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Black. Christian. Anarchist.

• Authored by:
• Zae Asa Illo

I am an African American whose encounter with God is more an attitude than belief system, a certain swagger and daring in the face of what black liberation theologian James Cone would refer to as “obvious failure.” By all quantitative standards, the post-Reconstruction experience of African Americans would meet the definition of failure. Today, the median wealth of single Black women is – prepare yourself – five dollars. In San Francisco, African Americans are only five percent of the population. If all religious practice is a response to a set of particular historical circumstances what can speak to this collective misery? The African American religious experience is ultimately about the quest for freedom and self-determination.

On Control (July 2019)

Friends-of-Color Epistle, June 17, 2019

• Authored by:
• Amanda Beattie,
• Zae Asa Illo,
• Kat Northrup

Dear Friends Everywhere,

On Control (July 2019)

David Johnson at PYM

• Authored by:
• Sandy Kewman

Dear Friends Everywhere:

On Control (July 2019)

Response to a Telling of History

• Authored by:
• Doug Wile

Dear Editor:

On Control (July 2019)

The Fancy Sunday Hat

• Authored by:
• Elizabeth Boardman

We have one Friend in our Quaker meeting who often comes to worship in a highly-colored and carefully put-together outfit, including an ornate Sunday hat. This is unusual for an unprogrammed meeting.

On Art (March 2020)

Calls to the Annual Sessions 2020

• Authored by:
• Gale Toko-Ross,
• Valerie Ireland,
• Sandy Kewman,
• David Zeiss

June 14-21, 2020; Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO

On Art (March 2020)

Peace through Pieces

• Authored by:
• Patty Federighi

Several years ago, a co-worker gave me a little book entitled Things I Learned about God from Quilting. I laughed, and thought I could have written this book. So, here are a few of the things I’ve learned and a story or two.

On Art (March 2020)

Racism, Housing, and Cities

• Authored by:
• Anthony Manousos

Eight years ago, I married Jill Shook, a housing justice advocate and Evangelical Christian who loves Jesus and justice. She also loves Quakers and attends Orange Grove Meeting (and the Methodist Church). The more I walk or drive around Pasadena with her, the more I see a side of this city that I never even imagined before. I have come to see the “secret life” of this city – how housing policies determine where and how homes are built and businesses are situated. Cities don’t just happen, they are created and shaped by policy makers with values that are often colored by classism, xenophobia, and racism.

On Secrets (July 2020)

Disclosures and Wonder

• Authored by:
• Bethany Lee

Recently, I joined a new group on social media and was asked to introduce myself, to say a bit about where I was from, and to share a little-known fact about myself. Immediately, I started sorting through personal details. Should I pick something big – share about my family, say, or my work? Or open with something small – my favorite ice cream flavor?

On Secrets (July 2020)

Resisting Empire (review)

• Authored by:
• David Tucker

Revelation is probably most the polarizing book of the Bible. Continually refashioned and remixed to support countless views crossing over from religious to political, Revelation is a text that is tempting to avoid confronting directly.

On Secrets (July 2020)