Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office

Last week, around 500 Quakers met in South Africa and online for the . With representatives from 53 countries and 95 Yearly Meetings, worship groups and Quaker organisations, it was a truly diverse gathering! 🌍

Read the epistle 📃and find out more at fwcc.world/epistle-of-world-plenary-meeting

The FWCC World Plenary begins in two days. To follow on social media follow Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas . Sign up here for daily updates by email https://bit.ly/WPDaily

The World Plenary, a global gathering of Friends, will begin next week in South Africa and online. The theme is "Living the Spirit of Ubuntu: Responding with hope to God's call to cherish creation and one another." Sign up here to get the inside scoop with a daily roundup of events: https://bit.ly/WPDaily

Between 1671-72, George Fox continued his mission to be a ‘pattern and example... walking cheerfully over the world’, travelling along the east coast of North America from North Carolina up to Massachusetts. Have you visited anywhere along his route? Tell us where in the comments ⬇️

In 1669, George Fox was “moved of the Lord to go over into Ireland, to visit the Seed of God in that nation”. According to his journals, his travels included visits to Dublin, Bandon Bridge, Cork, Munster, Mallow, Leinster, Portadown, Lurgan and Drogheda. Which is closest to you? Tell us in the comments ⬇️

You've heard of George Fox, but have you heard of Loveday Hambly?

A blue plaque commemorating the Cornish woman who offered George Fox shelter and protection at her farm was unveiled this weekend.

Although she was imprisoned for her Quaker beliefs, Loveday Hambly's faith remained steadfast.

In New Zealand / Aotearoa there is a new postage stamp with Quaker co-founder George Fox on it!

Find out more about here https://fwcc.world/fox/

Travelling to more than 300 places in Britain – very often on foot – one might say George Fox didn’t just talk the talk, but did indeed “walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one”. Have a closer look at this map of his wanderings and tell us where is closest to you in the comments ⬇

George Fox is the best known of the group of men and women who founded Quakerism. In 2024, Quakers around the world are celebrating the 400th anniversary of his birth and everything he contributed to the Quaker movement. After years of talking to religious people, reading the Bible and sitting in quiet reflection, he realised that everyone could have a direct relationship with God, with no need for priests acting as intermediaries between people and God – a radical belief in the 1600s! He travelled around meeting people with similar ideas about the church who were looking for new ways to worship and live a faithful life.

Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office The official page of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, World Office

Please welcome the new Executive Secretary of the Section of the Americas, Evan Welkin!

Evan most recently worked for the Europe and Middle East Section of FWCC, before returning to the USA. He also helped the World Office with the development of the recently announced Climate Emergency Fund

"It seems God is at work with loving and caring ways in FWCC Section of the Americas! I am so pleased Evan Welkin has agreed to join us to serve as Executive Secretary. I believe he will bring gifts to enhance our vision for the future of our Section. For this I am grateful.”

LaVonna Loesch, Great Plains Yearly Meeting
Presiding Clerk of the Section of the Americas

Learn more at fwccamericas.org/news

Pendle Hill is getting ready for the upcoming World Plenary Meeting, with a talk on the theme of the event by outgoing Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas Executive Secretary Robin Mohr

We're gearing up for Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office's World Plenary Meeting!

This event will kick off with our August First Monday Lecture on 8/5, given by Robin Mohr titled "Living the Spirit of Ubuntu: Responding with Hope to God's Call to Cherish Creation and One Another."

Robin is the outgoing Executive Secretary of the FWCC and will be welcoming Friends to the 2024 World Plenary Meeting. In this lecture, she will share stories of where she has seen ubuntu in action as she concludes thirteen years in her position. This lecture is free and open to the public both on campus and online. Registration is required: https://pendlehill.org/events/friends-world-committee-for-consultation-world-plenary-first-monday-lecture/

After the lecture, you can join the Plenary Meeting from August 5-11 at Pendle Hill's hybrid hub either as a sojourner or a commuter. Learn more and register at https://pendlehill.org/events/friends-world-committee-for-consultation-world-plenary-meeting/

Quakers in Ireland were in the news this week.

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/wexford-s-quakers-celebrate-400-years-with-enniscorthy-gathering/ar-BB1po1ng?ocid=BingNewsVerp

Here are some photos from their event

The FWCC Africa Section is inviting you this Sunday 7th July 2024 for All African worship online, ahead of the World Plenary Meeting next month.

Time:
4pm Southern African time
5pm East African Time

FWCC - Africa Section is inviting you this Sunday
📢7th July 2024 for

Drums are rolling!!!
It's time for all Africa Worship... this Sunday.

📢Time
4pm Southern African time
5pm East African Time

fans
📍 Join Zoom link !!!! 👇😀😊
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4934311103?pwd=IJaPFfsNFLfdc4rfoM6rjRFYjBblWK.1&omn=87877237700

“And when all my hopes in them [religious leaders] and in all men were gone…I heard a voice which said, ‘There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition,’ and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy.”

Paul Anderson reflects on

Happy 400th Birthday, George Fox | George Fox University He’s the founder of the Quaker movement, the namesake of our university, and this July, we’re celebrating the life and legacy of George Fox on what will be his 400th birthday.

We're enjoying the different images coming through for

George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, is turning 400 years old! And he doesn’t look a day over 66!

His exact birthday is unknown, but we do know it was in July (or Seventh Month, if you’re feeling Friendly).

Quakers around the world are holding events to celebrate. See if there’s one near you (or virtual!) to get in the party spirit: https://fwcc.world/event/fox/
Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office

Friends across the world are marking 400 years since the birth of Quaker co-founder, George Fox. From celebrations to talks, both in-person and online, tell us which events you'll be joining in the comments below.
(For further details visit fwcc.world/event/fox)

💻 ONLINE EVENTS 💻
‘Experiment with Light, a Quaker Spiritual Practice’, a series of guided meditative processes based on Fox’s insights – 30 June at 16:00, 3 July at 19:00, 6 July at 10:00 (BST)

‘George Fox: the Quaker Peace Testimony’, discussion with Douglas Gwyn and Rhiannon Grant hosted by Woodbrooke – 13 July, 16:00-17:30 (BST)

🏠💻HYBRID EVENTS 🏠💻

Celebration of George Fox’s 400th Birthday at Australia Yearly Meeting – 12 July, 16:30 (AEST)

🏠 IN PERSON EVENTS 🏠

‘Rooted in Story: Reflections on 400 Years of George Fox’, panel discussion at the Friends General Conference gathering at Haverford College, Pennsylvania – 1 July

Explore a 1694 edition of George Fox’s journal and other rare books from the Quaker Collection with curators Jane Wild and Renée Orr at the Central City Library, Auckland – 4 July, 10:30-11:30 (NZST)

Geoffrey Durham on George Fox, Barrow Library, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria – 6 July, 14:30 (BST)

‘George Fox 400: A Concert of Words and Music’, Jordans Quaker Meeting House, Welders Lane, Jordans – 7 July 15:00 (BST)

George Fox walk and concert at Selly Oak Meeting House, Birmingham – 14 July, 13:00-18:30 (BST)

‘A Week of Celebration of the lives of Margaret Fell & George Fox’, family activities, talks and guided tours at Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston – 15-20 July

Exhibition about the life of George Fox, Clevedon Local Meeting, North Somerset – 20 July, 10:00-16:00 (BST)

Quaker Walk, Plays, Poetry and Worship at Worcester Meeting House – 20 July 13:00-17:00 (BST)

Birthday celebrations including chanting and dancing, campfire sharing, and a meteor shower viewing, Friends Wilderness Center, West Virginia – 27 July

Birthday Party at Britain Yearly Meeting, Friends House, London – 28 July

Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office The official page of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, World Office

This weekend as part of

- Friends in Burundi are marking George Fox's 400th birthday as they also mark 20 Years of Kamenge Quarterly Meeting (see below)
- Friends in Philadelphia are organising a birthday party at the historic Arch Street Quaker Meeting House https://www.historicasmh.org/events-at-asmh/2024/6/29/george-foxs-400th-birthday-celebration
- Friends in Britain have launched a new webpage about Fox and his legacy https://www.quaker.org.uk/george-fox-400
- Friends online are planning an 'Experiment with Light' meditation based on Fox's teachings https://experiment-with-light.org.uk/

Full listing of July events coming next week

Do you know Friends suffering from climate related disasters who could benefit from small-scale, short term funding? Our Climate Emergency Fund provides sums of around £500 to support Quaker communities directly affected by the effects of floods, landslides, drought and other forms of extreme weather.
➡️Visit fwcc.world/CEF to apply or donate

Register for the World Plenary Meeting, 5-12 August to worship and connect with Friends from around the world 🌍 and to help set the direction for where FWCC goes next ➡️ at fwcc.regfox.com/fwcc-world-plenary-meeting

“In the afternoon the people gathered about me, with several of their preachers. It was judged there were above a thousand people to whom I declared God's everlasting truth and Word of life freely and largely for about the space of three hours."

Quakers in '1652 country' have made a visit to where George Fox gave one of his most pivotal speeches

Cumbria Quakers celebrate George Fox’s 400th birthday Four hundred years after the birth of one of their founders, Quakers in Cumbria celebrated where it all began on Firbank Fell with their annual outdoor meeting for worship.

Last month FWCC Justice and Peace Secretary Hezron Masitsa joined Friends to speak up for restorative justice at the UN Crimes Commission.

Read more in The Friend https://thefriend.org/article/friends-talk-restorative-justice-at-un

We're delighted to say that the George Fox 400 Birthday Pack, World Quaker Songbook and World Plenary Study Guide have all now been printed, and are available from the Quaker Bookshop (see https://bookshop.quaker.org.uk/digital ) or online on the FWCC website. Enjoy!

Friends World Committee for Consultation - FWCC World Office The official page of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, World Office

Please let us add our congratulations to the Ramallah Friends School Class of 2024 from the FWCC World Office. Your accomplishments in the face of tremendous adversity are indeed an inspiration.

Nestled in the latest Thee Quaker podcast (about the board game Monopoly!) is a shout out for the deadline for online bookings for the World Plenary which is 30 June.

You can listen here https://fwcc.world/wpm/ (Shout out at 13:50) and book for the World Plenary here: https://fwcc.world/wpm/

The Making Of Monopoly: How Quakers Shaped The World’s Most Popular Board Game We explore the twisty history of the world’s most popular board game, from its anti-capitalist origins to the Quakers who transformed the game into what it is today.

We lack some information about George Fox's early life, because (according to one story) his baptismal records were ripped out to make covers for preserves!

There's still plenty we can say though, with 50+ events planned this year which will do so, to mark his 400th year. See list here: https://fwcc.world/fox/

Picture: Photo from page 3 of Elfrida Vipont's biography "George Fox and the Valiant Sixty".

Today in Auckland Central City Library a rare 1694 edition of George Fox’s journal will go on display, as well as other books published by Quakers.

The display is themed around Quaker Testimonies of: Peace, Simplicity, Integrity, Equality and Sustainability.

The display runs from 5 June to 31 July, with an opportunity to see more of the Quaker Collection up close with Rare Book curators Jane Wild and Renée Orr on Thursday 4 July 10.30-11.30am in the Whare Wānanga

More info: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2024/06/people-called-quakers-celebrating-400-years-since-the-birth-of-george-fox/

"Though ages and generations pass away, and one generation goes and another comes, yet the word and power and spirit of the living God endures for ever, and is the same and never changes."

Here's a photo Arch Street Quakers and the Haverford College archives of what (some) Quakers used to look like, taken at Arch Street Meeting House

Quote from Margaret Fell

120 years ago, Quakers in the Philadelphia region gathered to celebrate the centennial anniversary of our worship space, Arch Street Meeting House. June 4, 1904 was marked with exhibitions and fellowship, with this photograph capturing Quakers on the meetinghouse lawn as part of the festivities.

Hard to believe our worship space is 220 years old this year!

📷: Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College. Photograph c. June 4, 1904. HC12-15343.