Dear Friend,
Last year, I had the privilege of playing a role in AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) program. ELL is an eight-month leadership program for young adults ages 18 – 22 looking to strengthen their social justice and community organizing skills. Participants learn skills from AFSC staff and develop their own social change action project. Participants also engage with Quakerism and Quaker history through workshops that connect Quaker values and peace and justice work.
For the 2025 program, I led some of these Quakerism workshops. At the ELL convening in November, I also participated in an action project event organized by two cohort members. They hosted a community care day for the immigrant community in Denver, as well as organizers working on migration justice. More than 100 participants joined us over the course of three hours. At the event, healers and community members offered acupuncture, massages, limpias (sacred smoke cleansing using herbs), art activities, and live music.
I was so moved by this event, and by how beautifully the ELL cohort members who organized it spoke about the importance of care and community in organizing spaces. We know that young people are our future, and ELL is an amazing program that gives young adults the tools they need to build a more just and peaceful world. If there are young adults in your community who are interested in social change work, please encourage them to apply for ELL. The application is open now until March 8.
Here are some more ways to engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Love as Action: Quaker public witness vigils (Feb. 21 – 22): In 2026, AFSC is hosting a series of “Love as Action” vigils to support Quaker witness to rising authoritarianism and oppression across the United States. Our next vigils will take place over the weekend of Feb. 21 and 22. Quaker communities are encouraged to host a vigil on one of those days as a visible expression of Quaker commitments to justice and compassion. Learn more.
What you need to know about the call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): We cannot build a world all people can live safely and thrive while ICE tears families apart and terrorizes our communities. That’s why AFSC joins with people across the country in calling to abolish ICE. The very mission of ICE is at odds with our core values of treating all people with dignity and respect. An agency created to tear apart communities cannot be reformed into one that strengthens them. Learn more about what it would mean to abolish ICE and what you can do to help.
Save the date: Continuing Revolution 2026: Grounded in spirituality and community-level resistance and resilience work, this program will bring together young adults ages 18-35 eager to deepen their personal spiritual landscape in community, connect with others, and learn skills to meet this moment. The 2026 program will consider the 250th anniversary of the United States and explore visions for a different future. It will be held from June 26-28 at Friends Center in Philadelphia. Registration details will be available in the coming months. Learn more.
Myanmar Month of Action: Myanmar’s ongoing crisis intersects with global issues relating to the rise of violent conflicts, refugee rights, environmental degradation, and the erosion of democratic freedoms. For the month of February, Quakers from around the World and the Asia West Pacific region are invited to take practical, specific, and meaningful actions to support peace and justice in Myanmar. Learn more and join the month of action.
QUAKER COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Quakers in Fort Worth, Texas recently took out an ad in a local independent newspaper stating the truth of the United States' support of the Israeli military and naming Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. The ad shares statistics about human rights violations in Gaza and how much money the U.S. has spent supporting these actions since 2023.
Meeting for Worship with attention to peace: Please join us every Thursday as we worship with Friends from across the U.S. Starting in Jan. 2026, worship will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
Protect, Resist, and Build with AFSC: This monthly webinar series brings together AFSC supporters to learn about how to protect our communities, resist authoritarianism, and build peace with justice. Join us on the third Tuesday of every month at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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.
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