Jon Watts

I am quoted in today's Daily Quaker Message. This is from a blog post I wrote back in 2012, which was a particularly challenging year for me. Then in my late twenties, I was struggling on a number of fronts: vocationally, with community, with relationships, and financially.

And so I was moved when I saw this quote from my past self in the rough drafts for this month's messages on gratitude—it takes extra effort to be grateful when you are struggling to get your basic needs met, yet I have encountered so many people who are facing incredible challenges but the first words out of their mouths are to give thanks. I'm inspired by them and by the fact that, at least for a moment, I was able to do so in one of my darkest hours. Sometimes our past self delivers words of wisdom for us in the present moment.

Giving thanks for pain "Instead of waking up in the morning and thinking about what feels bad and wrong, what I am striving toward and what I don’t have yet, I’m going to focus on what feels good and right, what I am blessed to experience and humbled to witness."

"I find it easy to recognise the presence of the Host. People come to me in tears, telling me of profound transformational experiences, and I stand in awe. I’ve held the space, but the work hasn’t been done by me. My job is to make room for the Spirit to do its work. It is a constantly humbling experience."
— Mark Russ, 2016
Quaker theologian, writer, and teacher

People come to me in tears On leading a Quaker workshop: "I find it easy to recognise the presence of the Host. People come to me in tears, telling me of profound transformational experiences, and I stand in awe. I’ve held the space, but the work hasn’t been done by me. My job is to make room for the Spirit to do its work...

The Daily Quaker Message Nourish your spiritual journey with daily Quaker wisdom.

It was such an honor to get to talk with David LaMotte for the podcast. His message is incredibly important for all of us in this moment.

David LaMotte: Quaker Musician and Hope-Monger Quaker musician David Lamotte confronts the myth of powerlessness with his Quaker-inspired vision of "grounded hope," sharing profound stories and two live songs that reveal how you are already changing the world.

When I designed my first youtube channel back in 2013, I had very little knowledge of filmmaking and so I stuck with strictly talking-head interviews. By the time that project took off (5 million views and counting!) I was burned out, but I never let go of the initial dream—a comprehensive channel with a variety of approaches to content (playful! minidoc! funny! inspiring!) told by a team of filmmakers who are expert at their craft.

Thanks to many confluent factors, including support from hundreds of generous Quakers all over the world, I am so happy to say: that initial vision is finally being realized. Ellie and Michael are incredibly talented, they've released 4 videos so far, and there's a lot more to come.

And it is happening just in time. We are in need of these stories, now more than ever. Let's lift up the world we know is possible, again and again and again.

Quaker Videos is Here! We are living through extraordinary times. How are Friends meeting this moment? Our filmmakers Ellie and Michael have been traversing the country, seeking to answer that question. The result is a series of high-quality short films—available on all video platforms (yes, even TikTok!)—that seek to...

Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone, which is why the threat of armed agents interrupting our worship services infringes on our freedom to practice our religion.

Many thanks to everyone who talked to us for today's podcast episode about the lawsuit. I think its one of our best yet.

The “Quakers vs. ICE” Lawsuit When the federal government rescinded a decades-old policy protecting houses of worship from immigration raids, a group of Quakers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. Their argument is uniquely Quaker: the threat of armed agents in their meeting houses creates a "chilling ef...

It was an honor to get to talk with Daniel, whose regular updates through Choose Democracy have been a voice of reason and grounding in a difficult time. When I learned he was a Quaker, I knew we had to feature him on the podcast!

How Trump Made Me A Quaker: Faithful Resistance with Daniel Hunter In times of political upheaval, when institutions feel unreliable and the future uncertain, how do we resist authoritarianism without becoming what we oppose? Daniel Hunter, co-founder of "Choose Democracy" and seasoned organizer, shares how Trump's second election unexpectedly led him to claim his....

O is one of the most inspiring, visionary human beings I know. Last weekend she let me follow her around with my tape recorder.

God is Everywhere: Vocal Ministry in Everyday Conversations What if every conversation you have is an opportunity for vocal ministry?

Are you in the Doug Gwyn Fan Club? Then you'll definitely want to check out this week's podcast episode, all about what Georgia calls “this morass of disgruntled, unsettled, and probably pretty freaked out Brits”

The Weird World of Religious Radicals in 17th Century England Who in the world were the Ranters, and what do they have in common with Quakers?