We of Mt. Toby Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) are profoundly grieved at the death and suffering that have followed the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We worship and serve a God of love and mercy and pray to be free of anger and hatred. We pray earnestly for comfort and strength for those who are hurt and those who mourn. We hope and pray, as members of the human family and as children of God, that we all will find ways to end the violence that threatens to consume the world.

We pray that this tragedy will lead us all to a thoughtful reexamination of global relationships and our role in the inequitable use of the world's resources. The security of nations and peoples must be based on human well-being, strengthened international cooperation, and respect for the rule of law.

Martin Luther King, Jr., said that violence is "a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy ... adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." As Quakers, we believe all beings have that of God within them. This truth guides our actions. We are called to the difficult challenge of returning love for hate. We pray that the world's citizens and leaders will come to realize that justice and peace can only be realized through just and peaceful means. We envision creating a global culture of peace in which relations and use of resources honor that of God in all beings.