The headline read: “Denominations Trim Presence on Capitol Hill.”

Daniel Burke, writing for beliefnetnews on the web, relates the paradox facing many faith-based nongovernmental groups that lobby in the public interest. Just as they finally get a seat at the policy and program table and a chance to be heard in governing, the sharp drop in the markets has forced many to severely cut back the number of employees to carry the message to politicians.

I mention this because (1) the opening paragraphs of Burke’s article discuss the situation at the Friends Committee on National Legislation and (2) the Quakers’ Colonel Blog will be off-line for half to all of April.

The two are unrelated. The blog will not be posted as I will have major surgery on April 1 and will probably not be released to return home until April 10 or 11 at the earliest. Prognosis is very good for me, but unfortunately not so for FCNL in terms of the work still to be done.

Check the blog from mid-April on – I will be up as soon as possible.

Warm Regards

The Quakers’ Colonel