1970s: Milestones from the Minutes
Throughout the Decade:
- Ongoing prison ministry with books and visits
- The John Woolman School students have stopped overnight for several years on their way to or from Mexico
1972 and 73: The meeting is active in protesting the Vietnam war by sending letters to Congress, other officials and newspapers and by attending rallies. LOFM also sent letters to Congress regarding bombing Cambodia.
1973: LOFM sent letters to state officials opposing reinstating the death penalty.
LOFM joined Houston Metropolitan Ministries.
May 1974: The meeting sends a letter to President Nixon: “…While your rank and responsibilities may seem to set you rather apart from us, you surely must have special needs for comfort and communication from your fellows. We deplore whatever illegal or unethical acts may have taken place within the government, not only for the harm to their victims, but also for the loss of self esteem to the doers. Quakers, as you know, look to the light within and for that of God in every man. We pray that you may heed the best that is revealed and attain the highest that is available in all aspects of your life.”
It was acknowledged by his staff: “Your letter to the President has been received and your spiritual interest in writing is appreciated. With the President’s best wishes, Sincerely, Roland L. Elliott Special Assistant to the President”.
July 1974: The meeting made an offer on a house in Montrose but failed to raise the needed funds.
1975: Offering friendship to to foreign university students.
Jan 1975: LOFM began leasing a house at 1540 Sul Ross from the Menil Foundation, also was able to rent it to others.
May 1975: LOFM held a moment of peace observance at Rothko Chapel in celebration that the US is not involved in any wars at the moment.
Dec 1975: Meeting is the co-sponsor (along with the Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church and other groups) of the Indochina Mobile Education Project. This is a people-to-people aid project to Indochina under the auspices of the AFSC.
1976: The meeting began considering opening a Friends school.
February 1976: Russell Johnson and his wife, who have been AFSC staff members working in Southeast Asia for many years, visited Houston on February 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1976. Their testimony was of great interest to all who heard them speak.
February 1976: A contribution of $40.00 from the LOFM Emergency Aid Fund was sent to the American Friends Service
Committee in Des Moines, Iowa, for reconstruction expenses after they suffered a terrorist bombing on December 15, 1975.
May 1976: First Peace and Social Concerns committee (all previous such actions came from the meeting as a whole).
May 1976: The Special Worship Meeting held at the Rothko Chapel on June 6, 1976, on the conflict in the Middle East was well attended by people from other faith groups and expressed a strong desire to be guided by the Spirit to find solutions.
November 1976: The meeting sent a letter to the Governor opposing the death penalty.