Peace Testimony

Since their founding, Quakers have pursued peace and justice as core aspects of their belief. While Quakers have no universal creed, "Friends' efforts to follow that Spirit which they encounter inwardly during worship as they conduct their outward lives has resulted in certain recognizable "themes" that continue to re-appear, in different ways, again and again among generations of Friends" (Quaker Information Center). Friends call these themes "Testimonies." The Testimony on peace has led many Quakers to resist war, advocate peaceful means of resolving conflict, and challenge injustice. For more on testimonies, click here. Germantown Friends Meeting pursues the Peace Testimony in many ways: through our Peace and Social Concerns Committee, through the work of other committees, and through the leadings of individual Friends. We encourage you to peruse the weekly announcements for information about some of these activities. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's statement of Faith and Practice lists several queries for Meetings and individuals. Among them are queries on Equality, Social Resposibility and Witness, and Peace. Click here for the full list of queries from Faith and Practice. Quakers in the United States pursue the Peace Testimony through several several national and international organizations, including: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) FCNL staff and volunteers work with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from many different races, religions, and cultures to advocate social and economic justice, peace, and good government. FCNL is nonpartisan.