Witness and Activism

Civic Center Mike wishes a happy 4th of July

What was he doing for the Fourth of July? "Going to jail." It turned out that he was givin. Quaker "Alternatives to Violence Project" workshop at the San Francisco County jail. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-07-06T21:20:53Z.)

SF Chronicle: Many ways to share slice of the stimulus pie

Mentions FCNL's "Tax Rebate for Peace" proposal (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-05-28T18:35:13Z.)

SF Chronicle: Quiet stand for peace each week

Peace vigil by Friends and others. Group has met regularly since U.S. bombed Afghanistan. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-05-28T17:57:29Z.)

SF Chronicle: Loyalty oath poses ethical dilemmas

Some in state jobs (including Quakers) say requirement violates their rights. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-05-28T17:56:02Z.)

Barclay Press Wess on The Temptation to Surrender

So then what about Friends? What are our political options? From Wess Daniels' new column at BP. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-05-06T20:59:56Z.)

Liberata on squemishness around political acts

Even Friends are squeamish these days about topics that are too controversial or --heaven forefend!-- "political.". guess there's historical precedent. Many 19th-century Fds thought that activism for the abolition of slavery was too "worldly". pursuit. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-04-08T03:21:56Z.)

SF Civic Center Mike: Nonviolent Saints

With lots of great photos of the San Francisco Vigil for Peace and Justice, sponsored by Quakers, Episcopalians, and Buddhists. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-04-06T04:14:07Z.)

Johan: Reedwood Adopts Minute on Immigration Enforcement

As Christians and Quakers we declare that such treatment of our fellow human beings is inhumane, and that the policies which have dictated this course of action are abhorrent and unconscionable to us. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-04-04T05:49:40Z.)

You, Too, Can Rein In Military Recruiters in the High Schools (from Friends Journal)

Practical tips on starting and runnin. counter-recruitment program, with stories from the authors on how they did it (and continue to do it) in Lee County, Florida. (Posted by friends.journal on 2008-04-03T09:36:48Z.)

Cherice on individual prophecy and group action

I don't often feel lik. prophet. tal. lot but what a. actually doing that's abnormal to American mediocrity and pompous comfortability. wish Friends would get together and decide on one issue that we're really going to tackle together. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-15T05:28:23Z.)

Video: Philadelphia Quaker on life in interracial community in US South in 1950s

Sue Angry lived i. pioneering interracial community in Georgia until gunfire and racist threats forced her to come north for shelter and support. (Follow link to related article). (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-15T03:15:01Z.)

Nadine Hoover on 'Yielding to our Faith'

hold this truth to be self-evident: that fighting with outward weapons is inconsistent with my faith in the Power of the Living Spirit that guides and sustains us. Fighting with outward weapons will never bear the fruits of peace. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-11T23:40:45Z.)

YouTube: A Multifaith Reflection on Peacemaking (5)

Ann Yasuhara of the Princeton Friends Meeting shares the writings of slain activist Tom Fox and quotes from the longstanding peace testimony of the Quakers at the Spiritual Pilgrimages of Peacemaking retreat. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-09T13:45:12Z.)

Why Susanne K. is a Quaker: Her Path

Understanding myself to be bot. victim of apartheid an. beneficiary. was strongly drawn to the Quaker belief of "that of God in every person". was drawn to the Quaker way of reaching out to the "enemy"... (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-03-03T05:16:21Z.)

SF Chronicle reports Quaker teacher fired for changing loyalty oath

California State University East Bay has fire. math teacher after six weeks on the job because she inserted the word "nonviolently" in her state-required Oath of Allegiance form. (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-02-29T17:43:31Z.)

Peace Tree's Jarrod McKenna on prophetic permaculture

Guerrilla gardening? Global warming and militarisation? Peace Churches (Quakers and Anabaptists) worshipping a. military base and inviting soldiers to join them? (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-02-28T21:22:43Z.)

Imperfect Eileen on "eco-moms" and working a concern together

It's been pretty lonely being the only family on the block that composts, yet in my Quaker meetin. compare myself to some of the single people who live much less wasteful lives. Talking with other parents... seems lik. good next step. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-02-20T21:16:57Z.)

Bob H. Announces Bay Area Gathering for Friends of Color

Vanessa Julye, who is Coordinator for Friends General Conference Committee for Ministry on Racism, will be in the Bay area fo. week in February. She is available to meet with Friends and attenders of color on Monday, February 18, (Posted by chrismsf on 2008-02-16T23:15:27Z.)

Flourishing Jaime wonders if pacifism really is a Quaker belief

Quakers have mad. doctrine out of pacifism when it was not intended to be so. Fox [argued] pacifism based on personal feelings against serving as an officer in the army. [Early Fds] never explicitly state that to be Quaker means to be pacifist. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-02-16T14:39:40Z.)

Further Reflections on Gospel Ministry - The Lamb's War

I. can commit myself to seeking the Spirit of unconditional love, i. can dedicate my life to living the incarnation, i. can accept the very real possibility of bearing the sufferings of Christ in my own bod. that, by the grace of God, will spea. (Posted by micahbales on 2008-02-05T22:54:34Z.)

Johan M on class and the heresy of elitism

I also shar. concern that elitism in any form i. dangerous heresy. It i. betrayal of Friends theology, which is radically hospitable because it respects no categories that are not directly tied to God. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-02-01T01:54:53Z.)

Poll on Class and Faith " Susanne Kromberg's Musings on Faith

(Posted by susannekromberg on 2008-01-29T00:32:09Z.)

Pax et lux on talking about torture with Friends

I was feeling very discouraged at how few of us there are who care or who haven't been bewitched by the messages of fear or vengeance. A. closed my eyes and centered down during meeting for worship. heard the words of Jesus (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-28T15:40:41Z.)

Ben and Jody Richmond report from Friends Theological College in Western Kenya

This i. testing time for the church in Kenya. Will we be able to be bearers of Good News that is deep enough to bring healing and hope to those who have been traumatized, and reconciliation to those who have experienced the reality of enmity? (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-25T23:54:58Z.)

Joe Franko on talking about class with Friends

I think the hardest thing about bein. Quaker now is the class thing. am certainly in sync with the spirituality, but Quakers still don't understand me whe. try to talk with them about their sense of entitlement. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-22T11:56:54Z.)

Friend Eden Grace interviewed by PRI radion on violence in Kenya

The violence in Kenya today was especially fierce in the western town of Kisumu. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with long-time Kisumu resident Eden Grace. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-21T21:21:44Z.)

Peggy P lifts up favorite sentence in recent Kenyan epistle, gives her amen

Faith-based institutions should continue sending clear non-partisan, non-inflammatory messages that resonate the life affirming, faith-filled, truth and justice-guided, peace-building, comfort-giving, reconciliation-oriented...messages of their faith. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-17T12:42:03Z.)

Bird-dogging for peace

Peace groups on bus caravan asking hard questions of candidates (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-12T19:24:11Z.)

Links to news on situation in Kenya from Friends United Meeting

Please continue to pray for our field staff and for our many f/Friends in Kenya who are now struggling with the first of the aftershocks of conflic. lack of food, fuel and clean water. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-11T21:44:31Z.)

Youtube interview on pacifism with Canadian Friend Ursula Franklin

Interview "deal with the rise of techno-fascism and the need for feminism and social justice in draftin. map for us to use in moving toward. society of peace, instead of one based on war." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-02T22:09:56Z.)

Among Friends Carol asks for prayers for Kenya

The country Kenya is now in chaos now and many people are dying and properties destroyed a. reaction to the announcement of the results. We are appealing for prayers that calmness may come to our country. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-02T18:05:42Z.)

Press story on how Quaker Mtg discovered & bought munitions detectors

Today, three detector. two bought by the Quakers for about $1,500 an. third donated as part o. deal with the manufacture. are being used under U.N. auspices in Tajikistan. And Lenik, his fellow Quakers, and others are raising money to buy more. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-12-10T09:33:37Z.)

Sheffield Gordon on the relationship of individual and community

If we fail to make the distinction between community, fellowship and friendship [then] we will allow ourselves to become subsumed into the overwhelming individualism of our age, and we will become merely another political action group. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-12-03T11:49:03Z.)

Jeanne looks back at the social class privilege quiz

And as I've read each response... have seen such deep compassion and caring tha. can't see it a. competition... As I've read each post, people have become their stories, and not their 'score.. hope you've ha. chance to read all the responses. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-11-25T22:07:34Z.)

Social Class Jeanne wonders about class and race in the RSOF

Of late I've been wondering about the connection between class and race in the Religious Society of Friends, but since I'm white. don't feel lik. have any authority on the matter. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-11-23T13:02:43Z.)