able to connect with you at an upcoming yearly meeting session, you can always host an AFSC staff member to speak in your community.
Here are some more ways to engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Know your rights resources for immigrants, meetings, and congregations: Every day immigrants face immense discrimination in the U.S. Due to the Trump administration’s unjust detention and deportation policies, it is more important than ever for your congregation to know your rights so you can protect immigrants in your community. Our staff have compiled a list of guidelines and resources you can use to defend your community against mass deportation threats. Access the resources.
Quaker Coalition for Uprooting Racism (QCUR): Antiracism worship sharing (Monday, June 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): QCUR’s Catalyzing Communities Committee invites you to join Friends for a time for worship sharing with attention to antiracism. The first 30 minutes will be dedicated to listening and reflecting on the Spirit within, followed by 30 minutes of worship sharing. During our time together, we seek to nourish Friends’ commitment to antiracism and provide space for transparent reflections around this work. Register today.
What can we do for Palestine? Learn from organizers building Apartheid-Free cities (Monday, June 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): Join the Apartheid-Free Communities network for a webinar on lessons learned from the work of organizers in Vermont and British Columbia. In Vermont, organizers used the Apartheid-Free pledge language in a ballot measure campaign to successfully declare five Vermont towns Apartheid-Free. In British Columbia, organizers have gotten more than 80 local communities to take the pledge. Join us to learn what made these campaigns successful and leave with more information about how to build an apartheid-free movement in your community. Register today.
Quarterly Quaker Liaison Call (Wednesday, July 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT): AFSC liaisons are invited to join our call to hear about AFSC’s work and share updates from your meeting. In July, we will hear from Brett Heinz, AFSC’s global policy coordinator for economic and climate justice. Brett will share about the Vanguard S.O.S. campaign and how Friends can get involved. We will also share other AFSC resources that may be helpful to Friends and create opportunities for connection among liaisons across the U.S. Register today.
Migration justice yard signs: Earlier this year, we created yard signs with the message “QUAKERS WELCOME MIGRANTS WITH DIGNITY.” So far, we have shipped out over 230 signs to Quaker communities across the U.S. We are now switching to an on-demand printing shop so that we can continue to send out signs efficiently. Please join AFSC in supporting migrant communities by having your meeting place a yard sign outside your place of worship. Order a sign today.
QUAKER COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: From May 15-June 15, the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee is coordinating a month of action for Palestine with Quakers in Australia. These actions include writing letters to the editor of a local newspaper, calling a parliamentarian, attending solidarity events identifiable as a Quaker, or organizing an event with other Friends. Read more.
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.
And stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to take action by joining us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.