I Put my Quakerism to Work in the Military

On his five years as a chaplain in the US Navy:

“I felt like I was being a really good Quaker. I was putting my [Quakerism] to work all the time. Not in that I was a pacifist on the sidelines, shaking my fist and holding my handmade sign saying ‘war is wrong.’ But I was showing up: present, available, listening. Willing to understand the way that God moves in people’s lives in unexpected ways. […] A big part of my chaplaincy work was just creating open spaces for people to show up and be human beings.”

— Zachary Moon, 2023
Theologian, former Quaker

Today’s Invitation

Show up: present, available, listening.

This Week’s Query

When have you loved your “enemy” even though it was challenging?

Share your response!

Banner image: Todd Drake
Read the source of today’s quote

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Author

  • Zachary Moon was raised in a Quaker Meeting full of anti-war protesters. Then he felt God calling him to join the military as a chaplain. He currently serves as Professor of Theology and Psychology at Chicago Theological Seminary.

    View all posts