A longstanding tradition among Friends is to record in a paragraph or two a spiritually grounded moral or conscientious position on a topic of concern in contemporary society. For instance, a number of minutes have been written and circulated over the years opposing the death penalty. The minute is intended as a public witness on the issue, and proceeds from a palpable sense of the meeting, not just a lukewarm “okay.” Sometimes, it is reached after a long struggle and represents a new understanding. Copies are often sent to pertinent politicians and/or others and sent to newspapers as letters to the editor.
The list below represents minutes of conscience that were discovered via web search in 2022, as well as a few submissions. Please contact the Communications Team via the contact page if you have a submission.
Anti-Racism
- Anti-Racism Minute, Atlanta (GA) Friends Meeting
- Hatred, Racist Violence, and Domestic Terrorism Minute, Atlanta (GA) Friends Meeting
- Minute on Reparative Justice and Reconciliation, Atlanta (GA) Friends Meeting
- Minute on Responding to Systemic Racism and Police Violence, North Columbus (OH) Friends Meeting
- Statement Against Expression of Racism in Our Country, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
- Racial Justice, Red Cedar (MI) Friends Meeting
Environment and Sustainability
- Sustainability, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
Indigenous Concerns
- Minute of Northern Yearly Meeting of Quakers to Renounce the Doctrine of Discovery
- Minute on Native Boarding School Legislation (2022), North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
LGBT Concerns
- Sexuality and Gender Equality, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Minute Welcoming and Affirming Transgender People, North Columbus (OH) Friends Meeting
- Gender and Sexual Equality – Updated, Memphis (TN) Friends Meeting
- Minute on Transgender Rights, Friends Meeting of Washington (DC)
Marriage Equality
- Minute of Welcoming and Affirming Marriage, North Columbus (OH) Friends Meeting
- Defense of Marriage Laws, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
Peace
- Terrorism and War, George Fox
- Peace Testimony Statement, North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
- Declaration on Peace and Violence, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Minute on Nuclear Weapons, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Gaza and Israel, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Statement on Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting
- Minute in Support of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Frederick (MD) Friends Meeting
- Minute on Escalation in Iraq, North Columbus (OH) Friends Meeting
- Minute on the War in Ukraine, Friends Meeting of Washington (DC)
Reproductive Health
- Minute on Reproductive Health, Oxford (OH) Friends Meeting
This list was first assembled by Mathilda Navias and Carl Stanton in 2022. Last updated March 6, 2024.
Events
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Virtual Worship for White Friends Confronting Racism- Friday
The Ministry on Racism is hosting a weekly virtual Meeting for Worship for white Friends/Friends of European descent confronting racism and white supremacy.
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Friday, March 29th, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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A Quaker Way of Living with Dying eRetreat
The ‘A Quaker Way of Living with Dying’ eRetreat honors the spirituality of death while celebrating the richness of growing old. Through contemplation and community, we uncove…
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Monday, April 1st, 2024 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
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Virtual Worship Sharing for Friends of Color
FGC’s Ministry on Racism has agreed to hold spaces for worship sharing among Friends of Color.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 8:00 PM
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Virtual Worship for Friends of Color – Midday Weekly Worship
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.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 1:00 PM
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Virtual Worship for Friends of Color – Evening Biweekly Worship
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.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 8:00 PM
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