About this month’s session
- Query: How is the peace testimony relevant in authoritarian America?
What is the “Seeking Quakers” series?
Interested in learning more about Quakers? Interested in deepening your sense of Truth and the Inner Light with Friends? Join us at 7:00pm each month to explore a query (that’s Quakerspeak for an open-ended question) and related readings.
We meet in person and online at the same time, a hybrid event.
Participate at your comfort level. Companionable listeners are welcome. No Quaker experience is required. We also welcome Quakers from all branches of Quakerism.
Registration or RSVP are not required. Seeking Quakers may be on hiatus during some summer months, see the calendar for more information.
Event Details
Date: Jan 14, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00-8:30pm Eastern
Format: Online and in person, hybrid
Location: Online and at North Broadway United Methodist Church at 48 E N Broadway Street, Columbus. Enter in front door.
Registration/RSVP?: No
Zoom information
seeking quakers zoom link Meeting ID: 883 2721 5869
Ages: Suggested ages are 13 and up.
Accessibility: Zoom’s automated captioning is enabled. Participants online are welcomed to keep their camera on or off during the event. Also, online participants are welcomed to write their comments in the chat instead of voicing them.
North Broadway United Methodist Church has accessible parking, ramps, and elevators within the building. To get in the building are 2 sets of glass pull open doors. The restrooms are accessible. Arrangements can be made to tour the space in person or video live video.
Any other accessibility questions, please contact: Brittany at Outreachinreach@gmail.com
Resources:
Some possible readings/videos:
Quaker testimony of peace and integrity, which has historically meant nonviolent confrontation with policies and systems seen as unjust—not through force, but through moral witness, legal challenge, public advocacy, and sustained community engagement. wikipedia entry peace testimony
These Times Are Spiritual Doorways February 25, 2025 By Daniel Hunter Spiritual Doorways article
There is something afoot in these times of great political turbulence that is inviting us to connect with greater Spirit.
“How do you hope Trump supporters get their comeuppance? “Look . . . I’m Quaker. That means I believe there is that of God within every person.” “So in this time ahead I want everyone—everyone—to find greater access to their inner voice and connection to the Divine. This will be a way forward for all of us.”
10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won Daniel Hunter November 4, 2024
The key to taking effective action in a Trump world is to avoid perpetuating the autocrat’s goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion and disorientation.
4. Release that which you cannot change
5. Find your path: I’m attracted to “Disrupt and Disobey” — though I know when certain moments hit I’ll be pulled into some immediate “Protecting People.” I’m perhaps too impatient for most “Building Alternatives” and too unhappy with the status quo to do “Defend Civic Institutions.” However, I’m delighted others will do that work!
9. Handle fear, make violence rebound: Handling fear isn’t about suppressing it — but it is about constantly redirecting. One activist described to me two motions in the universe: shrinking or expansion.
10. Envision a positive future: I don’t feel certain, and I’m not predicting we win. But we’ve all now imagined storylines about how bad it might get. We would do ourselves a service to spend an equal measure of time envisioning how we might advance our cause in these conditions.
Human Rights: The Central Issue of Our Time February 15, 1987 By Bayard Rustin Human rights Rustin article link The we/they concept is contrary to the concept of one humanity and, therefore, to the concept of human rights. The concept of human rights means that if I harm anyone, I am attacking myself at the same time …. hatred makes it possible for people to do the same thing to me. My objective must be to eliminate hatred …. At the center of violence in any form is the right to brutalize people, to deny their human rights. judge people the way my mother wanted me judged: not where I stood but in what direction I was going.
A “Know Your Rights” card for Ohio
IF ICE COMES TO YOUR DOOR
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR
Ask through the door: “Do you have a judicial warrant signed by a judge?”
If not: “I do not consent to entry.”
Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or hold it to a window.
STAY SILENT
“I choose to remain silent and I want a lawyer.”
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without a lawyer.
IF ICE STOPS YOU IN PUBLIC Ask:
“Am I free to leave?”
If yes, walk away.
If no, stay silent and ask for a lawyer.
You do not have to answer questions
or show immigration papers.
HELP — OHIO
Ohio Immigrant Hotline
(440) 735-7760
Write down name, time, and place if someone is taken.
North Columbus Friends Meeting (Quakers) 