Brown background with text reading "Quakers in Canada: News from around Canadian Yearly Meeting." Most of the text is yellow, but the Q is pale green.

Dear Friends,

On the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we hope you're all able to take some time to reflect on the atrocities of the residential school system and the horrific ways it continues in different form today. One day can't possibly fix systemic problems, but it can be a good opportunity to think about the ways we can establish sustainable habits that help us work toward solutions.

Thank you for reading Canadian Yearly Meeting's monthly electronic newsletter—we're glad to have you! If you know others who might like to receive this, please feel free to forward this message so that other friends can subscribe at the link below. Your help in connecting Friends across the country is deeply appreciated!

If you'd like to contribute to the newsletter, email newsletter@quaker.ca by the 15th of the month. We may not be able to fit all contributions in, but we'll try!

Sign up

Donate to the CFSC Reconciliation Fund

There are many organizations that could use your donations on September 30th, and throughout the year (your f/Friendly newsletter editor is a former fundraiser and would just like to plug monthly donations). One option you may not have heard of outside of Quaker circles is Canadian Friends Service Committee's Reconciliation Fund.

"The CFSC Reconciliation Fund was established in 2017 in response to an individual Friend’s leading to contribute to reconciliation by donating a portion of his annual income to reconciliation initiatives. The purpose of the Fund is to support the grassroots, community-based efforts of Indigenous people in Canada who are working on cultural and language revitalization and other projects."

 Donate
A group of people pose with fish skins as part of a workshop on fish skin leather funded by the CFSC Reconciliation Fund.

Quaker parent mutual support groups

Trying to figure out how to raise a tiny human in a Quakerly way? A U.S. network is forming to help Quaker parents connect and share experiences and support--and Canadians are very welcome to join!

 Register
A small baby in a bear onesie explores the textures on a soft, pale surface.

Representative Meeting on October 2nd

Friends are welcome to listen in to Representative Meeting on Saturday, October 2nd, starting at 10:30 a.m. Pacific, 11:30 a.m. Mountain, 12:30 p.m. Central, 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 2:30 p.m. Atlantic, 3:00 p.m. Newfoundland and lasting around 3 hours.

Agenda items include the resignation of the CYM Secretary, Discipline Review Committee, and CYM Nominations.

Find the Zoom link, along with the information for other CYM events, at the CYM calendar.

Learn more
A glass pitcher of tea sits next to a small mug and a pair of round glasses on a white table, with a plant in the corner of the frame.

October 3rd is World Quaker Day

World Quaker Day is this coming Sunday, October 3rd. This year's theme is "Resilience and hope: drawing strength from our Quaker faith." Visit the World Quaker Day website to learn more about how Friends around the world are celebrating!

 See more
Blue and green "World Quaker Day" logo - World is in blue, and Quaker day is in green, and the logo includes a green Q with a blue stylized globe inside it.

Western Half Yearly Meeting: October 8-10

Western Half Yearly Meeting will be taking place on Zoom once again this fall! Join Friends for worship sharing, Special Interest Groups, Family Night, and more.

Although registration isn't required for all activities, the deadline for registering for worship sharing is Monday, October 4th. 

 Register
Three pale Friends sit at a picnic table with a couple of mugs on it.

Canadian Young Friends Yearly Meeting Thanksgiving gathering: October 8-11

CYFYM is assembling a Thanksgiving gathering at Camp NeeKauNis in Waubaushene Ontario. Although this is a weekend when Friends frequently have plans with family, it's hoped that in the near future Canadian Young Friends can meet in greater mass!

To register: https://forms.gle/MgUtnyo9MXKFRmrv8

To share a ride or find a ride: https://bit.ly/3i7bOPQ

Questions or concerns? E-mail Stepehn Ginley at yfgathering@gmail.com

 Register
A pastel pink and yellow sunset over the bay at Camp NeeKauNis, seen from the hill. There are trees in silhouette all around the edges of the photograph.

CFSC's Get to Know Thee, Friend series continues

"Brew some tea and join Canadian Friends Service Committee on the last Thursday of every month this year for an online evening of discussion, sharing, and Friendship. Our series Get to Know Thee, Friend is a chance to meet Friends from across Canada and learn about their experience with Friends and with service work."

The series continues on October 28th and November 25th; December date tbd.

 More details
"Get to know thee, Friend: A twelve part series in honour of CFSC's 90th anniversary" graphic, with a faint/transparent picture of Friends photographed from behind in the background.

"Did you know?" from CYM Contributions Committee

Did you know that CYM provides Quaker representation at KAIROS?

Donate
An acorn sits on a pale palm, with an out-of-focus sidewalk in the background.

No summer issue of The Canadian Friend

Some Friends will have noticed there has not been a summer 2021 issue of The Canadian Friend.

Pandemic weariness and its many associated challenges has led to the need to set some deadlines and publication schedules aside.

The final TCF issue for 2021 is planned to reach Friends in early-mid December. We know Friends across the country will eagerly look forward to this vital communication tool that unites Canadian Quakers. We appreciate your patience, care and understanding in these most extraordinary times.

In service,

Publications & Communications Committee
A colourful, abstract piece of art decorates the cover of the Summer 2020 edition of The Canadian Friend.