USFWI/FUM/QMI Joint Triennial Conference Epistle
July 2-8, 2023
Held at Kabarak University, Nakuru, Kenya
2023 FUM/USFWI/QMI Joint Triennial Epistle
On July 2, 2023, 641 Quaker delegates from all over the globe gathered in the Great Rift Valley region of Kenya, on the sprawling and scenic campus of Kabarak University, which sits 1850 meters above sea level and is located 20 kilometers north of Nakuru city, for the historic joint Triennial of Friends United Meeting (FUM), United Society of Friends Women International (USFWI), and Quaker Men International (QMI). It has been over 20 years since a gathering of this kind was held in Kenya, but this was the first to include all three organizations at once.
The 2002 FUM gathering was the centennial celebration of the first missionaries arriving in Kenya to establish the Quaker church and the focus was on encouraging African Friends to “Finish the Work” that was started by those missionaries. 21 years later, Friends benefited from first-hand accounts of Kenyan Quaker missionaries from Turkana and Samburu and African-born missionaries and ministers in Tanzania, Uganda, and Belize. The previous charge was renewed and reciprocated, this time not just to African Friends, but to the entire contingent of Friends represented. The invitation was given for Friends to COME together in the unity of their mission, to ABIDE together with Christ and one another, and to GO out carrying the redemptive Gospel message to a world hungry for the hope it offers.
Among those in attendance were 23 Yearly Meetings from Kenya which includes newly welcomed Soy and Musingu Yearly Meetings and 2 preparatory Yearly Meetings, 10 Yearly Meetings from the United State of America, and Yearly Meetings from Uganda, Tanzania, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, and Ramallah in Palestine.
The delegates also ranged in age, with the youngest among them being less than a year old. Children, youth, and young adults shared portions of the gathering with the larger group at certain times and had their own activities and teachings at other times. Gabi Bailey, Dennah Thuita, Mattie Johnson, and Kristina Keefe-Perry took our young Friends to Njoro Precious Primary School as part of their program. Friends are eager to view the video epistle being created by them which will show how our young Friends experienced the Triennial. The young adults ranged in age from 15-34 years of age and included 35 participants. Leaders from FUM, USFWI, and QMI were invited to speak directly to this group, encouraging them to get involved in the wider Friends community. Friends are grateful to Patrick Keya and Scott Biddle for their leadership to our young adults.
On the first evening, Kelly Kellum, FUM General Secretary, stirred the delegates with a message calling for unity among Friends for the work ahead of us. Though we may worship in different styles and have different preferences, the day of the Lord is present in this moment. As a global community of Friends, we are gathered to envision the new places God may be calling us to.
The second evening was marked by a sermon from Dr. Robert Wafula, principal of Friends Theological College, who directed listeners to pursue intimacy with Christ through loving fellowship with one another.
On the third evening, Kirenia Criado Pérez, a member of Cuba Yearly Meeting, pastor at Havana Friends Church, and professor of New Testament and Greek at Matanzas Theological Seminary shared a message emphasizing the importance of being quiet and still in order to hear the voice of God who speaks to us and tells us what He wants us to do. Her remarks were also marked with grief for the spirit of separation that impacts many of the regions and cultures represented. She charged the church with the work of partnering with Christ in the ministry of reconciliation. This message was echoed during the bible study time the next day reinforcing its relevance and urgency.
Other notable moments of the FUM Triennial included daily bible studies led by Charlotte Stangeland, Lynette Kisaka, and Shawn McConaughey; unprogrammed worship which was held each morning at the beautiful Kabarak University Chapel; and workshops on various ministry related topics were well attended on Wednesday afternoon. Themes that emerged through the week were unity, intimacy with Christ, sustainability, and overcoming divisions for the sake of the mission.
At the close of the FUM Triennial, participants enjoyed a joint USFWI/QMI banquet where a grand celebration took place to kick off their respective Triennials. Many of the international delegates joined their Kenyan counterparts in dressing in local attire, marked with brilliant patterns and colors, which were made available through the Soko [market] on Wednesday afternoon. The evening was highlighted by exuberant worship, the introductions of leaders from both organizations, an energetic performance from the Kabarak University Choir, a delicious meal of Kenyan delicacies, and a series of powerful testimonies from Nicholas and Dorcas Otieno’s missionary work in Tanzania.
The next morning, the two organizations began their dedicated programs, with the Quaker Men gathering at the Law School nestled in the west corner of the university campus. Dr. Rodgers Wekesi, Academic Dean at Friends Theological College, provided messages from Matthew 4:19 each morning, highlighting the theme, “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” He discussed the “Noble Global Mission” emphasizing the importance of spreading the message of Christ’s compassion. Dr. Wekesi explained that there is a “common call” to all Christians to share the Gospel, but there is also a specific call that many will experience to more targeted kinds of ministry. How are we responding to God’s call? Social action is necessary to accomplish the global mission. Salvation is free, but discipleship is costly, it costs everything. To avoid this invitation is to accept comfortable selfishness. Yet, we are promised that if we abide in Jesus, he will abide in us and when we ask for what we need to accomplish the work of mission, it will be done for God’s glory (John 15:7-8).
The first evening ended with a challenge from Alfred Wasike, General Secretary of Uganda Yearly Meeting, to stand in the gap for marginalized people groups and to work against the injustices that dehumanize these groups. The second evening closed with a word from Nicholas Otieno on the importance of bearing witness about Jesus. But in order to bear witness about Jesus, we must have experienced Jesus in our lives.
Teaching on the following dedicated topics were also offered during the conference:
Financial Integrity
Resource Management and Church Empowerment
Quaker Ministry in Public Institutions
Effects of Media and Technology on Church Values
A memorial for former executive secretary Dale Graves was shared by QMI secretary, Joshua Sisei on the second day.
At the same time, the women gathered at the university auditorium where many of the FUM events had taken place earlier in the week. The first day commenced with a bible study led by Jane Mutoro on the theme of “Go”, from Matthew 28:19-20.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
She said that one must have a great intimacy with God; that one must walk with God before the power to go out is received. Listeners were inspired with queries that invited the examination of their lives in order to effectively go out and be of service. She also highlighted the role of women in the great commission. It was Mary Magdalene who first saw Jesus at the grave, received the message to go, and shared the message to the male disciples.
The USFWI opened its business meeting with a welcome by USFW Kenya presiding clerk, Evelyn Chonge and prayer by Pastor Ann Adisa. USFWI president, Cynthia Steel provided leadership for the sessions. Business that was approved was welcoming new members: Chevaywa, Musingu, Kamusinga, West, and Highland. The women were encouraged by reports of the ministries in Belize, Ramallah, Cuba, Jamaica, Tanzania, Right Sharing of World Resources, and Kenya Peace Teams.
Teaching was offered by Christi Anna Coates who challenged listeners to go and be the shepherds of God’s flock under our care.
Marian Baker led the memorial service. Holding dear those who have passed since the last triennial along with acknowledging the services of Gladys Kang’ahi and Eden Grace.
On Saturday morning, July 8, the final day of the joint triennial, delegates reconvened for a closing service that was seasoned richly by the Donholm Friends Church choir. Having COME just a week earlier and having had an opportunity to ABIDE with Christ and one another, those in attendance were commissioned to GO from this gathering in love and service, endeavoring to be agents of hope and makers of peace. General Secretary, Kelly Kellum offered a powerful benediction in which Quaker men and women were sent out into the world, making disciples in the love and power of Christ.
Friends are grateful for those who worked so diligently to plan, promote, and conduct such a large undertaking as this. Your work was not in vain. Friends are also thankful to our hosts at Kabarak University including the staff who served sacrificially, the administration whose hospitality was noticeable and warm, and the students who were gracious with their space and kind in their interactions. Appreciation is also extended to the seven nursing students from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., who treated many delegates throughout the week with care and compassion.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:15-17).
Friends look forward to gathering again in 2026 with our hosts, Western Yearly Meeting in Indiana, U.S.A.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of Friends in FUM, USFWI, and QMI, with love and expectation,
The 2023 Epistle Committee
Karen Bauer, Iowa Yearly Meeting
Patricia Nyongesa, Lugulu Yearly Meeting
Jane Agufa, Nairobi Yearly Meeting
Sally Rakama, Chebuyusi Yearly Meeting
Alex Miheso, Kakamega Yearly Meeting
Mark Muchera, Musingu Yearly Meeting
Jim Fussell, Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Alfred Wasike, Uganda Yearly Meeting
Manny Garcia, Iowa Yearly Meeting