Weekly Announcements for February 6, 2026
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Indigenous Affairs Committee Releases New Resource |
Quick Facts About Indigenous Americans is a compendium of current information from the BYM Indigenous Affairs Committee that provides an overview of life circumstances for many American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. While this population is too large and diverse to be represented in any one document, common challenges can be outlined. Inequities are stark, and solutions are called for – including full funding of federal programs. At a time when the administration is drastically cutting funds and failing to honor established rights, Quick Facts provides evidence of the injustice of such arbitrary actions. The data digest was prepared by Alexis Contreras (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) and sponsored and produced by the Indigenous Affairs Committee. BYM Quakers started the Committee in 1795 to protect Tribal rights and individual well-being; it continues as an advocacy and ally group. Native leader Suzan Shown Harjo describes Quick Facts as baseline data “for those trying to share needs and concerns of Native Peoples… a free report, in digital, searchable format.” The digest may be freely used without permission. For further information or to provide feedback on this document, contact indigenousaffairs@bym-rsf.org
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Peace & Social Concerns Networking Day, March 14 |
How are we Meeting the Moment? Quakers are called again to “speak Truth to power.” Discerning, articulating, and implementing the guidance of the Inner Light through contemporary language and targeted actions has never been more important. Join Friends from around our Yearly Meeting for the 2026 BYM Peace and Social Concerns Networking Day, Saturday, March 14th, 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Friends Meeting School in Ijamsville, MD. We invite local meetings to share our/your best ideas for meeting the moment. If you have any questions please e-mail: Dougevaughn@aol.com
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| Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Ed Grants due March 1 |
The Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Education Fund was established in Baltimore Yearly Meeting in 1996 in recognition of Sue Thomas Turner's long support of Quaker education and Quaker values in public education. Its purpose is to: support the understanding and use of Quaker faith and practice in school communities and support the development of lives lived in the Spirit of Friends by members of school communities. Recently funded projects can be found at the link below. Applications due March 1.
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Introduction to Quaker Testimonies, Feb 8 |
Please join Annapolis Friends on Feb 8 at 9:30am for an Introduction to Testimonies online and in person at Annapolis Friends Meeting (351 DuBois Rd. Annapolis). Elise A. will give an overview of the origins and evolution of Quaker Testimonies, followed by small groups and queries. Future sessions will follow monthly on each testimony. All are welcome. For more information, contact ministry-pastoralcare @annapolisfriends.org.
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| Request for Annual Session Workshops |
BYM's 2026 Annual Sessions will take place July 27 - August 2 at Hood College in Frederick, MD. 2-hour workshop blocks take place that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - and workshop proposals are now open! Does your Committee or Meeting have a topic of concern for Friends to consider together? Do you have a Quaker passion, expertise, or leading to share among Friends? Submit a workshop!
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Frank Massey Invites Friends Into Solidarity with Palestine |
In October 2025, Frank Massey (Sandy Spring) traveled to Palestine on a Quaker service trip to visit the Ramallah Friends School and help with the olive harvest. Through time at the school, work on a nearby farm, and worship with the Quaker community in Ramallah, Frank reflects on his own Quaker roots, the practice of nonviolence, and what it means to choose love and shared humanity in the midst of ongoing conflict.
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| AFSC Emerging Leaders Info Session, Feb 18 |
AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) program unites young people who share a vested interest in social justice and grassroots organizing. Over the course of eight months, participants develop their leadership skills and deepen their commitments to social justice through in-person convenings, virtual meetings, and the completion of a community action project. AFSC will hold an info session about the fellowship on Feb 18 at 6pm.
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Quaker Voices of Maryland Advocacy Trainings |
Quaker Voices of Maryland offers the following Friendly Persuasion events this weekend. Sessions are led by Erinn Camp Mansour. Sessions Held on Zoom at this link. For more details, please contact: Erinn Camp Mansour, 410-9611332, erinn@campmansour.com.
Friday, 2/6, 2pm - Meeting with D9 Staff on Nuclear Weapons Policy Resolution. Advocacy meeting with District 9A staff to support a joint resolution that states that the General Assembly joins seven other state legislative bodies, and over 75 municipalities and counties, including Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties, and Washington, DC, in passing a Back from the Brink resolution.
Friday 2/6, 4:00pm - FP Exploring Advocacy with Quaker Voice - This session will provide opportunities to review and discuss Quaker Voice legislative priorities and initiatives for the 2026 Session.
Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil in D.C. with Prevent Nuclear War Maryland - Saturday, 3/8/25, from 10am-12pm - Contact: John Whitehead, jwwhiteh@yahoo.com
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To submit your items for the BYM Weekly Announcements,
please email Admin@bym-rsf.org.
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| Baltimore Yearly Meeting
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www.bym-rsf.org
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