Friends General Conference

Quakers were originally known as the "Publishers of Truth." Meet the Friendly authors and publishers who are nurturing the ministry of the written word in the latest Vital Friends eNewsletter. Plus - FGC Gathering Early Registration opens April 15th! Read the issue here: http://bit.ly/fgcvfapril2021... [Image description: headshots of six Friends arranged together: Quaker authors Vanessa Julye, Eileen Flanagan, Dwight L. Wilson, Brent Bill, and Becky Birtha, and QuakerPress Editor Audrey Greenhall.]

Greetings Friends! Our staff will be out of the virtual office tomorrow for Good Friday, so our social media channels will be unmonitored until Monday. Also happening tomorrow - we're sending out our April issue of the Vital Friends eNewsletter, all about Quaker authors and publishing! If you want to receive the eNewsletter straight to your inbox, get on our mailing list here: http://bit.ly/GetFGCEmails [Image description: A digital-savvy white dove flies next to a speech balloon with a heart in it on top of a colorful background. Underneath the dove is the words: "Connect with FGC"]

On Trans Day of Visibility, we want to express love and gratitude for Friends in the Quaker community who are trans. We'd also like to share their stories, beautifully recorded by Friends Journal's QuakerSpeak series (links in the comments). - Chloe Schwenke: My Journey as a Transgender Quaker - Ted Heck: How I Told My Quaker Meeting I'm Transgender - Kody Gabriel Hersh: How Jesus Affirms My Queerness... [Image description: A dove with the colors of the trans pride flag - blue, pink, and white - hovering above the words: "You are loved and welcome here." The FGC logo in white appears at the bottom, along with the phrase "Nurturing faith and Quaker practice."]

Sad news to report - Friend Gladys Kamonya, known and loved by many Friends here in North America, has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Gladys and her husband, David Zarembka, are jointly members of Lumakanda Friends Church in Western Province of Kenya and Bethesda Monthly Meeting in Maryland. Please hold Gladys' husband David, who is still hospitalized due to COVID-19, and their family in the light.

Nurture your spiritual life with FGC through our spring programming and virtual events! Explore online learning and community-building opportunities from the Spiritual Deepening Program, including a special eRetreat for newcomers and anyone who wants to learn more about the Religious Society of Friends: https://bit.ly/springspiritualdeepening Check out April virtual events organized by FGC, including this weekend's Retreat for Youth of Color and a consultation about creating... spiritual community online: http://bit.ly/quakervirtualeventsapril2021 [Image description: Multi-colored dandelions on a dark blue background, with the words "Spiritual Programming at {FGC logo}" in white lettering across the top.]