Newsletter of Milton Keynes Quakers June 2015

Meeting Points June 2015 MEETING POINTS

Friends from Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard gathered together to meet Joshua Lilande and Churchill Malimo from Kenya. Churchill is secretary to the Africa Section of Friends World Committee for Consultation and Joshua is the current clerk. They were in England for a meeting of the Central Executive Committee held at Woodbrooke. There are half a million Quakers in Kenya compared with a little over 20,000 in this country.

Quakers in Milton Keynes Quaker Centre Warden : Laura Weavers 1 Oakley Gardens Telephone: 01908 604673 Downhead Park Email: [email protected] Milton Keynes MK15 9BH http://www.miltonkeynesquakers.org.uk

Clerk : Denise Rowe, 7 Wood St., Woburn Sands, MK17 8PH Tel: 01908 584134 Email: [email protected] Meeting for Worship Sundays 10.30 – 11.30 am. Children welcome. Also on 1 st & 3 rd Weds. at 12.45 – 1.30 pm

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Editorial Don Rowe As always, your editor is relieved and grateful sequently learnt that they are being used in for the quality and quantity of the contributions Walton High School in a ’religion and philosophy’ submitted to this newsletter. They are full of context. interest, commitment, creativity and, I hope, en- Also, from time to time, Friends receive couragement. Debbie Wilson writes of the way invitations to go into schools to speak directly Friends have got behind the Citizen:mk move- to the students. Two such visits have taken place ment in a number of ways and with varying recently (see pp 4 and 5). Paul and Chris Freed- degrees of commitment. Lee Taylor writes of land talked to a year 5 group about worship and the way Friends in MK are outreaching and pro- Laura Weavers and I gave an assembly on the moting Quaker values in Zimbabwe, Gloria subject of ‘Who are the Quakers?’ On both Dobbin reflects on a wide range of social issues occasions, the children seemed to listen well which came before Friends at Yearly Meeting and Paul and Chris were asked some fascinating last month. questions afterwards. Following our assembly, Another form of outreach is into schools in one young lady asked us, as she filed out, what our local area. This is not always an easy nut to time our Meeting began so we shall look forward crack. You may remember that we sent out to seeing her some time! copies of our WW1 materials emphasising Outreach committee feels that writing that peacebuilding is also an activity that can directly to schools offering such talks is likely and should go on in times of war and after- to bear little fruit but if you have any contact wards. For the most part we have no idea how with teachers perhaps you might look out for those materials were received - though we sub- an opportunity to promote our school visits.

Clerks’ Comments

Denise Rowe, Sheila Bacon and Martin Sale

Clerks recently met with convenors of all our are reminded in our Advices and Queries that we committees to pick up on matters of shared inter- are each of us 'unique, precious, a child of God'. It est, but also to assure convenors, and through is good to appreciate that we all have a contribu- them members of each committee, that they are tion to make and to be reminded that all contribu- supported by the wider meeting as they work so tions are valued. tirelessly to carry out the tasks which we have Our visitors from Kenya spoke of a different asked them to undertake on our behalf. Our meet- culture and way of organising their meetings. ing would not be what it is without the commitment Membership of Kenyan Quaker meetings may of our committees and officers, and the careful number around 500, and they employ pastoral approach they and members of their committees teams to carry out tasks which we perform bring to their work. Convenors mentioned two through our committee structures. Given those things in particular that they valued about their numbers, its difficult to see how their meetings roles: one was the opportunity committee mem- could be managed and nurtured spiritually on a bership offered to get to know people well. The voluntary basis - such numbers surely need full- other was that we felt supported by both our time care and concern. But as they spoke, it was members and the wider Meeting community and clear that they brought to their pastoral and that we were not working in isolation. administrative roles the same concern for their We are fortunate in that so many people within members and the same desire to offer service as do our meeting are willing to take on responsibilities we and that we derive our strength and commit- that contribute to the vitality of our community ment from the same source. Although we might and are willing to offer their different talents and use different language, our efforts are all directed experiences - many of which we didn't know we to the same ends: to strengthen that of God in had! The quality of our corporate life is greatly ourselves and in each other, to make our worship- enriched by the diverse experiences which we ping community strong and vibrant, and to bear bring to our roles and, through our presence in witness to that divine light as best we can in the Meeting, to our worship. In this, as in so many places we live and work. other ways, we have much to be thankful for. We

2 Meeting Points June 2015 Citizens:mk Accountability Assembly 2015 Debbie Wilson

On the last day of April, 27 Friends from our lo- slides, music and other technological wizardry. cal meeting joined 260 other Milton Keynes citi- Friends like John Best, helped us over the year to zens to support an Accountability Assembly at add his creative skill and imagination to make it the best Assembly yet. This view was reinforced by Lucian Hudson who said “The energy and vitality of the children involved was inspiring and moving, This Assembly has been our most impressive to date. We had a terrific atmosphere and it felt purposeful.” At the Assembly, parliamentary candi- dates lined up to pledge commitments to the Citizens agenda. Mayor of Mil- ton Keynes, Derek Eastman said “The importance of Citizens:mk is that it brings people together around social issues that really matter and which they can do something about. As MK grows, Christ the Cornerstone. It was the city’s biggest the role of citizens in moving forward as a commu- gathering in the run-up to the General Election. nity gets more important and in Citizens:mk there is a powerful method for activating the energy The Assembly audience represented a wide range of ordinary people.” of institutions and individuals, including five schools, two mosques and MK & Dis- trict Reform Synagogue. It was very pleasing to have so many Quak- ers taking the time to give this event their support. Everyone who commented after the event seemed to have enjoyed the whole varied spectacle. It was fun, entertaining, energetic but also very purposeful and serious. One of the proudest moments for me was watching the colourful banners, repre- senting each institution, descend knowing that it was our craft group that had helped to make that happen. Friends like Peter Hyatt went quietly and cheerily about his business supporting those of us We are already getting ready to plan next year’s that were erecting stalls with notice boards, dou- Assembly. If you were at this year’s Assembly, and ble-sided tape and sweet sustenance. Friends like have ideas of how we can improve the event fur- Peter Leeson kept the whole thing together with ther, we would love to have your ideas and energy.

3 Meeting Points June 2015 Visits by Friends to Local Schools

Chris and Paul Freedland visit Charles Warren Academy, Simpson

It was in March earlier this year that we were invited to visit the Charles Warren Academy, a primary school in Simpson. When we first came to Milton Keynes Paul taught at the school for five years. The children in Year 5 (9 and 10 year olds) were studying how different people worship and their teacher thought it would be interesting for them to hear about Quakers and how they worship. We were invited to spend an hour with the class and given a wide brief as to how we might tackle it. The class was very multicultural with a number of different religions represented as well as some who had no faith background to speak of. We had been told that they were a lively, bright group who would enjoy having guests with whom to interact. We decided to assume that there would be very little prior knowl- edge regarding Quakers and we would, therefore, have to give some background information to establish a context. We prepared a PowerPoint presentation with some historical material and talked about the key elements of Quaker belief and practice. It wasn’t long before we were being showered by questions from all over the room. We found the pupils attentive and amazingly perceptive in the discussion as well as in the questions they asked. Having given some of the background, we moved on to think about how we worship and why we worship in the way we do. Again, they seemed alert and fascinated by what we had to say. As many of them regu- larly attended places of worship they were able to compare and contrast their own experience with what they were hearing from us. As we pointed out to them, many an adult struggles to understand why we worship as we do, so they were doing very well for such young people. After about 45 minutes of debate and conversation we moved to another room where we were able to sit it a circle. We explained that we were going to have a short period of silence and we would conclude by shaking hands as we would do in a meeting for worship. Although it was far from silent outside the room (school photographs were being taken!), inside the room there was a sense of stillness and peace. One or two of the pupils talked of their experience during the quiet time. We really felt it was a deeply moving experience and one they resected fully. Once again, they had torrents of questions and comments but it was time for us to leave. We had had a really stimulating afternoon which had exceeded our expectations. By that evening we had an email from their teacher with list of follow-up questions that they had asked after our departure. Here are some of the questions they asked. We did our best to answer them as succinctly as we could!

• Why are there no pictures around the walls of Quaker Meeting Houses?

• Why did you become Quakers?

• What is it like being a Quaker?

• Is it hard to be a Quaker?

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• Are non-Quakers allowed to go to camp?

• How old was George Fox when he was first arrested?

• What is the most important thing that a Quaker has to do? When we were discussing the experience later that evening we found that it had been a truly good and worthwhile thing to do. We hope the children and staff were left with equally positive feelings.

Laura Weavers and Don Rowe visit St Mary and St Giles School, Stony Stratford

In May, we went to St Mary and St Giles School, Gallery of Australia. For more on this story go to Stony Stratford to give an assembly called ‘Who http://nga.gov.au/rajahquilt/.) Here is the panel are the Quakers?’. The invitation had come about stitched into the quilt. because Pippa Charlier, who is in Year 5, had felt that in a previous assembly, when Elizabeth Fry and George Cadbury had been mentioned, Mr Salter, the head, had described them as Christian social reformers and not Quakers. Pippa conse- quently asked him if there could be an assembly on Quakers and Mr Salter readily agreed. We began with some information about George Fox the founder of the movement and the Quakers’ early emphasis on direct communication with God, simplicity and peace. We then went on to tell the children more about how, seeking that of God in everyone, Elizabeth Fry had done much to improve the lot of women prisoners, and had also begun a nursing movement that had influenced Florence Nightingale. Fry and her associates gave each woman a bag of useful bits including sewing equipment, to help them learn a trade and earn a useful living on arrival. As a little known We also talked about the social reforms promoted by appendix to the Elizabeth Fry story, we told the the chocolate makers Rowntree and Cadbury before children about the beautiful quilt that women describing how we worship in more detail. We then prisoners on board the ship Rajah ,bound for Van invited the children to share in worship with us after Dieman’s Land, had created. A moving panel introducing the following prayer as prepared ministry. stitched on one side thanked the Ladies of the This is our school . Convict Ship Committee for all that they had Let peace dwell here, done to help the women gain some skills which Let the room(s) be full of contentment, would help them in their new life. The Rajah Let love abide here, Quilt was presented to the Leiutenant- Love of one another, Governor’s wife but later , somehow, found its Love of mankind, Love of life itself, way back to Elizabeth Fry in England. Follow- And love of God. ing this it was lost for many years and only redis- Let us remember covered in 1987. (It is now considered one of the That, as many hands build a house, most important items of Australian cultural heri- So many hearts make a school . tage iand is on limited display at the National

5 Meeting Points June 2015 Reflections on Britain Yearly Meeting Gloria Dobbin

Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) was held from 1 st sitting in the silence and following the leadings of to 4 th May. Mervyn and I attended two out of the the Spirit. A Friend described the dandelion as a four days. The venue for the main sessions at metaphor: ‘you pull the top off and it prevents it Friends House was the Large Meeting House seeding – but the root has an instinct for survival. which is also known as ‘The Light’. The Large You have to go to the roots and they lie very deep. Meeting House felt different from previous years. There still were the oak panels lining the lower walls but they were less visible. I felt more closely connected with others in this renovated room. Previously Friends who sat on the gallery felt separated from those on the ground floor and everybody could not be seen unless you were We must go to down to the roots. Pulling the head on the platform. Now there are staircases which off does not solve the problem.’ Another Friend slope from the ground floor to the higher levels spoke of the many people who are excluded; people of seating and it feels like one gathering. This are divided from each other. Other ministry included change from benches in the gallery and hard pad- the importance of prayerfully upholding ‘the bad- ded seats in the main hall to comfy seats every- dies’; no one sins in awareness; and the importance where is great but it also means that the number of praying and holding the people and the issues in of seats has reduced. I really like the new design the Light. It is acknowledged that we are part of the with the sloping ceiling ending with a square root cause of inequality and we are unwittingly part glass opening at the top which has similarities to of the problem. A Friend said that the problem, like the ceiling design of our Main Meeting Room in slavery, is solvable. Milton Keynes. I think that the atmosphere of While at BYM I heard of many encouraging the Meeting House was enhanced by the square initiatives. Friends have been involved in housing of light above with its changing light, clouds justice for many years. There is a Meeting that lends drifting by, blue sky at times at other times grey, money to those who need a deposit for their rent. glistening raindrops. The outside world seemed Some Friends in Bristol are offering investment op- very much alive! There was a side room with portunities to those who wish to lend money to put video link available for those who either could into converting empty office buildings into housing. not find seats in the Meeting House or who A Friend spoke about offering spare rooms to those wanted a different experience. in need. As we are aware, a home is essential and is The subject of this and the next two years’ needed for our spiritual wellbeing. BYM is Living our Faith in the World . We were I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the abridged reminded of the enormous issues that concern version of the oratorio The Gates of Greenham , which Friends including climate change, wars, inequal- was first performed on Easter Monday in 1985 at ity and homelessness. Elizabeth Allen who in- the Royal Festival Hall .. and I was there 30 years troduced the topic spoke about tackling the un- ago as part of a group which attended from Milton derlying causes of inequality. She spoke about Keynes meeting. The professional singers were won-

6 Meeting Points June 2015 derful and the presence of some of the original months to come. Amongst those interviewed on the cast members, such as Sheila Hancock, composer film is Don Rowe. It is hoped that the film will be Tony Biggin and conductor John Hywel made it launched on Armed Forces Day (27 June). The a great occasion. Peace Education Programme and Peace Education Another event was the Swarthmore Lec- Network have put together a new resource: Teach ture which was given this year by Diana Francis Peace Pack which can help anyone who wants to and was entitled ‘ Faith, power and peace’ . Diana tackle peace in a primary school setting. QPSW has came over as a lovely warm person who has con- a Peace Education and Disarmament Team which is tributed so much to peace building across the at the forefront of what Friends are doing in schools. world. I liked the phrase she used about being Veterans for Peace and Forces Watch are also work- ‘brave in faith and brave in action’. She spoke ing in this area. about the importance of noticing the early warn- The special interest group that I attended at ing signs that a crisis is imminent which is when lunch time on the Sunday was ‘Friends with Jewish one needs to find a resolution but once war starts Connections’. The room was full. A Friend spoke there is very little that can be done. She said that about his work to form relationships between the it is very hard to fight fire with fire. We need to Quaker Meeting and the Jewish communities in stop conflict turning into violence. Everyone is Brighton. Another Friend spoke about her identities unique, precious, a child of God. She spoke about being both Jewish and Quaker and another Friend human beings being characterised by kindness. spoke about the loss of the good Quaker name and There is power in non-violence e.g. Ghandi and the hurt caused by some of the corporate Quaker ‘the tank man’ who stepped in front of a column actions. A number of Jewish/ Quaker Friends men- of tanks in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. There tioned how Jewish communities who previously met can be nonviolent transformation. If you would in some of our Meeting Houses, have withdrawn as like to read the book ‘Faith, power and peace’ it is they felt that Quakers were taking sides, they had in our Meeting House library. lost their trust in Quakers ‘bringing ‘the light’ to all I find the special interest groups at BYM sides of the problem’. There is a view that Quak- so inspiring. However, first of all there is the ers no longer hold the neutrality that Friends have challenge of which to choose. This never is an historically held. There remained much more to dis- easy decision. Amongst those I chose were: cuss and a day-long meeting of this special interest Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW); group has now been planned for July. Friends with Jewish Connections: & the Quaker The focus of the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Asylum & Refugee Network. Network (QARN) group was on people seeking asylum on the EU borders, and in the sea. Climate The QPSW meeting was entitled ‘ The Un- change is likely to result in even more people seek- seen March: Challenging militarism in schools’ . It ing asylum. Safe legal routes of asylum need to be gave me an insight into the government’s established, such as Humanitarian Visas. An empa- ‘military ethos’ programme and how society is thy based approach might go some way to changing being ‘militarised’ without the population at the hostility. A Friend carried out interviews with large being aware. A booklet was sent to all approximately 50 people who spoke some English, schools entitled British Arms Forces: Learning Re- in a squatter community in Calais. Many were from source Pack 2014 which seems to have as its aims: Eritrea and Sudan. They were suffering misery and awareness and recruitment. There is an ideology humiliation. Most were fleeing and wanted safety that war is the best solution. From 2012 those at and did not know where they were going. They risk of exclusion from schools (children from as were not economic migrants. The feeling at the spe- young as 8 years of age) are being put into mili- cial interest group was that hearts and minds need tary style environments. A military ethos of to be changed. Letters to MPs and MEPs could be obeying orders without questioning is being pro- helpful. Creating a City of Sanctuary was suggested moted. Arms companies are supporting state or using a Citizens group to promote the provision schools. A response to the booklet for schools has of a safe haven. An example of what can be done is been produced by QPSW, February 2015 The that on 2 December 2014, Malvern Council voted to British Armed Forces: Propaganda in the classroom? allow 60 Syrian refugees to be resettled in the It can be seen on http://www.forceswatch.net/ Worcestershire town, following sustained encour- content/armed-forces-learning-resource#video agement from the Malvern Hills Amnesty group. Quakers have made a film challenging ‘militarisation’ in schools. It is not available as I came away from BYM tired but energised and en- yet but is certainly worth looking out for in the couraged by what is being done in our name.

7 Meeting Points June 2015 Friends of Hlekweni: taking forward the new strategy Lee Taylor

As a charity, Friends of Hlekweni is required to • fundraising and reporting on the UK end of have an annual meeting – ours was on 31 May the Zimbabwe Secondary Bursary scheme – 2015. We were happy to have Friends from Wat- we are taking this over from Quaker Peace and ford, Barnet, Croydon and Oxford meetings with Social Witness; us, during the day, for MfW, a shared lunch and • development of peace-building work in pri- the afternoon’s discussions and formal business. mary schools; Sales of Dru Ellis’ wonderful designer • ongoing ‘miscellaneous’ activity, such as send- patchwork cushions were off the scale on the day: ing out books, equipment, responding to need, clearly people liked her new designs and fabrics. including support for Zimbabwe Food Relief Thank you, Dru – your work has raised hundreds Action etc. for FoH. Thank you, too, to Debbie Wilson, for your ongoing ‘little knitted teddies’: a further Don Rowe has done a great deal on the dozen or so are en route to Samathonga School peace-building initiative for primary schools: there where we pledge each child a teddy of their own is much work (AVP, CapeTown Peace Centre, (often the only toy they have they can call their African Great Lakes initative, amongst these) own) and a filled pencil case. Are there any other already going on, but it appears that initiating knitters around? this in primary schools may be It has been a year of groundbreaking. change for Friends of Hlekweni Don hopes to get to with the final closure of Hlek- Southern Africa weni Friends Rural Service Cen- next year to explore tre on 30 June 2014, which we this. noted with sadness, but also a sense of celebration of the past Trustees are decade of our Meeting having anticipating a year supported hundreds of trainees ahead of crystallis- and the community at Hlekweni. ing our plans, and putting them into Trustees have spent much operation, through of the year testing our concern re-invigorating and developing a new 5-year publicity and re- strategy, based on continuing needs and existing engineering the delivery of work as well as our contacts. reporting mechanisms. We know that this may Our sterling Treasurer, Roger Moore, presented well mean further investment of time and re- the Financial Accounts, and reported that the fi- sources to manage this change, especially as we no nances of the charity are on a healthy footing, longer have the base of Hlekweni Training Cen- ready to invest in new activity. We are grateful to tre. We are hugely appreciative of David Brown’s Martin Sale, who has been the formal ‘Examiner’ willingness to take matters forward in early June for our Accounts over the past few years. – he flew out the day after our Yearly Business Members accepted the Annual Report and meeting, and we look forward to his first hand re- Accounts, which will be submitted to the Charity port as it’s now a year since a trustee’s last visit. Commission following the Examiner’s considera- The Yearly Business Meeting noted with tion – please write to gratitude the steadfast support of Milton Keynes [email protected] if you’d like to see Meeting for Friends of Hlekweni as a concern of these. our Meeting, and of Friends more widely – we know that the needs remain as urgent as ever, and So – what are the plans? They can be grouped that we can offer some support as part of our so- into four strands: cial witness in the world. If anyone is interested • continued and extended support for a wider in helping out, we would warmly appreciate this – range of schools in Bulawayo and rural Mata- the particular role that needs attention is that of beleland; Secretary to the Trustees.

8 Meeting Points June 2015 Visit of African Friends to Milton Keynes Don Rowe

On Wednesday June 3rd, about twenty Friends from born into a Quaker family . His father was the first Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard gathered at the Kenyan to be trained as a pastor following the estab- Meeting House to meet Churchill Malimo and Joshua lishment of the first theological college in 1944. The Lilande. There was a shared supper at 6.00pm and at Yearly Meeting to which Joshua belongs in Kenya is 7.00pm friends gathered to hear about the lives and part of an association of 31 Yearly Meetings around work of our African Friends. the world called Friends United Meeting (FUM).

Churchill Malimo is one of several pastors of a When he retired as a teacher, he was asked by Meeting of 500 Friends in Nairobi, the capital of FUM to go to do some work in the Friends School, Kenya. (There are about half a million Quakers in Nai- Ramalla in Palestine, which was established in the robi.) He has been doing 1850s by English Quaker this for work about four- missionaries (Ramallah is teen years. In addition, he associated with FUM). is secretary of the Africa Joshua was at Ramallah for Section of Friends World some time. He has also been Committee for Consulta- an ecumenical accompanier in tion, (FWCC). His calling Israel/Palestine. Around that came just after high time he became clerk of school. He had just left Yearly Meeting for the second school and got a job when time. Later he became clerk of he was involved in a serious Africa Section of FWCC, accident leaving him with which is what brings him to multiple injuries. He was England on this occasion. immobile for a whole year and lost all hope of making anything of his life. So he left Nairobi and went back to Joshuah has also been involved in missionary work live with his mother in the rural village where he grew within Africa. In 2010 he was invited to travel to up. But he found that many other young Quakers were Western Tanzania to establish a Quaker mission coming to talk with him in ways they couldn’t talk station. They managed to set up a base on a banana with their own parents. He found himself sharing with plantation. Then came the question who is to be the them from the Bible and they started to call him shepherd of these people? Finally, some Tanzanians 'pastor'. Together they raised some money to build a were brought to Kenya to be trained and to return place where they could gather and support each other. home as pastors. This whole enterprise is costly and so Africa Section of FWCC is encouraging Yearly One day he heard a voice saying, 'You are called to do Meetings and Monthly Meetings to engage in fund- the work of God. One day you will be healed and you will start walking and you will travel all over the raising activities to support the work. So far they have world, talking to others about the love of God and built churches and a school, working in an area where about hope.’ He found this difficult to believe because before there were no Quakers. he didn't believe in visions or anything like that but in Joshuah was asked what made Quakers in Africa due course someone phoned him and invited him to different from other Christian demoninations. He come to Nairobi to do some mission work with him in replied that the Quaker Testimonies were very the slums. So his life as a pastor began, after which he strongly emphasised: simplicity, equality, integrity in married and also began to work for FWCC first as an business and, in particular, Friends’ work for peace. He administrator and, after five years, as secretary. Chur- added that unlike most other churches, African chill is married with two children. Quakers did not baptise with water, they believed in the baptism of the Spirit. Joshuah Lilande is clerk to the Africa Section of FWCC. He is married with seven children. Joshua was The evening closed with a period of worship led by a teacher of Geography, history and religion. He was Churchill and Joshuah.

9 Meeting Points June 2015 GARDENING AT THE MEETING HOUSE We wish to ensure that our garden looks attractive to Friends and to all those who visit and hire our Meeting House in addition to those who pass by on the roadside. As the contract with our current gardeners has ended we would now like to obtain quotes from others. We are looking for 1) a skilled gardener/s to look after the front garden including the flower beds and lawns 2) another person/ persons who will mow the lawn at the back and cut hedges and shrubs at the back and sides of the Meeting House grounds (other than the warden’s garden). If you know of anyone who has a good reputation for performing either of these roles please give contact details to Charmaine Kemp or to me. 3) We have a temporary need for someone to mow the front and back lawns. We do not have a Meeting lawn mower so it would mean bringing your own equipment. The lawn will need to be cut once a week. If you would be willing to take on this role as a one-off or more often, please let me know. Many thanks, Gloria Dobbin (01908 610363 or [email protected] ) Convenor Finance and Property Committee

HANDY PERSON NEEDED FOR THE MEETING HOUSE Do you have practical skills yourself or can you recommend someone who has the practical skills to do ‘odd jobs’ at the Meeting House? Examples of what the jobs might be, include: filling in cracks in the wall, fitting brackets to drainage pipes, laying kitchen wall tiles, changing a door lock and making whatever task is undertaken, look neat and tidy afterwards. Finance & Property Committee is looking for someone with initiative who can take on pieces of work from time to time. Payment will be given. If you are interested please get in touch with Gloria Dobbin Tel. 01908 610363 or email [email protected]

Tea and Coffee Rota Paul Freedland The current rota for the tea and coffee will be completed at the end of June. I shall be compiling and circulating a new one to take us to the end of the year very shortly. If you are not currently on the rota but would like to volunteer , I would be pleased to hear from you. If, on the other hand, you are on the rota and would like to come off, please let me know as soon as possible. Contact details: 07983 970322 (text or call) [email protected]

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Two poems by Jane Street

FLIGHT THE WOMAN WITH THE SAD FACE

Lark, you are my wings, She lies there, You rise up in the morning Breathing in and out When I am still in bed Deeply, easily, rhythmically, And flirt your song Her feet turned outwards - Lyric light against The cadaveric position - The receding stars, And her hands and arms In love with earth and Likewise lying Sky and sunrise. Where they seem to have fallen

Outwards. All is relaxed, Words bind me Not a line on her face, To the earth while you, Not a muscle or tendon In your high eyrie on the Showing. She seems so light, Breeze, float on dreams, Insubstantial almost, Seeing only grass seed That it comes as a surprise Stitches in the To see her body makes Patchwork, hearing An impress on the bed. Only heart, wings, wind. She is not tired as you or I are

tired Love, I have not left you, But weary to the point of Look, my body lies beside dissolution Your body sleeping there, She laughed once last week. My hand holds yours, Funny. I do not laugh. Only my thoughts Spiral and dip and wheel In boundless skies Away. Away.

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Biblio-Files Notes from the library committee: Jennifer Roper, Trish Marshall, Sue Mouneimne

Quaker Journals now available for loan

Our Meeting has recently subscribed to two Quaker journals: Quaker Voices and the Friends Quarterly. They are available for short-term loan on the usual signing-out basis, and can be found in the labelled display boxes on the library’s central shelves. What is the Friends Quarterly? For those of us who are not already familiar with this journal, we cite QUIP (Quakers Uniting in Publications): ‘ The Friends Quarterly carries substantial articles, occupying the space between a weekly magazine and very formal academic journals.’ Articles in the current issue include: WW1 and the Peace Testimony Today; Walking the Quaker Way; This is my Father’s House (poetry about the nature of Quaker faith), and a personal view of the biblical writings of Paul. What is Quaker Voices? According to QUIP, ‘Quaker Voices brings together new articles, poems and graphics, as well as incorporating the best from Area and Local Meeting newsletters and foreign Quaker publications.’ These short articles and poems are exactly what they say they are: Quaker Voices . Indi- viduals express their views and the reader is free to respond in his/her own way. On reading my first Quaker Voices (May 2015) for the purpose of commenting on it for Biblio Files , I found myself agreeing, learning, doubting, being moved ... but always stimulated and made to think. For example, I was moved by the voice of Jennifer Maclennan , who respectfully recorded the home death of her husband after years of sickness. Open and frank, the article was powerful in its simple ex- pression of love and respect at such a time. Introducing the article, Jennifer said, ‘This is not a critical analysis of a particular death nor of the process of facilitating a home death but hopefully it is for me, just a first step in engaging with a dialogue about this most predictable of life experiences.’ On the other hand, Scilla Elworthy’s ‘ Oppression is a choice.’ Passivity and non-violence in Palestine left me with many doubts and questions. I felt that the vast implications of the title deserved a longer article and deeper ex- planation. (Sue Mouneimne) Why not borrow a copy of Quaker Voices or the Friends Quarterly and see how you react to the different articles?

MK Quaker Library: New acquisitions

The 2015 Swarthmore Lecture is here: FAITH, POWER AND PEACE Diana Francis, past President of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, gave this year’s annual public Swarthmore Lecture, Faith, power and peace at Yearly Meeting 2015. The lecture drew on her personal experience and Quaker tradition, to show us that the world can flourish and live peacefully without turning to war to solve dis- putes and disagreements. (Quakers in Britain) The book which is connected to the lecture is now available on the New Books shelf. ______Good Business: Ethics at Work - Quakers and Business Group 3/QUA

12 Meeting Points June 2015 This book was first published in 2000 and is currently in its second edition. It acts as a guide and inspiration to run- ning a better and ethical business for the benefit of all its stakeholders. Living up to these standards is not always the easiest course, but they have a practical as well as an ethical benefit. Businesses known for their ethical con- duct enjoy benefits from a good reputation, customer loyalty and a more committed workforce. (Q&B) ______

A Clerk’s Progress by Heather Lister 3/LIS ‘A short excerpt from this book appeared in the Friend and made me laugh. When I asked about the full version, I was later sent a copy for our library. It follows the Clerk’s progress (as in Pilgrim’s Progress) to a Minute, encounter- ing characters such as the ‘aweful Clerk of Namings’ and the ‘Octopus of Theoretical Entanglement and Petty Quib- ble’ while travelling through such terrain as the Desert of Desperate Decision-Making and the Pleasure Beach of the Easy Option. You may notice some of these tendencies at your next PM, but I hope that, as in the story, we end with a ‘Minute of Peace, Completion, and Future Promise, in which we are all gathered’. Sheila Bacon (MK Meet- ing)

______Radical by Maajid Nawaz 10/NAW This book was reviewed by Peter Leeson (MK Meeting) in Meeting Points (March 2015). There is a lot to be learned from it in this age of growing radicalism. ______Five Children on the Western Front Kate Saunders Children’s Meeting 12/SAU An incredible, heart-wrenching sequel to E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It , set on the eve of the First World War. The five children have grown up – war will change their lives for ever. Faber & Faber

Atul Gawande: Being Mortal – medicine and what matters in the end - a review by Lee Taylor

I listened to Atul Gawande give the 2014 Reith Lectures en route to Oxford on my regular ‘gran’ days: they were riveting. He is a practicing US surgeon, a professor at Harvard, and an accomplished writer and speaker – he combines vivid storytelling with clear analysis, and leaves the listener or reader with a sense of having understood something important and vital to all of us. His Indian background, and work in the US and other parts of the world make his findings universal, I think. His Reith Lecture title made sense: ‘the messy intersection of science and human fallibility’. His final lecture talked about well-being, which he illustrated with the story of his father’s death from cancer, and discussed how important it was to protect people’s high- est aspirations in life, usually more complex than one might imagine – and how our current system for end of life care might appreciate this better. I t was good timing for me: I was dealing first hand with the issues, caring for my very dear US AFS ‘parents’, and I immediately ordered ‘Being Mortal’. It spoke directly to what we (their ersatz family – another story) were dealing with: how best to cope with end of life issues. Gawande argues passionately that there are three players involved: the individual (of course), the medical profession who are ‘caring’ and the relatives/friends – and that longevity needs to be balanced by a care for what makes life worth living. He talks about his own often clumsy filial recognition of his dying father’s needs – and of having the right conver- sations about what his father deep down wishes to have happen. As a doctor, he advocates more humility; equally, those dying and their families should not expect god-like certainty from the medical profession. It helped me have one of the most honest, necessary and deeply loving discussions of my life with my US ‘Dad’, as we navigated the US medical, legal and care-home system and the views and complexities of the family and others who loved them. I recommend this book wholeheartedly – I have bought umpteen copies as so many of my friends are dealing with such issues, and my children know that I want a very honest discussion fairly soon to get us all talking about it openly, and again when they are living with my dying. (I am not planning on this imminently,dv). Advices and Queries 29 and 30: ‘ Approach old age with courage and hope. …Are you able to contemplate your death and the 3/QUA death of those closest to you?’

13 Meeting Points June 2015

Sandy Steps Out a story by Jack Isles

It was the summer of 1931 and I was hurrying home from the river with our dog expecting midday lunch. Ahead of me I noticed ‘Widow Sadie from up the Road’ entering our front yard. She was very distressed. “I wondered,” she was saying to Mum, “would your little boy and his friends look out for my Sandy for me. He must have got himself out during the night - and he didn’t eat his food yesterday like I put down.“ Mum committed us, while we all remained silent. “Course they will.” Sandy was a cat. A ginger-coloured monster that spent his life sleeping on the front porch or on Sadie’s bed. Now I confess that finding other people’s animals was not my favourite pastime, and was done grudgingly The last time our lurcher, Bobdog, went AWOL, he found himself and then me; we found the river together. We did not rush home then, but I could not imagine Sandy rooting after rats under the jetty. No way. A name entered my head - Katie. There were not many happenings around our gaff that she was unaware of - sometimes before they happened - so I decided to consult the ‘oracle’. However in this case she knew nothing, indeed she was quite distressed. Like most of us, she really liked the old monster. After lunch the search party went forth. Together we noisily spent the time in a riot of trespassing into the normally forbidden gardens and alleys shouting “Lost Cat” to any challengers, and leaving a trail of scattered rubbish and flower plants behind us. Some of the party deserted as teatime got near, but Katie carried on a nominal search, fortified with a hunk of Sadie’s apple cake that overhung her chops on both sides. So well anchored was it that a grab from me, yielded not even a crumb…. When did She get it…..? A yell from Katie. One hand flew up to secure the threatened cake. “E’s ‘ere. Look!“ Painfully limping towards us came this large, mud-smeared ginger cat. There was no need to call for Sadie, That apple-laden yell must have rattled windows for miles. Sadie scooped up the cat, sat on the low wall outside our door and started to re-groom the animal. Apart from a few scratches around one ear, he appeared unharmed. “However am I going to get him clean again,” she wailed. “Bath him.” said Mum, who like the rest of the street was now involved. “Stand him in a tray with just an inch or so of warm water, and sponge the dirt off in patches, don’t get him too wet.” Sadie seemed a bit doubtful, but in the absence of any other suggestions, went indoors and put a kettle on. “Better go and help her Ma “ said I, “she’ll as like boil it!”. Ma fired one of her glares at me. “Shut up,” she hissed and went to assist with the scouring. My advice being unrequired, I was about to depart when mum hastily dashed by me, leaving Sadie awkwardly towelling an unhappy cat. I chased after her and found her leaning on the bottom fence almost choking with silent laughter. "How do I tell her, after all this time," she said, "how could she not have found out? " “Does she have to?" asked the wise Katie, "she just pee's different, that’s all." A few days later the changeling was back on the front steps, Secure in her own secrets . Did Sadie ever notice the difference?

14 Meeting Points June 2015 Dates for the Diary

Kindlers on the Road

Jesus the man: Christ in us

Led by Alec Davison, Sarah Fox, Michael Hennessey, James McCarthy

at the Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes

Saturday 4 th July, 2015

Refreshments 10.00am for 10.30am prompt start Lunch 1.00 - 2.00pm, finishing at 4.30pm with tea Bring your own lunch: coffee and tea will be provided

This will be a participatory workshop, within the framework of worship, to explore: Jesus: the wisdom teacher, healer, prophet, transformer and source of our testimonies Christ: inner Light, inward teacher, universal archetype, mystical presence. Can new insights help us look again at the question: Are Quakers Christian? Recommended reading : Twelve Quakers and Jesus (copies in the Meeting library)

Booking essential. The workshop is for a maximum of 25 participants. Contact Ruth Iley: 01908 660587, [email protected]

Book Group Alternative Book Group June 18th ‘As I lay Dying’ by William Faulkner Jesus & the Gospel Women July 16th To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild . All welcome by Joanna Collicutt McGrath. Thursday 2 July, 7.30 pm.

Guided Meditation Group Summer Outing This group has re-started its activities for three Do join us on an all-age outing after months in the first instance to gauge interest. meeting on Sunday 19th July. Meetings will run from 9.30 to 10-15 am on the Our destination is the Marston Vale Forest, one of third Sunday of each month. So join us on 21st twelve Community Forests in the country where June and 19 July. Do ask Chris Freedland for ordinary citizens are using trees to repair a damaged more details. landscape. Bring a picnic

15 Meeting Points June 2015

Calendar of Events

Date Time Event Sun 14th 10.30-11.30am All-Age Meeting for Worship Wed 17th 12.45-1.30pm Midweek Meeting for Worship – Committee Room Thurs 18th 7.30-9.30pm Book Group - Library June June Fri 19th 5 – 6.30pm Bible Book Group - Committee Room Sun 21st 9:30 - 10:15 Guided Meditation - Committee Room Tues 23rd 2-4pm Craft Group – Meet in Library. Sun 28th 12-1.00pm My Faith in Practice - talk by Carmel Schmidt Wed 1st 12.45-1.30pm Midweek Meeting for Worship - Committee Room Thurs 2nd 7.30pm Alternative Book Group - Library Sat 4th 10.30am-4.30pm Kindlers-on-the-Road : Jesus the Man:Christ in Us Sun 5th 12.00noon Business Meeting Tues 7th 2-4pm Craft Group - Meet in Library

July Wed 15th 12:45-1:30pm Midweek Meeting for Worship - Committee Room. Thurs 16th 7.30pm Book Group - Library Fri 17th 5-6.30pm Bible Book Group – Committee Room Sun 19th 9.30-10.15am Guided Meditation – Committee room. Sun 19th 12.00noon Summer Outing to Marston Mortaine Forest Centre Tues 21st 2-4pm Craft Group – Library Sun 26th 12-1pm Enquirer’s gathering - Committee Room. Sun 2nd 12.30 onwards Simplicity Lunch - Eilish Friedman’s garden Tues 4th 2-4pm Craft Group – Library Wed 5th 12.45-1.30pm Midweek Meeting for Worship - Committee Room

August Sun 17th 9.30-10.15 Guided Meditation – Committee room. Tues 18 2-4pm Craft Group – Library Wed 19 12.45-1.30pm Midweek Meeting for Worship - Committee Room Fri 21st 5-6.30pm Bible Book Group – Committee Room Sun 23rd 12-1pm Sing for Joy - Library Sun 30th 12-1pm Enquirer’s gathering - Committee Room.