Dear Friends,
In the wake of President Trump’s Independence Day address at Mount Rushmore, many in our community have expressed deep concern, and we are seeking ways to turn this into shared, collective support.
The speech’s sharp focus on ideological warfare, the targeting of progressive voices, and the explicit threat of “exile” for immigrants and political dissenters stand in stark contrast to the values we seek to live out as the Society of Friends. On a day traditionally meant to celebrate shared freedoms, we instead found ourselves listening to a rhetoric of division.
As we process these events, we want to look clearly at what this political climate means for our communities, and how our faith calls us to respond.
What This Rhetoric Means for Our Communities
The escalating language of division directly challenges the core Testimonies (SPICES) that guide our faith and daily practice:
- The Testimony of Equality: Our foundational belief that there is that of God in everyone is fundamentally rejected by rhetoric that labels political opponents as mortal enemies and threatens to exile “newcomers” who hold differing ideals. We believe no one is disposable, and no one is outside the reach of the Inner Light.
- The Testimony of Peace: Framing domestic political disagreement as an existential war akin to World War II or 9/11 stokes animosity and fear. As Quakers, we are actively called to take away the occasion of all wars—including the rhetorical and cultural wars that fracture our human family.
- The Testimony of Community: Threatening marginalized groups, immigrants, and those working toward racial and social justice harms the wider fabric of our society. When our neighbors are threatened, our collective spiritual well-being is impacted. We cannot have a healthy meetinghouse if we ignore the storms raging outside its doors.
Looking to Our Future: How Will We Respond?
This moment calls us not to despair or anger, but to steadfast, faithful action. Outrage burns hot but leaves us empty; spiritual grounding gives us the fuel to endure. In the months ahead, our Meeting will focus on several vital areas of stewardship and witness:
- Deepening Our Commitment to Sanctuary and Justice: We will continue and expand our practical support for immigrant neighbors, marginalized groups, and organizations defending civil liberties. Our meetinghouse will remain a space of safety, truth, and radical welcome.
- Clarity of Witness: We will speak truth to power with love; while firmly choosing not to treat others as enemies.
- Nurturing Our Spiritual Community: Times of political anxiety are exhausting. We will prioritize community within our Meeting, ensuring we have the emotional and spiritual resilience to sustain our witness in the world.
The Fredericksburg Friends New Home & Meeting Time
As the world outside grows louder, the physical spaces where we gather to find sanctuary become even more vital. On that note of community resilience, we have some beautiful news to share.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, we have a beautiful new space to gather. The Unitarians are a wonderful, welcoming group of people, and we are deeply grateful to them for opening their doors to our society.
- When: Every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Where: The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg, VA
- Format: Unprogrammed Meeting. You are welcome to join us in person, and you are always welcome to step in at any time that works for you.
Stay in Touch
We would love to have you join us this Sunday as we hold our world in the Light together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
- Email us anytime: info@societyoffriends.org
- Visit our website: www.societyoffriends.org
- Tip: You can also find our specific homepage via search engines by typing in “Society of Friends” along with the phrase “Finding God.”
Thank you for being a part of our growing community. We look forward to sitting in the silence and sharing a cup of coffee with you soon.
