2025 – Friend of the Week and CHQ Weekly Themes

Week One • June 21–28: Themes of Transformation: Forces Shaping Our Tomorrow 

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Potluck Nation: Why We Need Each Other to Thrive –

In partnership with Interfaith America
Friend of the Week: Liz Nicholson, Director, Quaker Leadership Scholarship Program, Guilford College

Week Two • June 28–July 5: Comedy Now: A Week Curated with Lewis Black –

In partnership with the National Comedy Center

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Sin and Redemption: Practices and Possibilities for Reconciliation

Friends of the Week: Homeboy Industries representatives w/ QHC Steering Committee Members

Week Three • July 5–12: Art in Action: Building Community Through the Arts

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Contemplation: Meditation, Prayer and Silence.

Friend of the Week: Francisco Burgos, Executive Director, Pendle Hill

Week Four • July 12–19: The Future of the American Experiment: A Week in Partnership with the American Institute and Brookings Institution

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Who Believes What, and Why That Matters – in association with Pew Research Center 

Friend of the Week: Bridget Moix, General Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Week Five • July 19–26: Innovation in Capitalism: How to Meet the 21st-Century Challenges?

Interfaith Lecture Theme – The Spirit of Capitalism: Prosperity and the Enduring Legacy of the Protestant Work Ethic

Friend of the Week: Colin Saxon (more info soon)

Week Six • July 26–Aug. 2: The Global Rise of Authoritarianism

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Religion’s Role in Conflict and Extremism

Friend of the Week: Tom and Liz Gates (more soon)

Week Seven • Aug. 2–9: Kwame Alexander and Friends

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Whose Body, Whose Choice? Religion, Sexual Politics, and the Law.

Friend of the Week: Regional Friend of the Week (to be announced soon)

Week Eight• Aug. 9-16 The Middle East: The Gulf States’ Emerging Influence

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Compassionate, Merciful: Describing the Nature of God

Friend of the Week: Gretchen Castle, Dean, Earlham School of Religion

Week Nine • Aug. 16–24: Past Informs Present: How to Harness History

Interfaith Lecture Theme – Past Informs Present: Traditional Innovation in Spiritual Life

Friend of the Week: Sarah Gillooly, General Secretary, Baltimore Yearly Meeting