Friends General Conference

"I got close enough to a condemned man to hear his song." Bryan Stevenson shared a story of being a law student and visiting a man in prison. The man was on death row. Stevenson's job was to tell the condemned him: You will not be killed in the next year.

He and Bryan Stevenson stayed talking for three hours. As time went on, the guards grew mad at Stevenson for not leaving. But they couldn't take it out on Mr. Stevenson. So they began roughly slamming chains back on the arms and feet of the condemned man. They dragged him and shoved him. They began to drag him down the hall, his chains clanking down the hallway.

Then the man began to sing. He sang a hymn. Stevenson said: "When you hear the melodies and harmonies -- when you hear the songs that God wants you to hear -- it changes your life."

He added: "There is power in proximity."

Stevenson spoke to a packed room on Thursday, July 9 at the FGC Gathering. He received a standing ovation from the crowd, both before and after he spoke.

https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/explore-the-gathering/

Greetings from the 2026 Gathering of Friends! We've had a great start to the Gathering, with gentle 70 and 80-degree days and workshops running full-throttle. Yesterday evening, people made a buzz of happy conversation outside the dining hall as they lingered after dinner. Here are some photo snapshots of check-in, Junior Gathering, and evening plenaries.

Happy Disability Pride Month! This reflection comes from Friend Danielle Heider, a disability advocate, consultant, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. We're grateful for Danielle's insights as we continue working toward a more accessible and inclusive Quaker community.

Have you experienced people negating parts of your identity, or negating your achievements, because you live with a disability? What does the opposite of that feel like? Or - what is one thing you accomplished while living with a disability that you are proud of?

Later in July, after the FGC Gathering, we'll share more posts about disability justice!