Richmond (VA) Friends Meeting

Donna Knicely Bequest Mini-Grants
Round 2

by WebPost | Mar 24, 2021 | Announcement

New application submissions are from March 21- June 21, 2021

Requests should be guided by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship of the environment. Funds may be requested for (but not limited to) the development of programs, activities, items or workshops that support and enhance the Meeting and/or the broader community. Requests for funds will typically be in a range between $500.00 up to $2000.00.

Further explanation, and all forms and instructions are available on the Donna Knicely Bequest Page at the Richmond Friends Meeting Website. (You must however first login to find the Donna Knicely Bequest Page).

If you have any questions please contact a member of the Bequest Fulfillment Ad Hoc Committee: Tracy Cain, Roni Kingsley, or Jean Washburn

Meeting for Worship at the Clearing: Scheduling Adjustment

by WebPost | Mar 24, 2021 | Announcement

Beginning in April, worship at The Clearing will take place on the first and fourth Sundays. This change will provide an opportunity for Religious Education teachers to participate once a month.

Muslim Conscientious Objector – From the Quaker House GI Rights Hotline Counselors – Lenore and Steve

by WebPost | Mar 22, 2021 | Announcement

Over the past month, our work has focused on a large number of conscientious objection cases at varying stages of the process. In one case, we have had the privilege of supporting a Muslim conscientious objector. She is the first CO we have worked with who is part of the new Space Force, which falls under Air Force command and regulations. A couple weeks ago she was interviewed by the appointed investigating officer (IO) for her case. We were pleased to see that the IO very conscientiously educated himself beforehand about Islam by doing his own research, which included seeking out a Muslim chaplain. In the interview, our applicant was relaxed, confident, and candid about her faith; the IO subsequently recommended her for approval. Her written application beautifully sums up the basis of her belief:

I believe that war, fighting, and harming others is wrong. Islam preaches justice, mercy, fairness, and forgiveness. I believe that God wants every being to live peacefully and to treat one another well, and like brethren. We are not meant to be divided and feuding. In the Quran, Allah says, “Mankind is a single nation” (C2, V213). Unfortunately, Muslims everywhere often suffer from the stigma that some extremists have caused. But like most Muslims, I believe that we are all one and should all be behaving like such. I believe that if I am participating in the harm of some, I am participating in the harm of all and God has opposed this behavior. The Holy Quran says, “To kill one innocent person is akin to killing all mankind…” (C5, V32).

Quaker House supports the GI Rights Network through the work of paid counselors Steve and Lenore, and executive director Kindra Bradley, who serves on the GI Rights Network board of directors. Steve, Lenore and Kindra recently completed a training session for 10 new, volunteer GI Rights Hotline counselors, who are currently "shadowing" the trained counselors on client calls. Find out more about the GI Rights Network here: https://quakerhouse.org/counselors-to-the-gi-rights-hotline/

******* Friends Meeting and individual donors are a continuing source of support for Quaker House. Thank you!

New Friendly 8’s Group

by WebPost | Feb 26, 2021 | Announcement

A new Friendly 8s group on the broad topic of Climate Change is being formed by Arthur Shurcliff, Joe Ball and Jim Thoroman. It will meet online using Zoom, once a week for about 8 weeks. The group will be limited to 8 to 10 people to optimize the experience as a small group meeting virtually. If more Friends are interested, one or more additional groups will be formed.

The first group will meet on weekday evenings, starting the second or third week in March. If you are interested in participating, send an email to Jim Thoroman at jothoro1917@gmail.com. Please include the weekday evenings you are available to meet in your reply.