| Friends General Conference

Quakers Consider: Jesus

In a short video, three Quakers express their perspectives on Jesus.

FGC Newsletters: December 2019

Image credit: Marta Rusek

Each month, FGC distributes two monthly digital newsletters to share updates and information about FGC and QuakerBooks - Vital Friends and Book Musings. Below is the introductory text and links to our December 2019 newsletters for friends.

Vital Friends

Dear Friend,

Gathering Profiles: Junior Gathering Parent

Photo Credit: Marijke van Roojen

Gathering Through Three Generations: Marijke van Roojen and her family

Between October 24th and 27th, 2019 members of FGC's Central Committee met to share reports of our organization's accomplishments over the past 12 months, to approve the 2020 budget, and to discern our work together in the coming year.

A Sneak Peek at the 2020 FGC Gathering

On June 28th, 2020, FGC Gathering 2020: Way Will Open begins at Radford University in Radford, VA. The Gathering team and Gathering 2020 committee members have been hard at work organizing the evening plenary program and reviewing workshop proposals, and we are excited to reveal the fruits of their efforts here!

The FGC Gathering - Where I Find my Quaker Community

Image credit: Marta Rusek

In this reflection from Regina Renee Ward of the Institutional Assessment Implementation Committee, she describes how the experiences of the 2013, 2016, and 2019 FGC Gathering have shaped her understanding of Quaker community.

"On Vocal Ministry": Read the new Pendle Hill Pamphlet by Barry Crossno and J. Brent Bill

FGC's General Secretary Barry Crossno and Quaker author J. Brent Bill have collaborated on a new Pendle Hill pamphlet that examines the spiritual process of vocal ministry. On Vocal Ministry: Nurturing the Community through Listening and Faithfulness includes discussion questions and a detailed diagram for Friends and anyone who feels led to hold the spiritual welfare of their meeting.

Spiritual Deepening eRetreats: Aging & Living

The Aging & Living eRetreat invites you to explore and practice the spirituality of life and life transitions. Rather than focusing on death and dying, this eRetreat explores the spiritual gifts of aging across the lifespan. This eRetreat will run from April 19 - May 15, 2020.

City Love and Kallan Benson

City Love (Sterling Duns and Caselli Jordan) is a West Philly social justice music and education duo. They are teachers and musicians who make music for the world we need and use our songs to spread love, hope, dialogue, justice and healing. They recently released a young children's album about race, honoring our differences, standing up for each other, equity, self-love, and belonging. Kallan Benson, at 16, is already a veteran activist with 7 years of experience fighting for a sustainable future. Kallan is a national coordinator for Fridays For Future USA and integral to the international movement.

Deeper Than The Skin and Wanda Battle

Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway are Deeper Than The Skin. Through words and music they tell informative and inspiring stories of how to face struggle with hope, and even joy. Wanda Battle is the Tour Director of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL. She will share the history of the church, the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the evolution of the civil rights movement.