The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is charged with giving leadership in thought and program for the Yearly Meeting with regard to Friends' testimonies as they relate to problems that are ongoing and ones that arise and become concerns in the fields of peace and social concerns. Among the more persistent have been issues of international relations, war, armaments, militarism, and war tax resistance; nonviolent conflict resolution and mediation; the criminal justice system; economic injustice including the areas of gambling and welfare; issues of racism and intolerance; and issues related to substance abuse and other abuses.
It carries forward a program of education with our membership regarding the implications of a deep personal faith in its relation to the peace of the world, and encourages those who are ready to stand before the public on these matters.
Our Committee encourages and supports individuals to carry out their concerns for peace and justice: we have funds to help alleviate economic hardships that arise because of such witness.
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee, through the Fund for Suffering, has oversight of the New England Peace Tax Fund, which is made up of deposits from those who wish to withhold taxes used for war preparations and who deposit the moneys with the Yearly Meeting. The Fund for Suffering lends spiritual and material support to Friends who may suffer because of their faithfulness to our testimonies.
[from the 2000 New England Yearly Meeting Minute Book]
On occasion, the Committee may act for Friends in speaking to the community at large on behalf of Friends' concerns; such action is taken only when approved by the Committee. The Committee meets several times a year: at Yearly Meeting, on committee days, and occasionally for all-day meetings, retreats, or workshops.
[Revised 2000]
"The witness for peace is an affirmation of the divine Light in every human being."
"We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any practice whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world."
"But I told them I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion of all wars...."