Testimonies for Our Times

Program Information

Testimonies for Our Times is a seminar program for groups of high school- and college-aged young people. These seminars focus on ways Friends testimonies of peace, equality, truth, simplicity and community can be expressed in the national policy arena.

Testimonies participants deepen the spiritual roots that are the source of Friends' and other religious goups' social witness. They learn about specific national problems, proposed policy solutions and how to lobby their legislators to help make these solutions a reality.

Seminar topics include homelessness, hunger and various aspects of earth care. Other topics we are considering designing seminars around include torture, the Iraq war, race and racial equality, and nuclear arms. Please contact us with topics your group wishes to explore. These seminars include a variety of activities and can be customized to each group's needs and interests. Key elements include worship sharing or shared meditation on relevant queries; dialogue with governmental and non-governmental groups working to make, implement or influence relevant public policies; and lobby training.

When possible, we also include service learning opportunities (Washington Quaker Workcamps). Performing a valuable service related to the chosen topic, such as preparing food at a homeless shelter or cleaning up a park or river, provides an outlet for young people's abundant energy while also helping make the problems and solutions more concrete and personal. Seminars then culminate with actual lobby visits with members of Congress and/or their staff, and reflection on what participants have learned and what they can do to continue working on these issues upon returning home.

If you would like to explore bringing your group to William Penn House for a Testimonies for Our Times seminar, please contact Brad Ogylvie at 202-543-5560 or email him at Brad@williampennhouse.org.