Quaker Urgent Call

Dear Friend,

We on the Urgent Call Steering Committee are writing to bring you up to date on our leading, our plan for another national zoom call, and to encourage you to consider some immediate actions to be taking.

Right now, we are under the weight of the serious political and societal crisis we are experiencing. President Trump, Elon Musk, and their allies are acting swiftly to seize overwhelming governmental power in a direct attack on the U.S. Constitution’s most important guiding principle: the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. We know the seriousness of these actions and the anxiety that they are causing for so many people. We are clear to continue our support of Friends who are called to both prayer and action.

An Administrative Coup: Some historians are calling what is happening an “administrative coup.” Donald Trump, Elon Musk and their allies are seeking to dismantle the governmental structure created in the Constitution through a barrage of executive orders, refusals to respect acts of Congress, closing or severe limitations of many governmental departments and programs, various lawsuits, and other means. All of this is intended to lead to the assumption of dictatorial powers by the President of the United States and the executive branch of government. If successful, the result will be the destruction of democracy in our country.

At the same time, resistance by government officials, cities and states, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots citizens is growing. A big question is whether, and to what extent, the judicial system—including the Supreme Court—will prove a bulwark against these unconstitutional attempts to seize power and, if so, whether their decisions will be respected by Trump, Musk and their co-conspirators. We must stay grounded, maintain hope, and seek ways that we each individually and together can take action.

The Urgent Call: Over the past three years, we have called upon Friends to discern whether, and if so, how they are called to act in this time of growing crisis.

We have done most of our work through a series of national Zoom calls. One seasoned Friend spoke recently that one of our most important contributions has been “to support Friends to stay spiritually grounded” during this time of crisis. As we all journey through these perilous times in our country, we still feel called to this ministry of encouraging spiritually grounded action.

As to some specific actions that you can take right now, below we share a link to a piece by Robert Reich entitled “What You Can Do.” We encourage you to consider which of these actions are grounded in your Quaker experience and understanding. We also would like to lift up an effort by The People’s Union USA that is encouraging concerned citizens to engage in a 24-Hour Economic Blackout on February 28. Follow the link below to learn more about the blackout; scroll to the bottom of the website and discern if you are called to participate.

We are so grateful for the community we have felt among so many Friends across the country during these past three years. We remain open and prayerful that we all will be faithful to what might be asked of us in the months and years to come. The Living Presence has not left us.

We will be in touch soon with our plan for another national zoom gathering.

Yours in the Light,

The Urgent Call Steering Committee
Marian Beane, Bruce Birchard, Sam Caldwell, Gretchen Castle, Mary Ellen McNish, Diane Randall, Jim Waddington, and Michael Wajda (Clerk)

Click here for “What You Can Do” by Robert Reich.

Click here for the “24-Hour Economic Blackout” on 2/28/2025.

Quaker Urgent Call – Update