Friends General Conference

The Gathering is less than 40 days away! Now that you've registered, what's next? Invite a friend, stock up on scent-free soaps, and finalize your travel arrangements, that's what we recommend!

The Gathering aims to be a scent-free environment. You can help build an inclusive community by buying scent-free shampoo and laundry detergent before you travel. It takes some time, but it's worth the effort -- Access is Love!

See our Accessibility page here:
https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/registration-and-logistics/accessibility/

Conscientious objection is not passive. It is an active and deliberate engagement with one of the most serious questions a person can face: Would I participate in organized killing if my government told me to? If the answer is no, build the evidence for that answer now.

Stony Run Friends Meeting, a group of Quakers in Baltimore City, created a handy leaflet with practical tips. Visit their website to see it: "Registering With The Selective Service System As A Conscientious Objector To War." And share it with folks you know!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-QAmxpckxhRXLnIGI1yynhHXdh4HLMRIJB5sAWZ2Kc0/edit?tab=t.0

Invitation, hospitality, and open hearts: Have you had a deep and surprising conversation lately? This post is part of our reflective series on the poem by LVM Shelton, "A Window and a Door: A Prayer." LVM's poem explores ways of interacting that are spiritual and transformative. Her poem is the inspiration behind the 2026 Gathering theme.

If you're registered for the Gathering, we hope that your Gathering experience brings moments when Spirit flings the door wide open for you -- new realizations, new growth, and new balance in your life.

Explore the Gathering here:
https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/explore-the-gathering/

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Today we honor Fred T. Korematsu, a man who practiced nonviolent resistance at the age of 19. In 1942, Korematsu resisted a racist executive order by refusing to leave home for a Japanese internment camp.

Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt, was in effect with its racist logic. The Lieutenant General at the time argued that “the very fact that no sabotage has taken place” from Japanese Americans proved that soon it would.

Korematsu's case reached the Supreme Court, which ruled against him. More than 30 years later, though, this court ruling was overturned. Toward he end of his life, he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his courage.

This is just a brief snippet. Read more about Korematsu's life here:
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/fred-korematsu-battle-against-internment-of-japanese-americans/

Photo credit: Gary Fong/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The Gathering is a spiritual community of people from diverse households, counties, time zones, and nations. A past attender said: "It was so nourishing just to be there in person, and have many opportunities for spontaneous conversations." A Friend in high school shared: "I feel more connected to Quakerism and more confident and validated in identifying as Quaker." Fees go up on June 1 - Register today!

The Gathering is July 7-12, 2026 in Burlington, Vermont. June 1 is the last day to register children and youth, and it's the last day for the Pre-Gathering Retreat for Friends of Color. Registration closes at midnight on June 19.

https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/registration-and-logistics/

As a peace church, how to Quakers observe ? The answer depends upon the person. Some Friends take time on Memorial Day to reflect on the physical and emotional trauma that happens to all people affected by war. Some Friends teach or learn about Conscientious Objector status, perhaps by supporting young people in building their personal case file against war. Some Friends resist war by refusing to pay taxes, and some Friends look for ways to continue paying health care to veterans while resisting other war taxes.

As a Quaker, how do you intend to observe Memorial Day? Reflections are welcome in the chat.

This week's Vitality newsletter offered some food for thought. You can read it here:
fgcquaker.org/memorial-day

And, to learn about Conscientious Objector tips from Friends in New York, see their website:
nyym.org/content/conscientious-objection-war

Many people say that the FGC Gathering acted as a catalyst in their lives -- that they were already headed for spiritual change, but they met the right people and the right conditions at the Gathering. Find your voice at the Gathering. Listen well; anchor at the Source; come away transformed.

The 2026 Gathering will be July 7-12, 2026 in Burlington, Vermont. Fees go up on June 1, so register today!

https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/registration-and-logistics/

Next month is Pride Moth! Has your meeting ever set up a table at Pride? How did people interact with you as they walked by? What did you do to respond to wind, rain, or other surprises that can happen when running a booth outside? This post is part of our "What Say You" series in which we ask Friends (and newcomers!) about aspects of Quaker outreach.

And if you have marched in Pride, feel free to share a photo! We'd love to see your smiling faces.

If you're new to Quaker spaces, check out the public statements that Friends have made in support of LGBTQ+ rights. They're listed as "Minutes of Conscience," which are public statements that the Quaker meeting can get behind as a group.

https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcresources/minutes-of-conscience/lgbtq-concerns/

Friends General Conference sends its gratitude to Melissa Rycroft, who recently joined Governing Board as the Assistant Presiding Clerk. Recently, she has also served as the Presiding Clerk for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Melissa loves cats, Quakers, and camping. She serves as the Assistant Clerk for Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting and as Clerk of the Board of Trustees for Greenwood Friends School. We're grateful for her leadership!

You can read short Bios for many of our Governing Board members at:
https://www.fgcquaker.org/governing-board/