Updates and opportunities to join in NFM’S social witness and community service activities:
American Friends Service Committee
Sat 2/4 - Sat 4/8 12 noon: Black Quaker Lives Matter Film Festival & Forum. Online. Free.
Alternate Saturdays for five total sessions.
This series of programs celebrates Quakers of color who have courageously worked for a more just, peaceful world.
More information: https://www.theblackquakerproject.org/2023-film-festival-forum
Sun 3/12: Emerging Leaders for Liberation Learning Program application deadline.
A program designed for Quaker young adults, students at Quaker colleges, and young adults in AFSC programs (ages 18-22) to hone their skills in leadership and community organizing. Participants will gain an understanding of systemic oppression through trainings and experiences regarding accompaniment, anti-racism, organizing, advocacy, resourcing, and Quaker principles. They will take part in both AFSC-sponsored and other local campaigns and systems-level advocacy efforts. As part of the program, cohort members will be given the opportunity to complete a learning action-project in their community. Program includes in-person and virtual sessions April - November 2023.
More information: https://afsc.org/forms/emerging-leaders-liberation-ell-application
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Sat-Tue 3/25-28: Young Adult Spring Lobby Weekend. Washington DC or Online
From March 25-28, 2023, we will gather, learn, and act to encourage Congress to support violence interruption programs. These programs support community-centered solutions that work to address the root causes of violence.
More information: https://web.cvent.com/event/e65db82d-5cb7-4372-9eea-2101f070a475/summary
Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM)
Sun 3/5: ILYM Annual Session Workshop proposal deadline.
Workshop proposals addressing the 2023 Annual Sessions theme of “Creating Faithful Action in Our Changing World” will explore questions such as: How do we remain faithful to our Quaker values and still create new actions in our rapidly changing world? How does your faithful presence manifest in your community?
More information: https://form.jotform.com/90276809506160
Wed 3/15: Illinois Yearly Meeting Anti-Racism Cafe. Online.
This online discussion takes place on the 15th of each month from 7-8:30 pm.
"Are you interested in connecting with other Friends in Illinois Yearly Meeting on anti-racism work? Then join in at the Anti-Racism Café. Each month the ILYM Ad Hoc Anti-Racism Committee will provide space both for Friends who want to share ideas for anti-racist activism, and for Friends who want to focus on the inward work of becoming anti-racist. This is an opportunity to learn about the experiences of Friends in other meetings, to share resources, and to come together in worship and fellowship to build a wider Quaker community."
More information: https://ilym.org/ilym/anti-racism-cafe/
Japanese American Service Committee
Fri 3/24 6-8 pm: Soup & Rice. JASC, 4427 N. Clark St.
Based on the idea of Soup & Bread community meals, JASC is hosting a series of monthly gatherings this winter. Volunteer soup makers bring a crock pot of their favorite soup to share. JASC provides rice, bowls and spoons. Soup eaters donate, and all funds raised are given to a local nonprofit organization.
To volunteer to bring soup: Contact Jenn Trautvetter, 773-275-0097, ext. 228 or jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org. You can fill out an online form to let Jenn know what you plan to bring by clicking here.
Sun 3/19 2:30 pm: Documentary Screening “Before They Take Us Away.” AMC Evanston 12, 1715 Maple Ave., Evanston.
The untold stories of Japanese Americans who ‘voluntarily’ evacuated from the West Coast in the wake of Executive Order 9066 and spent WWII living outside the comcentration camps. Q&A and discussion following the screening with the film’s producer and director.
Tickets: https://buytickets.at/apuc