Why not just close up shop and not have a Quaker church? It’s a question in the back of some minds each time we read the budget numbers. But regardless of our size or our budget, I believe that we are essential, direly needed, in turning this world around, and every little bit, every individual, every meeting counts.  Right now we can be that “little bit.”  Maybe in a while we will do more and have more individuals as people come to the light we shine.

In 2012 850 Friends of all kinds (programmed, unprogrammed, semi-programmed, conservative, liberal, moderate) and all countries from Asia and Africa to South America and Belize met to talk about the world problems and ways that Friends could uniquely address some of them.  There was a lot of fighting, arguing, rough discourse. But when it came to what we should be in the world, it became very clear, and the meeting was in unity completely on the Barack Call for Peace and Ecojustice.  You heard Annette read today. We can help this world that is so divided and hurting.

When the yearly meeting met two weeks ago, it was my responsibility to write the Epistle which is a letter that states what the entire meeting was about.  In general, it was about how we as Quakers are needed in today’s world, and that we can live our faith out through loving kindness and steadfast faith.

In an age marked by rapid technological change, deepening social divides, and an ever-present sense of global ambiguity, the question of how we might cultivate a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world becomes even more urgent. Amid this complexity, the Quaker tradition offers a set of values and practices that are uniquely relevant to the needs of our time. Quakers, with our centuries-old commitment to peace, equality, simplicity, and integrity, model an approach to life that can help address some of the challenges facing the world today.

How are we uniquely relevant? At our core, Quakers believe that every person has “that of God” within them.  There is also a belief that this Light of God can lead us and that we can learn new things and ways from this Light.  God is always speaking. This belief in the relevance of God’s voice in today’s society is a living example of something we call continuous revelation.  God is always revealing intricacies of Themselves to us in science, in nature, in relationships, in creativity and wisdom.  Continuous revelation is the bedrock of Quaker faith. God is within us all, and everyone can hear the voice of God if they but listen, so through nature, through people, and through our daily experiences, God or Love can have a chance to survive in this world.

This core belief in God in all people and all nature manifests in our living out our values:

• Of Simplicity: The call to focus on what matters most and to live uncluttered lives.
• Of Peace: in our commitment to nonviolence and reconciliation.
• Integrity: The insistence on honesty, authenticity, and alignment between words and deeds. Also transparency in all things, clear speech where you say what you mean and mean what you say, where yays are yays and your nays are nays as Matthew 5:37 tells us.
• Community: The nurturing of supportive, inclusive relationships that foster growth and mutual care.
• Equality: The recognition of inherent worth and sanctity in every person, regardless of gender, race, status, or creed

These “Quaker testimonies” are desperately needed in a world where violence, inequality, and material excess often seem to reign. Let us consider their relevance in several areas of contemporary life.

Wars and rumors of wars, terrorism, and ideological polarization continue to ravage nations and cause instability throughout the world.  Our commitment to peacemaking, rooted in both spiritual belief and practical action, offers a powerful alternative to cycles of vengeance and retribution. Quakers have historically played central roles in mediation, nonviolent protest, and the creation of organizations dedicated to conflict resolution.

In our time right now, when the proliferation of weapons, random mass shootings, and deepening mistrust are threatening humanity’s future, Quaker peace-building approaches and the pursuit of restorative justice provide models for individuals, communities, and nations of another way to solve problems in this world.

Social, economic, and racial inequalities seem to deepen with each passing year. The Quaker belief in equality has inspired generations to challenge unjust systems, from the abolition of slavery and advocacy for women’s suffrage to the ongoing struggles for LGBTQ+ rights and economic justice. In business, education, and politics, Quaker-inspired practices of consensus decision-making and listening for every voice can help create more equitable structures.

Our witness is urgently needed in an age when the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, and when exclusion and discrimination often go unchallenged.  We are called to be patterns and examples for others, to be sources of diversity, equity and inclusion.  If the programs are being extinguished corporately, our belief in community and equality and including everyone needs to remain a beacon for social sanity and a better world.

Ours is an age of overconsumption, digital distraction, and environmental degradation. The Quaker testimony of simplicity calls for a reassessment of priorities—urging us to focus on meaningful relationships, care for the earth, and the responsible use of resources. In a society often defined by busyness and accumulation, Quaker simplicity provides a countercultural invitation to slow down, reflect, and savor the essential. Simple can be good.  Less can indeed be more. (recycling bags)

Public trust in institutions, from governments and corporations to religious organizations, has eroded, fueled by scandals, corruption, and the spread of misinformation. The Quaker integrity testimony calls for transparency, truth-telling, and the courage to act according to conscience, even when it is costly.  Imagine a news cycle you could actually believe completely what was said or written.  We are needed in today’s world as a hope that is anchored in integrity and lived out with clearness.

The Quaker example of letting one’s “yay be yay, and no be no” is a much-needed antidote to modern cynicism and acceptance of half-truths that we are becoming all too common.

Modern life, with its mobility, and intrusive digital connections, often leaves people feeling isolated and rootless. Quaker communities are known for being inclusive, caring, and participatory. Every member is encouraged to contribute and listen to one another. (Circle of Friends) In a time marked by loneliness and alienation, the Quaker tradition of nurturing deep, authentic relationships stands out as both healing and essential for these times.

One of the most distinctive features of Quaker worship is its practice of collective silence, out of which individuals may speak as they feel led. In a world saturated with racket this practice teaches the discipline of listening: to oneself, to others, and to the deeper currents of meaning that run through life. It shows a value for the silence that does not need to be filled. There is much to be learned from the Quaker practice of attentive mindfulness and discernment.

The Quaker tradition does not demand conversion or rigid conformity; rather, it extends an invitation to pause, to listen, and to discern the path of justice, compassion, and peace. In a world hungry for authenticity and hope, the Quaker way offers tools for both personal transformation and collective change that honor authenticity and give us great hope for the future.

Why are Quakers needed in today’s world? Because our testimonies and practices offer a living example of how to navigate complexity with courage, humility, integrity, and love. Our unwavering commitment to equality, simplicity, and community is not a relic of the past, but a living resource for the present and future. As we seek to build a more humane and sustainable world, the Quaker witness, rooted in contemplation and expressed in action, shines as a light to guide our way forward.