Dear Friend,
I hope you are doing well. I am excited to announce that Brian Blackmore has joined AFSC as the director of Quaker Engagement!
Brian is a member of Gainesville Monthly Meeting and one-time recording clerk of Northside Meeting in Chicago. He has built relationships with Friends in many regions of the U.S. and around the world. Prior to joining AFSC, Brian was the Religion Department chair at Westtown School, a Quaker day and boarding school. He is also a published historian with a research interest in the role that Quakers have played in gay rights movements during the mid-20th century. Feel free to reach out to Brian by email.
Here are more ways you can engage with AFSC, plus a few updates on our work:
Join us for Korea Peace Advocacy Week (June 5-9): Every year, Korea Peace Advocacy Week brings together hundreds of people around the U.S. to meet with congressional staff on legislation supporting peace in Korea. Our efforts have built congressional support to formally end the Korean War, reunite Korean families, and foster diplomacy. As tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula, we hope you will join us this year to advocate for a transformative, peace-first approach.
Read our AFSC 2023 Yearly Meeting Epistle: Learn more about how AFSC is connecting with Friends and exploring new opportunities to collaborate in our work for a more just, peaceful world. Our staff is looking forward to deepening these connections with Friends as we travel across the U.S this spring and summer to attend annual sessions.
Applications now open for Pendle Hill’s “Continuing Revolution” (June 2-6): Pendle Hill is seeking applicants for “Continuing Revolution,” its annual conference for young adults ages 18-35. The conference is “a space of collective exploration and learning for the spiritually curious who are striving to live in ways that reflect their values.” Pendle Hill welcomes those who are seeking to examine the connections between their spiritual, political, and interpersonal lives. This year, participants will gather both online and in person to build community with others exploring abolition of police and policing. AFSC’s Lewis Webb will be joining as one of the program leaders.
Watch videos from our AFSC 2023 Corporation Program: Last month, Friends from across the world gathered in person for the first time since 2019 for our annual Corporation program. It was wonderful to see so many of you and connect under a shared vision for global peace. Recordings from the Corporation are available for all to watch on our website.
Host AFSC at your meeting, church, or school: AFSC staff members are experienced workshop facilitators and have a deep commitment to addressing root causes of injustice. Whether you want to hear about an issue you're already passionate about or want to learn more about the work of AFSC, our staff is excited to share their experiences and analysis with Friends and encourage shared witness for social justice. Please fill out this form to indicate your interest in hosting an AFSC staff presentation or workshop.
Thank you for your continued support of AFSC’s work and all that you do in working for a more just and peaceful world!
Blessings,
Sofia Di Pietro
Quaker Engagement Coordinator
P.S. You can find more ways to get involved at our Friends Engage page. And as always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments at friends@afsc.org.