{"id":73,"date":"2026-04-13T17:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T17:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73"},"modified":"2026-04-13T17:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T17:16:20","slug":"news-for-april-13-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73","title":{"rendered":"News for April 13, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>New York Yearly Meeting (NYYM) Spring Sessions<\/strong> approved writing to Governor Hochul to support the Treatment Court Expansion Act, 4\/11\/26, but did not affirm the Pendle Hill <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1SU4RVFFveQouFyeONizcHc7ft5-H-op4\/view\">Call to End Unjust Immigration Enforcement Practices<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/afsc.org\/newsroom\/quaker-organizations-discern-genocide-occurring-gaza-and-urge-courageous-action\">Quakers Organizations Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rising Concern for Conscientious Objection to Wa<\/strong><strong>r<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a rising concern for conscientious objection to war. Teen and young adult Friends are concerned that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) made federal Selective Service draft registration automatic for men aged 18-25, starting in December 2026. We can\u2019t imagine the US Administration wouldn\u2019t bother if they didn\u2019t plan to use it. Unfortunately a conscientious objection claim cannot be filed until getting drafted, sometimes with less than 10 days notice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Old Chatham, Brooklyn, and Montclair Meetings are offering hybrid sessions to learn and discuss how to prepare ourselves, our families, and our meetings In late April and early May.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Powell House is offering a weekend on Resistance and Resilience June 5-7, 2026 to learn, prepare, and take action steps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quaker House\u2019s Curt Torell is exploring the possibility of coming in early September to visit Quaker meetings and schools to follow up on writing CO letters and establishing CO files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Conscientious Objection to Paying for War (COPW) and our FCNL Lobby Teams are offering ongoing counseling for COs to registration, conscription, and war taxes, and for lobbying and public witness. Please contact Jens Braun, Nadine Hoover, or Jill McLellan for support or counsel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New Draft Law Passed: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;<\/strong><em><strong>On Zoom or in-person at Montclair Meeting (April 26, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), Old Chatham Meeting (May 3, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), and Brooklyn Meeting (May 11, 6:00\u20138:00 p.m.).&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em>In this workshop Curt Torell, author of&nbsp;<em>Conscientious Objection: Is This for You? Resource Guide<\/em>, will explain recent legal changes in draft registration and outline steps for conscientious objectors to war to respond. Then the group will self-organize next steps for mutual support and counsel.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nyym.us16.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=26401403421adc1f04b5da3e5&amp;id=4f2f1f589e&amp;e=0979084d1e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Resistance &amp; Resilience: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;<\/strong><em><strong>June 5\u20137, in-person at Powell House.<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;This intergenerational conference for teens, young adults, and adults draws on a rich history of Quaker and other spiritual practices in nonviolence, civil disobedience, and conscientious objection.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nyym.us16.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=26401403421adc1f04b5da3e5&amp;id=6cf20f95b1&amp;e=0979084d1e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Minute on the 2026 Iran War&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the association of Friends and Quaker Meetings and Churches in New York and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, joins with people of many faiths and moral conscience in decrying the ongoing and escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, even as we oppose all wars, and the spiraling violence war sparks. Friends know as a matter of faith, scripture, and experience that war does not resolve differences, but rather ignites escalating rounds of violence. War harms and dehumanizes everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We mourn the tragic loss of life. We mourn the financial cost of this war at about $1 billion or more per day, while the U.S. government cuts funding for life-sustaining aid around the world and cuts funding for education, healthcare, food, and other essential needs at home. We are commanded not to be arrogant with our wealth, but to be rich in good deeds and take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We call on our elected officials to take action to stop funding the war, end the fighting, and direct the Administration to respect U.S. and international law, to undertake good-faith diplomatic negotiations to establish an immediate ceasefire and end the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We aspire to live in that Spirit that reaches across divides and takes away the occasion for all wars. This war inflicts trauma that will have damaging consequences for generations to come. We must acknowledge the harms and listen with compassion to all those harmed. Only then can we step into the healing that brings about a just world where peace is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 4\/11\/26<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Minute of Support for a NYYM Delegation to Palestine and Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the motions of love, New York Yearly Meeting\u2019s Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel working group (PJPI) is organizing a twelve full-day witness trip to Palestine for a delegation of NYYM members and attenders. The trip will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers in Jerusalem, worship with Quakers in Ramallah, a visit with the Ramallah Friends School, service at the Tent of Nations farm, and attendance at Christ at the Checkpoint, a Palestinian liberation theology conference in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trip participants are travelling under a concern for building relationships with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers; increasing participants\u2019 understanding and direct experience of current conditions on lands several world religions know as holy; and deepening understanding of how we, NYYM Friends, may join people in the region to stand up for justice and peace for all. We look forward to hearing the delegation&#8217;s experience and understanding at NYYM Summer Sessions upon their return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Witness Coordinating Committee (WCC) gratefully acknowledges PJPI\u2019s leading to organize this trip on behalf of NYYM, and takes this delegation\u2019s trip under our loving care, offering logistic and financial support for the trip and encouragement and facilitation of their sharing their witness widely among Friends upon their return. New York Yearly Meeting approved writing a Travel Minute for this NYYM Delegation, 4\/11\/26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York Yearly Meeting (NYYM) Spring Sessions approved writing to Governor Hochul to support the Treatment Court Expansion Act, 4\/11\/26, but did not affirm the Pendle Hill Call to End Unjust Immigration Enforcement Practices or the Quakers Organizations Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action.&nbsp; Rising Concern for Conscientious Objection to War There is a rising concern for conscientious objection to war. Teen and young adult Friends are concerned that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) made federal Selective Service draft registration automatic for men aged 18-25, starting in December 2026. We can\u2019t imagine the US Administration wouldn\u2019t bother if they didn\u2019t plan to use it. Unfortunately a conscientious objection claim cannot be filed until getting drafted, sometimes with less than 10 days notice.&nbsp; Conscientious Objection to Paying for War (COPW) and our FCNL Lobby Teams are offering ongoing counseling for COs to registration, conscription, and war taxes, and for lobbying and public witness. Please contact Jens Braun, Nadine Hoover, or Jill McLellan for support or counsel.&nbsp; New Draft Law Passed: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;On Zoom or in-person at Montclair Meeting (April 26, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), Old Chatham Meeting (May 3, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), and Brooklyn Meeting (May 11, 6:00\u20138:00 p.m.).&nbsp;In this workshop Curt Torell, author of&nbsp;Conscientious Objection: Is This for You? Resource Guide, will explain recent legal changes in draft registration and outline steps for conscientious objectors to war to respond. Then the group will self-organize next steps for mutual support and counsel.&nbsp;More here. Resistance &amp; Resilience: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;June 5\u20137, in-person at Powell House.&nbsp;This intergenerational conference for teens, young adults, and adults draws on a rich history of Quaker and other spiritual practices in nonviolence, civil disobedience, and conscientious objection.&nbsp;More here. Minute on the 2026 Iran War&nbsp; New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the association of Friends and Quaker Meetings and Churches in New York and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, joins with people of many faiths and moral conscience in decrying the ongoing and escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, even as we oppose all wars, and the spiraling violence war sparks. Friends know as a matter of faith, scripture, and experience that war does not resolve differences, but rather ignites escalating rounds of violence. War harms and dehumanizes everyone. We mourn the tragic loss of life. We mourn the financial cost of this war at about $1 billion or more per day, while the U.S. government cuts funding for life-sustaining aid around the world and cuts funding for education, healthcare, food, and other essential needs at home. We are commanded not to be arrogant with our wealth, but to be rich in good deeds and take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). We call on our elected officials to take action to stop funding the war, end the fighting, and direct the Administration to respect U.S. and international law, to undertake good-faith diplomatic negotiations to establish an immediate ceasefire and end the war. We aspire to live in that Spirit that reaches across divides and takes away the occasion for all wars. This war inflicts trauma that will have damaging consequences for generations to come. We must acknowledge the harms and listen with compassion to all those harmed. Only then can we step into the healing that brings about a just world where peace is possible. New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 4\/11\/26 Minute of Support for a NYYM Delegation to Palestine and Israel Following the motions of love, New York Yearly Meeting\u2019s Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel working group (PJPI) is organizing a twelve full-day witness trip to Palestine for a delegation of NYYM members and attenders. The trip will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers in Jerusalem, worship with Quakers in Ramallah, a visit with the Ramallah Friends School, service at the Tent of Nations farm, and attendance at Christ at the Checkpoint, a Palestinian liberation theology conference in Bethlehem. Trip participants are travelling under a concern for building relationships with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers; increasing participants\u2019 understanding and direct experience of current conditions on lands several world religions know as holy; and deepening understanding of how we, NYYM Friends, may join people in the region to stand up for justice and peace for all. We look forward to hearing the delegation&#8217;s experience and understanding at NYYM Summer Sessions upon their return. Witness Coordinating Committee (WCC) gratefully acknowledges PJPI\u2019s leading to organize this trip on behalf of NYYM, and takes this delegation\u2019s trip under our loving care, offering logistic and financial support for the trip and encouragement and facilitation of their sharing their witness widely among Friends upon their return. New York Yearly Meeting approved writing a Travel Minute for this NYYM Delegation, 4\/11\/26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"New York Yearly Meeting (NYYM) Spring Sessions approved writing to Governor Hochul to support the Treatment Court Expansion Act, 4\/11\/26, but did not affirm the Pendle Hill Call to End Unjust Immigration Enforcement Practices or the Quakers Organizations Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action.&nbsp; Rising Concern for Conscientious Objection to War There is a rising concern for conscientious objection to war. Teen and young adult Friends are concerned that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) made federal Selective Service draft registration automatic for men aged 18-25, starting in December 2026. We can\u2019t imagine the US Administration wouldn\u2019t bother if they didn\u2019t plan to use it. Unfortunately a conscientious objection claim cannot be filed until getting drafted, sometimes with less than 10 days notice.&nbsp; Conscientious Objection to Paying for War (COPW) and our FCNL Lobby Teams are offering ongoing counseling for COs to registration, conscription, and war taxes, and for lobbying and public witness. Please contact Jens Braun, Nadine Hoover, or Jill McLellan for support or counsel.&nbsp; New Draft Law Passed: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;On Zoom or in-person at Montclair Meeting (April 26, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), Old Chatham Meeting (May 3, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), and Brooklyn Meeting (May 11, 6:00\u20138:00 p.m.).&nbsp;In this workshop Curt Torell, author of&nbsp;Conscientious Objection: Is This for You? Resource Guide, will explain recent legal changes in draft registration and outline steps for conscientious objectors to war to respond. Then the group will self-organize next steps for mutual support and counsel.&nbsp;More here. Resistance &amp; Resilience: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;June 5\u20137, in-person at Powell House.&nbsp;This intergenerational conference for teens, young adults, and adults draws on a rich history of Quaker and other spiritual practices in nonviolence, civil disobedience, and conscientious objection.&nbsp;More here. Minute on the 2026 Iran War&nbsp; New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the association of Friends and Quaker Meetings and Churches in New York and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, joins with people of many faiths and moral conscience in decrying the ongoing and escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, even as we oppose all wars, and the spiraling violence war sparks. Friends know as a matter of faith, scripture, and experience that war does not resolve differences, but rather ignites escalating rounds of violence. War harms and dehumanizes everyone. We mourn the tragic loss of life. We mourn the financial cost of this war at about $1 billion or more per day, while the U.S. government cuts funding for life-sustaining aid around the world and cuts funding for education, healthcare, food, and other essential needs at home. We are commanded not to be arrogant with our wealth, but to be rich in good deeds and take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). We call on our elected officials to take action to stop funding the war, end the fighting, and direct the Administration to respect U.S. and international law, to undertake good-faith diplomatic negotiations to establish an immediate ceasefire and end the war. We aspire to live in that Spirit that reaches across divides and takes away the occasion for all wars. This war inflicts trauma that will have damaging consequences for generations to come. We must acknowledge the harms and listen with compassion to all those harmed. Only then can we step into the healing that brings about a just world where peace is possible. New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 4\/11\/26 Minute of Support for a NYYM Delegation to Palestine and Israel Following the motions of love, New York Yearly Meeting\u2019s Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel working group (PJPI) is organizing a twelve full-day witness trip to Palestine for a delegation of NYYM members and attenders. The trip will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers in Jerusalem, worship with Quakers in Ramallah, a visit with the Ramallah Friends School, service at the Tent of Nations farm, and attendance at Christ at the Checkpoint, a Palestinian liberation theology conference in Bethlehem. Trip participants are travelling under a concern for building relationships with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers; increasing participants\u2019 understanding and direct experience of current conditions on lands several world religions know as holy; and deepening understanding of how we, NYYM Friends, may join people in the region to stand up for justice and peace for all. We look forward to hearing the delegation&#8217;s experience and understanding at NYYM Summer Sessions upon their return. Witness Coordinating Committee (WCC) gratefully acknowledges PJPI\u2019s leading to organize this trip on behalf of NYYM, and takes this delegation\u2019s trip under our loving care, offering logistic and financial support for the trip and encouragement and facilitation of their sharing their witness widely among Friends upon their return. New York Yearly Meeting approved writing a Travel Minute for this NYYM Delegation, 4\/11\/26.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"joshuagooch\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"joshuagooch\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"joshuagooch\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6\"},\"headline\":\"News for April 13, 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73\"},\"wordCount\":898,\"commentCount\":0,\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73\",\"name\":\"News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?p=73#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News for April 13, 2026\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Niagara River Monthly Meeting\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6\",\"name\":\"joshuagooch\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"joshuagooch\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/niagararivermeeting.org\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)","og_description":"New York Yearly Meeting (NYYM) Spring Sessions approved writing to Governor Hochul to support the Treatment Court Expansion Act, 4\/11\/26, but did not affirm the Pendle Hill Call to End Unjust Immigration Enforcement Practices or the Quakers Organizations Discern Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action.&nbsp; Rising Concern for Conscientious Objection to War There is a rising concern for conscientious objection to war. Teen and young adult Friends are concerned that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) made federal Selective Service draft registration automatic for men aged 18-25, starting in December 2026. We can\u2019t imagine the US Administration wouldn\u2019t bother if they didn\u2019t plan to use it. Unfortunately a conscientious objection claim cannot be filed until getting drafted, sometimes with less than 10 days notice.&nbsp; Conscientious Objection to Paying for War (COPW) and our FCNL Lobby Teams are offering ongoing counseling for COs to registration, conscription, and war taxes, and for lobbying and public witness. Please contact Jens Braun, Nadine Hoover, or Jill McLellan for support or counsel.&nbsp; New Draft Law Passed: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;On Zoom or in-person at Montclair Meeting (April 26, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), Old Chatham Meeting (May 3, 1:00\u20133:00 p.m.), and Brooklyn Meeting (May 11, 6:00\u20138:00 p.m.).&nbsp;In this workshop Curt Torell, author of&nbsp;Conscientious Objection: Is This for You? Resource Guide, will explain recent legal changes in draft registration and outline steps for conscientious objectors to war to respond. Then the group will self-organize next steps for mutual support and counsel.&nbsp;More here. Resistance &amp; Resilience: People of Conscience Get Ready.&nbsp;June 5\u20137, in-person at Powell House.&nbsp;This intergenerational conference for teens, young adults, and adults draws on a rich history of Quaker and other spiritual practices in nonviolence, civil disobedience, and conscientious objection.&nbsp;More here. Minute on the 2026 Iran War&nbsp; New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the association of Friends and Quaker Meetings and Churches in New York and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, joins with people of many faiths and moral conscience in decrying the ongoing and escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, even as we oppose all wars, and the spiraling violence war sparks. Friends know as a matter of faith, scripture, and experience that war does not resolve differences, but rather ignites escalating rounds of violence. War harms and dehumanizes everyone. We mourn the tragic loss of life. We mourn the financial cost of this war at about $1 billion or more per day, while the U.S. government cuts funding for life-sustaining aid around the world and cuts funding for education, healthcare, food, and other essential needs at home. We are commanded not to be arrogant with our wealth, but to be rich in good deeds and take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). We call on our elected officials to take action to stop funding the war, end the fighting, and direct the Administration to respect U.S. and international law, to undertake good-faith diplomatic negotiations to establish an immediate ceasefire and end the war. We aspire to live in that Spirit that reaches across divides and takes away the occasion for all wars. This war inflicts trauma that will have damaging consequences for generations to come. We must acknowledge the harms and listen with compassion to all those harmed. Only then can we step into the healing that brings about a just world where peace is possible. New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 4\/11\/26 Minute of Support for a NYYM Delegation to Palestine and Israel Following the motions of love, New York Yearly Meeting\u2019s Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel working group (PJPI) is organizing a twelve full-day witness trip to Palestine for a delegation of NYYM members and attenders. The trip will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers in Jerusalem, worship with Quakers in Ramallah, a visit with the Ramallah Friends School, service at the Tent of Nations farm, and attendance at Christ at the Checkpoint, a Palestinian liberation theology conference in Bethlehem. Trip participants are travelling under a concern for building relationships with Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers; increasing participants\u2019 understanding and direct experience of current conditions on lands several world religions know as holy; and deepening understanding of how we, NYYM Friends, may join people in the region to stand up for justice and peace for all. We look forward to hearing the delegation&#8217;s experience and understanding at NYYM Summer Sessions upon their return. Witness Coordinating Committee (WCC) gratefully acknowledges PJPI\u2019s leading to organize this trip on behalf of NYYM, and takes this delegation\u2019s trip under our loving care, offering logistic and financial support for the trip and encouragement and facilitation of their sharing their witness widely among Friends upon their return. New York Yearly Meeting approved writing a Travel Minute for this NYYM Delegation, 4\/11\/26.","og_url":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73","og_site_name":"Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)","article_published_time":"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00","author":"joshuagooch","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"joshuagooch","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73"},"author":{"name":"joshuagooch","@id":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/#\/schema\/person\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6"},"headline":"News for April 13, 2026","datePublished":"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73"},"wordCount":898,"commentCount":0,"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73","url":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73","name":"News for April 13, 2026 - Niagara River Monthly Meeting (Quakers)","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-04-13T17:16:19+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-13T17:16:20+00:00","author":{"@id":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/#\/schema\/person\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?p=73#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News for April 13, 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/#website","url":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/","name":"Niagara River Monthly Meeting","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"http:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/#\/schema\/person\/c802785b5621d47deaebc989e8efacf6","name":"joshuagooch","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/08eae4759c941f9f6b627b9d037cd81b092283715429bee4e72884e2a69aa3b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"joshuagooch"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org"],"url":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/?author=1"}]}},"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions\/74"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=73"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=73"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niagararivermeeting.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}