Quaker anger can lead us to do uncomfortable things

“Quaker anger, that’s discomforting for a lot of people. We are a religion that believes in continuing revelation… that the messages are there if you simply listen. And sometimes, when you listen to the messages, they’re telling you very uncomfortable things. They’re telling you to get off your ass and do something. They’re telling you to not just sit there and pontificate or feel stricken…. I feel stricken a lot, but I don’t want to sit. I want to do something, and that doing something usually means writing or speaking to people. And if you simply sit back in your pew and feel stricken, it’s not good enough. It really isn’t.”

— Chloe Schwenke, 2025
Quaker professor and trans rights advocate
Quaker Anger: Trans Rights and Spiritual Activism with Chloe Schwenke

When you feel stricken or angry, consider it a message to work for justice.

When have you followed a leading, not knowing what the outcome would be?

When have you been surprised by a positive outcome of something you did, even years later?

Share your response!

This week’s messages are guest edited by Zack Jackson, a podcaster, pastor, and professor. He lifts up stories of spiritual courage as the producer and host of Thee Quaker Podcast, where all of this week’s messages are from. Along with his wife Nichole, he is the cofounder of Open Table United Church of Christ in Pottstown, PA.

Author

  • Chloe Schwenke is a Quaker human rights activist, development practitioner, and academic with over three decades of international experience. Chloe is also openly transsexual, and works closely with transgender activists around the world. She currently is a member of the adjunct faculty at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

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