20 April 2012 £1.70 the discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

On the road to the World Conference the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 170 NO 16

3 Thought for the Week: The cornerstone Edward Hoare 4-5 News 6-7 Low carbon, sustainable fun Laurie Michaelis 8-9 Letters 10-11 Prostate cancer and the love of God Noël Staples 12-14 Quakers in the World: Latin America A way of life Ian Kirk-Smith and Trish Carn 15 God and life Robert Daines 16 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world 17 Friends & Meetings

A view of Kabarak University campus, where about a thousand Quakers are gathering for the 2012 World Conference of Friends this week. See page 4. Photo copyright: FWCC (www.saltandlight2012.org)

Cover image: The world’s most dangerous road, Bolivia. This week ‘Quakers in the World’ visits Latin America (see pages 12-14) and Friends set off to the World Conference (see page 4). Photo: fabulousfabs / flickr CC

The Friend Subscriptions Advertising Editorial UK £76 per year by all payment Advertisement manager: Editor: types including annual direct debit; George Penaluna Ian Kirk-Smith monthly payment by direct debit £6.50; online only £48 per year. Articles, images, correspondence For details of other rates, Tel/fax: 01535 630230 should be emailed to contact Penny Dunn on [email protected] [email protected] 020 7663 1178 or [email protected] www.thefriend.org/advertise.asp or sent to the address below.

the Friend 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ Tel: 020 7663 1010 Fax: 020 7663 1182 www.thefriend.org Editor: Ian Kirk-Smith [email protected] • Sub-editor: Trish Carn [email protected] • Production editor: Elinor Smallman production@ thefriend.org • News reporter: Symon Hill [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: Janet Scott • 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, 20 April 2012 Thought for the Week The cornerstone

There is a chamber of the mind prepared for me. When I am ready, willing to surrender. When I am quiet, I may enter there To find a place of stillness, a place already occupied By the light of the welcoming Presence.

From ‘Practising the Presence’ by Kenneth Bird

hen we read the words ‘practising the Presence other Friends who met in the Spirit – thus ensuring that of God’ we often overlook the fact that the call was not one of the ego. practising has two meanings – preparation Once, when talking of this to an experienced Friend, I Wand (as in practising medicine) performance. Kenneth jokingly said that we were used to being told to ‘answer’ Bird’s poem ‘Practising the Presence’ illustrates that of God in those we met and, since we were not the inward task of preparation but to George Fox often asked a question, it had just become a saying. He preparation and performance were linked: performance responded that in our encounters our response need had to be preceded by insight gained through practice. not be verbal, it may be a case when just a smile or a Such insights came from ‘that of God’, the life-giving light touch may be appropriate. As to whether he knew Spirit that runs through all creation and into which we of any way that might help Friends to stay prepared to are able to ‘tune.’ respond, his unexpected reply used the analogy of a To his followers Fox gave the message with which ship’s figurehead. Although not a working part of the we are so familiar: ‘First, be patterns and examples vessel, it was an integral part of it. The figurehead could [practice]… then walk cheerfully over the world not be seen from the deck by the crew, who might well (answering) that of God in everyone [performance]’. forget that it was there. Wherever the ship went, the Trying to live aware of the Presence within is, for figurehead led the way. He tried to imagine that the many people, their ultimate goal but as Thomas Kelly Presence was his figurehead and that it led the way wrote: ‘George Fox and his followers threw themselves into his every encounter and influenced the way he into it with all the passion of a new and glorious behaved. ‘Useful,’ he laughed, ‘when I go to complain discovery and with all the energy of their devoted lives’. about something’. It was not only the Quakers who tried to live in the Quakers believe that the Presence (that of God) is Presence. Christians try to pray continuously using the within us and we therefore have no need of a mediator. Jesus Prayer; Buddhists walk murmuring ‘Om Mane This belief was the cornerstone of the Quaker faith and Padme Hum’, which is an invocation to the Goddess directed our practice. Despite the challenges we face of compassion, but, as William James wrote in The today it remains at the core of the Society. True Quaker Varieties of Religious Experience, it was the Quakers action is the outcome of inward guidance. who were best at practising the Presence. They went into silence waiting on the Spirit. If an individual then Edward Hoare felt led into taking action, he or she referred the call to Long Sutton Meeting

the Friend, 20 April 2012 3 News Quakers gather in Kenya

About a thousand Quakers Nancy Irving of Friends’ World went bankrupt shortly before the from around the world are meeting Committee for Consultation event. After considerable worry, in Kenya this week for the World (FWCC) said the gathering’s theme they were able to book on other Conference of Friends. It is one of ‘unites the spiritual foundation of flights. The new flights cost around the largest Quaker gathering for our faith with our understanding of US$11,000 and the FWCC Section forty-five years. the basis of our work in the world of the Americas have put out a The event, from 17 to 25 April, in all its diversity’. fundraising appeal. takes place in Kabarak University ‘I know that the Light of Shortly before the conference, in the Rift Valley. The theme is Christ will be amongst us,’ said staff at Kaimosi Friends’ Hospital ‘Being Salt and Light: Friends Christopher Hatton of Hamburg in Kenya took delivery of over living the kingdom of God in a in Germany. ‘I also think it will be £500 worth of medical equipment broken world’. Over forty aspects of challenging, inspiring, exhausting donated by British Quakers. The the theme will be explored in small and liberating but, most of all, items were handed over by Jez groups and workshops. spiritually nourishing and life- Smith of Westminster Meeting, The gathering brings together g i v i n g ’. who is visiting Kenya for the Quakers who may be unfamiliar Margery Post Abbott, from conference. with each other’s theology and Oregon in the US, told the Friend The hospital now has a worship. There will be liberal she hopes ‘to learn more about stethoscope for every department. Friends, such as most of those from Friends elsewhere in the world, Nursing officer Irene Gulavi said Britain; pastoral and evangelical particularly in Africa, and help staff had been praying for new Friends, who bring programmed to make their voices heard in the equipment. She added: ‘God elements to worship and give United States’. has found a way through British a higher status to the Bible; Fifteen Bolivian Friends are Friends’. and conservative Friends, who attending the conference despite Jez Smith bought the equipment emphasise early Quakers’ focus on a last-minute emergency. The after collecting donations in the inward experience of Christ. airline on which they were booked Britain. Danny Dorling to Ireland Yearly Meeting deliver Salter Lecture Ireland Yearly Meeting was held for the first One of Britain’s leading writers on equality is to time at the headquarters of Irish Quakers at Stocking give the annual lecture of the Quaker Socialist Society Lane in Dublin. (QSS) ahead of next month’s Yearly Meeting of British The event, over the weekend of 12-15 April, brought Friends. together more than one hundred and fifty Friends. Danny Dorling, professor of human geography at the Highlights included the public lecture by University of Sheffield, will deliver the Salter Lecture at Timothy Peat Ashworth, Biblical studies tutor at the Friends House, London on 25 May. Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham, a Danny Dorling writes and campaigns about increasing talk by Chris Holman, medical director of the Retreat economic inequality in the UK, drawing attention to at York, and the launch of ‘Quaker Life and Practice’. health inequalities and geographical differences. His The theme of the Yearly Meeting was ‘Building recent books include Injustice: Why social inequality Community’. Subjects covered included mental health, persists and The No-Nonsense Guide to Equality. sustainability and tax justice. A concern raised was the The Salter Lecture is a public event open to all. continued use of Shannon Airport as a re-fuelling base Recent Salter Lecturers have included veteran by the American military. politicians Tony Benn and Roy Hattersley, along with A significant report given was that of the Civil Richard Wilkinson, author of The Spirit Level. The QSS Partnership Group to Ireland Yearly Meeting, aim to bring together all who share the principles of which addressed the subject in a ‘spirit of Quakers and socialism, without being affiliated to any openness and compassion’ and made a number of political party. recommendations.

4 the Friend, 20 April 2012 reported by Symon Hill [email protected] Coke in the café Friends House have defended their decision to to demonstrate Quaker values. For our restaurant and sell Coca Cola products in their café despite ethical café, we source fairly traded goods which are ethical, concerns. The café has previously stocked alternative organic and sustainable. We promote UK products colas made from companies regarded as more ethical. and, where possible, we buy from smaller local Coke and Diet Coke went on sale in the café last week, companies.’ priced at seventy pence per can. However, former Friends House employee Two alternatives remain on sale at ninety pence Kat Barton told the Friend that she was ‘really per can. They are Ubuntu Cola, which is made with disappointed’ by the image of Coca Cola products on Fairtrade sugar, and Organic Cola, produced by Whole sale in a Quaker establishment. Earth Foods. She said: ‘As a non-Quaker who has worked with Paul Grey of Friends House explained: ‘Coca Cola and for Quakers for a number of years, I have always is not generally on sale in Friends House but we are regarded Friends as leading the way on ethical issues. willing, as on this occasion, to stock it in response to a Associating the Quaker name with Coca Cola in this twelve-step organisation who were using the building way severely tarnishes this reputation and leads me to recently.’ question how relevant Quaker perspectives now are to Coca Cola have been accused of mistreating the important issues of the day’. their own workers and persecuting trade unionists, Tammy Harvey, a Christian living in Sheffield, told particularly in Colombia. They have been linked to the Friend that she is far more worried about Coca environmental destruction and the displacement of Cola being sold in schools. ‘At least people buying stuff indigenous peoples in parts of Asia. at Friends House cafe can make adult choices about Paul continued: ‘Friends House Hospitality strives what to buy,’ she said.

Arms dealers touring with David Cameron

Senior executives to all of our partners from six arms companies around the world. That is are accompanying David why some of our leading Cameron on his current defence companies are

Photo: John Hall via Britain Photo: John Quaker Meeting Houses / flickr tour of Asia. with me on this visit.’ Redland fire The prime minister has The arms dealers defended their presence travelling with the Friends at Redland Meeting in Bristol say in his delegation, saying prime minister include they are grateful that nobody was hurt in a fire that has he is happy to sell arms representatives of BAE put their Meeting house out of use for weeks. to Indonesia. Systems and Augusta The fire, on 26 March, began when a power cable The Campaign Against Westland. overheated in the basement. People in the building Arms Trade (CAAT) Arms sales to were able to leave safely. Most of the damage was described the planned Indonesia were at their caused by smoke rather than fire. visit to Indonesia as ‘a most contro-versial in the While the Meeting house is restored and redecorated, sick joke’. 1990s, when the country’s Redland Friends are either attending other Meetings David Cameron said: regime used BAE’s Hawk nearby or joining a small weekly Meeting for Worship ‘Britain makes some jets to bomb East Timor. in the wardens’ flat. The wardens have contacted other of the best defence The UK government users of the building to help them make alternative equipment in the world ended Hawk sales to arrangements until the Meeting house reopens at the and it is right that it is Indonesia in 1999, after a beginning of May. available to Indonesia, long-running campaign, The Meeting’s clerk, Ian Beeson, thanked Friends at under the very same but other arms sales other Meetings locally for their help and support. criteria that we apply continue.

the Friend, 20 April 2012 5 Community Low carbon, sustainable fun

Laurie Michaelis commends the commitment to sustainability but asks where the community is in it all

t Yearly Meeting Gathering, in Canterbury in clash. Sometimes one or two members of the Meeting 2011, Quakers made a commitment to become a think they know what everyone should be doing and ‘low carbon sustainable community’. Since then are then disappointed to find no support. The most Amany Friends have been reflecting on the practicality successful initiatives are those that value and celebrate and politics of energy conservation, nuclear power and each person’s contribution, encouraging a diversity of solar panels. But what about the ‘community’ bit of the approaches and actions. commitment? These issues were raised during the first retreat in our Community is fundamentally important in becoming new programme at the Quaker Community in Bamford. a sustainable society. Our choices and lifestyles are It was a working retreat that focused on sustainability. It shaped by those of the people around us – friends, was a fantastic week: full of worship, laughter, singing, family, colleagues and co-worshippers. So, if we are to deep reflection, learning and practical work. change, we had better do it together. Community can provide moral support, challenge and nurture. There was stress too. We are in the middle of a massive project to insulate the buildings and replace the main Relationships house heating system. Tensions among community residents sometimes came to the surface; but, towards Building community also matters because relationships the end of the week, one of the retreat participants said are essential to our wellbeing. One of the foundations to me: ‘you know, it’s working – I know it’s difficult, of the consumer society is the false hope that having but it’s working’. She had just spent a year at another more stuff will bring happiness. An essential part of community where conflict was ingrained. Her reflection challenging consumerism is showing the real joy that was that, through twice-daily Quaker worship together, community can offer. the feelings of members of the community were being expressed and held in love. What does it mean to become, and sustain, a community living with shared purposes and absolute Far from cosy constraints? Over the last ten years I have been working with Living Witness, supporting Quaker Meetings ‘Community’ might seem a warm, cosy, word: but as they develop their approaches to sustainability. I anyone who’s tried living in an intentional community have seen a lot of initiatives stall through conflict. will know that it can be far from comfortable. There is Friends may disagree on the best direction for their much that is wonderful in sharing hugs, meals, worship efforts. Personalities and communication styles may and work. There is also much that is challenging.

6 the Friend, 20 April 2012 To work, a community needs shared values, practices, stories, purposes – a culture and a structure. At Bamford, we have a strong starting point in Quaker faith & practice. We also have a shared commitment to daily worship, to sustainability and to providing a place of retreat and learning. But we aren’t in unity on the emphasis within this commitment. What does sustainability really mean? How much effort and money are we willing to commit to it? Where is the balance between being a retreat centre, welcoming everyone who comes through the door as part of our community and being a secure, safe home for residents?

Even if we were fully agreed on priorities and purposes, we have different ways of doing things, of communicating, of having fun. Some want tidiness, order and regularity. Others are more at home with mess and unpredictability. Some want instant feedback and clear requests, others like to mull over how best to communicate difficult feelings and needs. We have to negotiate our way through expectations about food at community meals, choices of furniture and types of paint.

Fragile bonds

Members of a community need to be bound together by mutual understanding, love and trust. Building these up can take a lot of time. They can easily break down. The riots last year were an extreme illustration of what can happen when love, understanding and trust are CC / flickr Photo: ïCliff missing. The rioters damaged and stole the property of other people with a combination of anger, exhilaration There are warning signs when we lapse from our and indifference. Some acted out of resentment, feeling testimony. Perhaps one of the most obvious for me excluded and disempowered in an affluent consumer is when I begin to see the darkness in someone culture; perhaps the retail chains they looted seemed else rather than me. And it is more serious when like faceless institutions rather than caring, hurting I start complaining, however nicely, about another people. community member. That is the point when it helps me to remember Parker J Parker’s words about community As often in our society, there was the rush to being the place where the person you least want to condemn and apportion blame, and also to make live with always lives. Fortunately, this has not been examples of those convicted of, mostly, quite petty my experience in Bamford. But there is a strange crimes. The courts displayed a willingness to sacrifice combination of shame and relief when I come to some individuals as a means of preserving social order. recognise my own role in conflict – seeing my own lack of love, or that I haven’t been celebrating my fellow Community as testimony community members enough.

We don’t often talk about our Quaker approach to It is infectious joy that will best build our community community as ‘testimony’, but it is a strong part of our – whether in Bamford or Britain Yearly Meeting. And faith and practice. The essence is listening, answering rather than nagging each other to change to a low that of God in every one, being prepared to see our own carbon, sustainable lifestyle, it will probably work best darkness and thinking it possible we may be mistaken. to ‘be the change’ we wish to see, and to have as much Advices & queries call us to seek the truth in others’ fun as possible along the way. opinions, to refrain from judgements about others’ life journeys and to remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God. Laurie is a member of Sheffield and Balby Area Meeting.

the Friend, 20 April 2012 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Deafened by silence level of force is usually judged to be ‘violence’ by its All credit to some forty-plus Leicester Friends who target, not by any objective external criteria. Unarmed have made a statement opposing any thought of force and ‘inward’ rather than ‘outward’ weapons military intervention in Iran. On the downside, I find generally do less harm and enable early resolution. the lack of a statement by Meeting for Sufferings/ Threats of violence may or may not deter. An unarmed Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) on the situation in Syria Citizens’ Defence may resolve extreme situations. We very disappointing. I would think Quakers should will see what unarmed international observers can do lead by example and assert our peace testimony to de-escalate Syria. and commitment to nonviolence in these difficult We are not ‘nonjudgmental’ but seek divine situations. assistance in our judgements, for instance in Gerard Bane maintaining a marriage. Broadstairs Meeting, Kent We are not ‘nonpartisan’: we generally favour the part of the underdog against the rich and powerful. European Friends We are not nonprofit – look at the Hospitality I was pleased to read the article about Quakers in the Company’s accounts! World and the experience of emerging Meetings and Let’s not get tangled in rhetorical generalisations. small scattered groups across Europe (6 April). Let’s pray for a time ‘When the power of the Gospel My eyes were opened to the wider Quaker family spreads over the whole earth’ (Isaac Penington). through the Quaker Life Network. Quaker Life, Vernon White working together with Quaker World Relations Come to Good Meeting, Cornwall Committee (QWRC), gave me the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Meeting for Learning in Sweden, Same sex marriage where I met Julia Ryberg and many European Friends, The argument dismissing same-sex marriage due to including Arne Springorum from the Czech Republic. a lack reproductive capacity is totally inconsistent, That weekend I learnt about the online project and unless you consider the marriages of those who are the other practical tools for outreach and ministry infertile, post-menopausal or simply have no desire which help support Quaker groups across Europe. to have children equally invalid. A same-sex couple Through this experience I came to see that we Quakers is capable of having a child via sperm donation, in Britain are part of a wider community and share surrogacy or adoption – options for heterosexual similar concerns with Friends in Europe. couples too. Besides, you don’t have to have children My local Meeting received my positive reports of the because you’re married, nor do you need to be married Meeting for Learning with enthusiasm; many Friends to have children. said they felt more involved with the wider Quaker I am also extremely uncomfortable with John society and understood more about the resilience of Arnold’s (6 April) understanding of equality. Social Quakers worshipping in isolation or in small groups. and political equality doesn’t mean we have to be the I am now in the second year of an appointment same. It means having the same rights, regardless to QWRC, which nourishes the contacts between of our differences. Meanwhile, Tony Cocks (30 BYM and other yearly meetings. At last year’s YMG I March) is exhorting us to think of the children. I am helped play host to the overseas visitors and made a bemused by this and struggle to see what negative connection with Natasha Zhuravenkova, a Friend from effects the acceptance of diversity and reduction of Moscow, who agreed to work with me on a translation discrimination are supposed to have. of the BYM Epistle into Russian. If you are worried about children and young people, This service is enriching my sense of spiritual listen to their views – I pretty much guarantee if friendship with Quakers in Europe and beyond. Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) set BYM policy we’d Bridget Dunbar be seeing far more radical action. I wasn’t the only Disley Meeting, Cheshire person at JYM 2009 frustrated by the limited scope of the decision made then. We, who were the ‘children’ Negative values you’re so concerned about, were the ones who a) didn’t I am puzzled that David Boulton says (13 April): understand why we didn’t already have Quaker same- ‘We are for nonviolence, for being nonjudgmental, sex marriage, b) believed we should be lobbying the nonpartisan, non-profit-making.’ government for marriage equality immediately and Michael Bartlet’s article later in the same issue c) suggested that, until there was legal equality, the questions some Friend’s claim that we must be Society should give up its right to marry anyone. pacifists. Use of force has not been forever banned (see Claire Wilkinson Isaac Penington 24.21 in Quaker faith & practice). The [email protected]

8 the Friend, 20 April 2012 [email protected]

Speaking truth to power…not any case, other creatures use them for food besides I hope that the address to Elizabeth Windsor ‘…on us. We do not own all the fish there are. behalf of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain ‘Sustainable’ is another word that disturbs me in (Quakers) on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee…’ a different way. There is often a reference to future was meant to exclude those of us who are affiliate generations but, again, not much about other species. members of Ohio Yearly Meeting (conservative). It is a comfortable word, but the way we are going If not, I would wish to distance myself from it. I was there is no hope of being remotely ‘sustainable’, disturbed by a number of aspects, including the title: we can only be less unsustainable. The way we use ‘A Loyal Address to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II…’ language can affect our thoughts and consequently To address the monarch in this way contradicts one of our actions. our oldest Quaker testimonies. Since the seventeenth Anne Adams century, we have held to the truth that all people are The Folley, Luston, Herefordshire HR6 OBX created equal in the sight of God. To give flattering titles such as ‘her Majesty’ is not consistent with that Turrell skyspace testimony. David Saunders (30 March) says: ‘[The] search I was also disturbed by the slightly sycophantic tone through art for meaning, beauty, significance, for and what the address didn’t say. Why not mention the something bigger than the “day to day” should inconsistency of the Royal Family’s involvement in encourage us to re-double our efforts to find new, the military establishment and arms industry? Also relevant ways of communicating and sharing our worthy of inclusion was the increasing inequality in Quaker spiritual treasure with our contemporaries.’ our society between rich and poor and the use of the With this thought in mind we hear, disturbingly, monarchy by the ‘establishment’ to perpetuate and that BYM trustees overseeing the project to refurbish justify such divisions. The undemocratic nature of the the Large Meeting Room at Friends House seem to hereditary political system in the UK, which Elizabeth be wobbling on James Turrell’s offer to install his Windsor represents and benefits greatly from, could ‘skyspace’ in its roof. also have been included. James Turrell’s work has to be experienced. He Why are Quakers seen to be supporting the vestiges manipulates light and our perceptions of it in ways of a medieval, feudal system in the twenty-first that are impossible to describe or reproduce. Like century? Here was a wasted opportunity to re-establish Meeting for Worship, the experience is a different Quakers as a radical, witnessing church. What are encounter each time with what lies beyond our Britain Yearly Meeting Friends afraid of? comprehension. He invites us to unburden our eyes Allistair Lomax and interrupts us in what we think we know. Brook Cottage, Chapel Street, Fritchley, Derbyshire If we pass up the opportunity to install the Turrell DE56 2FR skyspace, we ignore a way into the Light, in all senses. And we shall lose the opportunity to share this gift The value of language with those, besides us, who use the Large Meeting It seems to me that, until we change our language, Room. We need to re-think how Turrell’s offer might we shall not be able to change our attitudes and, be funded. consequently, our behavior, in relation to the whole Kathy Gollin of creation. I feel we need, in particular, to consider West Somerset Area Meeting four words: ‘environment’, ‘resources’, ‘stocks’ and ‘sustainable’. We use the word ‘environment’ as though the whole of creation was simply our own environment, The Friend welcomes your views. Please keep letters regardless of all the other beings which live on the short (about 250 words) and include your full planet and share its bounty. Strictly speaking, our postal address, even when sending emails. Please environment should only refer to what we have specify whether you wish for your postal or email made ourselves, such as a school or hospital. (Jurgen address or Meeting name to be used with your Moltman in fact regards the word as an aggressive name, otherwise we will print your post address or one in The Source of Life). email address. Letters are published at the editor’s ‘Resources’ is another anthropocentric word. discretion and may be edited. Write to: the Friend, What do we mean by this? The whole planet and its 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ or email minerals, oceans, forests, even animals, are resources [email protected] Remember if you are online that you can also for the human race. Again, people refer to ‘fish comment on all articles at www.thefriend.org stocks’. Don’t the fish enjoy swimming in the sea? In

the Friend, 20 April 2012 9 Feature

Prostate cancer and the love of God Micrograph showing prostatic Micrograph showing acinar adenocarcinoma. Wikimedia Photo: Nephron via

Noël Staples considers how his recent diagnosis has affected his relationship with God

February was quite a day! I went for a sigmoidoscopy Because of the aggressive cancer cells, further tests to check for diverticulosis. This revealed a normal, were needed to check for metastasis (cancer spread healthy sigmoid. Then my life fell apart. beyond the prostate capsule). An MRI scan (thirty-five 1 minutes in a noisy, narrow machine) to detect choline, The discovery an amino acid produced by prostate cancer cells, showed no metastasis. The intra-rectal digital examination found a hardened nodule on my prostate, palpable immediately in front Next came a full body bone scan in which a radioactive of the anal sphincter from just inside the anal canal. isotope, technetium 99m, which has a six hour gamma Cancer! I had no symptoms. Two weeks later a blood particle emitting half-life, is injected from a lead-lined test showed a PSA (prostate specific antigen) count of hypodermic. Two hours later you lie on a table passing 5.2 nanogrammes of PSA per millilitre of blood —not slowly under a scanner detecting isotope concentrations particularly high, nor a definite cancer indicator as there in the skeleton. Areas of concentration are then X-rayed are other causes for raised PSA. There is no reliable to rule out arthritic degeneration or healing fractures. screening indicator so I needed a biopsy, not a pleasant The bone scan detects whether the cancer has spread experience. If there is a suspicion of cancer, then the to the bones. I’m lucky (sort of!). My cancer hasn’t biopsy, with its slight risk of damage to what may be metastasised! an otherwise inoffensive prostate quietly minding its own business, is not really avoidable. However, if the Choices painless, risk-free MRI scan first shows no cancer, a needle biopsy can be avoided. Only biopsies show Now my choices are two: surgical removal of the if cancer cells are aggressive and immediate action prostate by robotic laparoscopy that removes the needed. Mine showed cancer cells with a Gleeson cancer completely, but is traumatic in its after effects; aggression score of eight from four prostate cell cores or radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells, preceded by on the rear right side and six from two left rear cores. hormone therapy for three months to block testosterone The other six cores were normal. The Gleeson range is, production and shrink the prostate as much as possible – curiously, from six to ten. Cancer cells rated ten menace thus reducing the radiation needed to target it. Prostate passers-by! (Can’t take it too seriously!) cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread.

10 the Friend, 20 April 2012 Surgery takes three-and-a-half to five hours under As an undergraduate I was attracted to the poems general anaesthetic, only involves a short stay in of our local Peterborough nature poet John Clare and hospital, but leaves you catheterised for two weeks joined the then recently formed John Clare Society with a urine bag strapped to your lower leg to allow the in 1985, subsequently writing my undergraduate sutured join reconnecting the bladder to the urethral dissertation on manuscripts in Peterborough Museum. sphincter muscle to heal. Then follows a period while Anyone reading Clare’s poetry must realise that he you get the sphincter muscle working properly again, was also deeply aware ‘of something far more deeply with the obvious problems that involves. As the urine interfused.’ voiding system has been traumatised it can take time to get it functioning adequately again. However, ninety How, then, to come to terms with this powerful, per cent of men return to more or less normal urine joyful, numinous presence, this quotidian living with control. that ‘mysterium tremendum et fascinans’, as Rudolph Otto put it? How can I simultaneously have my life Radiotherapy involves three narrow, high intensity ‘fall apart’ and, alongside it, experience this profound X-ray beams briefly focussed on the prostate every and beautiful relationship? I tried to talk about my weekday for seven weeks, killing the cancer cells but perplexity to the oncology nurse. I was feeling pretty risking some collateral damage to the bladder and devastated, yet, grudgingly perhaps, it brought the rectum. There is about a five per cent chance of usual smile to my face and sense of – what can I say? radiation cystitis in the bladder or radiation proctitis in – overwhelming, often frightening power, beauty, a the bowel. Impotence and erectile malfunction follow ‘flow’ perhaps, almost a gentle breeze sighing through all procedures. After a struggle choosing between a rock me, sometimes with a cold edge to it, who knows? and a hard place, on Friday 13 April I started hormone/ I couldn’t be without it, in and all around me, but it radiotherapy treatment. didn’t change the distress and shock from confronting cancer. The love of God So there we are, the ‘love’ of God perhaps! It helps Over the years I’ve been much perplexed by the sustain me. I feel part of something infinite, something relationship between my spiritual and material life. very, very big, quite awesome. It’s a lovely sense of While Christians struggle with their notion of ‘a loving ‘belonging’ to everything and everyone, which doesn’t father God’, I’ve no experience of a God who is loving change, be my material life never so nice. That sense of or caring in any human sense. I seek to articulate ‘belonging’ to everything imparts the desire to care for, some understanding of God’s relationship to creation by to like, at the very least to do no harm to everyone and inference from observation of creation as a whole, not just everything. humanity, pondering over what we know of the workings of this immense cosmos. That wretched second law of Life changing thermodynamics springs to mind! It’s always frustrating trying to talk about one’s relationship with God. Words I urge men over forty to consider a PSA blood test. are the tools of the intellect. Pointing one’s intellect at Get your GP to do the undignified ‘intra-rectal digital God simply doesn’t work as I have nothing adequate with prostate check’ (sounds impressive, but merely a finger which to compare the experience. As Blaise Pascal said: up your bottom! – remember how often women are ‘le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ignore.’ (The heart has examined, legs akimbo, fundament on display!). This its reasons which reason knows not.) is an ‘indolent’ cancer, quite treatable. Caught early, before it has spread beyond the prostate capsule, it can Ever since I was aware I’ve had a sense, as Wordsworth be eradicated completely. More men die ‘with’ it than memorably expressed it in his poem ‘Tintern Abbey’, of ‘of’ it. A 1992 New York study found half of a sample ‘the still sad music of humanity… of ample power to of men in their forties killed in gang crime already had chasten and subdue…’ prostate cancer!

Of something far more deeply interfused, The life changing discovery that you have cancer Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns, makes you think hard about the ‘love of God’, about And the round ocean and the living air, your relationship with God. Re-examining again and And the blue sky, and in the mind of man: attempting to talk about my relationship with God has A motion and a spirit, that impels deepened and furthered my spiritual journey… All thinking things, all objects of all thought, And rolls through all things. Noël is a member of Cambridgeshire Area Meeting.

the Friend, 20 April 2012 11 Quakers in the World A way of life

Ian Kirk-Smith and Trish Carn hear from Friends in Latin America about their life and faith

omas Estrada Palma, the first elected president of gospel is made known and young people are supported. Cuba, was fluent in English, a naturalised United At the moment there are many men and women, States citizen and spent ten years in a prison in ex-students of Quaker schools, who are working in Barcelona.T He was once princpal of a Quaker school. both public and private institutions. They reflect a The story of Quakerism in Latin America is a rich life of integrity, peace and love.’ Quakers in Europe and interesting one – from Tomas Estrada Palma to and North America have, in recent years, made a the tale of how a small group of Friends set up a dairy significant contribution to the education of some farming community in Costa Rica that produces some younger Friends in Latin America through a range of of the finest cheeses in the country. programmes, scholarships and projects.

More action than talk The essence of Quakerism

Latin America contains about seventeen per cent of Ruben highlights a real challenge facing Friends in Quakers in the world today. They are mainly concentrated Bolivia – to hang on to their Quaker roots: ‘What is in Bolivia (around 30,000) and Guatemala (around really strongly shown to society is a “conservative” 20,000) with smaller, but significant, numbers in Peru, form of worship – that is to say a form of worship Mexico and Cuba. Friends can also be found in a number without clapping and dancing: simply listening to the of other Latin American countries. Most Latin American praise and paying attention to the word of God. New Friends are in the programmed tradition and are Pentecostal tendencies are having an effect on young affiliated with Evangelical Friends Church International. people and a new form of Quakerism is beginning In Bolivia there are almost two hundred congregations. in Bolivia which is forgetting the real essence of There are also a number of unprogrammed Meetings, Quakerism.’ mainly in Central American countries. Some Friends in Bolivia, who were brought up as Ruben Clement Maydana Torres, a Bolivian Friend, Quakers, drifted off to other Christian denominations says: ‘The most characteristic aspects we try to and have now returned to Quakerism. Their return has demonstrate in our church in Bolivia are Quaker been welcomed – but it sometimes creates problems. principles – simplicity, honesty, humility, justice and They can bring back different influences to Quaker peace. In theory they are heard about but not so much worship. Ruben adds: ‘The weakness is that we are put into practice. I would like to see more action losing our identity. We are not maintaining it for future than talk. Actions have always characterised Friends generations. They may not know about our roots throughout history. They have stood firm and above all and, over time, these may be lost. One of the greatest are founded on the rock that is Christ Jesus’. concerns, for example, are questions about the bad Emma Condori-Mamani, a Bolivian Friend, believes influence of the sacraments – like water baptism and that Quakers are having an impact within Bolivian the Lord’s Supper. This is an underlying issue with society. In this, she says, the role of education has younger Friends. One recent international conference been very important: ‘Through the Quaker schools the for Young Friends was to help us see the great challenge

12 the Friend, 20 April 2012 Latin America of teaching “why Friends do not baptise with water”. are open to all. I feel it is important to offer seekers To be able to maintain those Quaker roots, we have the experience of finding Friends and joining our to involve everyone and, especially, to have more community of care’. Friends are also responding to information to be able to teach the young people.’ some of the social challenges in the country. ‘Mexico is a country fraught with difficulties’, Consequences Bronwen adds. ‘Mexican Friends and Quaker related projects are constantly seeking out ways to help their There is a great strength and vibrancy within Bolivian local communities improve their standard of living Quakerism – though Friends, especially young Friends, and lower the levels of violence. Casa de los Amigos face dilemmas that are not experienced by most Quakers is an organisation that actively carries out the work elsewhere. Emma Condori-Mamani says: ‘It fills me of Friends in Mexico with the support of like-minded with joy to know that there are many Bolivian Friends organisations and community projects.’ who lead a deep spiritual life. I feel sad that Bolivian Quakers are restricted with regard to opportunities The depths of life available to other Bolivians. For example, young male Friends have to do military service if they want to study In El Salvador Velinda Landaverde describes the at university level.’ most characteristic aspects of Quaker worship as ‘an Emma also highlights the unintended consequences emphasis on the depths of life – salvation, communion of the use of new technology in worship: ‘Bolivian with God and reading the Bible – and proclaiming the Friends are concerned about how to have a modern gospel of Jesus Christ to those it has not reached.’ Quaker church life. New technology has been beneficial Friends are organised in Monthly Meetings and Yearly in sharing God’s word – but it has caused some spiritual Meetings. Velinda adds: ‘There is no water baptism, problems – because the hymn books and Bibles are not Lord’s supper or feet washing. Worship is programmed. seen as so valid and aren’t so appreciated on Sundays. We have services in which one person is responsible Everything is displayed using a projector.’ for directing the praise and the pastor shares the Word of God. There is no emphasis on dance, applause, Presenting an alternative speaking in tongues, or other external expressions of worship. However, there is freedom to express worship In Mexico pastoral Friends are particularly active in as the Spirit leads. Both men and women can take the northern states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. services and hold church positions. There is freedom to There are also two Friends Churches on the outskirts use modern rhythms for praise but we carry on using of Mexico City. the hymn book Heart and Life (Corazon y Vida) which The Meeting in Mexico City, however, is a multi- is so dear to central American Friends.’ national one and unprogrammed. It represents, in a Eighty-five years ago Quakerism was founded in way, the global family of Friends. Bronwen Hillman, of Cuba and there is a ‘solid Yearly Meeting’ there, Mexico City Monthly Meeting, says: ‘Our small group of eight members The Meeting room for Mexico City’s Monthly Meeting represents four countries – Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Each Sunday we welcome travelling Friends from around the globe’. Bronwen highlights an interesting phenomenon in a country that is ninety per cent Catholic. She says: ‘Recent developments of note among Mexico City Monthly Meeting include increased attendance by Mexicans seeking alternatives to Catholicism.’ Bronwen, who was born into a Quaker family, says that perhaps the greatest challenge facing Friends in Mexico is ‘getting the word out

that we exist and that our doors City Photo courtesy of Mexico Monthly Meeting

the Friend, 20 April 2012 13 Quakers in the World

according to local Friends, in which ‘Quaker worship Seeding the faith is basically programmed with a first part dedicated to prayer, singing, reading the Bible, reciting a poem, Strong Quaker communities in some countries are now listening to testimonies and announcements. This is contributing to ‘seeding’ the faith in others. Economic followed by a message from a member of the church factors have been an influence. Some Bolivian Friends, or the pastor’. for example, have migrated in search of work to Brazil, ‘The most significant development in Cuban Peru and Argentina, bringing their faith with them. Quakerism’, a Friend adds, ‘is that there is an increase Velinda Landaverde, from El Salvador, reflects on the in new missions and Monthly Meetings. New people influence of Quakerism on her life: ‘What has always have approached the church.’ had an impact on me about Quakerism is its compassion and love for one’s neighbour. This is reflected in service Inspiration to the least fortunate in areas such as health, education and rehabilitation. It is important to preserve Quaker An interesting recent initiative in Cuba has been the principles in the midst of the diversity of traditions and setting up of the Cuban Quaker Institute for Peace. Part religious lives.’ A major focus for Quakers in El Salvador, of its mission is to make a contribution to promoting she says, must be on people’s lives: ‘helping them deepen peace in a Latin American context. Ramon Andres their relationship with God – looking for God’s plan for Gonzalez Longoria Escalona says: ‘The workshops we salvation in their lives, that the inner man should change had with the American Friends Service Committee led and that this should be reflected by their actions, words to the creation of the institute. The institute is involved and deeds.’ in training community leaders in the transformation of In Bolivia, Ruben Hilari believes the challenge is: ‘to conflict. It helps to strengthen Quaker peace building make our young people understand that Quakerism and service through a deeper understanding of Quaker isn’t just a religion but a way of life. Contact with history, theology and testimonies.’ Friends in the international family of Quakers is so The Quaker faith and way of life is important to important. It reinforces principles, educates, illuminates Cuban Friends in different ways. Jorge Pena Reyes and nourishes. Contact has much to teach us about likes Quakerism ‘because it gives freedom to everyone their experiences of this life of the faith and what we to experience the love of God in a direct way’. Kenya have in common’. Casanova Sales says that her faith is important to her Emma Condori-Mamani says Quakerism is a way of because it offers her an experience of ‘continuous living a life and she has been inspired by the example of learning’, helps her to make ‘changes in her life’ and Friends in the past: ‘Being a Quaker is a blessing for my gives her an ‘opportunity to exchange experiences with soul because many Quaker actions and work are similar other people’. to what God is saying to my heart day to day. I make an Janet Velazquez Hernandez, another Cuban Friend, effort to live my life guided by the Holy Spirit of God. says that her Quaker faith has inspired her to social I admire Quakers, from the beginning of the Quaker action: ‘My family and I have been working in a project movement, who were faithful before God.’ raising pigs and chickens. With it we help feeding Velinda Landaverde says: ‘I can summarise my the children of the community and help them with Quakerism in one sentence: faith in action. Not only clothing’. And Richardo Rojas Rodriguez believes that faith, not only works, but a balance in which our faith ‘to live the Quaker faith is a new way of living’ and he preaches through our love of God and our neighbour’. feels it strengthens his ‘personal relationship with God, other people and God’s creation’. The world conference website: www.saltandlight2012.org

A view of Mexico City from the air Photo: kc_aplosweb / flickr CC / flickr Photo: kc_aplosweb

14 the Friend, 20 April 2012 Reflection God and life

Robert Daines offers a personal, atheist’s study guide to Christianity

irstly, put on your reading glasses to prevent ‘Death’ and then being reborn. In the Middle East your vision clouding over. These glasses change around the time of Jesus the death and resurrection the word God into the word Life with a capital of Gods was often expressed, illustrated and believed F‘L’. The glasses will also work for any other word that as literally true. It gave explanation, reassurance and occupies the ‘God’ slot such as ‘Lord’ or ‘Father’. comfort for humans experiencing short, often brutal, Now read the book of Ecclesiastes in the New lives to know that ‘Life’ itself in human form could be International translation of the Bible. This translation renewed and reborn. is free of sectarian bias. If you ‘get’ what the writer is After Jesus’ crucifixion for trouble-making, his saying then the next step beckons. If you are the least followers felt – as all of us easily can about significant bit unsure then read Shakespeare until you ‘get it’ then people in our lives – that in some way his ‘spirit’ return to Ecclesiastes. and teaching ‘lived on’. They already saw him in the Now it is time to approach the Gospels. Do not Hebrew prophetic tradition. A number of them went approach them until you have understood that they beyond the prophetic to the messianic and then caught are constructed of three different and wholly unrelated hold of the reborn God myth and Christ was born. ‘books’ combined into one. This combining happens in The myth of Christ is woven around the parables and each of the Gospels but in different ways. Sometimes sayings of Jesus. This great story is developed into all the insertion of one word into a sentence is enough to kinds of corners and fills the culture that we inherit sew them together but phrases, whole sentences and through every medium and form. paragraphs (verses) are also involved. In many ways it is a shame that such an extensive The first book is a collection of stories (parables) and poetic myth that can express so much human emotion proverbs (sayings) told by an itinerant teacher in the and feeling has become confused with the teaching time we now refer to as the first few decades of the first of such a great philosopher. They both, however, get century AD. These can be fairly easily identified but beyond the wall of Ecclesiastes: one of them with a they have also been tampered with – listen for the voice philosophy and the other with a poem – two different of the teacher and you should be okay. This teacher ‘language games’ that give further insights into what it took over where the writer of Ecclesiastes gave in and is to Live. Use them, but take care to put on one side hit a blank wall. For Jesus, Ecclesiastes was one of the the propositions that the universe is ruled over by a most recent of the Hebrew books available to him. supernatural being who also created it (theocrat and There were others, such as Job, that he was influenced creator). If they ping into your mind when you come by. He wanted to see behind the wall that the writer across words like God, Lord, Christ and Father then of Ecclesiastes had reached after his epic journey keep the glasses on and read and think only of Life through the undergrowth. In my own words, the wall with a capital ‘L’. As we take life personally, you may was: You cannot understand Life any further than has want to talk to it or ‘listen’ to it. This takes two more, been laid out in this book. You can only be overawed completely different, language games and you can find by it (‘fear it’) and live with a constant feeling that you these in Christianity. are being examined (‘judged’) by it. All you can do is Oh, yes… the third book that you can find in the use your conscience (internalised rules) as a guide. Gospels. This helps to validate the setting up of the Consideration of the stories and sayings of Jesus can church and its ‘worship’ practices. Read out of interest. move you beyond this point. They can help everyone. It is easy to detect. The second book is not for everyone. It is a great myth or poem. It is the story of ‘Life’ giving way to Robert is a member of Sheffield Meeting.

the Friend, 20 April 2012 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected]

Confessions of a Carboholic

Alright, I admit it. I am a Carboholic. know. You don’t realise until you can’t do without I’d like to say it’s not my fault, but they tell me at them, but they All. Need. Maintenance… Carboholics Anonymous that we always say that, Now I’ve got a chain saw, a hedge trimmer, a brush you know, trying to blame someone else. Own the cutter, a strimmer, an electric saw, several electric drills, problem, they say. If you try to say it’s someone else’s two electric jigsaws, a cordless drill/jigsaw pack and fault, you won’t face up to it. So here it goes. one of those things that blows the leaves away from I am a Carboholic. It started when I was very small, your drive. I’ve got an electric toaster, oven, kettle, and I don’t blame my parents – they weren’t to know microwave, griddle and carving knife. It’s pathetic, I – but I always had the light on at night, because of the know. I even have an electric toothbrush… chickens. The chickens came and pecked your feet in Then there’s the warmth. To begin with, if it was the dark, so my parents kept a cold, we had another blanket or night-light. First it was a little an extra sweater. But then they paraffin lamp. Then a clunky came offering central heating, transformer with a small bulb. and it was cheap at first, well, I Later it was a dimmer switch never thought it was doing any turned down low; then I got my harm. After a bit I was trying own bedside light… everything – oil-fired Rayburn, Looking back, you can see the storage heaters, LPG (liquefied slippery slope but at the time it petroleum gas, known as was just for comfort, or a bit of ‘Calor’ on the street), mainline fun. I started using my bedside gas, carbon rock (coal, to the light more and more, usually at experts). It was just spend, night, to do reading and stuff. spend, spend. And the heat just They tried to ban it but I bought went – through the roof, out the a torch and used to read under windows, through the walls. It the bed covers. Nobody in the was madness. In the end I was shop warned me. They just gave burning twenty-three tonnes me the batteries and took the of CO2 a year and spending money. They never mentioned thousands. I knew, deep down, it how quickly the batteries would couldn’t go on forever. run down, the toxic waste in the QAC (Quaker Action for landfill, the cost. No, they just Carboholics) have been very suggested a ‘longer life, better performing’ battery. good to me. They don’t judge, they just try to help. I’m More expensive, of course, but I was hooked on power. getting weaned off gradually. I’ve got low energy light Before long, everything had to be plugged in. The bulbs now. I use rechargeable batteries and I’m going wind-up gramophone got replaced by an all-electric to get my house insulated soon. Some time way in the radiogram, then a radio, then a TV. I tried – a bit future, I might be able to face a fuel efficient boiler, – to get out of the house, but they came after me maybe even a ground source heat pump, a windmill with portable stuff. In a couple of years I was back and solar panels. But right now, I’m taking each day as on the batteries again, this time a transistor radio, it comes. It’s hard, but I’ve got to do it. We all have. Or then a walkman, then a game boy. The bike went, we’ve had it. replaced first by a moped, then a motor bike, then a car. It seemed the more I earned, the more I spent it on ‘energy saving devices’ that used more and more Do you have an energy problem? QAC can help you face energy. I got a petrol driven lawn-mower, but it wasn’t up to it. Start by finding out how bad it is by asking enough; soon I had a ride-on and I had to get a 4 by your overseer to help you with a home energy check. It’s 4 big enough to put it in the back when it needed painless. And no-one will judge you or laugh at you. servicing. Because they all need maintenance, you Honest. We’re all being terribly tender to each other.

16 the Friend, 20 April 2012 Ad pages 20 Apr 17/4/12 13:38 Page 3

Friends&Meetings RETREAT WITH YOSHIHIDE Births Memorial meetings UEZU. Internationally known Japanese teacher at beautiful venue Kate HILKEN-GARRETT 5 April, Jane BARBOUR in Wales, 16-19 June. Non-denom- to Lucy Hilken and Tim Butler 12 noon, Monday 23 April; national teachings focus on achieving Garrett. A sister for Sarah and Joyce BAKER oneness with God through medita- grandchild for Catherine Butler 2.30pm, Saturday 28 April; tive practice. £700 including room Ricketts and Sebastian Garrett and and board. Sam 07942 760 561. Frances MACKEITH Janet and Charlie Hilken. http://uezu.org.uk 2.30pm, Saturday 5 May. Layla Jane RUDD 8 April, to Meetings for Worship in memory of THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO KILL Hannah Burkeman and Alton Rudd, these Winchester Friends will be held A ceremony to mark International of Hook, Hampshire. First grand- in the St Lawrence Parish Room, Conscientious Objectors Day, noon child for Jane Gibbins and Steven Colebrook Street, Winchester with Tuesday 15 May. CO Stone, Burkeman (York), and for Janet and refreshments afterwards in Win- Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, Charles Rudd (Harding, South chester Quaker Meeting House next London WC1. Everybody welcome. Africa). door, 16 Colebrook Street. Enquiries, Tony Philpott, 01962 851918. Meeting up Deaths Changes to meeting QUAKER WOMAN, 55. Attractive, Hansi BARRETT 9 April. Widow of amusing, enjoys country/city, Bill. Mother, grandmother and great KINGSTON LM Meeting for growing food, walks, swimming, live grandmother. Member of Roundhay Leaving 10am Sunday 29 April. music. Involved in community. Can Meeting, Leeds. Aged 90. From Sunday 6 May, Meeting for be serious and fun. Creative, caring, Worship 10am at the Richard Mayo and cultured. Hopes to meet gentle- Centre, Eden Street, Kingston KT1 man living in/near Somerset. Peter MORRIES 8 April, peacefully 1HZ pending construction of our at home. Husband of Joan, father of Replies please Box 951 c/o The new meeting house. Enquiries Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Geoffrey and Nigel. Member of [email protected] Bolton Meeting. Aged 86. Donations Keighley BD20 8LL. to Bolton Meeting House Garden. Contact Geoff Morries on 01200 Diary 446329, [email protected] the Friend COMMUNITY - BUILD IT OR and BREAK IT Exploring our under- Notices on this page standing of community with Nigel the Friends Friends & Meetings notices should Norie and Catherine West. London preferably be prepaid. Personal Quakers. 2-5pm Saturday 28 April Quarterly entries (births, marriages, deaths, with refreshments. Friends House, For some of the best anniversaries, changes of address, etc.): £17.60 incl. vat. Meeting and Euston, London. £7 at the door. All writing on Quaker and charity notices (changes of clerk, welcome. www.londonquakers.org.uk Quaker-related themes new wardens, alterations to meet- available today. ing, diary, etc.) £14.66 zero rated QUAKER CONCERN FOR for vat. Max.35 words. 3 Diary or Meeting up entries £40 (£33.33 ANIMALS AGM Saturday 12 May, zero rated); 6 entries £69 (£57.50). 10.30am. Non-members welcome QUAKER CONCERN If you would like a copy of the issue after 12. Friends House, 173 Euston FOR THE ABOLITION with your notice please add £1.70. Road, London. Speaker: André OF TORTURE Cheques payable to ‘The Friend’. Menache, director of Antidote- Entries are accepted at the editor’s Europe. Enquiries: 0151 677 7680. World Without Torture discretion in a standard house style. [email protected] RHS Tatton Park show garden A gentle discipline will be exerted to spreading a Quaker message maintain a simplicity of style and To support this new example of wording that excludes terms of QUAKER FAMILY HISTORY Outreach send cheques or CAF endearment and words of tribute. SOCIETY Meeting at Salisbury vouchers to: Q-CAT, Treasurer, Deadline usually Monday. Meeting House, Wilton Road, 43 Embankment Road Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1LA The Friend, 54a Main Street, Salisbury SP2 7EP, 10.30am – 4pm Reg. charity no. 1093757 Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL with name and address and, if Saturday 28 April: Quakers in desired, “I wish to Gift Aid this Tel. 01535 630230. www.q-cat.org.uk Wessex, with four speakers. Details donation” and “Please add me Email [email protected] at www.qfhs.co.uk to Garden info email list.“

the Friend, 20 April 2012 17 Ad pages 20 Apr 17/4/12 13:38 Page 4

Classified advertisements 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] OVERSEAS HOLIDAYS

COTTAGE IN HEART OF UMBRIA. jobs where to stay Swimming pool. Sleeps 6+. Convenient Assisi, Perugia (Ryanair), Lake Trasimeno. GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS From £350-£500pw. Vacancies April, EDINBURGH AT FESTIVAL TIME June, July. Telephone 020 8642 5785 or Volunteer Staff ANGLESEY SEASIDE B&B. In Friend’s 01225 723750. www.tabucca.co.uk home for QCAT, £20pppn. Coastal Path. (security code Umbria). Sought for Quaker Meeting House Transport by arrangement. Front of house, box office, [email protected] cooks, kitchen help and tea room DORDOGNE, LOT. Lovely house in for one, two or three weeks stunning countryside. Tranquil setting, beginning 5 August. great walks. Beautifully equipped. Sleeps FOXWOOD, ISLE OF SKYE. Inspirational 6/8. Pool, games room, large garden/ Accommodation and all meals in return setting amid mountains, sea, islands. woodland. 07713 161669. for shifts of about 5 hours per day. Delightful accommodation. Sauna, jacuzzi www.dordognehousetorent.co.uk Application forms: bath, therapies, special diets. B&B £35. [email protected] www.scotland-info.co.uk/foxwood or phone 0131 225 4825. 01470 572331. FAUGÉRES, LANGUEDOC, SW FRANCE. Well equipped, unpretentious village house. Ideal for walks, wine, historic towns. SWARTHMORE QUAKER HARPENDEN B&B. 25 minutes St Pancras, €310pw, sleeps 4/6. 15 miles north RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME 10 minutes Olympic park and ride and Beziers. Montpellier 1 hour, sea 40 mins. Gerrards Cross Luton airport, £20 pppn for Meeting Details: www.faugeres.co.uk, 0113 257 building fund. [email protected] or 6232, email: [email protected] We are seeking a 01582 761686. Deputy Home Manager qualified to a minimum of NVQ Care VIENNA, WORLD’S BEST CITY. Culture, level 3 with previous management ISLE OF MULL. Staffa House offers warm cafés, outdoor delights. Comfortable experience for our 36 bed home. welcome. Spacious, comfortable B&B. garden apartment. Great location. Sleeps 4. You should have experience of delivering Views of Iona and Ben More. Solar hot Short breaks or longer. 01904 416840. results within a challenging residential water. Delicious food, local/organic [email protected] environment whilst ensuring the welfare products. Vegetarians most welcome. www.holidayapartmentinvienna.co.uk and interests of residents are at the heart 01681 700677. www.staffahouse.co.uk of every decision made. PORTUGAL, UNSPOILT COASTAL VILLAGE. We require flexibility, self motivation COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING National Park. Spacious family house, and a calm manner. sleeps 4-10 (optional cottage). Gardens, Salary scale from £24,000pa. pool. Historic area. Secluded beaches, Closing date 11 May. CAERVALLACK GARDEN COTTAGE, cliff-top walks, birdwatching, riding. Cornwall. Beautiful 2 person cob cottage Details from Helen Taylor Available all year. Baby-sitter. 01832 within 2 acre walled garden. Superb walks 275395. www.vilad.com [email protected] around Helford river. Meditation studio. or phone 01753 885663. Organic pasties. 2 pubs/great restaurant walking distance. 01326 221339 or VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED www.build-art.co.uk/caervallackgarden for sale & to let Monday daytime and Tuesday evening for the Quaker Mobile Library in London. COTSWOLDS. Proximity to Hammersmith Meeting Spacious barn conversion CORNWALL, ST. DAY an advantage. Please email in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. Wood burner. Lovely walking. 01608 Five bedroom period house [email protected] for details. 811558. [email protected]. £229,000. The QML also needs dictionaries and www.cotswoldsbarn.com In village centre, 8 miles Truro and Bibles in eastern European languages. Falmouth, close to the A30. Thank you. EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL SNOWDONIA. 2 receptions, study/3rd reception/ Tywyn. Beaches, Tal-y-llyn Railway, 6th bedroom, fitted kitchen, utility, lakes, mountains. Quiet, comfortable flat. 2 bathrooms, cloakroom, Sleeps 3/4. From £229pw. J. Hughes Enclosed rear courtyard. Classified ads 01934 843786. Sherwood House, Tywyn Refurbished to a high standard. on www.lounge-holidays.co.uk or No onward chain. in The Friend 01654 712470. St Day won Cornish Village of the Standard linage 52p a word, Year for community spirit in 2008. PEMBROKESHIRE, WEST WALES. Excellent primary school. semi-display 80p a word. Rates Village shop and other services. incl. vat at 20%. Min. 12 words. Picturesque village of Little Haven. Bungalow sleeps six. Five minute walk Contact: Simon Stephens at Series discounts: 5% on 5 inser- from attractive beaches and Pembroke- agents: 01872 242244; email: tions, 10% on 10 or more. shire Coast path. Ideal base for exploring [email protected] for details. Cheques payable The Friend. St Brides Bay, Skomer Island, etc. Telephone 01952 541304. Ad Dept, 54a Main Street ECO HOUSE TO LET/FOR SALE. SOMERSET. Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Would you like to live in a 3 bed UNIQUE HOLIDAY COTTAGE on Suffolk sustainable, allergy free home? Tel. 01535 630230 seashore for simple pleasures. Sleeps 4 to www.GreatBowYard.co.uk 07779 535562 Email [email protected] 10. www.beaconsholidaybungalow.co.uk or email [email protected]

18 the Friend, 20 April 2012 Ad pages 20 Apr 17/4/12 13:38 Page 5

MOUNT HAVILAND BATH Two newly refurbished retirement apartments to buy or let, a 1 bedroom and a studio. Formerly Bath Friends Housing Association, now managed by Abbeyfield. Built in the 1990s, this is a small, friendly complex with good local facilities. Guest room, craft room, quiet room/library, laundry. Weekly Quaker meeting. Further details: Philip Allott 01753 864252. personal

IS OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY confined to this world? To explore the possibilities contact Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies. Clerk: Angela Howard, Webb’s Cottage, Woolpits Road, Saling, Braintree CM7 5DZ. Email [email protected]. www.quakerfellowshipforafterlifestudies Free magazine “Reaching Out.” miscellaneous

HISTORIC QUAKER BENCHES Kingston Meeting (Surrey) has up to 25 available end April. Pitch pine, 100 years old, 7’6” and 8’ long. Free for use in another Independent advisors Meeting or offers around £75 each from planning your secure individual Friends or trade. Taker collects. future in line with www.kingstonquakers.org 07770 953415. the Friends your concerns Quarterly investingethically PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY Planning your future &TAXATION SERVICE PRIZE ESSAYS Quaker Accountant offers friendly Applying your concerns service countrywide. Call Tracey for a free brochure Self-assessment & small businesses. The future of the 01603 309020 Richard Platt, Grainger & Platt Religious Society of www.investing-ethically.co.uk Chartered Certified Accountants 3 Fisher Street, Friends in Britain Investing Ethically Ltd is Authorised and Carlisle CA3 8RR Regulated by the Financial Services Authority Telephone 01228 521286 The 106 competition [email protected] A QUAKER BASE IN www.grainger-platt.co.uk entries are available in PDF format to read and CENTRAL LONDON QUAKER LESBIAN & GAY FELLOWSHIP download at Central, quiet location, A welcoming, supportive national net- convenient for Friends House, work with local groups for Ffriends of all www.thefriend.co.uk/fq British Museum and transport. sexualities/identities. Roy Vickery, Comfortable rooms tastefully 9 Terrapin Court, Terrapin Road, London Copies of the Friends Quarterly furnished, many en-suite. SW17 8QW. E-mail: [email protected] containing the three winning Full English breakfast. Discount for Sufferings and entries are still available at Club members. WALK CHEERFULLY WITH SCANNED FEET for a precise fit for footwear from James £5 each + 50p UK postage. Send 21 Bedford Place Taylor & Son (Est. 1857), 4 Paddington St, a cheque payable to The Friend to London WC1B 5JJ (near Baker Street), London W1U 5QE. Penny Dunn, The Friend, Tel. 020 7636 4718 [email protected] Telephone 020 7935 4149. 173 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ. www.taylormadeshoes.co.uk The Penn Club www.pennclub.co.uk

the Friend, 20 April 2012 19 Ad pages 20 Apr 17/4/12 13:38 Page 6 V AD. DEPT EDITORIAL ol 54a Main St 173 Euston Road 170 Cononley London NW1 2BJ God just is. Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

T & F 01535 630230 16 See page 19. F 020 7663 11-82 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected]