Newtown Quakers Get Close-Up View of Quakers' Nobel Peace Prize

Newtown Quakers with Nobel Peace Prize Medal; close-ups of medal front and back

Newtown Quakers Get Close-Up View of Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Quakers in 1947

Newtown Quakers got a special surprise when Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), spoke to Newtown Quaker Meeting recently – a close-up view of the Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to Quakers in 1947.

AFSC accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947, along with its British counterpart, the Friends Service Council, “on behalf of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) worldwide for their consistent pursuit of peace and alleviation of suffering.” It was the fifth time the Quakers had been nominated.

The Quakers were first nominated in 1912, just eleven years after the award was founded, and again in 1923, 1924 and 1936. On each occasion the nominations were influenced by Quaker relief work with the victims of war and famine, regardless of country.

In his presentation speech in 1947, Chairman of the Nobel Committee, Gunnar Jahn, said:

“Through their work (since being founded three hundred years ago, including recently in the aftermath of World War 11), the Quakers won the confidence of all, for both governments and people knew that their only purpose was to help….They drew no distinction between friend and foe….It is through silent assistance from the nameless to the nameless that they have worked to promote the fraternity between nations cited in the will of Alfred Nobel….

The Quakers have shown us that it is possible to translate into action what lies deep in the hearts of many: compassion for others and the desire to help them – that rich expression of the sympathy between all men, regardless of nationality or race, which, transformed into deeds, must form the basis for lasting peace.”

Newtown Friends Meeting, co-founded by the Quaker artist and minister, Edward Hicks, in 1815, holds services every First Day (Sunday). First Day (Sunday School) classes for children and adults are at 9:45 a.m. and Meeting for Worship at 11:00 a.m. Professional childcare is provided. All meetings are open to the public and visitors are warmly welcomed.