Friends General Conference’s Ministry on Racism program provides opportunities for Friends of Color to gather and build community together. We provide virtual and hybrid:
Worship/fellowship spaces for Friends of Color
Retreats for interracial couples
Retreats for People of Color with opportunities to include their families
Organizing Friends to attend the annual White Privilege Conference (WPC)
Financial support for Friends of Color to attend FGC affiliated events
The Ministry on Racism Program also offers assistance and support to FGC affiliated meetings and yearly meetings that want to develop their racial and ethnic awareness, increase their diversity, and strive to address the impact of the institution of racism on our Society. Through multiple channels the Ministry on Racism empowers individual Friends, Quaker meetings and Quaker organizations to confront and heal the wounds of white supremacy, challenge racism, and help Friends co-create communities that are more accessible and equitable.
The Changing Times Conference was held online, January 18-21. One hundred eighty-five Friends from at least nineteen different yearly meetings joined together to worship, listen, and engage in a rich and deep sharing. The conference’s first day was focused on our connection to Spirit. Friends heard Francisco Burgos, Pendle Hill’s Executive Director, share what…
In addition to offering weekly unprogrammed worship during this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, FGC’s Ministry on Racism has agreed to hold spaces for worship sharing among Friends of Color. These biweekly Worship Sharing spaces will be held every other Wednesday at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 6 PM MT / 5 PM PT / 2 PM HT for 90 minute sessions. The space is in the care of a rotating team of volunteers.
To view past and recent queries from Virtual Worship for Friends of Color click here.
If you identify as a Person of Color and would like to join us for our weekly worship sharing, please complete this form:
In 2018, Friends General Conference began hosting virtual worship for People of Color. FGC established this practice as a result of a request by Friends of Color who participated in a retreat that summer. During that weekend Friends of Color expressed their pain of feeling oppressed in their meeting which caused them to stop attending. These Friends were clear that Quakerism and worship was core to their lives and wanted an opportunity to continue to worship in community. FGC agreed to support these Friends with providing monthly virtual worships on Zoom. These worships are provided as a place for Friends of Color to come together in community and worship in an environment with Friends who experience marginalization in their lives and Quaker meetings because they are a Person of Color.
During this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, FGC has been offering these virtual worships on a regular basis.
There are two weekly virtual meetings for worship:
Midday weekly worship Wednesdays at 1 PM ET / 12 PM CT / 11 AM MT / 10 AM PT / 7 AM HT.
If you identify as a person of Color and would like to join us for our worship, please complete this form:
In 2018, Friends General Conference began hosting virtual worship for People of Color. FGC established this practice as a result of a request by Friends of Color who participated in a retreat that summer. During that weekend Friends of Color expressed their pain of feeling oppressed in their meeting which caused them to stop attending. These Friends were clear that Quakerism and worship was core to their lives and wanted an opportunity to continue to worship in community. FGC agreed to support these Friends with providing virtual worships on Zoom. These worships are provided as a place for Friends of Color to come together in community and worship in an environment with Friends who experience marginalization in their lives and Quaker meetings because they are a Person of Color.
During this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, FGC has been offering these virtual worships on a regular basis.
Evening worship every other Wednesday at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 6 PM MT / 5 PM PT / 2 PM HT.
If you identify as a person of Color and would like to join us for our worship, please complete this form:
The Ministry on Racism is hosting a bi-weekly virtual Meeting for Worship for white Friends/Friends of European descent confronting racism and white supremacy. This worship seeks to nourish white Friends’ communal anti-racism commitment and provide a space for the work we have to do together. It will be held every Thursday at 8PM EST/7PM CT/ 6PM MT/5PM PT/ 4PM HT(Starting June 2nd) and Friday at 12 PM ET / 11 AM CT / 10 AM MT / 9 AM PT / 6 AM HT. It is in the care of a rotating team of volunteers.
To view past and recent queries from Virtual Worship for White Friends Confronting Racism click here.
If you are white/of European descent and would like to join our worship, please complete the form below:
The 2024 Spring Retreat for Friends of Color will be a hybrid retreat, with both in-person and online offerings. The in-person portion will be held in La Jolla, CA.
Financial aid deadline (please register first!): March 22
In-person registration deadline:April 5
Virtual registration deadline: April 19
Options for Participation:
1. In-person participation: We have rented two houses near the La Jolla Friends Meeting where Friends may stay overnight. We will convene at La Jolla Friends Meeting for retreat programming and meals.
2. Virtual participation: If attending in person is not feasible, you can still be an integral part of the retreat through Zoom. We’ll ensure that you’re actively engaged and included throughout the weekend.
Program Fees:
Overnight fee – single room: $400
Overnight fee – double room: $300
Commuter fee – no overnight accommodations: $200
Virtual fee: $60
Financial Assistance:
We understand that travel and program fees can be a concern for some, and we want to ensure that the retreat is accessible to all who wish to attend. The following funds are available to support travel and program costs:
