6 March 2009 £1.70 the DISCOVER THE CONTEMPORARYFriend QUAKER WAY

Creating Community: Creating Connections Yearly Meeting Gathering 2009 the Friend INDEPENDENT QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843

CONTENTS VOL 167 NO 10 3 Yearly Meeting Gathering 14 Off campus, on show – the vision Rowena Loverance Paul Parker and Lizz Roe 15 Inequality: the obstacle 4 Playing our part – together between us Laurie Michaelis Richard Wilkinson 5 Committed relationships Friends Fellowship of Michael Hutchison Healing at YMG 6 A flowing programme Cherry Simpkin Susan Robson 16 0-15 programme ‘The Religious Society of 7 A worshipping community Simon Best Friends values its roots and traditions. One of its most Michael Phipps Junior Yearly Meeting radical traditions is to explore 8 An accessible experience Katie Latimer and Esther the world, as it changes, McConnell in the light of the evolving for all testimony of Friends.’ Liz Anderton 18 Learning and growing These are the inspiring 9 Presence in the midst Helen Rowlands opening words of A framework for action and we John Fitzgerald 20 How the Friend can help choose them to introduce 10 Community in Meetings you get into print our preview issue of the Zelie Gross Judy Kirby Yearly Meeting Gathering – an experimental event 11 Home groups 21 Friends & Meetings combining Yearly Meeting, Madeleine Harding Junior Yearly Meeting and Cover image: A word Summer Gathering which cloud of some of the key 12-13 Off to York… will take place from 25 July concepts for our community Steven Burkeman at Yearly Meeting Gathering to 1 August 2009 in York. 2009. Constructed by Oliver A traditional event in a For more information about Robertson. new setting – just what the how to book your place at Image on this page: framework calls for. Yearly Meeting Gathering The Friend staff. Photo: Philip Best wishes, Judy Kirby please see the back page. Iddon. and the editorial team.

The Friend Subscriptions Advertising Editorial See the trial sub ad on page 21. Advertisement manager: Editor: UK £72 per year by all payment types George Penaluna Judy Kirby including annual direct debit; monthly payment by direct debit Articles, images and £6.50; online only £45 per year. Tel/fax: 01535 630230 correspondence should be emailed For details of other rates, [email protected] to [email protected] contact Penny Dunn on www.thefriend.org/advertise.asp or sent to the address below. 020 7663 1178 or [email protected]

the Friend 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ Tel: 020 7663 1010 Fax: 020 7663 1182 www.thefriend.org Editor: Judy Kirby [email protected] • Production editor: Jez Smith [email protected] • Sub-editor: Trish Carn [email protected] • News reporter: Oliver Robertson [email protected] • Arts editor: Rowena Loverance [email protected] • Environment editor: Laurie Michaelis [email protected] • Subscriptions officer: Penny Dunn [email protected] Tel: 020 7663 1178 • Advertisement manager: George Penaluna, Ad department, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Tel: 01535 630230 [email protected] • Clerk of the trustees: A David Olver • ISSN: 0016-1268 The Friend Publications Limited is a registered charity, number 211649 • Printed by Headley Bros Ltd, Queens Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH

2 the Friend, 6 March 2009 Welcome aff at a Gath s and st ering Me Clerk eting Yearly Meeting

Gathering – the vision Yearly Meeting Gathering 2009 has been three years in the making. Gathering clerks Lizz Roe and Paul Parker explain what it’s all about

From 25 July to 1 August at the event and that Friends will feel and collectively. YMG presents us York, we will hold the first of encouraged to bring their non- with new opportunities to explore two experimental Yearly Meeting Quaker children and partners. This issues together and individually. As Gatherings (YMG). This is a fusion will be an event that seeks to make for connecting, we have a vision of of what we value most about clear what we have to say about YMG 2009 as another step along Summer Gatherings, residential God at work among Friends and at our path to becoming a truly Yearly Meetings and Junior Yearly the same time build and strengthen gathered community – a unified Meetings (JYM). We have a vision our community to enable us to simple, radical and contemporary of an integrated, inclusive and encounter further the divine in all event which goes to the heart of accessible event, which is the aspects of life. who we are and what the world focal point for a wider range of Our vision asks of our needs of us; an inspiring event that learning and community-building community how it supports the takes us into and beyond ourselves, opportunities throughout the year. Yearly Meeting when it gathers then carries us back, strengthened, This will be a new kind of together to address its core grounded and connected, to our event with new opportunities and concerns and build itself as a joyful Local Meetings and daily lives. challenges. In some ways it will and celebratory community of This event will be taking us in feel very familiar. We will be back God’s purpose. On discernment, new directions and encouraging on the campus at the University of when we gather we have the us to be open in new ways to the York, where we held Yearly Meeting opportunity to seek God’s will promptings of love and truth in 2005; there will be core Yearly together. This collective dimension in our hearts. In Britain Yearly Meeting business held in a gathered to our decision-making is unique Meeting we are a learning, seeking Meeting for Worship for Business; and precious. Our business community. YMG is an opportunity and there will be hundreds of under process rests on the conviction to engage with one another and 19s as well as the celebratory and that the gathered Meeting can be with the Spirit. We hope there will spiritual dimensions you always get upheld by those not present and be opportunities for preparation at Quaker residential events. that decisions taken reflect the in Meetings too, such as with So what makes this one different? discernment of the Society as a the Woodbrooke YMG learning This event is more than simply whole. Discernment is a spirit- materials, which are another way sticking together the elements led process, both a personal and of being involved even if you can’t traditionally associated with either a collective experience, for which attend. a residential Yearly Meeting or a we must be prepared personally We encourage you, in Summer Gathering or JYM and preparation for YMG, to reflect on Back, from left: Martin Ward, YM other under 19s provision. Friends clerk; Paul Parker, co-clerk YMG; Lis the three themes outlined above, around Britain, whether or not Burch, clerk YM Agenda Committee individually and in Meeting. We they can make it to York, can play and YM first assistant clerk; Michael ask everyone to engage with the a role in YMG in three distinct Hutchinson, assistant recording clerk; learning materials and talk about areas: community, discernment Karl Gibbs, secretary YMG Planning the event with others. Look out for and connecting. We ask you to Committee; Simon Best, Children the publicity and booking forms. explore and reflect on what this & Young People’s programmes We are really looking forward to officer; and Lizz Roe, co-clerk YMG. event might mean to you, your Front: Susan Robson, clerk YM seeing your faces. Yearly Meeting Meetings and your families. We Arrangements Committee (and YM Gathering 2009 – it won’t happen hope to see many non-Quakers at second assistant clerk). without you.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 3 Framework Yearly Meeting Gathering – York Playing our part – together

Laurie Michaelis considers how Friends are beginning to take responsibility for their work

When I started attending Yearly playing more of an empowering responsibility. The subscription Meeting a few years ago, there and supporting role for Friends culture is coming to an end. We was much that I found wonderful active in the field, working on are being called to do it ourselves, – the culture of inclusiveness, the such diverse issues as refugees, together. depth of the worship, the beauty peace campaigning and climate At the Yearly Meeting Gathering of Quaker business method in education. Some staff and there will be many opportunities to a gathering of over a thousand committees have been playing this hear what Friends are already doing Friends. But I was regularly kind of role for a long time. For to implement the framework. disappointed on one front. Quaker others it may require new skills and Area Meetings and listed informal faith & practice says that Yearly ways of working. groups can, as always at Yearly Meeting should enable us to It is a challenge for Friends Meeting, put on displays and ‘scrutinise and affirm’ the work and Meetings nationally, too. special interest group sessions. done in our name by Meetings, Our Yearly Meeting has to some We’ll also have a Yearly Meeting standing committees and staff. extent developed the culture of a session on ‘playing our part’, where Until last year, the emphasis subscription organisation. Friends we’ll look at the ways different has been almost entirely on the pay their annual contribution to parts of the Society of Friends centrally managed work – that of the centrally managed work. They have developed their witness. In committees and staff. may have some influence on the particular, we will focus on Quaker Last September, Meeting for direction of the work through projects playing an active part in Sufferings agreed the text of A their Meeting for Sufferings communities, including centrally framework for action, intended to representatives, but central supported work and the initiatives guide the use of Quaker resources committees and staff make most of of Friends and Meetings locally. in Britain over the next six years. the real decisions. For the majority I hope that the Yearly Meeting In the wide consultation process of Friends, Quaker life and witness Gathering will be what it says that engaged Local Meetings, is focused in Local Meetings; they on the tin – an event that builds other Quaker organisations and have little idea of what goes on in our Quaker community. We are a individual Friends, particular the centre. And to some extent, god-centred community living in attention was paid to choosing the warm glow of paying for good a broken world. As William Penn the priority areas for Quaker work has replaced the joy, tedium said, true godliness doesn’t turn work. Seven priorities emerged: and hard slog of doing it ourselves. us out of the world but enables us strengthening the spiritual roots The new framework calls to live better in it and excites our in our Meetings and ourselves; us to see the work we do as endeavours to mend it. For me, one speaking out in the world; peace; individuals and Meetings much of the most important tests of the sustainability; strengthening local more as part of a national Quaker Yearly Meeting Gathering will be communities; crime, community witness. It offers a counterbalance whether it inspires and energises us and justice; and using our to congregationalism and to work better together in response resources well. individualism. There is mutual to the needs of our time. For me the most important support here but also mutual Laurie is a member of Yearly message in the framework is its Meeting Agenda Committee and a call for a ‘change in mindset’. In We are all connected. Photo: Erica member of Oxford & Swindon Area particular it sees Friends House Marshall of muddyboots.org. Meeting.

4 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Issues Committed relationships Michael Hutchinson looks at developments in Quaker thought on sexuality, ahead of Yearly Meeting Gathering’s consideration

‘We recognise that many Area and Local Meetings. The On the Monday there be a brief homosexual people play a full minutes uniformly expressed desire introduction, followed by a session part in the life of the Society of that our recognition of committed on Tuesday at which a variety of Friends. There are homosexual relationships be based on equality speakers will share their personal couples who consider themselves and worth, but letters from some experiences. Response Groups will to be married and believe that this individuals indicated continued allow Friends to explore what they is as much a testimony of divine distress with this. A conference at bring to us. Then on Thursday grace as a heterosexual marriage. Woodbrooke last year showed this there will time for discernment They miss the public recognition of again: the context is that Meetings – a session to explore the issue this in a religious ceremony… We generally wish to see equality in and seek broad guidance on how have found the word “marriage” our processes and under the law, matters might be expressed in difficult but we are clear that we but we need to hold those with Quaker faith & practice. have a responsibility to support us who think differently. Some Yearly Meeting in 1994 minuted all members of our Meetings Friends may find it increasingly after difficulties over what should and to uphold them in their difficult to speak of their views in go in Quaker faith & practice relationships. We can expect that their Meetings. on sexuality: ‘While our own some committed homosexual Friends have the opportunity [individual] experience does not couples will ask their Meetings for to thresh the issues at York. In identify with every extract, we a celebration of their commitment the light of our testimony to recognise, in love, the Friend whose to each other. Meetings already equality we are asked by Meeting experience is not our own. We have the means whereby Meetings for Sufferings to consider how we pray for ourselves, that we may not for Worship can be held for this should celebrate and recognise the divide but keep together in our purpose… The acceptance of range of committed relationships hearts.’ What will be minuted this homosexuality distresses some within our Quaker community and time will spring from the workings Friends.’ what revisions of Quaker faith & of Friends together. Meeting for Sufferings minuted practice should follow to include that in 1987. Twenty two years ago. same sex partnerships. Michael is assistant recording clerk Where are we now? ‘Such a revision should recognise of Britain Yearly Meeting. Perhaps a summary of what and embrace, in the context of we collectively feel now about our testimony to equality, the the recognition of same sex openness that increasingly exists Reflection relationships under the care of the in our Yearly Meeting, the changes For more on committed Meeting might sound similar, but in the legal situation and changing relationships, see Quaker faith & the underlying context has changed. attitudes throughout wider society.’ practice 22.19, 22.45 and 22.46, During 2006 and 2007 many Those planning the Yearly as well as the November 2008 Meetings were involved in a wide Meeting Gathering have arranged minute of Meeting for Sufferings soundings exercise on these issues, for intervals between sessions on the issue, available at http:// conducted through the Area so there is a chance to reflect. tinyurl.com/arb6eo or from the Meeting representatives on Quaker Recording Clerk’s Office, Friends Life Representative Council. From Moving forward together. Photo:Adam House. this came many responses from Foster | Codefor /flickr CC.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 5 Plans Yearly Meeting Gathering – York A flowing programme Susan Robson encourages us to take time for ourselves at this Yearly Meeting Gathering

There is a myth that suggests eating and most importantly ‘chill’ hold and encourage us to be active there are two types of Quakers. or ‘snooze’ sessions. All of these within it. The first is a solemn and are valuable and enriching, even The programme contains many conscientious person who partakes enjoyable, and it will be better to elements: responses to challenging with satisfaction in disciplined sip and savour a few at your own addresses, the Swarthmore discernment on matters of chosen pace than to rush about Lecture on discernment, the accountability and corporate and wonder what you have missed. Salter Lecture, a gift from the religious responsibility. S/he goes In business sessions, as we Leaveners, hospitality from Friends to Yearly Meeting. The second meet together for accountability across Yorkshire, the ripening of rejoices in creativity in community and discernment to guide our Woodbrooke-led preparation in and experimental worship, is less community, we trust that we can be Local Meetings, reflection on the trammelled with tradition and has led by God, however you interpret nature of relationship, epilogues spent less time among Quakers. that reality, and that we listen and worship, singing and dancing, S/he goes to Summer Gathering. better to the promptings of love the epistle to ‘Friends Everywhere’. There is also a third type who is and truth in our hearts when we All these streams of living water unable, or does not want, to leave are together. Business sessions will will come together on the Friday their commitments for a week rely on the continuing strength of afternoon to form one rolling river, and stays at home. And this year this tradition but connections with when the Yearly Meeting and the the three shall meet in shared other elements in the programme Gathering conclude. experience. may bring new light into our The theme of the week is The Yearly Meeting Gathering experience together. Creating Community: Creating will not perpetuate this myth of Junior Yearly Meeting will focus Connections. As the raindrops of different and separate affinities; our thoughts on Ubuntu: ‘I am friendly connections begin to form at York there will not be separate what I am because of what we all at York the seeds of community segregated programmes for are’. We may realise how we are may germinate and begin to Meeting for Worship for Business, shaped by our community and in flourish like flowers in the desert. for spiritual growth and for turn how we can shape our Quaker Together we will work through younger people. There is one community and the others in a rehearsal for living the beloved programme that contains several which we also belong. The stories community, ready to take this contributing streams. Each Friend of the lives of Friends found in the enactment out into the rest of our will have to choose from the varied ‘Testimonies’ section of Documents communities and lives. threads of living water that tug at in Advance remind us how people their thirst and may find it difficult have played different parts in their Susan is a member of Brighouse to make their choice between communities. ‘Playing our Part’ is West Yorkshire Area Meeting. She options, special interest groups, also the title of one of the business was one of the clerks for Summer fair exhibitions, business sessions, sessions, which will explain how Gathering 1999 and now serves as inspirational sessions, chunky the framework for action is catching second assistant clerk and convenor challenge, worship, creativity, of Yearly Meeting Arrangements All these streams of living water will excursions into the wider world, come together to form one rolling river. Committee for Britain Yearly sociability, sharing cooking and Photo: ArtToday. Meeting 2009.

6 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Worship A worshipping community Worship at Yearly Meeting divine guidance and to celebrate for anyone to Gathering 2009 should be like our community. It will lead into drop in to for Lots of bubbles, some big, some a bottle of fizzy water – lots of spoken contributions from some as long as they small, sparkling in the Light. Photo: bubbles continually rising to the Friends to prepare us spiritually need for quiet Amanda/flickr CC BY. surface, some big, some small, and to inspire us for the work reflection and preparation. In sparkling in the light, bursting – and the fun – of the week ahead. the afternoons the small ‘home into the air, refreshing us with Each day will begin with groups’, which will give us bases to a tingling feeling. We want it to opportunities, if they wish, for create more intimate community permeate the whole Gathering the Larks among us to rise early and connection, will include some from dawn to dusk throughout and worship in small groups. worship. Evenings will draw to the seven days we are together. During the day, plenary sessions, a conclusion with one or more Not only traditional silence- whether for clerked Yearly Meeting short epilogues with worship and based unprogrammed worship, business or for explorations of reflection on the day. And for but also a variety of other ways the Gathering theme, will be the Owls among us there will be of worshipping in small or large grounded in worship and will often opportunities, if desired, to round groups: some programmed; some begin with an extended period of off with late evening worship in using words, music, art, drama worship, as will other preparatory small groups. We will even be able and other shared activities; some and follow-up sessions. Some of to part at the end of the week in all-age and some for particular age the daytime group activities and an atmosphere of worship, by ranges. Our approaches to worship evening events will incorporate dropping into Saturday morning’s are important things we have in worship. Throughout the day there Meeting for Leaving. common as Quakers, enabling us will be worship spaces available Each of us will be able to to create a community immerse ourselves together, create ‘Worship is at the heart of Quaker as much or as little connections with one as we like in this another – the theme of experience… God is met in the gathered range of worshipping this year’s Gathering. experiences. To make Setting the tone Meeting and through the Spirit leads us all this possible we will will be an extended need help from Friends period of open into ways of life and understandings of to act as facilitators of worship for over 19s the various kinds of and Junior Yearly truth which we recognise as Quaker… worship in groups. If Meeting together on you can help with this the first morning all may feel the power of God’s love and have not ticked the (Sunday), while box on your application the 0-15s worship drawing us together and leading us… form, please contact separately from the the Yearly Meeting rest of us. Our worship As we follow these leadings in our Gathering Office at will help us to centre Friends House. down, to loosen community and in the wider world Will you come our preoccupations, to Yearly Meeting to focus on the we are enabled to reflect on their Gathering and be part challenges and of the fizz? possibilities before us, meaning…’ Michael Phipps to immerse ourselves Michael is convenor of in the enveloping Quaker faith & practice the YMG Worship Sub- and upholding power Group and a member of of the spirit, to seek Introduction and 1.02.8 Chilterns Area Meeting.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 7 Access Yearly Meeting Gathering – York An accessible experience for all

Getting around at Yearly Meeting Gathering can be a challenge for some. Liz Anderton explains how Friends are preparing for all eventualities to make YMG work for you

Thinking about going to YMG? has made good provision for its difficulty reading normal print. Excited? Daunted? Should I go? disabled students but there is Tactile maps of the campus are We all have these questions. In my nothing that can be done about the available through the YMG Office experience attending Yearly Meeting campus geography. Self-catering at Friends House. Members of the can be overwhelming. There are en suite accommodation is about Pastoral Care Team will be available so many interesting and exciting ten minutes walk up a gentle slope throughout Yearly Meeting things to do and not enough from the centre of the campus Gathering in the exhibition area to time to do it all, even if you run while standard self-catering respond appropriately to Friends’ everywhere! Imagine, then, what it accommodation is about fifteen needs, to answer questions and to is like for those who are disabled or minutes level walk. Half board is make practical arrangements. just getting on in years and don’t closest to the Central Hall and the Area Meetings have a have so much energy. That is true main meeting rooms. Remember responsibility to assist Friends to for many who will attend Yearly when you book to be realistic attend YMG and offer practical Meeting Gathering in York. about what is possible for you. assistance where possible, so if you So with this in mind the The campus is reasonably have particular needs you should Planning Committee, the accessible for those using talk to your Area Meeting overseers Accessibility and Support Group wheelchairs but there are some about what assistance Friends can and Yearly Meeting overseers have rooms that are not as user-friendly offer. We all have a responsibility to created the Pastoral Care Team as we would like in an ideal world. endeavour to make the Meeting a at YMG. To make sure that YMG The only access for wheelchair community in which each person is inclusive for everyone – from users to the Central Hall is by lift to is accepted and nurtured and the tiny tots to those Friends ‘well spaces at the back of the hall. But, strangers are welcome. bottomed in the faith’ and eighty while there are some shortcomings, Respect the wide diversity among years plus – we are liaising with there will also be many facilities us. Remember that each one of us university and Friends House staff, available for Friends who have a is unique, precious, a child of God. plus those involved in facilitating disability. There will be provision If you have any suggestions or groups, to ensure that everything of simultaneous speech-to-text comments please contact me and is as accessible as possible and to in the Central Hall for hearing- we will try to do what we can. inform participants if there are any impaired Friends. Documents limitations. in Advance will be available on Contact Liz Anderton of the Yearly There are, of course, some the website for those who have Meeting Accessibility & Support constraints. York is a large campus Group by email: that was built to accommodate During the informal groups fair at YM [email protected] or fit young students. The university 2005 in York. Photo: Trish Carn. telephone 0141 955 0053.

8 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Swarthmore Lecture Presence in the midst

John Fitzgerald previews this year’s annual Swarthmore Lecture

One highlight of this year’s Yearly several years in advance but The lecture is part of Meeting Gathering will be Peter we work together in faith with Woodbrooke’s work, but is also an Eccles’ Swarthmore Lecture on ‘The lecturers and allow them the space integral part of Yearly Meeting; it Presence in the Midst: Reflections to minister to the Yearly Meeting. has been going for one hundred on Discernment’. Quite often, we find the final book years. Early lecturers did not Peter, a senior lecturer in and lecture that emerge contain publish separate books, but the mathematics at the University of deeper insights that we couldn’t practice of printing the text of the Manchester and a former clerk to have imagined when choosing the lecture has gradually evolved into Yearly Meeting and Meeting for topic up to three years beforehand.’ publishing a linked book, giving Sufferings, considers profound Another unique quality of the the lecturers more space to develop questions such as free will and the Swarthmore Lecture is the faith their ideas. place of life in the universe as he involved; trusting an individual Writing a book and preparing grounds Quaker discernment in his to share the insights they have for a lecture can be challenging, life experiences. gathered, trusting that the but lecturers are supported by Peter said: ‘It’s been quite a committee will have chosen the the committee and often find the struggle; in the course of doing right topic far in advance, trusting process highly rewarding. Lecturers it you find yourself questioning the lecture will speak to the Yearly often choose to avoid having their everything you believe. Quite often Meeting’s condition. name and topic publicised much you don’t do this; it’s good to be Julia Gordon of the Swarthmore in advance of Yearly Meeting. This forced to look back at where you’re Committee spoke of the sense of enables them to find the space they coming from.’ wonder and expectation that is need to complete their thinking Peter’s lecture will last only an present at the start of a Swarthmore and writing. hour, but it will be the fruit of Lecture. ‘There is a great buzz, full This year’s Swarthmore Lecture more than two years’ preparation of anticipation, then a deep silence will take place on Tuesday 28 and discernment supported by the as the lecturer appears.’ July. A linked book will also be Swarthmore Lecture Committee. The Swarthmore Lecture can launched that evening and an And of course there will be a book. be an inspirational time, where audio recording of the lecture will The lecture is special in other the Yearly Meeting gathers to be available from Woodbrooke ways. It is interesting for a Yearly listen for new truths and insights Quaker Study Centre. Meeting that has its spiritual roots from a Friend who has spent two in unprogrammed silent worship years or more in discernment and For more information, please contact to prepare a topic so far in advance. preparation. Of course, individual [email protected] or Liz Liz Gladstone, clerk to the Friends will find that particular Gladstone c/o clerk to the committee, committee, said: ‘It can be quite a lectures have a resonance for them. Woodbrooke, 1046 Bristol Road, challenge to discern what will be Birmingham B29 6LJ. John is a useful topic for Yearly Meeting Photo: jef safi/flickr CC. editorial officer for BYM.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 9 Meetings Yearly Meeting Gathering – York Community in Meetings Yearly Meeting Gathering is a time for us to be real with each other, says Zelie Gross As silence settles I begin my usual isn’t just newcomers who need Quakers smile at the irritable mental go-round. Sue… John… encouragement and opportunity, ones and the irritable ones find Phil Something-or-other… Ella, we all do in varying degrees and the smiles particularly irritating. haven’t seen her in a while… A face in different ways. We need it However, Gathering seems more I don’t recognise… because without community there harmonious – more gathered The face I don’t recognise rises to would be no Society of Friends, no – than when it began, despite speak – hesitant, a bit embarrassed communal worship, no corporate communal living, compulsory and in language that doesn’t quite witness and, what’s more, nothing niceness and shared kitchens.’ fit. Now I’m not so much listening in our Meetings would get done! As Meetings we aspire to as tensing. Will this newcomer The Yearly Meeting Gathering harmony and gatheredness know the unwritten rules – what’s theme, Creating Community: despite complex tensions lived OK and what isn’t, how to follow a Creating Connections, is an over time, not just a week on thread and when to stop? I notice opportunity both to experience campus. You may have plenty of others relax as I do when she sits how community grows and to time and energy to offer and I again, no damage done. And then I explore ways of strengthening scarcely any; perhaps we come reflect on what I have just done. community, neither of which may from very different faith or social Being part of a worshipping come easily or in unity. Friction backgrounds; perhaps we radically community held together by and faction are part of community disagree about God. There is a so much that is apparently not too. This from a blog during fundamental difference between articulated is complicated. In time, Summer Gathering at Stirling in the depth, layers and contradictions most people attending Meeting 2007: ‘Some Quakers smile a lot of genuine community… and will find Quaker faith & practice and others are irritable. The smiley uniformity, which is all surface. It’s useful and will pick up other clues the difference between substantial through awareness of the wider and bland. The rich layers in our Quaker community; but essentially In a true community Meeting communities include what they come for is the worship, our complicated and changing the silence and what they find we will not choose Quaker history as well as the there. What better reasons could demands of contemporary life and there possibly be? This is the our companions, the diversity of Friends. When we beating heart of our Meetings deny change or lack diversity (or from which everything else flows. for our choices are worse, discourage or suppress it) Then we notice people slip away we miss out on rewards as well after Meeting, missing out on what so often limited as challenges. I hope we won’t be we know to be the next priority scared into compulsory niceness – connecting with each other in by self-serving when we gather in warts-and-all community. community at York but will risk We can’t force community; motives. Instead, our being real with each other, trusting it has to grow. Some who start that where we agree rather than by slipping away will later feel companions will be differ is deeper, more important encouraged enough to stay for and much harder to express in coffee, find it OK, discover an given to us by grace. words – which is why we know that appetite for more. They then place best in the silence. need a further response from Parker J Palmer, Zelie is editor and learning designer the Meeting – induction into the of the YMG Learning in Meetings Quaker way, opportunities to be Quaker faith & package from Woodbrooke. She is useful or to connect with Friends also clerk of Penarth LM in South who share their concerns. And it practice 10.19 Wales AM.

10 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Community Home groups There’s no place like home… but what do you do when you’re at an event like Yearly Meeting Gathering? Madeleine Harding explains home groups

It can be quite daunting to go to and will be strengthened by having day, keeping people fit while they an event as big as Yearly Meeting all participants attend each day. In talk. Gathering, particularly if you are addition, each group will have two • Lastly, groups for people coming new and do not know anyone. facilitators who will ensure all are to the Gathering for just one or Aware of this, we in the Planning included and feel safe to share their two days. Committee are keen to ensure that thoughts and feelings. There will be special provision for everyone feels welcome, included, However, the committee is well under 19s. 0-11 year olds will be safe and able to feel part of this aware that different people respond in a home group with a parent or community of Quakers. Whether and reflect in different ways, so guardian and can choose between you are on your own or with your for this reason Yearly Meeting groups that have music and talking, family, whatever your age or ability Gathering will have a variety of creating and talking or walking and and regardless of your familiarity home group types. The seven types talking. 11-15 year olds and young with Quakers, we want you to get are: people attending JYM will be in as much as possible out of the • Groups that meet to talk. Some home groups with other young event and for it to be a rich and people might want to chat people of the same age and adults, enjoyable experience. informally over a cup of tea. reflecting through a variety of Home groups are one of the ways Others may want more serious activities. we hope to achieve this. A home discussion about what has been Home groups will be a place group is a small number of people happening in the sessions earlier within the varied and stimulating – at YMG there will be around in the day. programme of the Gathering twenty people in each group – who • Groups that make music and where participants can relax, be meet together at the same time talk. themselves and enjoy the company each day. The relatively small size • Groups that are more relaxing of a few others. We hope that of the groups, some of which will and can talk and be creative, for the community and connections be mixed ages while others are just example by doing some drawing created in the home groups will for over 19s, will make it possible or sketching. strengthen people’s experience to get to know the others over the • Groups that explore a variety of Yearly Meeting Gathering and course of the week. of activities such as art, music, create friendships that extend The home groups will provide drama, games and talk while beyond the life of the Gathering. a space to come together to reflect doing so. on the day and share people’s • Groups based on worship experiences of the Gathering. sharing and quiet reflection. Madeline is a member of the Yearly It is about creating smaller • A walking group that sets out for Meeting Gathering Planning communities within the larger one a walk of two to three miles each Committee.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 11 Time off Yearly Meeting Gathering – York Off to York… Friends preparing to invade York (which is And if you make it to York physically used to it – after all, what’s a thousand or so rather than just virtually, you could do Quakers when you’ve coped with the Viking the Rowntree Walk, now available in a hordes?) might want to mug up on some new reduced version (the original was interesting bits of the city’s Quaker history. over seven miles and only a few hardy The Rowntree Society is there to help soles/souls were up to it) – just three miles them do just that – Joseph Rowntree and or so all around the city centre. Your walk his son Seebohm did much more than might include the area around Walmgate, make chocolate. In the city, they were to where many Irish families moved in the responsible for progressive employment 1840s, escaping from the Potato Famine, practices, the village of New Earswick, and Black Horse Passage, site of the York enlightened philanthropy and much else Soup Kitchen – and also the route through The debtors’ prison at night. besides; beyond it, Seebohm’s studies which seemingly respectable Victorian The infamous cells of York Castle Dig Hungate is the single biggest excavation of York poverty influenced the likes of gentlemen would walk when heading for Museum are being unlocked this July, in York in the past twenty-five years. Until Winston Churchill and Lloyd George the brothels of Hungate. You might pause unleashing the powerful, moving and 2012, York Archaeological Trust will excavate and contributed to the foundation of the at Lady Peckitt’s Yard (top right), where sometimes gruesome tales of those Hungate to reveal the rich heritage and who were once imprisoned there. modern welfare state. Arnold Rowntree, Joseph, his brothers John and Henry Isaac archaeology of this important area of York’s a nephew of Joseph’s, is less well-known and others used scripture to teach men – Photo courtesy York Museum Trust. city centre. Photo: © York Archaeological Trust. – he was Liberal MP for York from 1910 and eventually women – to read and write. to 1918, when he was voted out by an The walk leaflet is available from the city’s electorate which didn’t see eye to eye tourist information centres – or you can with his support for first- world-war download it from the Society’s website. Of conscientious objectors and his opposition course, if you opt to do the guided version to the war. All this and more is covered of the Walk as a Wednesday activity, you by The Rowntree Society’s new website, won’t have to. www.rowntreesociety.org.uk – why not visit Steven Burkeman before you visit? Steven is chair of The Rowntree Society.

Hartrigg Oaks, the hart and the entrance to Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s retirement community on the edge of New Earswick, Joseph Rowntree’s 104-year-old-model village, an experiment in social housing. Photo courtesy Hartrigg Oaks.

Enjoy wandering the city streets. Photo: Trish Carn. The York Millennium Bridge. Photo courtesy Visit York.

The Retreat, a psychiatric hospital founded in 1792 and Jorvik Viking Centre opened in 1796 by Quaker Photos: © Jorvik. William Tuke, is noted for its humane treatment of the mentally dsturbed. Seen from the air and close up. Photos © The Retreat.

12 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Off to York… Friends preparing to invade York (which is And if you make it to York physically used to it – after all, what’s a thousand or so rather than just virtually, you could do Quakers when you’ve coped with the Viking the Rowntree Walk, now available in a hordes?) might want to mug up on some new reduced version (the original was interesting bits of the city’s Quaker history. over seven miles and only a few hardy The Rowntree Society is there to help soles/souls were up to it) – just three miles them do just that – Joseph Rowntree and or so all around the city centre. Your walk his son Seebohm did much more than might include the area around Walmgate, make chocolate. In the city, they were to where many Irish families moved in the responsible for progressive employment 1840s, escaping from the Potato Famine, York Minster’s practices, the village of New Earswick, and Black Horse Passage, site of the York West Nave and enlightened philanthropy and much else Soup Kitchen – and also the route through the South Front. besides; beyond it, Seebohm’s studies which seemingly respectable Victorian Photos: © York Lady Peckitt’s Yard (above) and of York poverty influenced the likes of gentlemen would walk when heading for Minster/Jarrolds. Joseph Rowntree’s birthplace Winston Churchill and Lloyd George the brothels of Hungate. You might pause – now a Pizza Hut (below). Photos courtesy The Rowntree Society. and contributed to the foundation of the at Lady Peckitt’s Yard (top right), where modern welfare state. Arnold Rowntree, Joseph, his brothers John and Henry Isaac a nephew of Joseph’s, is less well-known and others used scripture to teach men – – he was Liberal MP for York from 1910 and eventually women – to read and write. to 1918, when he was voted out by an The walk leaflet is available from the city’s electorate which didn’t see eye to eye tourist information centres – or you can with his support for first- world-war download it from the Society’s website. Of conscientious objectors and his opposition course, if you opt to do the guided version to the war. All this and more is covered of the Walk as a Wednesday activity, you by The Rowntree Society’s new website, won’t have to. www.rowntreesociety.org.uk – why not visit Steven Burkeman before you visit? Steven is chair of The Rowntree Society.

Foss Barrier and pump. Photo: carlos62/flickr CC.

Enjoy wandering the city streets. Photo: Trish Carn.

Brunswick Organic Nursery, which provides productive work for people with learning disabilities: above, David with Sue Parker, a volunteer, pricking out; and below, their open day. Courtesy BON.

National Railway Museum. Photo courtesy NRM.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 13 Arts Yearly Meeting Gathering – York Off campus, on show

Clifford’s Tower, site of the Bar Convent and its chapel aisle. massacre of the Jews in 1190. Photos courtesy Bar Convent. Photo: © English Heritage. What do Mary Ward, Wilhelmina the 1930s until the 1960s. Some of of the church in a mosaic of ten Barns-Graham, Emma Biggs them, such as Barbara Hepworth thousand medieval pottery shards and Vivienne Westwood have in and Ben Nicholson, are household from York Art Gallery’s storerooms. common? Answer: You can find names, but this is the first time I’ve As well as echoing the restrained out more about all four of them in encountered Wilhelmina Barns- but asymmetrical appearance of York this summer, if you can tear Graham, a Scottish artist who the window, the work is about yourself away from the delights of made her home at St Ives from history and labour, the hands that Yearly Meeting Gathering described 1940 onwards. The St Ives school have carefully replaced lost panes elsewhere in these pages. is all about rhythm and line and of glass and fired, excavated and Mary Ward (not to be confused Barns-Graham’s work from these conserved the fractured ceramics. with her namesake, aka ‘Mrs years is sharp and clear, whether So what about Vivienne Humphry Ward’, the nineteenth she’s working with naturalism or Westwood, then, do I hear you cry? century pioneer of workers’ abstraction. Well, the doyenne of contemporary education) was a seventeenth One of York’s newest exhibition English fashion opened a new century Catholic nun who venues is York St Mary’s, a boutique in York last September, pioneered women’s education. converted church where, annually described in the press release as Despite strenuous opposition since 2004, the York Museums ‘a decadent haven of fashion for from the pope, she managed to Trust has commissioned an men and women’. It also turns found her own order, now in artist to create a site-specific out that Emma Biggs worked as two branches, the Congregation installation within and sensitive Vivienne Westwood’s assistant for of Jesus and the Institute of the to the medieval space. Last year two seasons on leaving university, Blessed Virgin Mary. After her I saw ‘The Memory of Place’ by helping to produce the Pirates death, Bar Convent, just outside Keiko Mukaide, a magical water and Buffalo Girls collections. And York’s city walls, was established in installation with floating candles, now here she is creating an art 1686 as a school for Catholic girls. which recalled for me the floating installation for a disused Anglican It claims to be the oldest living lanterns of Hiroshima memorial church. Truly the ways of the Lord convent in England. As well as an day. As St Mary’s stands in the are wonderful. Happy YMG. informative if rather dry museum, shadow of Clifford’s Tower, site Rowena Loverance it boasts two striking architectural of the horrific massacre of Jews spaces: a splendid Victorian tiled in 1190, this was all the more Rowena is a member of London West entrance hall, complete with café, affecting. AM and arts editor of the Friend. and a beautiful gold-and-white This summer it is the turn domed chapel, completely hidden of mosaicist Emma Biggs and The Bar Convent, outside Micklegate from external view. When it was her husband, art critic Matthew Bar, is open Mon-Fri 10.00 to 4.00. completed in 1769, Catholic Collings. Their work will be The York Art Gallery, outside worship was still illegal in Britain. inspired by the famous Five Sisters Bootham Bar, is open daily from If you’re having difficulty window in the north transept of 10.00 to 5.00. St Ives runs from 2 choosing between YMG and a trip York Minster, which contains the May to 27 September. to the seaside, then the summer largest amount of early English Five Sisters at York St Mary’s exhibition at York Art Gallery is ‘grisaille’ (monochrome) glass in runs from 23 May to 1 November. the one for you. It features the a single window anywhere in the Opening times to be confirmed. work of artists working in and world, a total of more than 100,000 Vivienne Westwood’s boutique is at around St Ives, Cornwall, from pieces. They plan to cover the floor 10 Blake Street, York.

14 the Friend, 6 March 2009 25 July to 1 August 2009 Groups Inequality: the obstacle between us? Richard Wilkinson, who will be giving the Quaker Socialist Society’s Salter Lecture, previews his presentation Friends have always believed that on all of them and the ones that are those that tend to concentrate inequality is divisive and socially do badly, do badly on all of them. in more deprived neighbourhoods. corrosive. This year’s Salter Lecture The most important explanation However, although the benefits of at Yearly Meeting Gathering will for the consistent differences in greater equality are largest among be based on my and Kate Pickett’s performance seems to be whether the poor, they are not confined to book The Spirit Level: why more the income differences between the poor. Instead, the vast majority equal societies almost always do rich and poor are large or small. of the population – including the better (Penguin; March 2009) and Inequality is so powerful because better off – do better in more equal will show how ‘broken societies’ it affects the quality of social societies. result predominantly from relations, which are so fundamental That it is now possible to widening income differences. to human life. More equal societies demonstrate these patterns using If you look at rich countries and turn out to be friendlier and hard data has the effect of turning compare health, life expectancy, more cohesive: community life is what was once a private intuition rates of mental illness, teenage stronger, people trust each other about the divisiveness of inequality birth rates, drug abuse, obesity more, violence and homicide rates into a publicly demonstrable fact rates, the educational performance are lower and there is less bullying of political life. of school children or the among schoolchildren. Greater Richard Wilkinson proportion of the population inequality leads to increased status imprisoned, you find that countries competition and consumerism. Richard is professor of medical that tend to do well on one of The problems that become more epidemiology at the University of these measures tend to do well common in more unequal societies Nottingham. Friends Fellowship of Healing at YMG A belief in the healing power of the Spirit was our stall. central to the life of early Friends. At Yearly Meeting As part of the YMG pastoral care team, FFH will be Gathering, as a contribution to the theme of Creating offering one-to-one healing sessions with members Community: Creating Connections, the Friends of our Quakers Spiritual Healers group of qualified Fellowship of Healing (FFH) will be sharing ways in ‘contact’ healers. This may involve ‘the laying on of which modern Friends, too, can link with the Divine hands’ (whereby healing energy is directed through the Power Within to bring healing to ourselves and to healer’s hands held slightly away from the recipient’s others. body) or, if preferred, the healer will simply act as ‘a Jim Pym and Rosalind Smith will be leading a listening ear’. workshop on The Meeting for Worship for Healing as We hope that our contribution to YMG will show a Community Builder. They will explore how we can how the healing ministry can both deepen the spiritual strengthen our Quaker communities by gathering life of our Meetings and be a valuable part of our in worship to bring our needs to the Light and open witness to the wider world, as was the case for the ourselves to healing. early Friends. There will also be a special interest group at which Cherry Simpkin Friends can learn about FFH and our residential centre, Claridge House, as well as ask questions about To find out more about FFH, contact its clerk the healing ministry in general. Cherry Simpkin on 020 8852 6735, email FFH books and other literature, including copies of [email protected] or visit the website our magazine Towards Wholeness, will be available on www.quaker-healing.org.uk for more information.

the Friend, 6 March 2009 15 Under 19s Yearly Meeting Gathering – York 0-15 programme Are you seven or ten? Fourteen or eight? We are working towards a parallel and Twelve or nine? Or any age from nought to integrated programme. Although much of fifteen? Imagine what 250 young Quakers all the week will be spent in different age groups being in the same place will look like, what it there will be times when the whole Gathering will sound like. What will it feel like to be part will come together for worship and other of this? Imagine yourself as part of this and activities, including Yearly Meeting sessions. part of the larger Quaker community gathered It is exciting to try to build an integrated at York. We’ll spend time talking, thinking, worshipping community and enable children sharing, playing, exploring, worshipping and and young people to participate in Yearly lots more besides. It’s going to be fun and Meeting decision-making. Everyone has a challenging, exciting and powerful – come responsibility to help bring this about. along and be part of it. We hope the programme will be a fun, safe It might be ambitious to explore the and exciting place that gives people the space meaning of community with a four-year-old and the opportunity to grow as individuals or consider committed relationships with a and as Quakers, whether that is a fourteen- thirteen-year-old, to talk about God with a year-old thinking about what being a Quaker seven-year-old or worship with a three-year- means to them or a four-year-old enjoying the old. However, it is important because children experience of silent worship. and young people are as much part of the Simon Best Yearly Meeting as over 19s and are an integral Simon is Children & Young People’s programmes part of the YMG community. officer for Britain Yearly Meeting. Junior Yearly Meeting As the largest national gathering of fifteen- actively challenge this. The joint sessions to eighteen-year-old young Friends, Junior and shared worship of YMG reflect the Yearly Meeting (JYM) is an inclusive, theme Creating Community: Creating spiritual environment at which teenagers Connections and shared home groups will have the chance to get together, make hopefully enable attenders at YMG and friends and have fun. The JYM atmosphere JYM to connect not only as a community is unique and attenders are often struck but as individuals as well. with how different it is from their normal However, this whole new event also lives. Many enjoy the experience so much poses a challenge and steps have been that they do not want to leave the ‘Quaker taken to ensure that the well-loved bubble’. JYM atmosphere isn’t lost within YMG. Unlike previous years, Junior Yearly Participants at JYM will arrive a day before Meeting will be held at Yearly Meeting everyone else and will have a separate area Gathering in July. This removal from its and their own programme of activities, normal spot in April will bring about which should ensure the foundation of a many changes. It will be twice as long, it strong and positive community. Our aim will have fewer participants and it will be a is to create a secure JYM community and part of something much bigger. at the same time reach out to the wider The organisers of JYM welcome the community of YMG. opportunity to narrow the gap between All in all, it’s going to be a really great older and younger Quakers. Discussions event, so come along! at young people’s Quaker events, such Katie Latimer and Esther McConnell as JYM, often highlight a sense of separateness felt by young Quakers. Katie and Esther are members of the JYM at Photos by Fran Lane and Will Alder. YMG will be a wonderful opportunity to YMG Arrangements Committee.

16 the Friend, 6 March 2009 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:54 Page 1

Quaker Concern for the Abolition of Torture Torture - Strictly Forbidden? Day Conference, Sat. 25 April Friends House, 10.30 - 4.30. Speakers with international experience of spiritual, legal and Claridge House practical aspects of the use of torture. £15 incl. lunch & refreshments Lingfield, Surrey payable to ‘BYM’. Q-CAT Payment and registration to The Quaker Healing Centre Graham Spackman, RCO for healing, rest & renewal Friends House, 173 Euston Rd London NW1 2BJ Peaceful stays You can order more 4 night midweek breaks Quaker Concern copies of this issue! Varied residential courses for Animals with a healing focus Witnessing to the divine in all Further copies are available in Open all year round creatures through campaigning, multiples of 10 at only 50p a lobbying and supporting animal copy including p&p. 10 for £5, Vegetarian protection groups. 20 for £10, etc. Simply send your We are an interfaith group with cheque payable to The Friend to: For details please call international links. 01342 832150 Contact Marian Hussenbux on 0151 677 7680 Penny Dunn, The Friend www.claridgehousequaker.org.uk 173 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ or [email protected] Reg. Charity No. 228102 www.quaker-animals.org.uk

the Friend 6 March 2009 17 Education Yearly Meeting Gathering – York Learning and growing

Helen Rowlands outlines how Friends can learn about Yearly Meeting Gathering even outside the event

How do we learn and grow? enhanced presence, assisting in a can such a large group ‘do Quaker Remember how you learned to variety of ways. process’ well? We will be sharing walk, to play an instrument, to In April, Meetings will be skills in group facilitation with make something beautiful by hand. receiving an advance pack of people who have volunteered Remember how you learned to materials designed to help as home group facilitators and share things, to listen well to other groups of Friends prepare for the support them through the week. people, to build relationships. Gathering, whether they will be We will also be providing We learn such skills by watching attending in person or not. They facilitated workshop sessions. There and absorbing how others do will focus around the first part will be a taste of Woodbrooke’s them, by having a go and getting of the Gathering theme, Creating new ‘Good Lives’ programme, it wrong a few times, maybe by Inward Connections, and will a creative opportunity to bring having someone explain it to us. encourage us to take some further together head, heart and spirit to Sometimes we have to un-learn steps on the path to sharing our equip ourselves for the future – of things that we thought we knew. spiritual journeys – how do we our own lives, of the planet and Throughout our lives, consciously work meaningfully together, learn of humanity. ‘Becoming Friends: or unconsciously, we practise, together, celebrate together and living and learning with Quakers’ practise, practise. enjoy one another’s beings? The is a partnership with Quaker Life How do we learn and grow in materials should help us prepare that will encourage the growth of our spiritual lives? Well, there ourselves to share understandings, spiritual community by helping are skills to be learnt here too, by try new things out and reflect on Meetings support newcomers as watching, trying it out, seeking what we learn about ourselves. they explore whether the Quaker explanations through talking or After the event, there will be community is the right place of reading, by walking alongside follow-on materials to help you connection for them. trusted companions and by life- interpret the experience and to Yearly Meeting Gathering this long practice. Skills in listening, to carry it forward in the life of your year is an experiment for all of us, each other and to the spirit. Skills Local Meeting. The focus here will a laboratory of the spirit, a place to in distinguishing leadings that are be on Creating Community and learn and grow as individuals and ‘of God’ from those that are not. Creating Outward Connections. as a community of faith. How will Skills in loving and in living out During the Gathering itself, you be part of creating community, our faith in our daily lives. Woodbrooke staff will be providing creating connections? Yearly Meeting Gathering orientation sessions, aimed at will present us with lots of helping everyone get the best out Helen Rowlands is head of education opportunities to learn from one of the week – what can we expect at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre another. Woodbrooke Quaker of the business sessions and how and a member of Central England Study Centre will be there with an Learning to walk. Photo: ArtToday. Area Meeting.

18 the Friend, 6 March 2009 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:55 Page 2

Patterns of Eldership & Oversight This brand new edition of Patterns of Eldership & Oversight includes fresh material to reflect the well-rooted experience of Friends across Britain Yearly Meeting in fulfilling these responsibilities. This valuable handbook provides encouragement, ideas and affirmation, whether you are considering changes to eldership and oversight, or are happy with your current practice. The variety of patterns is inspiring. Order your copy now for £5 (+ £1 p&p) from: Quaker Bookshop, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ E. [email protected] T. 020 7663 1030 Charney Manor Guided Retreats 2009

Come on one of our guided retreats or bring your own group to enjoy the warm welcome and tranquil atmosphere of Charney Manor. En-suite and full wheelchair access rooms available, with lift to our main meeting room in the Barn. Also self-catering accommodation for families and small groups in ‘The Gilletts’ cottage in the grounds. Contact our office for further details.

April 17-19 Living in a sacred way Joycelin Dawes & Judith Berry May 6-8 Writing the Spirit Judy Clinton June 19-21 An introduction to the Quaker ‘Experiment with Light’ Diana Lampen & Helen Meads July 10-12 Gandhi & King: radical Christian peacemaking in C21st Brian Phillips Sept. 4-6 Unstructured weekend: enjoy the tranquillity of Charney Sept. 18-20 Answering that of God, giving birth to the Spirit Harvey Gillman October 23-25 Desert mountains, desert valleys: a journey in God Marjorie Ball & Shelagh Robinson Nov. 20-22 Living by the leadings of the Spirit Linda Batten & Roswitha Jarman 2010 January 22-24 Bringing calm to busy lives Jim Pym & Andrew Burns

Retreats cost £158 and a £58 non- refundable deposit secures you a place. All bookings and enquiries to:

Charney Manor, Charney Bassett Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 0EJ Tel: 01235 868206 Fax: 01235 868882 Email: [email protected] www.charneymanor.org.uk

Charney Manor is a registered charity, no. 237267

the Friend 6 March 2009 19 Reporting Yearly Meeting Gathering – York

���������������� �����

��� �����

��������������� ��� ���� ������������������������������������ ������������������������������������Friend ������������������ � ��������� Friend ��������������� �Friend������������ ��� ������������������ ����� ��������������� ����� How the

������������������

� ����� Friend ���������������� ����������������������� ���������������������� ��������������������������������������� ������������������ ��������������� � ���� Friend can ��� Friend ������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������

��������������������� �������������������������

��������������� ������������������

�

�

������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������� help you get

������������������������ ���������������������

��������������������������� ����������������� ������������������������ ��������������������������

����������������������� �������������� into print Come to our Yearly Meeting Gathering ‘Article Surgery’, says Judy Kirby

Pick up a newspaper today uttered it at a conference but that (apart from those who attended – any paper will do – and have a emerged later in the story. the event) reach it in time? Will its cursory look at the stories. Check What is more important significance be dimmed, or – worst particularly the first paragraph – a researcher’s discovery or their of all outcomes – won’t it get read of anything that catches your eye. name, date of birth, political at all? Tropical forests drying out and affiliation and home address? Even the most mundane of becoming tinderboxes? Novelists The geographical location where routine matters can be presented protecting each other from someone has said something from an angle that can engage assassination? Those were just two interesting is less important than readers. It takes a certain skill and I noticed while writing this piece. the essence of what is said. The Friend writers are going to be on And in both cases, I had to read medium isn’t the message in this hand at YMG to help potential further before finding the source case. contributors learn some of the of the story. This is not slapdash And this brings me round basic tenets of this skill. If you are reporting – it is a professional way to the perennial problem for interested in what you are writing to engage a reader. Friend editors: the conference about, it’s a sure bet readers will In crystallising the essence of an report. These are often sent in notice and investigate. event in the first paragraph a writer by dutiful Friends who draw the Watch out for our article surgery gives the reader an advantage. They short straw at Quaker conferences at the Gathering – we will let you immediately form a picture. In this and workshops. The Friend may know details later. piece in the New Scientist we hear actually volunteer to send the And where did the story about first what the whole story is about: report to us; quite often they are novelists and assassination, which ‘Hitler and Mussolini both had the delegated to do this chore. It can be appeared in a national newspaper, ability to bend millions of people a bit of a burden; we know that. come from? It was taken from an to their fascist will. Now evidence The report duly comes in. Some interview with Ian McEwan, who from psychology and neurology are truly inspired – is that Friend hid his friend Salman Rushdie after is emerging to explain how tactics a closet journalist? – but many, the fatwa on his life was declared. like organised marching and sadly, invariably start: ‘On Saturday The piece was originally carried propaganda can work to exert mass 15 March fifty Friends from… in The New Yorker, that wonderful mind control.’ Later we hear whose gathered at… to hear an interesting beacon of inspired writing. research this is. talk by…’ This is the school essay, The tinderbox forest story catapulted forward a few decades. Judy is editor of the Friend and mentioned above was a warning Somewhere in the body of this a member of Northumbria Area given by a climate scientist. He report lies the heart – will readers Meeting.

20 the Friend, 6 March 2009 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:56 Page 3

Friends&Meetings Charles HAYMER 25 February. Births Father of Sara Potter and Janet Diary Hatton, grandfather of Caroline, Annabel and Matthew SILVEY Paul, Edward and Lucy, great-grand- NEW JORDANS CHALLENGES 15 February, to Mike Silvey and father to Abigail and Jack. Member FOR OUR TIME LECTURE. Tamsin Langford. Grandchildren to of Wrexham Meeting, lately resident Thursday 19 March, 7.30 for 8pm. Jonathan and Janta, nephew and at Manor House Home, York. Aged Laurie Michaelis of the Living niece to Dan and ‘cousins’ to 94. Funeral at Pentre Bychan Witness Project on Beyond individ- Kirsten, Lucy and Tim. Crematorium, Wrexham 1.30pm ualism - Quakers, community and Monday 9 March. Donations: climate change. Tickets £10 from Deafness Research UK. Janet May-Bowles on 01494 876594 Deaths or [email protected] www.jordans-quakers.org.uk Dorothy FRITH (née Roach) Freda WOOD 23 February. Freda 23 February, peacefully at home. Wife Smith of Friends Ambulance Unit. Member of Wallingford Meeting. TALKING ADVENTUROUSLY of Norman. Member of Sudbury 2 workshops: 10am - 4.30pm Meeting, formerly of Wanstead and She donated her body to medical research. Memorial Meeting Saturday 21 March, St Andrews FMH Ambleside Meetings. Aged 88. (£40). 1pm - 4.30pm Sunday Norman Frith, ‘Doves’, Cakebridge Wallingford FMH, 2.30pm Saturday 14 March. Details 01491 834397. 22 March, Glasgow FMH (£20). Lane, Chelsworth, Ipswich IP7 7JA. Addressing difficulties within meetings through communication Bernt-Erik HEID 22 January. Changes to meeting and honest speaking. Eudora Pascall In hospital in Oslo. Partner of & Bonnie Grotjahn. Details: 0207 Penny Heymans, father of Asbjørn SETTLE LM. Settle Friends are 993 5632. [email protected] and Ragnhild, son of Bernt. Former again meeting at the Meeting House. husband of Anuschka Polder. Sundays at 10.30am. All welcome. THE COLLAPSE OF CAPITALISM Member of Oslo meeting. Aged 58. www.settlequakers.org.uk - DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVES Quaker Socialist Society, 14.00 Jim LINTOTT 28 February at home. Saturday 21 March. London School Husband of Joan, father of Stephen STAY IN TOUCH of Economics (St Clement's and Patti, grandfather of Rachael, Put your family notices in Building, Houghton Street) Room Natasha, Hannah and Emily. Member S314. AGM at 11.00. All welcome. of Penrith Meeting, formerly of the Friend! Sutton and Wimbledon. Aged 78. The Friend trial subscription - Notices on this page Births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, 8 copies for just £5! changes of clerk, new wardens, changes of address, diary items, etc., should preferably be prepaid. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this issue of the Friend, and would like Personal entries £15.40 incl. vat, to make a regular subscription part of your Quaker life. Use this form to Meeting and charity entries £13.40 take an 8 week trial for just £5 - less than half price! (zero rated for vat). Max. 35 words. 3 Diary/Meeting up entries £35 the Friend - we can’t make it without you! (£30.63); 6 entries £60 (£52.14). Add £1.70 to receive a copy of the issue with your notice. Entries are accepted at the editor’s Please send me an eight week trial subscription for £5 discretion in a standard house style. Please send me a free copy of Advices & Queries A gentle discipline will be exerted to maintain a simplicity of style and Your name...... wording which excludes terms of endearment and words of tribute. Address...... Please include a daytime telephone ...... Postcode...... number. Deadline usually Monday am. Cheques payable to The Friend. Daytime tel...... Email...... The Friend, 54a Main Street, Please return with your cheque payable to The Friend to: Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. Penny Dunn, The Friend, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. Tel. 01535 630230. Email: [email protected] Offer expires 30 June 2009. Not valid for renewals. YM0109

the Friend 6 March 2009 21 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:56 Page 4

Classified advertisements George Penaluna, Advertisement Manager, 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected]

KENDAL, CUMBRIA. Ardrig vegetarian job vacancies B&B. Quiet, friendly home. Views. Ensuites. Parking. 01539 736879. Classified ads in www.ardrigvegetarian.com The Friend EDINBURGH AT FESTIVAL TIME Standard linage 47p a word, semi- Volunteer Staff ISLE OF MULL. Staffa House offers warm display 72p a word. Rates incl. vat. welcome. Comfortable B&B. Views of Sought for Quaker Meeting House Min. 12 words. Series discounts 5% Iona and Ben More. Walking, wildlife, Theatre, Café and Kitchen for some or all beaches, boat trips. Delicious meals, on 5 insertions, 10% on 10 or more. three weeks beginning 9 August. local/organic produce where possible. Cheques payable to The Friend. (Cooks particularly valued.) Vegetarians most welcome. 01681 700677. Ad Dept, 54a Main Street Accommodation and all meals in return www.staffahouse.co.uk Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL for shifts of about 5 hours per day. T&F: 01535 630230 Application forms: SELF-CATERING HOLIDAYS E: [email protected] Email [email protected] Or phone 0131 225 4825. ALNWICK. Comfortable house neigh- ORKNEY, WESTRAY AND PAPA WESTRAY bouring Castle/Gardens, centre. Excellent Fair Trade islands, excellent accommoda- FRIENDS CENTRE, AUCKLAND Aotearoa/ for country and coast. Minimum 2 nights. tion, guided tours, birds, art, crafts, New Zealand: Quaker couple sought as 01904 412307 evenings. archaeology, a captivating busy peace. Resident Friends for one year from 1 April www.westraypapawestray.com 2010 until 31 March 2011. Enquiries and 01857 677777/677482. further information from Centre clerk, AWARD WINNING COUNTRY COTTAGES email: [email protected]. near Ludlow. LOvely walking, wildlife, Applications close 1 July 2009 to allow villages. Short breaks available. Pets and SUFFOLK COAST, WALBERSWICK. time for immigration process. children welcome. Friends’ discount. Self-contained annexe. Sleeps 2/3. 01547 540441. £100-£200 pw or £30 per night depending www.mocktreeholidays.co.uk on season. Not available during school FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY (WINCHESTER) holidays. Tel. 01502 723914. Are seeking a new Project Leader for therapeutic group work with vulnerable CORNISH COTTAGE overlooking sea. parents and young children. Part-time £130-180pw. Tel. 0117 951 4384. TOTAL TRANQUILITY, ESSEX COAST post. Suit social worker. Apply for details www.cornishcottage.350.com/ Just sea, marsh, walks, birdwatching, to Gill O’Shea, Quaker Meeting House, northcornwall.htm stargazing. [email protected] 16 Colebrook Street, Winchester SO23 9LH. 07956 991148. 01962 864466. Closing date 20 March. CORNISH GRANITE DETACHED [email protected] comfortable accommodation. 4miles YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK. www.friendsofthefamilywinchester.org.uk St.Ives/Penzance. Two bedrooms. Quiet Comfortable 2-bedroom cottage, sleeps 5 woodland garden. 01736 740266. maximum. Attractive and historic Quaker Availability: www.chycor.co.uk/cottages/ countryside, excellent walking and day where to stay ludgvan-flowerbarn/index.htm excursions. £200 per week. Contact [email protected] HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES, B+BS CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET. Lovely space, sleeps 4. Close historic Priory and Quay. OVERSEAS HOLIDAYS BANGORS ORGANIC. Top quality, green Lovely walks. Holiday or longer let con- accommodation and organic restaurant in sidered. Possible whole 4 bedroom house North Cornwall. Soil Association certified available. 01202 480603. CENTRE QUAKER DE CONGENIES, gardens and totally organic home grown S. France near Nimes. A place for all sea- food. B&B or half board. 01288 361297. sons. A welcome for all guests with simple GET AWAY FROM THE MAD WORLD www.bangorsorganic.co.uk to self-catering. +33 6 44 80 26 42. the peace, beauty and tranquillity of The www.maison-quaker-congenies.org Scilly Isles. Phone Covean Cottage, CORNWALL. Come by train for Garden St Agnes: 01720 422620. Guest house visits, 3 nights FB. Brochure 01208 831213. and self-catering. COMFORTABLE VIENNESE APARTMENT Also B&B. www.stephengellyfarm.co.uk Sleeps 4. Well-situated. City of culture, cafés and character. From £275pw. HOLIDAY CARAVAN FOR HIRE near Short breaks considered. 01904 733545. FOXWOOD, ISLE OF SKYE. Inspirational Christchurch, sleeps 4+. Family site with www.holidayapartmentinvienna.co.uk setting amid mountains, sea, islands. all amenities. Close to cliffs and beach. Delightful accommodation. Sauna, jacuzzi Short breaks available. Call 01707 883953. bath, therapies, special diets. B&B £30. CONGENIES, SOUTHERN FRANCE. Les Trois Puits self-catering, B&B or cottage. www.scotland-info.co.uk/foxwood ISLE OF HARRIS. Simple, peaceful, 01470 572331. Ideal get-away any time of year, open-plan cottage, sleeps 1-4. Beautiful Camargue, Cevennes, Mediterranean. situation. £110-375pw. www.4cliasmol.net Good birding, walking & cycling. HIGH CHAPEL HOUSE, RAVENSTONEDALE, 01859 560250 or www.lestroispuitscongenies.com Cumbria. www.highchapelhouse.com [email protected] Info: 00 33 4 66 77 19 72. Peaceful, rural B&B in stunning walking country. Yelly 015396 23411. Cookery days also available: www.cookincumbria.com LINCOLN, DUNHOLME. Charming LANGUEDOC; our family’s holiday cottage cottage, fully equipped, GCH, sleeps 2. near River Tarn, Roquefort, Albi; sleeps £165/£195. Owners adjacent. 01673 5/8. Low rates to Friends. 01653 658203. Find your holiday in The Friend! 860134. [email protected]

22 the Friend 6 March 2009 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:56 Page 5

Welcoming new members? Deputy Manager As well as presenting a copy Claridge House of Quaker faith & practice why not add Healing Centre Re-advertisement. NEW LIGHT Previous applicants need not reapply. Twelve Quaker Voices Due to family illness, we are seeking a new Deputy Manager for our Lively reflections by the Quaker Quest team. Copies from the Quaker Healing Centre, which provides rest, retreat, and renewal. Quaker Bookshop, Friends House This practical, spiritual, and pastoral role provides the opportunity or contact: 020 7226 5448 [email protected] to put values in accord with Quakerism into action. Commitment, warmth, and sensitivity to others‚ needs are essential to this work, TUSCAN HILLS, SOUTHEAST SIENNA. alongside strong organisational skills and managerial ability. Medieval house, village, garden: the perfect retreat. 2+2, £300 pw. Applicants for this demanding and rewarding post need to be 07747 666331. [email protected] flexible, adaptable, and able to multi-task, with wide-ranging communication, office, and household skills. This is a residential TUSCANY APARTMENT with patio. South post, living and working in a vegetarian house in Lingfield, Surrey. of Pisa near coast in hill village. Ideal for culture, beaches, hiking. Sleeps 2-4. Closing date: Friday 20 March. Interviews: Arrival on the afternoon Tel. 01643 862643. of 31 March, with formal interviews on 1 April.

WEST ALGARVE (NATIONAL PARK). Please ring 01342 832150 for an application pack. Attractive country house. Unspoilt coastal village. Accommodates 4-10. Pool, Registered Charity no: 228102. gardens, bird watching, walking, secluded beaches. Tel. 01832 275395. www.vilad.com miscellaneous LIVING FURNITURE TLC for your furniture for sale & to let DO THE MYSTICAL ASPECTS of Professional furniture restoration, Quakerism appeal to you? Contact others upholstery, gilding, carving. of like mind in the Quaker Universalist Ornate period antiques to simple FRENCH PYRENEES, CORBIERES. Quaker benches. Nationwide. Beautiful location, large village house of Group. Write to: Carol Wise, Enquiries character, enclosed garden. After 15 years Secretary, QUG, 24 Rose Bank, Burley-in- Roland Carn quakerly partnership (50/50) we need Wharfedale, Ilkley LS29 7PQ. 56 Alexandra Grove, London N12 8HG. new partners. Interested? 01539 625357. www.qug.org.uk 020 8446 5772 [email protected] [email protected] FRIENDS HOUSE MOSCOW 10 notelets www.living-furniture.co.uk KENDAL ONE BEDROOM RETIREMENT £4.50. Siberian artist. 01584 875206. flat in town centre, convenient for FMH, www.friendshousemoscow.org.uk . PAINFUL JOINTS AND MUSCLES? arts centre, Lake District. Guide price I specialise in old injuries with great £89,500. Details 0114 236 7000. GO VEGGIE! The compassionate, success. Remedial Massage. Catherine humane, healthy lifestyle. For Go Veggie Holland, Oxford: 07017 415310. QUAKER COMMUNITY AT BAMFORD information pack call 01732 364546. www.catherineholland.co.uk New community members sought: [email protected] families, couples and singles considered. QUAKER LESBIAN & GAY FELLOWSHIP Short term lets may be possible. Please A welcoming, supportive national write to: Quaker Community, Water GREEN BUILDING STORE network with local groups for Ffriends of Lane, Bamford, Hope Valley, Derbyshire For sustainable homes & all sexualities/identities. Ruth (F), 46 The S33 0DA or email: isianne.neve@ Meeting Houses! Avenue, Starbeck, Harrogate HG1 4QD. yahoo.co.uk for more information. E-mail: [email protected] FSC-certified windows and doors, water-saving WCs and urinals, RATHMELL, SETTLE. Delightful village near natural paints, guttering, insulation WELCOME THE SPRING in shoes made or thriving market town. 1970s bungalow, and much more. Mail order. On-line. repaired at James Taylor & Son, Bespoke 3/4 bedrooms. Extensive gardens. shoemakers, 4 Paddington Street, (near Planning consents for additional eco- Telephone 01484 461705 Baker Street), London W1U 5QE. house or four-house re-development. www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk Telephone. 020 7935 4149. £395,000. Tel. 01729 840462. www.taylormadeshoes.co.uk OUR PIANOS SAVE TREES. Climate SABBATICAL YEAR IN THE COTSWOLDS? friendly pianos. Sale or rental. Removals. WRITING YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY? Attractive, unfurnished cottage, three Part-exchange. Restorations. Associate Books typeset for your family’s pleasure. bedrooms, garden. Market town Blind Piano Tuners. Member Quakers & Photos and other graphics can be included. convenient Bath/Bristol. To let up to one Business Group. All enquiries welcome. Contact Trish on 020 8446 5772. year from end September. Terms wwwcambridgepianolacompany.co.uk [email protected] negotiable. 01666 505508. 01223 861348. Other printed material also prepared.

the Friend 6 March 2009 23 Ad pages 6 Mar 3/3/09 13:56 Page 6 vol ADVERTISEMENT DEPT EDITORIAL 167 54a Main Street 173 Euston Road Cononley, Keighley London NW1 2BJ BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

T 01535 630 230 F 020 7663 11-82 10 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected]