The 2003 Peace Conference

Because of its connections with the broad spectrum of Friends, FWCC Section of the Americas is uniquely placed to address the concerns and testimonies that are shared by Friends. For only the fifth time since 1937, FWCC organized a special conference to address a specific concern of importance to Friends. In January, 2003, over 250 Friends representing almost every yearly meeting in the US and Canada met to find the spiritual grounding for affirming the peace testimony. The conference challenged and motivated Friends of all ages. (CD available)

FWCC’s Peace Issues Working Group, the organizers of the conference, continues to meet to follow through with a third part of the mandate for the conference that came out of Annual Meeting 2002. This involves working together with other faith groups and denominations on peace issues. Look for more to come from FWCC Section of the Americas.

The peace and justice for which we long does not depend on our goodness, strength or wisdom. The Good news is that God who already knew our weakness even before we confessed it, chooses—even so—to use us from time to time to give expressions to the peace and justice which is at the very heart of God.

The peace testimony is not a proposition or law, but an unfolding story that reveals itself as we respond to the whispered words of God.

The Good News is that God does actually speak in the midst of our angry, scared and selfish community. From time to time, this gives us courage or strength that we need to go into places that we would otherwise not go, to take nonviolent risks for justice and peace. At these times, we have found the reality that the cross does lead to the experience of resurrection.

All this leads me to suggest that the most radical thing that we can do for peace in this time of perpetual war is to invite others into the experience of the community of faith that we have found so transforming. In this sense, we must all be evangelical.

— Ben Richmond, Richmond Indiana Yearly Meeting, closing panelist at the FWCC Peace Conference

Now Available

FWCC’s Peace Conference Live!

Recordings of the plenary sessions, held at Guilford College. Includes these topics:

• Spirit-led Peacemaking
• Friends’ Biblical & Historical
• Experience with the Peace Testimony
• Wrestling with the Peace Testimony
• Going to the Well/Taking up the Cross
• Visioning & Empowering Peace
• Witness Among Friends

5 CD set · $30.00 · Download order form to mail or fax

 

"Hallowed by Friends even as it provoked attacks from opponents, the Quaker peace witness remains the most remarked-on feature of the Religious Society of Friends. When the world's people think of Quakers, they think of our eschewal of war, and when Friends want to distinguish themselves from other Christian groups, we identify ourselves as one of the ‘historic peace churches.’”

— Larry Ingle,
Southern Appalachian YM and Association, from his plenary talk given at the January 2003 FWCC Peace Conference, Friends’ Peace Witness in a Time of Crisis

 

“I was struck by how powerful it is to be with people who have a concern about peacemaking…”

“I felt invigorated, excited, enriched and challenged by the whole experience. I thank you all for your hard work.”

“(I take back with me) certainly my belief that the living, indwelling Christ was affirmed.”

“The Christian basis of peace witness was most supported. Also—the need to listen to, share with and ‘hold up’ one another.”

—excerpts from conference participants