Based on the number of reports received, World Quaker Day 2022 was the biggest on record, as Friends around the world responded to the invitation to send or receive visitors to or from other Quaker groups, and to explore the theme “Becoming the Quakers the World Needs” together.
Events were hosted in Burundi, DRC, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, India, Japan, Britain, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Switzerland, Palestine, Bolivia, Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala and the USA, joined by visitors from those and many other countries.
In Nairobi, Kenya, 14 Monthly Meetings welcomed visitors from Bolivia, Canada, Northern Ireland, the USA, England, Australia, South Africa and other parts of Kenya who each gave either a message of greeting or the sermon. Friends Church Lang’ata hosted two services – one in the morning with FWCC General Secretary Tim Gee, and another in the afternoon with the whole Executive Committee.
In Guatemala and El Salvador Friends worshipped with one another to glorify God’s name across borders and celebrate the things that unify Quakers around the world. World Quaker Day was also celebrated by Friends in La Paz who live streamed their service to Friends elsewhere.
In Ukraine, Quakers welcomed a visitor who made it there from the US, meeting in person for the first time since the invasion.
Bohol Quakers celebrated World Quaker Day in a pocket forest and permaculture farm in the midst of the city, striving to become Quakers who care for the Earth, care for people and share resources.
Quaker groups in Australia, England, Bolivia, Kenya, Canada, Finland, the USA, and Northern Ireland all welcomed online visitors from elsewhere to programmed, semi-programmed and unprogrammed forms of worship. A full list of reports can be found on the World Quaker Day website.
In preparation for the day, QuakerSpeak released a video exploring how meetings for worship that combine in-person and online attendance can foster a connection to Spirit: What to Expect at a Hybrid Quaker Meeting for Worship
To explore the Bible quote chosen to support the day: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14), Friends Journal published a piece of spiritual reflection by FWCC General Secretary Tim Gee.
World Quaker Day is an annual event to celebrate the diversity of global Quakerism and build connections to make our community stronger. Next year it will take place on 1 October 2023 themed “Living the Spirit of Ubuntu: Responding with Hope to God’s call to Care for Creation and One-another”.