Outreach
Quakers have a long history of activism, guided by our testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, and Equality. Here you can find ways Multnomah Friends lives our faith in the wider world.
Events
April 19, 20, and 21 time options
Topic: “Which Quaker practices have shaped your life most deeply?” See online registration for time options. Purpose: Friends General Conference is exploring an opportunity that could help more people experience the depth of the Quaker tradition. We intend to pursue a grant from the Lilly Endowment through its Exploring Christian Practices Initiative. We want to hear from all who care about the future of Quaker spiritual practices. Together, we will consider questions such as: Which Quaker practices have shaped our lives most deeply? Which practices feel most important to share with people who are seeking spiritual community today? How might we share them faithfully? To learn more and to register visit: https://www.fgcquaker.org/2026/04/07/friends-general-conference-launches-listening-sessions/ An invitation from the ARE Committee.
Topic: “Which Quaker practices have shaped your life most deeply?” See online registration for time options. Purpose: Friends General Conference is exploring an opportunity that could help more people experience the depth of the Quaker tradition. We intend to pursue a grant from the Lilly Endowment through its Exploring Christian Practices Initiative. We want to hear from all who care about the future of Quaker spiritual practices. Together, we will consider questions such as: Which Quaker practices have shaped our lives most deeply? Which practices feel most important to share with people who are seeking spiritual community today? How might we share them faithfully? To learn more and to register visit: https://www.fgcquaker.org/2026/04/07/friends-general-conference-launches-listening-sessions/ An invitation from the ARE Committee.
Wednesday, April 22, noon-1:30pm, WSU Vancouver
“War, Ecocide, and Feeding Creative Resistance through Art,” a hybrid Earth Day screening and panel discussion on Zoom, and at WSU Vancouver from noon to 1:30 p.m.in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110. Panelists include Desiree Hellegers, an MMM attender and former clerk of Peace and Social Concerns; Derya Ruggles, WSU Vancouver alum; co-director of the web series “How I Learned to Breathe Through the Apocalypse,” former soap star on Days of Our Lives, and commissioner for the City of Vancouver Transportation and Mobility Commission; Melissa Salazar, community media cohort facilitator for Open Signal Community Media Center, videographer; associate director of the web series “How I Learned to Breathe through the Apocalypse,” and Dan Shea, Vietnam veteran, President of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 172 and member of the national board of Veterans for Peace; agent orange survivor, and international organizer for justice for Agent Orange survivors. The live event will be taped for air on KBOO Radio, KXRW and Open Signal Cable Television.
“War, Ecocide, and Feeding Creative Resistance through Art,” a hybrid Earth Day screening and panel discussion on Zoom, and at WSU Vancouver from noon to 1:30 p.m.in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110. Panelists include Desiree Hellegers, an MMM attender and former clerk of Peace and Social Concerns; Derya Ruggles, WSU Vancouver alum; co-director of the web series “How I Learned to Breathe Through the Apocalypse,” former soap star on Days of Our Lives, and commissioner for the City of Vancouver Transportation and Mobility Commission; Melissa Salazar, community media cohort facilitator for Open Signal Community Media Center, videographer; associate director of the web series “How I Learned to Breathe through the Apocalypse,” and Dan Shea, Vietnam veteran, President of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 172 and member of the national board of Veterans for Peace; agent orange survivor, and international organizer for justice for Agent Orange survivors. The live event will be taped for air on KBOO Radio, KXRW and Open Signal Cable Television.
Date: april 12, 2026, 4:30 pm
Weekly on Mondays, 10:30am, ICE Detention Center
The Quaker ICE vigil, with participation of Multnomah and Bridge City Friends, continues to evolve. We meet at the 4310 S. Macadam office, Mondays at 10:30, with signs and lately also with flowers. We encourage Friends to help our effort continue. We meet for coffee afterwards, to consider further possible responses to this issue. Joe Snyder is the email group leader. Mornings to date during our vigils have been calm at the site.
The Quaker ICE vigil, with participation of Multnomah and Bridge City Friends, continues to evolve. We meet at the 4310 S. Macadam office, Mondays at 10:30, with signs and lately also with flowers. We encourage Friends to help our effort continue. We meet for coffee afterwards, to consider further possible responses to this issue. Joe Snyder is the email group leader. Mornings to date during our vigils have been calm at the site.
Tuesdays in April, 7:00-10:00pm
MMM Member Karin Edwards is offering a class series that is deeply relevant to spiritual growth. Embodied Evolution: A playful yet grounded approach to personal growth. How do you track your inner world, as you relate to the outer world? Attune to all the layers of your being: physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. Experience a deep sense of community and belonging, and leave with skills and inspiration to bring in your life. Tuesdays 7-8 pm until the end of April. No pre-reg required. Classes are just $10 each. Location: The Den, 116 SE Yamhill. Questions? Learn more at www.portlandrolfer.com.
MMM Member Karin Edwards is offering a class series that is deeply relevant to spiritual growth. Embodied Evolution: A playful yet grounded approach to personal growth. How do you track your inner world, as you relate to the outer world? Attune to all the layers of your being: physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. Experience a deep sense of community and belonging, and leave with skills and inspiration to bring in your life. Tuesdays 7-8 pm until the end of April. No pre-reg required. Classes are just $10 each. Location: The Den, 116 SE Yamhill. Questions? Learn more at www.portlandrolfer.com.
CLARA. stands for Calm, Listen, Affirm, Respond and Add. It is a guide many Friends use to create respectful dialogue about difficult issues. It sounds simple, but using it takes practice. We’ve held four small sessions at MFM practicing open, good-faith conversations on topics like houselessness, immigration, and trans experiences. These have deepened understanding and connection among participants. We’re now gathering interest for the next round—once we hear from those interested, we’ll coordinate a new meeting time. To join, please contact Cait Rich cait.richgarg@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 19
Please join Friends and friends on Sunday, April 19 for an afternoon walk to raise funds and awareness about hunger. The route is about 3 miles, family friendly, and it starts/ends at Saint Mary’s Academy downtown. The local beneficiary of this walk’s fundraising is Northeast Emergency Food Program (part of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon). Please visit https://bit.ly/4bIMnkn to get the details.
Please join Friends and friends on Sunday, April 19 for an afternoon walk to raise funds and awareness about hunger. The route is about 3 miles, family friendly, and it starts/ends at Saint Mary’s Academy downtown. The local beneficiary of this walk’s fundraising is Northeast Emergency Food Program (part of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon). Please visit https://bit.ly/4bIMnkn to get the details.
News
Online with JVP and AFSC
There are often excellent speakers during these online gatherings. Every day at 12 pm Pacific take action for ceasefire with Jewish Voice for Peace. Register at this link. If the Zoom room is full, join here: https://www.youtube.com/@JewishVoiceforPeace/streams. Every Friday, take action with the American Friends Service Committee. To register: https://secure.afsc.org/a/afsc-action-hour-ceasefire-now
There are often excellent speakers during these online gatherings. Every day at 12 pm Pacific take action for ceasefire with Jewish Voice for Peace. Register at this link. If the Zoom room is full, join here: https://www.youtube.com/@JewishVoiceforPeace/streams. Every Friday, take action with the American Friends Service Committee. To register: https://secure.afsc.org/a/afsc-action-hour-ceasefire-now
Seeking Donations for Firefighters
FSSW is assisting the wildland firefighters in southern Oregon to get ready for the fire season. Southern Oregon is the hub for wildland firefighters for the country. Despite doing essential work and risking their lives, the wildland firefighters are paid just above minimum wage and are expected to come to work with $1,200-$1,500 worth of equipment and supplies. They have requested our assistance in getting ready for the 2024 fire season. Your financial and material donations are greatly appreciated. Drop off donations or mail checks to: FSSW, 2228 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232. (Checks payable to FSSW, with “Firefighters” on the memo line). For more info: 503-231-4826.Thank you!
Here are some of the requested items: sleeping bags to zero degrees, hygiene supplies (deodorant, baby wipes, shampoo, shower gel, razors/shaving cream, toothbrushes/toothpaste, towels, flipflops), Dayquil/Nyquil, insect repellent, socks/underwear/T-shirts (L and XL), tennis shoes and leather firefighter boots (sizes 8.5 – 11.5, boots 8” high, Vibram sole, not steel toe).
Here are some of the requested items: sleeping bags to zero degrees, hygiene supplies (deodorant, baby wipes, shampoo, shower gel, razors/shaving cream, toothbrushes/toothpaste, towels, flipflops), Dayquil/Nyquil, insect repellent, socks/underwear/T-shirts (L and XL), tennis shoes and leather firefighter boots (sizes 8.5 – 11.5, boots 8” high, Vibram sole, not steel toe).
- A 15 minute interview with Palestinian American Quaker activist and scholar Sa'ed Atshan. https://n.pr/3v6k9wq
- Democracy Now interview with AFSC head Joyce Aljouny, who used to head the Ramallah Friends School, about the shooting of three RFS graduates vacationing in Vermont: bit.ly/3NrEOSc
- An Interview with Steve Chase, Pendle Hill Cadbury Scholar: bit.ly/3GJ6s9r
January-February 2024
Nia To Go There, PhD (Cree) will offer a series of four webinars that are co-sponsored by Decolonizing Quakers https://www.decolonizingquakers.org. Registering for all four is recommended though not required. Nia will recommend short readings for each program.
• 1/13/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module One “Cultural Perspectives.” Register at https://bit.ly/3TslEPM
• 1/28/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Two “Seeing with a Native Eye.” Register at https://bit.ly/4aj45rs
• 2/10/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Three “Colonization.” Register at
https://bit.ly/3TqrmS9
• 2/24/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Four “Decolonization.” Register at https://bit.ly/4an6QYY
Submitted by Alison R Krieger
Nia To Go There, PhD (Cree) will offer a series of four webinars that are co-sponsored by Decolonizing Quakers https://www.decolonizingquakers.org. Registering for all four is recommended though not required. Nia will recommend short readings for each program.
• 1/13/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module One “Cultural Perspectives.” Register at https://bit.ly/3TslEPM
• 1/28/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Two “Seeing with a Native Eye.” Register at https://bit.ly/4aj45rs
• 2/10/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Three “Colonization.” Register at
https://bit.ly/3TqrmS9
• 2/24/24, 12:30-2 pm PST: Module Four “Decolonization.” Register at https://bit.ly/4an6QYY
Submitted by Alison R Krieger
Many have asked how they might learn more about what is happening in Gaza. These resources are a good place to start. You may also want to join the QPIN listserv which sends out information about local rallies and actions. To be added to the QPIN listserv contact Cynthia Gilliam at qpin@multnomahfriends.org
AFSC’s Israel & Gaza resources page: afsc.org/topics/gaza-israel
Register for AFSC Action Hour: bit.ly/3ueKdoG
USCPR’s Take Action page: uscpr.org/take-action/
JVP’s Act Now page: bit.ly/3FQbRem
AFSC’s Israel & Gaza resources page: afsc.org/topics/gaza-israel
Register for AFSC Action Hour: bit.ly/3ueKdoG
USCPR’s Take Action page: uscpr.org/take-action/
JVP’s Act Now page: bit.ly/3FQbRem
This relatively new national project to uproot racism is accepting applications to the 2024 cohort! Meeting from JanSept of next year, this is a unique opportunity to work with Friends from around the country (and world) in a closely supported program developed by FGC and other Quaker organizations. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/45y0Au1. Deadline 8/30. Want to talk with someone from MMM who has participated? Contact Alison Krieger who was part of the 2022 cohort at alison.quaker@gmail.com.
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