Dear Friends around the world,
Minneapolis Friends feel so blessed by the outpouring of support for our Meeting and wider community that we have received from dozens of individuals and Meetings in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Canada. We also feel deep sadness and anger that our federal government has created a masked “army” that is literally terrorizing our cities, attacking migrant populations and peaceful protesters and disrupting our economic life. Many workers are afraid to venture out of their homes for fear of being detained, many shops and restaurants have had to close, public schools have closed on several occasions to protect students, teachers and parents. The Trump administration is withholding funds threatening many social programs in Minnesota and “weaponizing” the Department of Justice (if it can still be called this) against government officials opposing their attacks on immigrant populations in Minnesota.
In one of his visions, George Fox, living through a period of civil war and persecution against early Friends, saw an ocean of darkness and death, but he also saw an ocean of Light and love flowing over and through it. So too, Friends here are filled with gratitude and even joy at the outpouring of love as people all over our cities organize to care for others threatened by this darkness. Many Friends participate in organized networks such as the Immigrant Defense Network and Faith in Minnesota that train citizens in non-violent resistance. Neighborhoods are organizing to protect and support migrant communities. Others join peaceful protests, host refugees, volunteer in the schools, contribute to food banks, and serve in other ways.
The spirit of love and truth is indeed alive and at work in ways that are amazing and wonderful to see. To paraphrase Thomas Kelly words in the Testament of Devotion, the slumbering Christ deep within us all is being awakened and clothed in earthly form and action. All of this gives us hope as we live through the darkness around us. Public opinion does seem to be shifting and, with local and congressional elections coming up, even some Republicans are beginning to question the administration’s actions.
We can also find hope and courage from George Fox's epistle written from his prison cell in 1663. "Sing and rejoice, ye children of the day and of the light; for the Lord is at work in this thick night of darkness that may be felt. And truth doth flourish as the rose, and the lilies do grow among the thorns, and the plants atop of the hills. And upon them the lambs do skip and play. And never heed the tempests nor the storms, floods nor rains, for the seed Christ is over all, and doth reign. And so be of good faith and valiant for the truth; for the truth can live in the jails. . . .”
Please share our greetings and gratitude with others as appropriate. We appreciate your support and witness.
Blessings,
Stephen Snyder, Presiding Clerk
Minneapolis Friends Meeting
January 29, 2026
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