Peace & Social Concerns
April PSC notes
Staying Centered in an Unbalanced World
Some observations arising from our discussion:
‘Shock and Awe’ seems to be an intentional technique of this Administration. We can learn to acknowledge the cruellty and pain being inflicted around the world without getting ovewhelmed by them. Friends had some interesting ideas on how.
– Look for perspective and remember that it is not about us personally. The earth has been around for billions of years. Humans are only a small part of all Creation, but we have have still been around for a ~million years. We have been worshiping the Spirit for at least 40,000 years. For much of that time, people have been struggling to live together in harmony.
– Do something Take a small step on something that matters which you care about. It can be a very small step.
– Get together. Look for ways to build community. On the Artemis, one of the astronauts pointed at the earth through her window. She commented that they had learned how to be a crew together on their spaceship and added ‘ The earth out there is a space ship too, and humanity is the crew’.
– Take care of yourself
– Look for other sources of wisdom Indigenous cultures may help us see ways to change our relationship with the world from an from an extractive-adverarial one to a more balanced, sustainable one.
Current Considerations
The InterFaith council climate group provides an opportunity for the wider faith community to persue their shared concerns about the earth and our climate. Our committee started talking about doing something similar to that in the Peace and Social Concerns area. Phil was asked to find out if the other groups in the IFC have groups similar to our committee, so that we can approch them and find out if they would be interested in getting together.
A Friend reminded us that Community dinners, emergency and homeless shelters offer many opportuniities for us to help others. We can participate financially or as volunteers; individually or as an action of the committee or by the Meeting. We will continue to season this next month.
Upcoming related events
North Pacific Yearly Meeting- April 24-26. register at https://pnqm.org
The Inter-Faith Climate Book Group is currrently reading Brian Swimme
The QEW meeting talk by Jacob Johns was excelent We hope it will be availabe to replay soon.
Immigration- an immersive theater learning experience
This is a participatory experience with actual immigration lawyers and detainees part of the immersive event.
Detention Lottery written by immigration attorney, Margaret O’Donnell
Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 (doors open at 3:30)
Bothell United Methodist Church
18515 92nd Ave NE Bothell, WA 98011
Suitable for middle-aged children and above – Childcare provided
Admission is free
Donations welcome to support Riverton Park UMC Migrant Support Programs
This is “immersive” in that it takes us past the injustices we see out here via social media, in the papers, and, at times, first hand and into a simulation of a detention facility hearing room where few family and friends are able to go and where cameras are never permitted.
The “actors” will be real practicing immigration attorneys and the 7 detainees will be members of audience who are detained at the beginning of the performance. We the audience, will see for ourselves the detainees’ desperate efforts to find justice in a space where, as one judge put it, “life-and-death decisions are made in a a traffic court setting.”
This will not be easy. Each hearing, judgement, and dialogue are from real court cases.
Following the performance, the attorney’s will host a talkback, question and answer period to build awareness and to strengthen our resolve to protect our neighbors. In the performances we have seen this has provided rich learning. After the talkback we’ll have people at resource tables from active immigration justice organizations to answer questions for those who want to get more involved.
Our next scheduled meeting is May 9th the link is below and on the
Website calendar.
Hopi Elder gives Keynote at QEW April 11
Jacob Johns , a wisdom keeper of the Hopi people, will open the Spring gathering of Quaker Earth Witness. See their website for details.
Worship & Ministry
Quarterly Meeting April 24th @Lazy J
State of the Meeting 2025
5th Sunday get together
On March 29 we will gather at the Grow Center on Bainbridge Island at 10AM for worship, followed by a brown bag lutnch and conversations . Check email for directions.
Agate Passage Friends Meeting 