Background

As our plane descended into Tel Aviv on Jan. 11, a small rainbow arced over the Holy Land. I had come looking for signs of hope amid a time of devastating violence and suffering in Israel and occupied Palestinian territory.

Many Quaker organizations, meetings, and churches are sharing their concern around the war in Gaza and escalating violence across the Middle East.

Climate change creates or worsens a variety of global challenges, and the lasting impacts of climate-induced harms disproportionately affect Global South nations.

When talking about the 2024-2028 FCNL Strategic Plan: Towards the World We Seek, governors and staff often described it as exciting and hopeful. Exciting because it builds on the huge gains of the past and hopeful because it delineates a path through the world of now and the not yet.

FCNL’s nonpartisan approach is a commitment to listening deeply, connecting over shared values, and taking practical steps forward together toward the world we seek. It is a commitment to seeing that of God in everyone, including members of Congress. We believe it is the way to sustain a just and resilient democracy.

The way these conversations happen matters. Here are some suggestions for holding a conversation in your meeting, church, or other group.

Since February 2022, the world has witnessed brutal war and horrific human suffering following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) urges Congress and the Administration to play a constructive role in ending the violence. Our Quaker faith calls us to always seek nonviolent solutions, even amid violence, and to help repair the wounds of war. The U.S. has a responsibility and an opportunity to champion a just and secure peace in the region, which can only be achieved through peaceful means.

Violence interrupter programs are community-based initiatives that use peacebuilding approaches to stop incidents of community violence before they occur. These programs take people who understand the challenges unique to their community and utilize that knowledge to interrupt violence.

Instead of giving the Pentagon and weapons contractors an additional $16.4 billion to fund their wish list for weapons and war, the American people deserve to get their own unfunded needs met. This year, FCNL’s People’s Unfunded Priorities List highlights four key areas where these additional funds could be better spent supporting human needs.

As the oldest registered religious lobby in Washington, D.C., it would be easy for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) to celebrate its accomplishments and ride off into the sunset. After all, the organization has done a lot in 80 years. But that is not FCNL’s way.