Category Archives: Quakers

FUM, John Muhanji, Uganda & “KILL The GAYS Laws: A Few Questions

October is Visitation & Board meeting month for Friends United Meeting (FUM). Besides board members from FUM’s shrinking but scattered territories, notable Friends will be gathering in and around its home turf of Richmond Indiana. Among the most notable of these visitors is Kenyan Friend John Muhanji, who heads FUM’s African ministries. Besides official sessions, … Continue reading FUM, John Muhanji, Uganda & “KILL The GAYS Laws: A Few Questions →

The “Great Dechurching”: Can it be stopped? Should It?

Religious News Service ‘The Great Dechurching’ explores America’s religious exodus A new study looks at why millions of Americans left church — and what might bring them back. September 7, 2023 By Bob Smietana (RNS) — Jim Davis and Michael Graham knew something was up in their hometown of Orlando, Florida. But they couldn’t put … Continue reading The “Great Dechurching”: Can it be stopped? Should It? →

Another Quaker Breakup: Indiana YM “Quits” FUM (Sort of)- Wants to Take Africa Missions With It

The total number of splits in American Quakerdom since 2000 has just gone from five to six. And signs of more trouble are on the horizon. Indiana Yearly Meeting (IYM), which saw eighteen of its meetings expelled or withdraw in 2013, has now pushed its separatism further by leaving Friends United Meeting. But IYM … Continue reading Another Quaker Breakup: Indiana YM “Quits” FUM (Sort of)- Wants to Take Africa Missions With It →

Quaker Book Giveaway: Turning the Page on Florida Censorship

Florida Quakers give away hundreds of Black-history books By Special to the Beacon August 8, 2023 BOOK GIVEAWAY A SUCCESS — Members of the DeLand Quakers stand in front of a portion of the books on Black history collected to be distributed at the recent rescheduled Juneteenth celebration. In front, from left, are Kathy Hersh, … Continue reading Quaker Book Giveaway: Turning the Page on Florida Censorship →

A Response to a Comment: Who Is this Quaker named “Wlliam Leddra”?

In a June blog post here about virulent persecution of LGBTQ folk in Uganda based on a draconian new “kill the gays” law, a correspondent known to us as “William Leddra” issued a call to Quakers, who have two yearly meetings in Uganda, and affiliations with Friends United Meeting [aka FUM] based in Richmond, Indiana, … Continue reading A Response to a Comment: Who Is this Quaker named “Wlliam Leddra”? →