Lecture, Learn, and Lunch with Solebury Friends

Solebury Friends concluded their Lecture, Learn, and Lunch series with a presentation by Ainsley Bruton, American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) Quaker Engagement Coordinator.

Ainsley Bruton

Over the course of about an hour, Ainsley informed Friend about the history, evolution and current work of AFSC.

AFSC was founded in Philadelphia in 1917 to provide alternative service to conscientious objectors to World War I and later provided humanitarian aid in Europe following both World Wars. Along with British Friends Service Council they received the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize for this work. They continued their humanitarian focus throughout the 1950s and 60s by working to help desegregate schools and publishing Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham City Jail.”

Today AFSC has national and international offices in over 14 countries and in many US states.

In 2020, AFSC adopted a new strategic plan which includes three thematic areas: Just Economies, Just and Sustainable Peace, and Just Responses to Forced Displacement & Migration. Ainsley spoke about engagement opportunities for Friends within all these areas, and how AFSC continues to make an impact around the world.

After Ainsley’s presentation, Friends were treated to a delicious potluck lunch provided by Solebury Friends.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can engage with the work of AFSC, you can contact Ainsley at abruton@afsc.org.