Friends focus on strengths
American Friend gives keynote address at the Quaker World Relations Committee Consultative Forum
Diane Randall, executive secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) in the United States, gave the keynote address at the Quaker World Relations Committee (QWRC) Consultative Forum on 23 April. The address, delivered via Skype, was entitled: Working together in the world: what do we do best and where do we go next?
Diane outlined what she believes Quakers do well. Friends ‘see and experience holistically’, she said. ‘We see how the seeds of war can be caused by injustice, and we are able to look systemically at problems.’ She added: ‘We work to live our faith every day. We do this work outwardly, with hope and persistence.’
Diane spoke of Friends benefiting from ‘connective tissue’, whether within our Monthly Meetings, Yearly Meetings or larger organisations. Finally, she said: ‘We know how to listen. We know how to listen in silence, and to the place where the words come from.’
In terms of the future, Diane told Friends: ‘Being part of a faith community and having a rich connection of corporate worship is essential to our grounding, to work into the world.’
She said: ‘We’re not afraid to take on big issues. We’re guided by God, our faith and our community. That empowers us to think beyond only our place in time.’
