Dear Friend,
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Annual Sessions of Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends in Portland, Oregon. In addition to leading a workshop on AFSC’s programs and campaigns, I was able to connect with many Friends who are AFSC alumni or supporters. I am always grateful for the opportunity to be amongst Friends, and it was a blessing to be so warmly welcomed in a new community.
This summer, AFSC staff are attending over 20 yearly meeting gatherings around the world. My colleagues are leading workshops and interest groups on many aspects of AFSC work, including Palestine activism, immigration justice, and resisting authoritarianism. AFSC staff look forward to these sessions every year. They provide us with vital opportunities to be in fellowship with Friends, learn about what is happening in Quaker communities, and share opportunities for Friends to get involved in AFSC’s programs and campaigns.
Our staff are excited to continue engaging with Quaker communities. I hope you will consider hosting an AFSC staff member in your community to learn more about how we can build peace with justice together.
Here are some more ways to engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Quaker Action for Migration Justice Network (QAMJN): This new network (pronounced “Q-imagine”) connects Friends who are committed to making change in the face of growing threats to the rights and safety of immigrant communities. QAMJN is a tool to gather Friends, meetings, and other stakeholders to build community, share ideas, and take action. Learn more and join the network!
Quakers renew their call for resistance as America turns 250: On July 4, Friends around the country mobilized alongside AFSC to protest rising authoritarianism and unjust Federal policies. This article from ABC News features Laura Boyce, AFSC’s associate general secretary for U.S. programs, and Brian Blackmore, director of Quaker Engagement. It explores Quakers’ history of resistance and protest. Read more.
AFSC Reparative Justice & Healing Fund: AFSC is accepting applications for the third year of our Reparative Justice and Healing Fund. The fund supports Black and Indigenous-led social justice organizations and projects in the U.S. This initiative is part of AFSC’s ongoing efforts to recognize and support those who work with and within communities that have been systemically underserved and marginalized. Apply by July 31 to be considered!
Another child killed in Gaza: Tamim Hassan Labad, 10, is the second child from AFSC’s Gaza learning centers to be killed by the Israeli forces—and one of 20,000 children since the start of the genocide. AFSC is currently supporting 1,498 children through five learning and psychosocial support centers in Gaza. The world cannot stand by as Israeli forces continue to kill children in Gaza. Like all children around the world, the children of Gaza should be protected, supported, and given the chance to live, learn, and grow. Read more from AFSC’s staff in Gaza.
Love as Action: Over the past 8 months, thousands of Friends have mobilized in public witness against authoritarianism through our Love as Action vigils. In the months ahead, AFSC will no longer prescribe certain weekends for Love as Action— rather, we hope that communities will join in witness as they are led. AFSC will continue to offer resources and support Friends organizing vigils in their communities. Access our Love as Action resources.
QUAKER COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Friends from Multnomah Monthly Meeting, in Portland, Oregon, have been hosting a weekly interfaith vigil in front of the ICE headquarters in downtown Portland for over a year. They gather every Monday with signs that show messages of resistance and support for immigrant community members.
Meeting for Worship with attention to peace: Please join us every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT as we worship with Friends from across the U.S.
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 by contacting our elected officials.
*please note that Meeting for Worship, Protect, Resist, and Build, and the Action Hour will all take a break in August. All three events will resume their regular schedule in September.
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.