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
-
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.
-
Friday, April 26th, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Virtual
-
-
Poetry as Spiritual Practice
The Poetry as Spiritual Practice workshop invites you to experiment with words as a way to deepen your connection with your Inner Guide.
-
Saturday, April 27th, 2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Virtual
-
-
Building a Meaningful and Connected Life eRetreat
The Building a Meaningful and Connected Life eRetreat delves into the profound spirituality of meaning-making, resilience, renewal, and life transitions. Through contemplative…
-
Monday, April 29th, 2024 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Virtual
-
-
Virtual Worship Sharing for Friends of Color
FGC’s Ministry on Racism has agreed to hold spaces for worship sharing among Friends of Color.
-
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 8:00 PM
- Virtual
-
-
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.
-
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 1:00 PM
- Virtual
-