The Africa Quaker Archives, So Far
Library Assistant Linet Mmbone readies the space for the Africa Quaker Archives.
The Africa Quaker Archives at Friends Theological College in Kaimosi, Kenya, was created in January 2020. This vital and time-critical archive work gathers, documents, and preserves key pieces of contemporary Quaker history. It combines recording and transcribing oral histories with the collection of personal documents and institutional records going back to 1902, when Quakerism came to East Africa.
The leading to establish the archives was held in many hearts before it ignited into full flame at the Quaker Religious Education Collaborative’s (QREC) Sunday School Teachers’ workshop at FTC in January 2019. The facilitators of the workshop, Melinda Wenner Bradley and Beth Collea, used the life and faith of Priscilla Makhino to illustrate the Godly Play storytelling method. The participants were delighted to hear a piece of their own history, but also stunned that many did not even know who this African Quaker luminary was!
The workshop participants crafted a powerful epistle which called for the formation of a regional QREC–Africa affiliate, and called upon FTC to create an African Quaker archive. They committed themselves to collect oral histories from or about early African Friends. They wanted the children in their classes to know their own history and identity as African Quakers. An organic partnership formed between FTC and QREC as each held this shared sense of call. FTC would focus on the papers and records of individuals and institutions and other materials. QREC–Africa would collect oral histories. One unified collection would be maintained at Friends Theological College.
 The Africa Quaker Archives had a humble beginning in the former book sale room in the library. There was strong and clear energy to get started. QREC included a request, in a larger Shoemaker Fund grant application in April 2019, for a computer and file cabinet for the archives. In August 2019, Judith Nandikove, Dancan Sabwa, and Beth Collea visited with Rob Cox, Head of Special Collections and University Archives at UMass–Amherst for guidance about establishing the archives. The New England Yearly Meeting archives are held at UMass, so he was especially familiar with Quaker collections.
A work team of Dr. Robert Wafula, Judith Nandikove, Marian Baker, and Beth Collea crafted a grant request to the Friends Historical Association in October 2019. That request was for funding a visit by a professional archivist to set up the Quaker collection, train the staff, and provide some storage cabinets and basic archival supplies. Jane Matasio, a Quaker and professional archivist at a government parastatal in Nairobi, soon joined the team. Her master’s thesis examined record-keeping in the Friends Church of Kenya.
Although progress on the archives slowed dramatically during the Covid pandemic, Archive planners found ways to maintain some forward motion. The QREC Oral History project used the enforced inactivity of the lockdowns to hone its guidelines for interviewers and to study the best equipment choices for recording. After research and consulting with the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury, VT, smart phones were chosen as the device best suited to the recording task. They can be used to communicate with subjects, schedule the interviews, photograph the subjects, and record the conversations. Generous Shoemaker funding supplied three smartphones. They are owned by QREC–Africa and loaned to interviewers. Between the lockdowns, five interviews have been conducted and the first one transcribed.
The personal and institutional records component of the Archives project has used the pandemic time to begin making plans for additional space for the Archive, and to reflect on how this extension, or new building, would fit into the life of Friends Theological College. An architectural and engineering study, included in the grant from the Friends Historical Association, is only a next step in a longer planning process. We need to clarify the considerations and necessary conditions for more detailed plans.
As we are coming to see, libraries are extremely heavy buildings and special attention must be paid to an adequate foundation. We also hope these plans are a sign of tangible progress which will invite other Friends to share our excitement, consider if they have archival material to donate to the collection, and/or provide funding to help the Archives leading move forward.
Among our next steps, we hope to fund a trip for Jane Matasio to Friends Theological College to assess the status of the archives, train the librarians, meet leaders of the Yearly Meetings to offer guidance about record-keeping, and plan for the transcription of some or all of the interviews.
Beth Collea, Marian Baker, Judith Nandikove
July 2021
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Letter from Belize
 “After my travel among Friends in Indiana and Ohio, I traveled to Baltimore. I stayed with Adrian Bishop and Rosalie Dance for a couple of days, in their home in Jersey Mills, Pennsylvania. It was much of a retreat after my extensive travel in the Midwest. One day, I spent a several hours by the creek meditating, then took a hike of a few miles up the hills.”
From Belize, Oscar Mmbali writes:
When I arrived [back] in Belize, Covid cases had been on the rise again and the government had reimposed some restrictions, like night curfew and limited time for worship—just an hour. Despite these restrictions, we received two more new youths at the church. We continue to see the hope and the light in the young people who continue to trickle into our Meeting from time to time. As in the story of Elijah praying for rain, sometimes small changes—like a small cloud, as small as a man’s hand in the sky—are enough to cause us to rise with joy, and run with hope, knowing that the season of drought is over and the season of rain will be soon here.
International travel is still open and we thank God for that. I will spend the rest of this summer working on church ministry and applying for my work permit renewal. The work permit process takes several months. I will be on the look-out, like Habakkuk was, watching as all the lingering pass by, and hoping that my work permit application process will soon be complete, and the Covid situation in Kenya, in Belize, and in the US will be better, so that I can re-plan my trip home sometime.
Read the entire letter here.
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Report from the USFWI Quinquennial
Our first ever Virtual Quinquennial via Zoom was held July 16, 17, 2021. And it may be the only one ever! We of USFWI (United Society of Friends Women International) usually have a conference every three years but we planned a joint event with FUM in 2020. But as you know, that didn’t work out due to the worldwide pandemic. We then planned a shortened virtual version for 2021 which is 5 years since our last Triennial, hence, the title, Quinquennial.
We were delighted to have participants with us from seven countries (Belize, Jamaica, Kenya, Palestine, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States) plus a letter from Cuba and a greeting from the Mesquakie nation. There were 110-125 participants as reliable internet connections rose and fell. But it was so good to see so many faces. Each one has a special part in the work of USFWI and we were grateful to have the opportunity to share our ministry and business along with providing speakers.
 On Friday, Nikki Holland, director of Belize Friends Center, shared devotions and the work of Friends in Belize. It was heartwarming to see how the students have joined not only the school but the work of the church. On Saturday, Dorcas Otieno gave us an impassioned Gospel message and shared about the great work going on in Tanzania. We were inspired by both of these speakers.
We also received greetings from several. We were happy to see Rania Maayeh, new Head of School in Ramallah. We also heard from Berny MacDonald, speaking about the trauma of the Mesquakie.
Karla Jay, FUM Global Ministries, gave a comprehensive overview of the ministries of FUM. USFWI supports these and it was good to have updates.
The success of our virtual conference was even beyond our expectations. We must give much credit to Karla Jay for all her expertise and patience and to Sarabeth Marcinko, editor of The Advocate, our USFWI magazine publication. They invested much time and effort into this.
The USFWI theme, “Resting in His Shadow” was taken from our devotional lesson publication, Blueprints. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadows of the Almighty.” We are reminded by the testimonies that we do rest in His Shadow. May God bless the incoming board. They were installed at the end of our time together. We pray God’s blessing on each of them and on the continued work and ministry of USFWI.
See the USFWI webpage for more information. Some of the sessions were recorded and will be posted.
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“Not Simply a Technique”
An Excerpt from Friends United Press
Secular groups sometimes use a method of consensus similar to a Friends meeting for business, but the Quaker method is not simply a technique. It is a faith that finds expression in a method. The method without the faith will work so long as differences are not too great but may then break down. The essential safeguard against such breakdown among Friends is the faith that there is a will of God for persons and discernible by them, and that faithful following of the Light given us will lead into a realizable unity.
— From Principles of the Quaker Business Meeting, by George A. Selleck
Principles of the Quaker Business Meeting and other pamphlets and tracts can be purchased from the online FUM Bookstore.
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FUM Website Hosts Virtual Yearly Meeting Table Display
 FUM is providing a virtual display table as Friends are gathering virtually for conferences, monthly meetings, and annual sessions. Click to download information about FUM’s ministries and project partners. Sign up for FUM’s weekly e-newsletter. Make a commitment to support FUM’s field staff. Here you will find all of the information you would find if FUM staff set up a display table at your gathering. The information on this page is intended to be printed, emailed, and shared with others.
The display table can be found here, on the FUM website.
FUM Richmond office staff will be traveling to attend in-person Yearly Meetings in North America. You can find these staff members at these Yearly Meeting sessions:
- Colin Saxton and Kelly Kellum — Western Yearly Meeting, July 23–25
- Colin Saxton — Indiana Yearly Meeting, July 29–31
- Karla Jay — Iowa Yearly Meeting, July 29–August 1
- Karla Jay — Friends Church of North Carolina, August 13–14
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Next International Prayer Gathering
on August 20
Each month Friends United Meeting continues to invite the global community of Friends to unite in prayer. This invitation was first issued at the start of the COVID pandemic as travel became restricted, in-person gatherings were prohibited, schools closed, and churches and Meetings adopted new ways to gather for worship. While Friends around the world continue to struggle with the pandemic, Friends are also eager for a return to normalcy. Whatever the new normal will be, we are committed to continuing to call Friends to pray.
The next International Prayer Gathering is scheduled for Friday, August 20 at the following times:
- 9:00 am – Pacific US
- 10:00 am – Belize
- 11:00 am – Jamaica/Central US
- Noon – Cuba/Eastern US
- 7:00 pm – Palestine/East Africa
Join us on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81401601535
Meeting ID: 814 0160 1535
- +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
- +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keFj4O5vCO
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July Prayer Focus:
Equipping and Energizing Friends
 Our mission statement commits Friends United Meeting to “Energize and Equip Friends through the power of the Holy Spirit.” This year, FUM is renewing our partnerships with member Yearly Meetings and Associations to support Meetings and churches, strengthen local leaders, and provide opportunities to expand the mission and deepen the spiritual life of Friends. Guiding FUM’s commitments to our members are two seasoned and respected leaders, John Muhanji and Colin Saxton.
In January 2021, we welcomed Colin Saxton back to FUM as the Director of North American Ministries. He is launching a series of new ministries to support the spiritual health of North American Friends. Through his work with Everence and the Lake Institute, he will provide stewardship and generosity resources for Yearly Meetings and local congregations. In the coming months, you will learn about other workshops, renewal opportunities, and resources to support North American Meetings and churches.
 John Muhanji also has a new ministry focus. While he continues to serve as the Director of African Ministries, other staff members are now overseeing the daily operations of the office. This frees John up to focus on leadership development, fundraising, and mission mobilization among Africans. He is working to equip the new African Missions Committee. This year, you will learn about new outreach strategies and leadership opportunities to support the ministries of our African Yearly Meetings and churches.
Spiritually equipped leaders and energized Meetings and churches are God-given pathways for the hope and light of Christ to transform lives and change the world. This is why Friends United Meeting is making a commitment to serve our members in new ways. This is a season of new life for Friends United Meeting, and it is exciting to prayerfully anticipate the possibilities that will spring forth.
Please pray for these new ministries:
- Pray for John Muhanji and Colin Saxton as they work to support leaders
- Pray for spiritual renewal among Friends
- Pray for our Yearly Meeting leaders, superintendents and secretaries, clerks, and pastors
- Pray for our Meetings and churches as they respond to new realities
- Pray for the work Colin is doing to connect African Friends in North America
- Pray for the work John is doing to support the development of the African Missions Committee
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In Case You Missed It:
New FWCC General Secretary
and QREC Annual Conference
FWCC Announces New General Secretary
 FWCC announced earlier this week that the new General Secretary of FWCC will be Tim Gee of Britain Yearly Meeting.
“Tim brings with him a broad range of experience working for organisations tackling issues of peace and social justice” says Simon C Lamb, Clerk of FWCC.
“He brings an exuberance and energy, and he brings a vision and desire to serve the global family of Friends which is grounded in a living, easily expressed faith in God.”
“I know that the job of General Secretary of FWCC is a big one, but all of us who serve on the Central Executive Committee and all of us who work in the World Office will be offering our support to Tim as he starts his new work. I pray that Friends from all across our Global Family will also welcome Tim as he travels amongst us in the years ahead.”
Tim joins FWCC from Amnesty International in the UK, before which he worked for Britain Yearly Meeting, Christian Aid and Friends of the Earth.
Tim has said: “Thank you to the Friends World Committee for Consultation for entrusting me with this role of service. To work for the global community of Friends that enables so many to know God's love through the Quaker experience fills my heart with joy.”
“Even in the face of global pandemics and crises, my hope is to support the global Quaker community to keep connecting and helping one-other and our neighbours in order to be the fertile ground in which the seeds of peace and justice will grow.”
Throughout the General Secretary search process we were gratified to receive applications from across the four FWCC Sections, offering broad diversity of gender, age, race, and Quaker traditions. We had an exceptionally strong pool of candidates, and would like to thank everyone who applied and supported the process.
Tim will begin his employment at FWCC in January 2022, ahead of which Susanna Mattingly will serve as Acting General Secretary.
Please join us in welcoming Tim to FWCC!
In Friendship,
The FWCC World Office
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