by WebPost | Mar 2, 2017 | Peace and Social Concerns
The Thrifty Quaker on Midlothian Turnpike will sponsor Quaker House in March. This is a good time to donate items that have been gathering dust in your closet for a good cause.
The Thrifty Quaker is located in the Midlothian Station Shopping Center at the corner of Midlothian Turnpike (Rt. 60) and Coalfield Road. The address is 13567 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian VA 23113. They are in the corner of the ‘L’ shaped shopping center. The TQ website is at http://www.thriftyquaker.com.
by WebPost | Feb 11, 2017 | Peace and Social Concerns, Testimonies
Randee Humphrey, Clerk of Richmond Friends Meeting, joined a number of religious and organizational leaders at a Standing Together press conference, held at Temple Best-El on December 1, 2016, to demonstrate support for those who were increasingly targeted over the previous month and to stand together against divisive and bigoted rhetoric and actions. Along with others, Randee delivered prepared remarks.
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities posted short videos of all eight speakers on their Facebook page, here. The videos were posted on December 2. The video of Randee is part 4.
A PDF copy of Randee Humphrey’s remarks: Randee Humphrey remarks.
A PDF copy of the Standing Together program and pledge: Standing Together program.
by WebPost | Nov 29, 2016 | Adult Spiritual Education, Peace and Social Concerns
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is now registering for their next Spring Lobby Weekend to be held March 18-21, 2017. The topic will be “Dismantling Income Inequality.”
The program is basically three days of workshops and one day of lobbying, urging members of Congress to:
Support a jobs program for the 21st Century
Modernize our unemployment system for today’s workforce
Stop taxing single people and people under 25 into poverty
For full information and to register, go to fcnl.org … Click on “Action & Events” then “Events” then “Spring Lobby Weekend.”
Registration is only $50, an inexpensive lodging may be available at the hostel, but that may be already fully booked. The RFM Adult Spiritual Education Committee encourages participation, particularly by younger Quakers, and will provide scholarships to this event, up to $400 per person, available to members and attenders of our meeting age 40 and under.
by WebPost | Aug 28, 2016 | Children and Religious Education, Peace and Social Concerns
RE and P&SC Committees again cosponsor the annual IDoP event at Meeting. A great opportunity for children, families and all at Meeting to share some quiet attention to peace – in ourselves, our Meeting, our neighborhood, our community and beyond.
The International Day of Peace is celebrated September 21st every year and is one of the traditions of our Meeting. We gather together to worship in silence with the purpose of focusing on peace. This year it falls on a Monday and we will come together at the Meeting House at 7:00 PM for 30 minutes of worship and followed by a Candlelight Vigil and ending with snacks in the Community Room.
This is the day the peoples and nations dedicate to the temporary ceasefire of wars, violence and fighting in combat zones. It is observed by all United Nations member states and was first celebrated in 1981. This event is about adults choosing peace, reconciliation, and the ending of military conflicts. However, it is much more. It was children from all continents donating coins to melt and to cast a “Peace Bell”. The inscription on its side reads, “Long live absolute world peace.” This Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters to inaugurate this day.
All are welcome to come and help celebrate the goal of peace for all peoples.
by WebPost | Jun 14, 2016 | Peace and Social Concerns
From the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends:
June 14, 2016
“How deeply we are connected.”
A Prayer in response to the shootings at Pulse in Orlando.
Friends believe there is that of God in all people. To intentionally harm another—with our actions, our words, or our policies—is to separate ourselves from God. We are here to love one another and to be loved as God loves us, and as Jesus teaches. We are not whole without each other.
To those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual and queer, whose place of safety has again been targeted and attacked, we stand with you in love. We pray for love big enough to hold us all.
We seek to create a world in which all people are unconditionally loved and cared for, as God unconditionally loves and cares for each of us.
We call on people of all faiths, and no faith, to recommit to the work of ending homophobia and transphobia within our faith communities, our neighborhoods, and our nation. The rhetoric of exclusion, of separateness, and of hate creates a culture that gives rise to acts of terror. We know the power of God’s love is great and that we are called to make manifest that love in the face of hate. We believe that God never calls any person, communion or community to hate or to engage in violence.
We know God’s love extends fully and unconditionally to all who are GLBTIAQ, to all who are Latinx, to all who are Muslim, to all who some in our culture would denigrate or deny full humanity.
We stand with all those who call for this moment in our nation to be a catalyst for greater love, stronger community, and a justice that heals and unites. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that (Martin Luther King).
Fritz Weiss, Presiding Clerk
Sarah Gant, Clerk of Permanent Board
by WebPost | May 23, 2016 | Peace and Social Concerns
A workshop named “Living the Richmond Pledge to End Racism” is being held at the Unitarian Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. on Sat., July 9, 2016 from 9 to 4 and Sat., July 23, 2016 from 1 to 4. The organizers of this event are Annette Marquis and Anita Lee; they are also the organizers of “Living the Pledge to End Racism”. The event is free, donations accepted.
The goals of this workshop are to:
- Integrate the Richmond Pledge into our daily lives
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Recognize and challenge systemic racism
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Confront racism and bias in our everyday lives, and
- Take leadership in ending racism in our community, our culture and our lives.
As part of the workshop participants develop a community of support and an understanding of how to use support in deepening our goal in building a just and equitable, multi-cultural world.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, please email Marcia Dickinson for information on how to apply.
