The Guatemala Friends Meeting is an un-programed meeting which is held in English.  When Spanish speakers join us, we are happy to provide translation as needed. The meeting is currently very small as several of our members are no longer living in Guatemala.  Atention: In 2018 we began the process of laying down the meeting because all of our members except Martha Dugan have returned to the States.  Martha would still be interested in meeting you and perhaps holding a meeting so if you are going to be in Guatemala, please email her ahead of time.

 The scholarship program was founded by members of our meeting in 1973.  The program, now called PROGRESA (programa estudientil de los amigos) in Guatemala, began with one student and grew until we were supporting about 100 university and secondary school students in last several years. In 2013, the program celebrated its 40th anniversary and 1,116 graduates.  The program is now administered by a board of directors which includes quakers from Redwood Forest Friends Meeting in Santa Rosa, California, quakers from North Pacific Yearly meeting and both quakers and non quakers who live in Guatemala and serve as in-country administrators.

To learn more please contact Martha Dugan, Clerk, (now Friendly advisor), of the Scholarship Program
New York and Guatemala
E-mail: marthadugan@gmail.com
Telephone:  011+(502) 7832.5653 U.S. phone which also rings in Guatemala 845-887 4043

The Guatemala Scholarship Committee of Redwood Forest Friends Meeting has been involved in the oversight of Progresa for over 20 years.  Besides receiving donations, the committee organizes fund-raisers and provides information about the program, its tours and Teaching English Experience to those in the United States.  The Committee works with those in Guatemala in planning and outreach for Progresa.  Harriet Lewis and Donna Smith currently serve as co-clerks of the scholarship committee.

Our Meeting for Worship takes place in silence, and is unprogrammed.  We gather, quiet our minds, open our hearts, and settle into a reverent and expectant silence to wait upon the Light.  We believe that in this opening of our hearts to the Spirit, we are contributing to the common worship of all present, as well as to our own renewal.  We have no minister, as we believe the Light is directly available to all, and all may minister.  This time may pass in silence, or individuals may be moved to speak briefly out of the silence.  Leaving a space of time between each person speaking allows the ministry of each to be respectfully heard.