“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
— Romans 12:10

The 1000+ Friends who arrived at Gathering this summer were warmly greeted by Kira Smith. She ran the first stop at the Haverford campus, the COVID testing tent. After check-in, she graciously remained on-call for the week as a healthcare provider, while serving as support staff to the high school program.  “A labor of love,” she proclaims.

When she’s not volunteering with FGC, Kira works for Doctors Without Borders. There, too, she is often the first person to greet travelers coming in off the road. But they are adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, in what is considered the most dangerous refugee passage on earth. Many of the travelers she treats — adults and children — have survived unspeakable violence. As a certified nurse-midwife, Kira is often the first person to sit with them and listen as they share their story.

“There’s a guiding principle in Doctors Without Borders,” she says. “Témoignage.’ It means that even if we cannot help or intervene, we can always be a witness to what is happening in front of us.” It is a comfort to know that in the world’s most troubled waters, Kira is showing up as a witness and a Friend. 

And Quaker community is showing up for her.

“My Quaker faith definitely keeps me centered,” Kira says. For many years she’s participated in FGC’s Gathering, Ministry on Racism retreats, and online Spiritual Deepening eRetreats. These opportunities for connection help her feel restored and more prepared to continue her life-saving ministry.

Quaker witness and compassion are needed now more than ever. Donate to FGC today to help support Kira and Friends like her, who rely on Quaker community to stay connected and centered as they wage peace in the world.

“All that you touch, you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change. God is change.” ― Octavia E. Butler

In October, Kira and other volunteers met at Central Committee, FGC’s governing body. While there, they discerned and approved a decision to expand FGC’s outreach efforts. As Quakers, we don’t pressure people into joining our faith. But we do want to be visible so people can find us! A lot of newcomers to Quakerism don’t realize we have a deep spiritual tradition, as well as progressive activism. Our regularly scheduled worship may not be enough to attract and introduce new people to our faith and Quaker community.

FGC is working on ideas for invitational outreach that would help meetings offer meaningful participation to attract new people. Things like justice worker retreats, spiritual mentorship opportunities, and teaching Quaker process to youth to help them discern their own solutions. Simply put, it’s time for us to prepare for, invest in, and decide that the Religious Society of Friends is going to have a vibrant future!

Can you donate today and help provide our growing Quaker community with access to enriching Quaker programs, resources, and events?

From now until the end of the year, when you donate to FGC, a generous Friend has offered to match your gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000. If you give today, the impact of your gift is doubled! Donate online with the QR code below, go to fgcquaker.org/donate, or mail a check using the enclosed envelope.

Perhaps like Kira and many Friends, you’ve found it’s easier to show up as a compassionate witness and live a life devoted to love, when you have the support of Quaker community. Help strengthen that resource. Please support FGC’s vital programs that nurture the lives of Friends and meetings — donate to FGC today.

In Friendship,

Barry Crossno
General Secretary,
Friends General Conference