From 29 September to 3 October 2027, FWCC is planning a Global Online Conference, Sowing Seeds of Justice. This collaborative, global space for spiritual grounding and discernment will support Yearly Meetings to act upon their 2024 World Plenary Meeting commitments to heal and repair relationships in the light of historic and continuing injustices:
“We call on them (FWCC and Yearly Meetings) to begin by examining our own Quaker communities, to engage in dialogue across the FWCC Sections, to center the voices of those who have endured pain, to take action with and alongside allies, to educate and train ourselves, and to share reports of what Friends are doing so that we can learn from one another.”
Using the powerful imagery of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), FWCC invites the global Quaker family to a deep and Spirit-led exploration of our role in healing a world broken by the historic and ongoing harms of exploitation, colonialism, and slavery—and to move from reflection to action.
Yearly Meetings are asked to consider three queries ahead of the Global Online Conference:
1. What acts of injustice, prejudice and discrimination occurring in your communities could your Yearly Meeting be aware of and take action on?
We are called to name our grief in the face of climate and ecological breakdown and face that darkness through the Light with a deeper form of love. The spirit of Ubuntu, the power of community, can also drive us to dig deep into the pain and trauma of the world, to face up to the ongoing effects of historical injustice.
2. What learnings from our Quaker history are there that may be applicable to helping address current injustices and inequities?
Healing begins with sharing our stories, telling the truth, and listening deeply. There are truths which are uncomfortable to hear about Quaker involvement and complicity in past and present injustice. We need to build, or rebuild, trust. We pray that in trying to do the right thing, we do not do further damage. We draw inspiration and hope from the Bible, our Quaker values and examples that demonstrate and lead us to recognise, repent, redeem and restore.
3. How are you sowing seeds of justice, reconciliation and hope?
We need to identify and name the underlying causes of injustice in the world. Only then can we work for repair, through prayerful deep listening. Once we’ve named the issues, we need to listen to that of God in others, and only then speak our truth with humility, in ways which others can hear. As Friends we are called to action in the world, as individuals and as communities.
Download a flyer of the above content to hand out at yearly meeting.
Send responses to Ella Morris
