| Friends Journal | https://www.friendsjournal.org |
| QuakerSpeak | https://www.quakerspeak.com |
| Quakers Today | https://quakerstoday.org |
| Quaker.org | https://www.quaker.org |
“It is a weighty thing to be in the work of the ministry of the Lord God, and to go forth in that,” George Fox wrote—weighty because “it is not as a customary preaching, but it is to bring people to the end of all outward preaching.”
In other words, prophetic ministry seeks to transform the audience’s lives so profoundly that they have no further need for sermons. And Fox felt the urgency of that ministry as keenly as John the Baptist had, sixteen centuries earlier.
Throughout history, people have tried to frighten the masses into believing the world will end, plunging us all into eternal torment (unless we do exactly as they say). In Christian circles, this is often associated with "the Rapture."
Quakers (usually) don't get caught up in these panics—why not?
"Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day of mourning and is a call to action. Too many of our siblings face danger, rejection, and loneliness simply for being who God created them to be. Today, we say clearly: You are loved. You belong. We will walk with you."
Friends General Conference has joined with other religious groups in the United States to sign an interfaith statement calling for dignity, safety, and full inclusion for all trans people.
https://www.fgcquaker.org/2025/11/20/transgender-day-of-remembrance/
"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, [and] I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:3-4)
Quakers’ anti-ecclesiastic tradition empowers any of us to follow our leadings and become the shepherds this world needs.
As a consequence of the United States government’s shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ran out of funding on November 1. That means nearly 42 million low-income Americans might have lost benefits that help them buy groceries for themselves and their families.
It's an awkward time for 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 to show up on the liturgical calendar, for those who follow such things.
When the Persian empire conquered Babylon, the Judeans that Nebuchadnezzar had exiled from Jerusalem were allowed to return to the city. Rather than restore the high temple, God's house among them, they concentrated on their own fortunes—until Haggai showed up and asked how that was working out for them.
“In times of national distress, people tend to turn towards something that is historically a peaceful and social justice-oriented faith. They just want a place to sit and reflect and be in a like-minded community.”
There’s been an unprecedented surge in the numbers of attendees at Sunday worship at the Quaker Arch Street Meeting House in Old City Philadelphia. Many of them are young people who are seeking respite from this noisy technological age in the silent worship of the centuries-old faith. For years, attendance at Arch Street was so low, and its historic 300-seat West Room felt so empty, that the few people present began to meet in a smaller room. But in recent years, they’ve used technology and social media to help teach others about Quakers and the meeting house that was built in the early 19th century and that is still one of the world’s largest and most important Quaker buildings.
What did Dietrich Bonhoeffer have in common with James Nayler and other Friends in 17th-century England? And what can they teach us about resisting the rise of authoritarianism today?
If we choose to confront the abuses of power by the ruling forces of this world, or even just refuse to join in their worldly pursuits, they WILL seek to make examples of us. As Ron Hogan writes, "The American government is already shooting at ministers, aiming for their heads."
Using "Pharisee" to slap a label on somebody whom you perceive as self-righteous and hypocritical perpetuates antisemitic tropes we’d do well to leave behind.
So, Ron Hogan writes, when he reads gospel stories about the Pharisees and their strained relationship with Jesus, he mentally substitutes a certain variety of self-styled "weighty" Friend, "individuals who seem to take significant pride in Quaker identity but show little interest in living out Quaker testimony."
Quaker faith and practice provides a context in which we can remember the promise of a better world.
Each of us has our own form of ministry. Each of us can proclaim the message in our own way. We cannot entirely save ourselves or others from suffering as we work to dismantle our modern Babylon, but we can offer one another comfort and support as we work together.
