https://www.fgcquaker.org/cloud/roanoke-quaker-meeting

Roanoke Quakers - Ask Us a Question, Roanoke, VA (2026)

05/15/2026

PLOWSHARE TEEN PEACE JAM THIS SATURDAY AT 1 PM

Plowshare Peace Center will present our tenth annual Teen Peace Jam from 1 to 8 PM on May 16 at the Roanoke Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Rd. Teens from ages 12 to 19 are invited. And it's all free!

The Jam will have Reverend David Jones from Williams Memorial Baptist Church as our keynote speaker. We will serve a dinner and offer performances by teens and Open Time to hang out. We will present workshops on peace, justice, art and life skills. The workshops are Dance; Confronting Racism; Justice & Fairness in Religion for Youth; Legal Rights for Teens; Yoga; Gun Violence; LGBTQ; and Drawing. Community Service Hours forms will also be available for teens.

Plowshare hopes to introduce concerns like peace and justice to young people in Roanoke and neighboring communities. And we are hoping that they will have a good time!

For more information, go to www.plowshareva.org or contact us at [email protected] or 540-492-3582.

Gary Sandman
Plowshare Director

04/20/2026

QUAKER ARTISTS-APRIL 2026

ANNE KNIGHT

Anne Knight (1792-1860) was a British writer and teacher. She is known for her children’s poetry and stories, including Mary Gray: a Tale for Little Girls and Mornings in the Library. As well, she edited School-Room Lyrics, a collection of verse. Knight was the headmistress and a teacher at Brook House, a school in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Knight was born and raised a Friend at Woodbridge Meeting. Widowed early, she had been married to a Quaker cousin. She was friends with the poets Bernard Barton and Charles Lamb, the former a Friend and the latter a Friends fellow traveler. Barton also lived with her and her family, and his poetry was featured in her books. In the introduction to Mary Gray: a Tale for Little Girls, Knight echoed the old Quaker opposition to fiction, stating that she would leaven the stories with true anecdotes about animals, gardens and seasons. She is buried in the Woodbridge Friends cemetery.

Anne Knight is a charming writer, if a little didactic. Her concern was to teach moral lessons to children.

(Please note: Knight is not to be confused with Anne Knight, a contemporary Quaker feminist and abolitionist).

Gary Sandman

03/10/2026

QUAKER ARTISTS-MARCH 2026

QUAKER MEETING

Quaker Meeting is an oil painting residing in the British art collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It shows a Meeting for Worship about 1790, depicted by an anonymous artist. It is unknown which Meeting it represents. A mixture of Friends, male and female, old and young, sit pensively. Rather than Quaker gray or brown, they wear a variety of colors, including red, blue and purple. Ministers and Overseers perch above on the facing bench. His hat hanging on a peg above him, a Friend stands sharing a message. (Quakers in those times removed their hats before speaking in Meeting).

Quaker Meeting is an appealing portrait of Friends. It looks like many Meetings for Worship in which I have participated. I especially like the older gentleman in the blue coat, on the lower right, who is grinning.

Gary Sandman

03/07/2026

QUAKER ARTISTS-FEBRUARY 2026

ANGELA MANNO

Angela Manno (b. 1953) is an American painter, who has based much of her work on the environment. A prolific artist, she has created in many mediums: pastel, oil and encaustic, egg tempera and gold leaf, batik on silk and cotton, mixed media and photography. She is known especially for her icons, including the Sacred Biodiversity Oracle, a 36 card deck depicting threatened species. She has also created numerous landscapes, especially of Colorado and Provence. Manno’s aim is to elevate non-human species to their rightful and equal place in the community of being and to spark passion in people for the living world. Conscious Evolution: The World At One, an exhibition collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, focused on global unity and responsibility. Responding to the Cry of the Earth, an audio-visual program commissioned by the Vatican, featured images of threatened species. Manno is a three-time grant recipient from the Xerox Corporation. Among other places, her works have been exhibited in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air & Space Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the American Museum of Natural History and reside in many private collections around the world.

Manno has been active with Friends since attending Friends Academy as a young person, a life-changing experience for her. She has been an attender at Fifteenth Street Meeting in New York City and at Forres Meeting in Scotland. The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle was inspired in part by Friends worship-sharing. Among other Friendly organizations, she has been active with New York Yearly Meeting Friends in Unity with Nature and with the national Quaker Earthcare Witness. For NYYM, she helped create the NYYM Earthcare curriculum, and she developed and presented “Eco-Spirituality & Action”, a course that led to the Peace with Earth Declaration. She is a graduate of the School of the Spirit’s program “Quaker Ministry: On Being a Spiritual Nurturer”.

Angela Manno’s icons are exquisite, a deep and special view of all beings.

(Below is the icon “Apis, the Honey Bee” from her series Contemporary Icons of Threatened and Endangered Species).

Gary Sandman

02/27/2026

NON-VIOLENT RESPONSES TO ICE RAIDS WORKSHOP ON FEBRUARY 28

Dear friends,

A reminder:

Here is more information on the Non-Violent Responses to ICE Raids workshop. Betsy Proch will facilitate. It will be held on February 28 at 6 PM at the Roanoke Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Rd. Cost is $10 or whatever you can afford. Pay more if you can afford more; pay less if you can afford less; pay nothing if you can afford nothing.

Please spread the word about this important workshop.

Gary Sandman
Plowshare Director

NON-VIOLENT REPONSES TO ICE RAID WORKSHOP

The Quaker group Bear Witness Now has identified a need for resistance trainings that focus on how people can meet the moment we are in. Emphasis will be on how to handle difficult situations, learning through discussion and role play.

1. Introduction – we don’t want to be alone in this work, and we don’t have to be.
a. This session focuses on responses to ICE raids. By showing up, we are wearing them out.
b. At any time during this session, one of us can say “Let’s center.”
2. Let’s center.
3. How are you feeling? Introduce yourself and use one word to describe how you feel today.
4. Know your rights as an ICE observer – what do we know so far?
5. Know your rights as an ICE observer – what are the signs of an ICE raid?
6. Know your rights as an ICE observer – phrases to use when questioning ICE.
7. Know your rights as an ICE observer – role practice:
a. Break up into two - three groups
b. Role 1: ICE raiders
c. Role 2: Immigrants and Role 3: Bystanders (in one group or two)
d. Think about:
i. What are the signs of an ICE raid?
ii. Know your rights and play your role.
iii. After the raid, don’t let go. Follow up with documentation, follow up with the victims and families.
e. Switch roles.
8. Debrief.
a. Role players: How did that make you feel as ICE, as an immigrant, as a bystander? What worked, what didn’t work? What are other actions they could take? How can we encourage others in these actions?
9. Safety plan
10. After the raid, don’t let go.
11. Closing – what is your faithful next step?
12. Let’s center to prepare to go out into the world. Know that you are not alone.

Resources:

Roanoke Area Resources for Peace and Justice Work, created by Bear Witness Now
Roanoke Area Resources for Peace and Justice Work - Google Docs
ACLU
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Sign up to receive your KYR training recording | PeoplePower.org
KYR-Protest-1200x1200-1.png (1200×1200)
One page from ACLU
Roanoke Indivisible
Roanoke Indivisible | Join the Movement Today
SSB_ICE_Watch_-_Full_Color_Printable.pdf
Immigration - Know Your Rights | Representative Ocasio-Cortez
Guidelines for Bystanders & Observers
Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project

Facilitator:

Betsy Proch, the facilitator, has been involved in progressive actions for many years including facilitating Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops for teens at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center. These workshops were developed and provided for ten years by several local social workers and Betsy in collaboration with the Detention Center. These workshops built skills through games, role playing, and discussion. One important component of the workshops was reflection with the teens who have no role models on how to resolve conflict without resorting to violence. Although these teens were difficult and often reluctant to participate, they would generally warm up as the workshop walked them through real life situations that spoke to their own lives.

With her passion for social justice, Betsy has recently developed and is now providing Training for Justice workshops to help us meet the moment we are in with courage and integrity. Skills such as bystander intervention and verbal self-defense are taught and reinforced through role playing and discussion. Betsy is supported by the Bear Witness Now committee of the Roanoke Friends Meeting.

02/22/2026

PLOWSHARE-NON-VIOLENT RESPONSES TO ICE RAIDS WORKSHOP ON FEBRUARY 28

Dear friends,

Here is more information on the Non-Violent Responses to ICE Raids workshop. Betsy Proch will facilitate. It will be held on February 28 at 6 PM at the Roanoke Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Rd. Cost is $10 or whatever you can afford. Pay more if you can afford more; pay less if you can afford less; pay nothing if you can afford nothing.

Please spread the word about this important workshop.

Gary Sandman
Plowshare Director

NON-VIOLENT REPONSES TO ICE RAID WORKSHOP

The Quaker group Bear Witness Now has identified a need for resistance trainings that focus on how people can meet the moment we are in. Emphasis will be on how to handle difficult situations, learning through discussion and role play.

1. Introduction – we don’t want to be alone in this work, and we don’t have to be.
a. This session focuses on responses to ICE raids. By showing up, we are wearing them out.
b. At any time during this session, one of us can say “Let’s center.”
2. Let’s center.
3. How are you feeling? Introduce yourself and use one word to describe how you feel today.
4. Know your rights as an ICE observer – what do we know so far?
5. Know your rights as an ICE observer – what are the signs of an ICE raid?
6. Know your rights as an ICE observer – phrases to use when questioning ICE.
7. Know your rights as an ICE observer – role practice:
a. Break up into two - three groups
b. Role 1: ICE raiders
c. Role 2: Immigrants and Role 3: Bystanders (in one group or two)
d. Think about:
i. What are the signs of an ICE raid?
ii. Know your rights and play your role.
iii. After the raid, don’t let go. Follow up with documentation, follow up with the victims and families.
e. Switch roles.
8. Debrief.
a. Role players: How did that make you feel as ICE, as an immigrant, as a bystander? What worked, what didn’t work? What are other actions they could take? How can we encourage others in these actions?
9. Safety plan
10. After the raid, don’t let go.
11. Closing – what is your faithful next step?
12. Let’s center to prepare to go out into the world. Know that you are not alone.

Resources:

Roanoke Area Resources for Peace and Justice Work, created by Bear Witness Now
Roanoke Area Resources for Peace and Justice Work - Google Docs
ACLU
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Sign up to receive your KYR training recording | PeoplePower.org
KYR-Protest-1200x1200-1.png (1200×1200)
One page from ACLU
Roanoke Indivisible
Roanoke Indivisible | Join the Movement Today
SSB_ICE_Watch_-_Full_Color_Printable.pdf
Immigration - Know Your Rights | Representative Ocasio-Cortez
Guidelines for Bystanders & Observers
Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project

Faciliator:

Betsy Proch, the facilitator, has been involved in progressive actions for many years including facilitating Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops for teens at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center. These workshops were developed and provided for ten years by several local social workers and Betsy in collaboration with the Detention Center. These workshops built skills through games, role playing, and discussion. One important component of the workshops was reflection with the teens who have no role models on how to resolve conflict without resorting to violence. Although these teens were difficult and often reluctant to participate, they would generally warm up as the workshop walked them through real life situations that spoke to their own lives.

With her passion for social justice, Betsy has recently developed and is now providing Training for Justice workshops to help us meet the moment we are in with courage and integrity. Skills such as bystander intervention and verbal self-defense are taught and reinforced through role playing and discussion. Betsy is supported by the Bear Witness Now committee of the Roanoke Friends Meeting.

01/12/2026

QUAKER ARTISTS-JANUARY 2026

QUAKER MEETINGHOUSE DOLLHOUSES

Dover, New Hampshire, Friends have created a Quaker Meetinghouse dollhouse called the “Dover Dollhouse Friends Meeting”. They use it in their First Day School to teach Young Friends about Quakerism. The dollhouse was constructed of cardboard boxes purchased at Staples, measuring 24” x 16” x 10”, while the dolls came from Habe Toy’s Happy Family sets. The children decided how to furnish the dollhouse, choosing first to create benches for the worship room, then a coffee hour table and pictures for the social space. They made food out of Sculpy. After discussion about the Quaker Meetinghouse dollhouse, the children wrote a traveling minute to Holguín Friends Church in Cuba, which was translated into Spanish and taken by a Friend who planned to visit there. Two dolls, a minister and a companion, went with the Friend. Through further discussion, they decided to send love and greetings to a Friend in the hospital. A Friend carried a doll, who delivered the message.

Additional Meetinghouse dollhouses exist. A c. 1870 Meetinghouse, painted to look like brick, with original glass, was found in the attic of the Bell family in Bellmawr, New Jersey. A Salem, Massachusetts, Meetinghouse, with a dog, tree, pumpkins and other harvest displayed around it, was created out of Legos by Jeff Chapman. Kelso Meetinghouse in Scotland was constructed out of Scale Scenes products by Chris Schuetz. Finally, an unattributed 19th century Meetinghouse is to be found on Pinterest.

All the Meetinghouse dollhouses are charming. The 19th century Meetinghouse is particularly exquisite.

Gary Sandman

(Below, in turn, are the Dover, Salem and 19th century Meetinghouses).

12/15/2025

QUAKER ARTISTS-DECEMBER 2025

IAN SERRAILLIER

Ian Serraillier (1912-1994) was a British novelist, poet, critic and teacher. He was best-known for his children’s books, including the classic The Silver Sword. He also re-told mythological legends from Greece, Rome and England in a modern idiom, often in verse. His criticism included Chaucer and his World, a biography. With his wife, he was an editor of the New Windmill Series for Heineman Educational Books, providing inexpensive editions for young people. Serraillier was a teacher at Dudley Boys Grammar School, Midhurst Grammar School and Wycliffe College. He was a nominee for the Carnegie Medal for Writing and a speaker for the Puffin Book Club at several Children's Literature Summer Camps.

Serrraillier joined the Religious Society of Friends in 1939. During the Second World War he became a conscientious objector, serving as an air warden in London in the Blitz and in the West Midlands. He was also a longtime member of the Peace Pledge Union. In 1946 Serraillier became a member of Chichester (BrYM) Meeting. The Silver Sword was inspired by reports in The Friend about the Friends Relief Service efforts with refugee children in the Second World War.

Ian Serraillier created remarkable works for young people, introducing them to difficult themes like war and acquainting them with traditional stories from history.

Gary Sandman

11/04/2025

QUAKER ARTISTS-NOVEMBER 2025

JANE LAPOTAIRE

Jane Lapotaire (b. 1944) is a British actor and author. She has appeared extensively on stage (Mrs. Warren's Profession, The Merchant of Venice, Oedipus, Piaf, et. al.) as well as in film (Edward the King, Marie Curie, Surviving Picasso, Downtown Abbey, et. al.) Among the books she has written are Grace and Favour, Out of Order and Time Out of Mind. Her honors include a Variety Club of Great Britain Award, a Tony Award and an honorary doctorate from Bristol University.

Lapotaire participated in a Quaker retreat after she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in 2000. Feeling she had found a place to heal, she began to attend Friends Meeting. Her Quaker community also became a source of new friends and a quieter life. Lapotaire has said that she would like everyone to learn how to sit and be silent for an hour every day. She added that the trait she most admires is serenity.

Jane Lapotaire is one of the foremost actors of her generation. As Princess Alice, Prince Phillip’s mother, in the “Bubbiekins” episode of The Crown, she gave a magnificent performance. She is a remarkable artist.

Gary Sandman

10/24/2025

QUAKER ARTISTS-OCTOBER 2025

PEAKY BLINDERS

Peaky Blinders is a BBC television series about a gang in Birmingham (UK) in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Based on a real criminal organization, it tells the fictional story of the Shelbys, a gypsy family. Communists, Fascists and the American mafia as well as historical figures, like Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley, also appear. A large ensemble cast, including Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson and Helen McCrory, depict the Shelbys. Tom Hardy, Sam Neill and Adrien Brody are also featured. Steven Knight created and wrote much of the show while “The Red Right Hand”, the series’ theme, was composed by Nick Cave. Nominated for several honors, the show won British Academy Television Awards and National Television Awards.

Linda Shelby is the wife of Arthur Shelby, one of the Shelby brothers. She is a Quaker, though not identified as such until later in the series. She attempts to rescue the troubled, addicted Arthur from himself, using her religious faith. In Season Three, Episode One, Arthur finds her sitting silently in worship in a chapel. In Season Four, Episode Four, Linda inspires the other Shelby women to join a women’s strike. When asked what led them to do this, one of the Shelby men notes, “Quakers (Linda) put ‘em up to it….” Linda, however, is drawn into the violence and drug use of the Shelby family and finally flees the Shelbys. In the Season Five, “Strategy” episode, Linda speaks with a male Friend at the local Bournville Meeting about Arthur. Arthur confronts the Friend, beating him and slashing his face savagely. Ultimately, Linda is bribed to return to Arthur after being offered a huge donation for her mission work.

Linda Shelby’s story arc in Peaky Blinders contrasts her Quaker faith with the Shelby evil. It is troubling that she ends up losing her way. Peaky Blinders is, by the way, an extraordinary television series. Though extremely violent and displaying sexual and drug scenes, it is a riveting show. It is available on Netflix.

(Above is Kate Phillips as Linda Shelby).

Gary Sandman

10/20/2025

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