Thank you so much for being a supporter of FWCC, as we act on our mission to bring Friends of varying traditions and cultural experiences together in worship, communications, and consultation, to express our common heritage and our Quaker message to the world.
Here are some highlights of what we’ve created and brought about together:
In January, we shared a widely read article written by our General Secretary Tim Gee exploring how Quakers maintain their testimony to peace in the context of the ongoing wars in Ukraine, and in Israel and Palestine.
In February, we published queries from our Study Guide and finalised the World Quaker Songbook (which was subsequently recorded and turned into a YouTube playlist) ahead of the World Plenary Meeting.
In March, QUNO spoke up in the name of FWCC for a Plastics Pollution Treaty at the 6th United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi.
In April, we joined 100+ Friends’ groups and organisations in signing the Israel-Palestine ‘Quaker Vision for Peace Pledge’, and our Justice and Peace Secretary Hezron Masitsa was a keynote speaker at the FWCC Europe and Middle East Section’s online gathering.
In May, the World Office supported the presentation of a leaflet about the benefits of restorative justice at the UN Crimes Commission in Vienna, and gathered together with Quaker agency leaders in Brussels on World Conscientious Objection Day to affirm the right to refuse to harm others.
In June, we opened a Climate Emergency Fund to support Friends suffering from climate related disasters such as floods, landslides, drought and other forms of extreme weather.
In July (the official birth month of one of Quakerism’s co-founders, George Fox) and throughout the year, events and activities took place marking 400 years of Quakers.
In August, around 500 Quakers from 53 countries and 95 yearly meetings gathered in South Africa and online for the FWCC World Plenary Meeting, culminating in an epistle, the ‘weaving’ document and a prayer.
In September, we shared news of the six Strategic Directions for FWCC’s future, and also of a new World Executive Committee of Young Adult Friends.
In October, for World Quaker Day we invited Friends everywhere to watch, enjoy and share a short film about the outcomes of the World Plenary Meeting, and to join a semi-programmed online meeting for worship hosted by the Europe and Middle East Section, and an event in Uganda organised by the Africa Section.
In November, Tim Gee’s visit to Kenya included preaching at Friends International Centre, witnessing the welcoming some of the 500 new members of Nairobi Yearly Meeting after completing their catechism classes, attending the annual Christian World Communions Meeting, as well as meeting with FWCC Central Executive Committee members and leaders of other Quaker groups.
In December, around 10,000 copies of Friends World News’ annual print bulletin will be sent to Friends around the world.
We end the year in deep gratitude for your prayers, donations and support, and wish you a peaceful new year.
Birthday cake celebrating 400 years of Quakerism at the World Plenary Meeting in August