Peace & Social Action Committee

The Peace and Social Action committee implements the Quaker testimonies of peace, social and economic justice and equality within our community.

The clerk of Peace and Social Action is Judy Inskeep (inskeeps4peace@verizon.net)
           


Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in peace. One must work at it. Eleanor Roosevelt      

We totally oppose all wars, all preparation for war, all use of weapons and coercion by force, and all military alliances; no end could ever justify such means. Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting, 1987

The alternative to war is not inactivity and cowardice. It is the irresistible and constructive power of good will.  Rufus Jones, 1917
 
Note: click HERE for info about the Alternatives to Violence Project mini-workshop, Oct 28, 2023

 

Gwynedd Friend Meeting TeeShirts for sale!

The Peace and Social Action Committee asked Stacy Kent Wycoff to design a tee-shirt that we could wear to identify the Meeting. 
    Shirt Front: Gwynedd Friend Meeting
    Shirt Back:  Quaker testimonies.
    Click HERE to see shirt front and back.
All shirts will be cardinal red with light blue and white lettering and will cost $15.  When we receive 48 paid requests, we can place our order.  We will reprint every time we get 12 or more orders.  Sizes are Youth: S M L XL  Adult: XS S M L XL 2X.
 
Someone at Meeting asked where we should wear them? 
Al Hubbs chimed in, If I had a tee-shirt, I’d wear it in the morning. I’d wear it in the evening, all over this land…. ¯¯¯
 
If you have any questions, email Deb Hejl, deb.hejl@gmail.com or call and leave a message at (317)502-0476.


Current Projects at Gwynedd
 
 
 
Family Promise of Montco PA 
(formerly Inter-Faith Housing Alliance) . . 
. . . is part of a national organization that works to address family homelessness and hunger. Gwynedd Meeting has worked with Inter-Faith Housing Alliance for over 30 years and will continue this partnership with Family Promise to serve local families and individuals in need. The pandemic only exacerbated the need to support families seeking food, shelter, and support in our communities. Willing volunteers are essential to the success of our efforts to help. There are four opportunities that you can support our programs:

1. Provide hospitality for families in the Interfaith Housing Network during the year
2. Food collection for food cupboards throughout the year
3. Holiday giving in December for Hope Gardens families
4. Financial contributions to support families

 
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) . . .
. . . is a national, nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress and the Administration to advance peace, justice and environmental stewardship. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends, FCNL fields an expert team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill and works with a grassroots network of tens of thousands of people across the country to advance policies and priorities established by its governing General Committee. It pursues legislative policies informed by the Quaker belief that there is that of God in every person and that all creation has worth and dignity.

Contact Deb Hejl at deb.hejl@gmail.com to find out how you can help.


American Friends Service Committee Sale . . .
. . . plans and manages ongoing fundraising sales for the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization that works with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace. The sale continues the foundational work of our long-time member Beth Binford. Sales are currently held quarterly in March, June, September and December, with the largest sale of the year in December.

Through collections from meeting members and some outside sources, the subcommittee offers for these quarterly sales a variety of beautiful, lightly used (or new) clothing, collectibles, household items and jewelry. Proceeds benefit the American Friends Service Committee
 
Contact: Stacy Wyckoff, kentdesign1@mac.com  or Linda Gist, lindagist@verizon.net to find out how you can help.
 

Peace and Justice Vigil

Men and women stand vigil on Rt. 202 in front of Gwynedd meeting every Saturday between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, weather permitting, holding signs promoting Peace and Justice. Bring your own sign or borrow one of ours.
 
Contact Carol Ritting, critting@hotmail.com to find out how you can help.
 

Click to go to article On Christian Nationalism 

Christmas Season Projects

 Collection of Christmas gifts or gift cards for Family Promise, Maternity Care Coalition, and Bebashi. Contact: Laura Taylor, llt@verizon.net  
 

Our previous projects

Alternatives to Violence Project, a series of conflict resolution workshops in prisons and communities that focus on building self-esteem and trust, fostering self-understanding, and developing communications skills and cooperative attitudes that avoid conflicts (http://www.avpusa.org)

Annual book drive for Historic Fair Hill, an organization that sponsors libraries in two schools, as well as greening, in an underserved area of Philadelphia (https:historicfairhill.com)

Counseling and  support available to any young person who conscientiously objects to participation in the military, or to any taxpayer who withholds the military portion of his/her tax, based on conscientious objection to supporting war. (National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, 2121 Decatur Place, NW; Washington, DC 20008 [202] 483-3751; Center on Conscience and War, www.centeronconscience.org)