Dear Friend,
From April 9-11, we will host the annual meeting of the AFSC Corporation at Friends Center in Philadelphia. The theme for this year’s program is “Spirit-Led Activism for Our Suffering World.”
Throughout our history, AFSC has not acted simply because there is a need. We move because we are called. This theme was chosen to ground our program in the unique Quaker identity that has defined AFSC for over a century. As a Quaker organization, we recognize that the profound suffering in our world stems from a denial of that of God in one another. This theme invites Friends to reflect upon the distinctiveness of AFSC’s spiritual character and explore how we are being led by Spirit to effectively address the needs of our world today.
Friends are invited to attend Corporation workshops online on Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 11. We also hope you will join us for the hybrid plenary talk on Friday evening with Anton Flores-Maisonet. He is the founding director of Casa Alterna, an Atlanta-based ministry under the care of Atlanta Friends Meeting. Casa Alterna provides short and long-term housing to immigrant communities and cultivates supportive spaces for healing and new beginnings. I encourage you to learn more about our program and register to attend.
Here are some more ways to engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
War on Iran endangers us all: On Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched an unprovoked war of aggression on Iran, dropping bombs across the country and calling for regime change. This war is immoral and illegal under both U.S. and international law, and it has the potential to become a catastrophic and uncontrollable conflict. It could cost thousands of lives and further destabilize the Middle East. Send a message to Congress: NO war with Iran!
Moving Money out of Vanguard webinar (Monday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT): AFSC is calling on Friends worldwide to boycott and divest from Vanguard, the world’s No. 1 investor in fossil fuel expansion. Join Earth Quaker Action Team for this webinar to learn how to navigate moving money out of Vanguard funds. Register today!
What is Palantir? And why is this corporation so dangerous? Palantir is a tech company that uses artificial intelligence to help governments track and target individuals. It conducts mass surveillance in service of state violence, and it is used by militaries, police forces, banks, and hospitals. Palantir is a weapons company disguised as a software start-up, and it helps Israel plan its attacks on Gaza and it fuels ICE’s deportation machine. Read more about Palantir and join the Purge Palantir campaign.
Love as Action: Quaker public witness vigils (March 21-22): 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 March 21 and 22. Quaker communities are encouraged to join or host a vigil on one of those days as a visible expression of Quaker commitments to justice and compassion. Learn more.
AFSC and Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) nominate Concordis International for Nobel Peace Prize: As Nobel laureates, AFSC and QPSW have the privilege of making Nobel nominations. Concordis International is a nonprofit that has worked for two decades in conflict zones. It supports communities in finding workable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and build lasting peace. Today, Concordis is active in Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Sudan. Its model promotes active participation from everyone impacted by the conflict. The organization works creatively to give voice to people and groups who might otherwise be marginalized. Learn more.
QUAKER COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:Quakers in Minneapolis and St. Paul have been responding to the deployment of more than 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the area that began in December. Friends have partnered with other faith groups and community members to publicly protest, practically assist immigrants, document interactions between agents and community members. Learn more
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.
And stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to take action by joining us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.