Friend,
The current administration is operating at a whirlwind pace and sowing chaos as it goes. FCNL strives to operate at the speed of Light in our advocacy for peace, justice, and the environment. This month, we want to highlight both the steadiness of our work and how we are all called to be responsive.
Steadiness
FCNL’s vision statement guides our work across administrations and Congresses. We remain committed to our mission, core values, and to work for anti-racism, anti-bias, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Our advocacy is grounded in the movement of Spirit. Our lobbying priorities are established through deep discernment with Friends, reflecting more than just one political moment. We continually take opportunities to gather in stillness and reflect as a community.
Responsiveness
From this solid foundation, we pursue new approaches. We are pushing back against the current administration’s overreach in weekly Capitol Hill vigils with our faith partners. Local Advocacy Teams and upcoming Spring Lobby Weekend participants are responding to the moment. A new storytelling project seeks to shift the narrative around migration. Recognizing the depth of care in our community, we are lifting up resources on a range of civil rights issues that are outside of our legislative priorities this year.
At this challenging time, how is your Quaker meeting, church, or community holding steady to your deepest truths? How does meeting this moment invite you into new ways of living out those beliefs with integrity?
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In peace,
Lauren Brownlee Deputy General Secretary |
| This digital newsletter connects FCNL’s advocacy with the Quaker faith and practice that underpins all our work. We share resources and opportunities that individuals and communities can use to live their faith through action. Is your meeting or church receiving this newsletter? Please forward this email to your community or subscribe here. |
Legislative Actions of the MonthJoin more than 300 FCNL Spring Lobby Weekend participants in advocating for access to affordable healthcare and nutritious food by preventing cuts to the Medicaid and SNAP programs. We can only do work like this because of your generous support. Make a gift today to support all of FCNL’s lobbying! |
Upcoming with FCNL
- Organizing for the Times We Are In, hosted by Beacon Hill Friends House, will feature lobby training for SNAP and Medicaid with Micah MacColl Nicholson and Olivia Delaplaine (March 19, 7:30 - 9 p.m. ET, online)
- Kite Building for Peace at Friends Place (March 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET, on site only)
- Applications for the 2025 Advocacy Corps program are open! Young adults ages 19-30 receive training and a stipend to organize their local community around federal legislation. Apply by April 18, 2025.
Act with Your Friends Community
- Thank you to everyone who has shared minutes from your meeting or church related to migration. Find inspiration from others, and share yours by emailing quakers@fcnl.org.
- Do you want to get better at facilitating conversations across difference? Join FCNL and Essential Partners for two online trainings to support you and your community, on March 17 and April 5. Find out more and sign up here.
- Two opportunities to witness each Wednesday! Join FCNL and faith partners for a Capitol Hill vigil from 12-12:30 p.m. ET (hybrid), then reflect and center during our Witness Wednesday Silent Reflection, 5-6 p.m. ET (online).
- Build your advocacy skills by joining our monthly Intro to Advocacy calls. The next one is coming up on March 19 from 8-9 p.m. ET online.
What's New
- “Humanitarian Aid Should Not be Politicized – Congress Can Show Its Support by Backing UNWRA,” by Odeliya Matter
- “A Window is All We Need: Criminal Legal System in a Second Trump Administration,” by Katherine Jones
- “Congress Takes First Step Toward Repealing the Iraq War Authorization in the 119th Congress,” by Devra Baxter
- More here