20 November 2015 £1.90 thediscover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

Positive money the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 173 NO 47

3 Thought for the Week: The other Are you alert to practices here Ian Kirk-Smith and throughout the world which discriminate against people on 4-5 News the basis of who or what they are 6 A living wage or because of their beliefs? Alan Sealy Bear witness to the humanity of 7 Friends in Wales all people, including those who Martin Morley break society’s conventions or its 8-9 Letters laws. Try to discern new growing points in social and economic life. 10-11 Positive money Seek to understand the causes of Sue Holden injustice, social unrest and fear. 12-13 From the archive: … in a broken world Are you working to bring about Compiled by Janet Scott a just and compassionate society which allows everyone to develop 14 Surrendering to the Light their capacities and fosters the Shanthini Cawson desire to serve?

15 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world Quaker faith & practice 1.02.33 16 Friends & Meetings

Cover image: Money. Photo: Tristan Martin / flickr CC See pages 6 and 10-11.

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2 the Friend, 20 November 2015 Thought for the Week

The other

avid Bleakley’s father worked in the shipyard in and once put rivets into the hull of the Titanic. His son followed in his footsteps and did an apprenticeship in the ‘yard’. Their family home was a small terrace house Din working class East Belfast. Then, in his twenties, David Bleakley left the shipyard to study economics at Ruskin College, Oxford. In Oxford he became friends with an academic who was also from East Belfast. C S Lewis, however, lived ‘up the hill’ in the fresher air of a leafy middle-class neighbourhood. Despite their different backgrounds and paths to Oxford, both shared a curiosity for the world, a dry Ulster sense of humour and a faith. David Bleakley went on to become a politician, representing the Labour Party. He hated sectarianism. It was a cancer in society. However, in the early seventies his tolerant position, advocating a politics of cross-community cooperation, was swept away by parties playing the ‘orange’ or ‘green’ card. Bombs and murders were happening almost daily in Ulster. People were afraid. David Bleakley’s political career stopped, almost overnight, and he became a teacher at Methodist College Belfast. I was one of his first students. Sectarianism, he believed, was based on fear: fear of ‘the other’. In Northern Ireland this meant the fear between Protestants and Catholics. Fear, he taught us, was mostly based on ignorance. People who feared ‘the other’ generally knew very little about them. They were often educated apart, lived apart and grew up apart. In this vacuum of ignorance, fear thrives. Stereotyping thrives. Bigotry thrives. Sectarianism thrives. Racism thrives. Ignorance could only be confronted through understanding and knowledge. If people knew and understood more about each other, then they would not fear ‘the other’ to the same degree. They may disagree on matters of politics and religion, for example, but they would understand each other at a human level. People, when they connect on a human level, usually find some ‘common ground’. Some people sometimes act badly, very badly, but they are not representative of their group. People are basically good. David Bleakley went on a position in the World Council of Churches. He worked tirelessly to promote a better understanding between different denominations within Christianity and between different faith groups. This week is Inter Faith Week. The aim is to promote understanding, cooperation and good relations between organisations and persons of different faiths in Britain. Many Quakers are involved in promoting interfaith work. In the wake of the events in Paris on Friday 13 November, the bombing of the Russian A321 airliner, the massacre at Garissa University in Kenya, the bombing in Beirut, and other dreadful atrocities, it is a time, while condemning evil, to confront ignorance and promote understanding. It is also a time to remember the good in people. Thousands have been queuing patiently to give blood in France this week. Where there is tragedy and suffering, the writer Fred Rogers once said: ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’

Ian Kirk-Smith editor, The Friend

the Friend, 20 November 2015 3 News

Pilgrims set off for Paris Fuel poverty training launched Nearly fifty pilgrims left London on 13 Northfield Ecocentre, a Central England November to walk 200 miles to Paris to witness for Area Meeting project, has announced a new half-day action on climate change. training course on fuel poverty. When they reach Paris, the pilgrims will call on world Community workers will be taught how to help their leaders to agree a fair, ambitious and binding climate clients manage fuel bills. The course will cover issues deal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference such as energy saving, understanding running costs, taking place from 30 November to 11 December. and dealing with condensation and damp. The pilgrims were blessed before they left at a service The sessions will be delivered by Phil Beardmore, an at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Nicholas Holtam, the bishop expert in fuel poverty and energy efficiency. of Salisbury, said: Broadcast postponed ‘We walk in solidarity for climate justice for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. We are all BBC Radio 4 has postponed its Sunday Worship aware of the impact of climate change and we Prisons Week broadcast, recorded at HMP Long Lartin. cannot be the first generation to knowingly turn The broadcast was scheduled for 15 November, but away from our responsibilities to protect the planet.’ postponed following the recent tragic events in Paris. Among the pilgrims who left London was Maud The programme was to feature a contribution from Grainger, Faith in Action tutor at the Woodbrooke a Quaker chaplain. The BBC hopes to broadcast the Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham. programme in the new year. Inter Faith Week 2015 Pendle Hill on network radio ‘Living Well Together’ is one of the key themes Woodbrooke tutor Ben Pink Dandelion will for Inter Faith Week 2015, which takes place from 15 discuss Pendle Hill on a forthcoming edition of BBC to 21 November. Radio 4’s Open Country. The chairs and co-chairs of the organisers, the Inter Ben joins presenter Helen Mark on a visit to the Faith Network, released a statement following the Lancashire hill to discuss George Fox’s 1652 ascent attacks in Paris on 13 November. and his vision of a ‘great people to be gathered’, In the statement, they said of Inter Faith Week 2015: which heralded the start of Quakerism. The Pendle ‘The events that the Week will see are a reminder of the Hill edition of Open Country will be broadcast on 26 reality and the importance of a positive coexistence.’ November. They added: ‘Tackling tough issues is part of this and on the agenda are those such as extremism, freedom White poppy sales increase of expression and responding to social ills such as One hundred thousand white poppies were poverty. Inter faith discussion and engagement does sold in 2015, reflecting an upward trend in sales. not just focus on easy issues; it is not just the province Jan Melichar of the Peace Pledge Union, which sells of those who agree. It is a challenging and vital process the poppies, told the Friend that the organisation will that needs, increasingly, to be part of the common discuss later this year whether to increase production discourse of our society.’ for 2016. Young Friends highlight refugee crisis Young Friends from Penrith support the volunteers going there to Arms fair action Meeting will walk from Penrith to help. Campaigners gathered Carlisle to raise money for relief in Young Friends Rosalind Weir, in London on 16 November refugee camps. Sophie Austin and Jamie Hartley said: to show solidary with The twenty-three-mile-long ‘Our walk is only a fraction of the activists who are resisting walk takes place on 22 November. walk undertaken by the refugees, but an arms fair in Wellington, Participants will raise money for the as we travel we hope to reflect on their New Zealand. Carlisle One World Centre which, current plight, and that our hard work They met at the New through an initiative called Calais can make a small difference.’ Zealand High Commission, Action Carlisle, will support refugees The walkers will take The Miller’s in the Haymarket, to stand over the coming winter. Way, which was created as a tribute to in solidarity with Peace The money raised will help cover nineteenth-century Quaker Jonathan Action Wellington and the cost of transporting donated tents Dodgson Carr, who walked from others saying no to the arms and sleeping bags to the camps and to Kendal to Carlisle in 1831. trade in their city.

4 the Friend, 20 November 2015 reported by Tara Craig [email protected]

Medact conference highlights peace issues Medical staff, arms control and sufficient wisdom gained ‘to African MP Andrew Feinstein. experts, peacebuilders and front- learn to live within our worldwide They discussed the state of global line humanitarian workers were limits’. security, with a particular focus among participants at Medact’s Conference and workshop on how the health community can ‘Health Through Peace’ conference sessions covered a broad range respond to war, militarisation and held at Friends House on 13 and 14 of topics. Many of these were ecological collapse. November. particularly timely, such as the Frank Boulton, one of the Several hundred people heard session on ‘New weapons and organisers, said: ‘The central point the opening lecture from Paul remote warfare’ and that on is that in an ever increasingly Rogers, of the Bradford School ‘Supporting refugees in the UK’. uncertain world, fuelled by climate of Peace Studies and the Oxford Participants were also offered change, resource depletion, Research Group. He spoke about sessions on ‘Unpicking nuclear widening poverty gap, increasing ‘War, violence and conflict: global deterrence theory’, ‘Climate change population and much wider com- trends 1945-2015’. Paul focused and conflict’, and ‘Assessing the munications through the internet on the period between 1945 health impacts of war and conflict’, and social media (to which the and 2045, which he referred to among other topics. educated but under-employed as ‘the century on the edge’. He The Health Through Peace developing societies are particularly questioned whether, two-thirds Lecture was delivered by activist prone), war, including nuclear of the way through this ‘century’, and former UK climate envoy war, will become more likely and cold war lessons have been learned John Ashton and former South destructive.’ Living wage campaign Members of Lancaster Meeting’s Living Wage Project Group met their member of parliament on 13 November. Ann Morgan and Caro Kelly spent an hour with Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, and shadow minister for women and equalities. They spoke to her about the Quaker national Living Wage Campaign and their local action. ‘Our meeting was really an exchange of information and a discussion of the issues. We shared stories we had heard when witnessing, as did she from her constituents,’ Ann explained.

Photo: Erica Lewis. ‘Cat is keen to keep in touch and has asked to be updated Ann Morgan and Caro Kelly with their MP, Cat Smith, on our campaign. She is a Living Wage employer and we shadow secretary for Women and Equalities. have encouraged her to seek accreditation,’ she added. Quaker photos on show at V&A The Library at Friends House has The Library’s photographs were lent four photographs to the Victoria & taken by Horace Warner, who was the Albert Museum of Childhood. superintendent of the Sunday school at The photos will appear in the the Bedford Institute Association. They exhibition ‘On Their Own: Britain’s show children helped by the Institute, Child Migrants’. The exhibition tells the and highlight the extreme poverty that story of the estimated 100,000 children Friends were working to alleviate in the forced to emigrate to Canada, Australia East End of London. and other Commonwealth countries The exhibition is a collaboration between 1869 and 1970. Charities, between the Australian National government and religious organisations Maritime Museum, National Museums ran the schemes and claimed to offer Liverpool and the V&A Museum of the children a better life. Childhood. (Quakers) Society © Religious of Friends in Britain.

the Friend, 20 November 2015 5 Opinion A living wage

Alan Sealy believes workers are now between a rock and a hard place

t a meeting held in London on 2 November of the increased rate by reshuffling the workforce and Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, employing more workers under twenty-five. announced the new London rate for the Neil Jameson, director of Citizens UK, has said: ACitizens UK Living Wage. It is £9.40 an hour – up ‘Where are some of the UK’s biggest names on the from £9.15. Outside London it is £8.25 an hour. issue of low pay? Companies such as BT, EDF and It was previously £7.85 an hour. This is voluntary even John Lewis have yet to accredit, despite others and independently calculated by the Living Wage in their sectors leading the way and showing it is Foundation, and is recalculated every year based on possible. Life on less than the Living Wage is better the cost of living. It does not adjust the calculation described as survival; when living becomes the on the potential adverse impact on numbers of jobs. challenge of trying to exist from one payday to the Implicitly, the profitability of a business should not next, what room does that leave for family life, for faith depend on the penury of the workforce. or for learning? That’s why today we are launching the This compares with the National Minimum Wage, Living Wage People’s Movement with thousands more which is currently £6.70 for adults over twenty-one, local people getting involved and championing the £5.30 for eighteen- to twenty-year-olds, £3.87 for Living Wage as the right way to reward staff.’ sixteen- to seventeen-year-olds and £3.30 for Even George Osborne’s announcement of a new apprentices. There is no premium for anyone working in national living wage payable to workers aged twenty- London. There are three obvious significant differences: five and above from 1 April 2016 will still leave a very significant differential with Citizens UK Living • The National Minimum Wage is 28.7 per cent lower Wage levels. It has not been effective in countering the than the new Living Wage in London and works out heavy criticisms of the £12 billion planned cuts to the at £94.50 less per week based on a thirty-five-hour welfare budget. The key problem the government faces week – £4,914 annualised. is that employers are effectively seeing state benefits • The current level of the National Minimum Wage as an indirect subsidy on their labour overhead. The is 18.8 per cent lower than the rate for the Living government is now attempting to reduce that subsidy Wage outside London and works out at £54.25 less and labour is between a rock and a hard place. per week based on a thirty-five-hour week – £2,821 If the government genuinely wants to reduce poverty annualised. it needs to set the Minimum Wage rate at the level • The National Minimum Wage continues to proposed by Citizens UK for a Living Wage – with discriminate on age. The government has accepted a significant premium for London – and enforce it the principle that workers doing the same job effectively. If the government is brave enough to follow should be paid at the same rate. No discrimination this strategy, there should be an increase in wages and is accepted on the basis of gender or colour but salaries, some improvement in consumer confidence discrimination on the basis of age is accepted and is and spending, a mitigating impact on government enshrined in the differentials in both the National expenditure on benefits and, perhaps, an increase Minimum Wage and the government’s ‘national in levels of unemployment. However, it is absolutely living wage’ to be introduced next April moves the certain that the corporate sector will predict the goalposts to twenty-five. penalty of very heavy job losses and the government will continue to bury its head in the sand. There are obvious loopholes, which some employers There are no risk-free strategies – there seldom, if will no doubt take advantage of to avoid the statutory ever, are! One thing is certain, if the government pursues increases in National Minimum Wage levels. A its current strategies the level of poverty will increase – reduction of contracted hours by thirty minutes per day particularly in London – and it will lose support. would wipe out the effect of the pay rise. In addition, there may be a strategic decision to mitigate the effect Alan is a member of Harrow Meeting.

6 the Friend, 20 November 2015 Report Friends in Wales

Martin Morley reports on a recent Meeting of Friends in Wales

e set off early for Welshpool: it is a two-hour in schools. Mid Wales Area Meeting have addressed drive from Bethesda, and we needed to this by instigating a programme of peace education in be there in good time. Wales is a beautiful schools for years two to seven covering basic conflict Wcountry and the journey is an important part of the resolution, handling anger, cooperation and peer day. It took us through the mountains of Snowdonia, mediation. At present this initiative is a six-week, one past ravishing autumnal trees and over bright and bare hour per week programme. moors. Naseer Arafat is a Palestinian architect who has Meeting of Friends in Wales, which was held at made a detailed photographic study of the occupation. Welshpool on Saturday 24 October, had a very full and His talk in the afternoon, ‘A Tour to Palestine Under wide-ranging agenda. In the morning we heard reports Occupation’, was given in a very matter of fact but from Meeting for Sufferings, Quaker Life, and about moving way. It told of a country that has never known the Quaker presence at the National Eisteddfod. We peace in recent times. I’m seventy-one now and have heard, also, about a thought-provoking workshop on ‘A never experienced a war zone. Naseer described Vision for Wales’. The afternoon was mainly given over the lives of a generation that have known little else. to an illustrated talk by Naseer Arafat, a Palestinian By intercutting images of people going about their architect: ‘A Tour to Palestine Under Occupation’. everyday routines as best they can, with maps that The flavour of Meeting for Friends in Wales is showed the ever-greater fragmentation of Israel distinctly different from Area Meeting. It is more and Palestine into an increasingly complex web of centred on outward affairs, especially with the Welsh disjointed parts, he gave a feeling of the hopelessness Assembly, and is developing a strong relationship with and senselessness of the situation. Pervading all was Cŷtun (Churches Together in Wales). A theme that the infamous wall that snaked round and through ran through several items was the need for Friends to communities: dividing and separating. ‘To exist is seek out and work with people and organisations with to resist’ was a slogan in one of the images. May we shared aims, in order to avoid constantly re-inventing learn from others’ stories. May we act upon them so the wheel. that justice and peace may prevail and resistance is no The most substantive item in the morning was the longer necessary, because the full humanity of each is report of the ‘Vision for Wales’ workshop, which was acknowledged. attended by about thirty Friends, including Gethin Following the talk, another report highlighted other Rhys of Cŷtun, Elizabeth Allen of General Meeting for work by Friends in Wales. It concerned the Wales for Scotland, and Jessica Metheringham, parliamentary Peace project and Cymru’n Cofio, the Welsh Assembly engagement officer for Britain Yearly Meeting. It was government’s official world war one remembrance valuable to have perspectives from outside Wales. It committee. The Birmingham Quaker ‘Faith and was noted that where Meetings engage with politics Action’ exhibition had greatly impressed Cymru’n they could become more vibrant. Cofio, and it is hoped that it can be recreated in a A great deal of the work of Meeting of Friends in ‘Wales-centred’ version with a translation, additionally Wales happens between Meetings, with the above highlighting Friends’ war, and peace-related work workshop as a case in point, and also at other to the present. It was made clear that Cymru’n specifically Welsh events. Cynthia Rowland described, Cofio would be financing this. The Meeting warmly very graphically, the difficulties and the ultimate embraced this initiative. satisfaction of arranging for the Quaker presence at The journey home illustrated how one shouldn’t be a the National Eisteddfod in an area where there are few slave to the ‘sat nav’. One false turning and I found that Welsh speakers. I had added thirty minutes to the drive home. An important concern raised during the Meeting was the increasing militarisation of society, especially Martin is a member of North Wales Area Meeting.

the Friend, 20 November 2015 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Health through peace over sixty years have been sincere expressions of While an audience of over 700 in ‘the Light’ at Friends gratitude to those who have made the supreme sacrifice. House last Friday, 13 November, were learning They have shown concern to assist those who still about the depth of greed and corruption behind bear the mental or physical scars of war and always the international arms trade, hundreds were being concluded with a personal and community rededication maimed and killed, in Paris and elsewhere, by the to work for peace and justice for all people. products of that trade. More recently, they have also included a Fear, global deprivation, denial of justice, and commemoration of ‘the innocent victims of preservation of ‘the rich’ merely accelerate the fire oppression, violence and war’. As the revered tomb of of this roaring trade: but Friends, we must be brave the ‘unknown warrior’ rests just inside Westminster and stay true to our testimony of denying all outward Abbey, just outside is the memorial to these innocent forms of fightings. victims with the watchword ‘Remember’ and the We have to respond to the proponents of revenge inscription from the biblical book of Lamentations: ‘Is by emphasising that the growing spiral of violence can it nothing to you, all you who pass by?’ only be broken by peace and reconciliation, however I believe this message is significant to everyone, hard these may be to achieve. whether received, ignored or rejected. War is messy These are not naïve hopes: any progress will be and an acknowledgement of failure in international difficult and bound occasionally to falter, but would, relationships. No sane person could ever glorify it. ultimately, lead to a more stable security than we have John Morley at present, making it more likely that humankind, in Kettering Meeting, Northamptonshire its amazing diversity, will survive in a truly meaningful way. The worst of human failures Frank Boulton The moving poem by George Evans in David Lockyer’s Southampton Meeting, Hampshire reflection (6 November) has its antecedent in Wilfred Owen’s ‘Strange Meeting’, 1918: ‘Our faith in the future’ I am the enemy you killed, my friend. Is something missing? I have just read the new – I knew you in this dark: for so you frowned beautifully illustrated – leaflet and chapter 23 of Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed. Quaker faith & practice in quick succession – the I parried: but my hands were loath and cold. latter as part of our re-reading Quaker faith & practice Let us sleep now… project. The new leaflet is fine as far as it goes but I George’s words, like those of Wilfred Owen, will felt something was missing. On re-reading chapter 23 outlast the offence felt by those whose remembrance is I found it: the inspiration and challenge of the life and only partial. teaching of Jesus. That has been a recurrent source Anthony Wilson of strength and empowerment for Quakers over the Lichfield Meeting, Staffordshire centuries. Our witness for truth and justice is rooted there. May we not forget that! Prisoner David L Saunders A prisoner, writing about how much his contact with Caprice, Clubbs Lane, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk Friends has helped him, wonders how different it might NR23 1DP be outside the walls: ‘Would attenders still be accepting of me… us… as they are here?’ (13 November). White poppies I am afraid there is no guarantee of acceptance. As the season of Remembrance-tide draws to a Another prisoner, a sex offender, for whom I conclusion, I commend General Meeting for Scotland coordinate a support group of five dedicated Quakers, for their initiative in sending a white poppy to each was on the verge of being released. He had been a member of the Scottish assembly and to Scottish MPs member for over seven years and was the mainstay of at Westminster (30 October). I hope they have been the prison’s Quaker Meeting. Having no family ties, wearing them, though not many have been in evidence he wanted to live in a town close to us but which also on television news programmes. had a Quaker Meeting. The area safeguarding officer I must take issue with the convenor of their and I followed procedural advice from Friends House. parliamentary liaison function group, who suggests that It was explained to representatives of the Meeting acts of remembrance in some way ‘glorify war’. If this in question that four members of the support group has been her experience or perception she has been were active and experienced in Circles of Support and most unfortunate. To the best of my recollection, all Accountability and would, for as long as the Meeting of those I have attended or been involved in arranging considered it necessary, take it in turns to always

8 the Friend, 20 November 2015 [email protected]

accompany him. companionship of fellow ‘make-do or menders’, a Even so, it was clear from the initial contacts that he chance to chat and have a cup of tea. Founded in would not be welcome. Australia in the 1990s, it has become an international For a man, who has turned his life around and movement proving a lifeline for many men who find personifies the power of Quakerism, to be rejected in other social groups and clubs unattractive. this way is cruel beyond words. In his support group, Friends would find the idea much in line with our there is hurt and incomprehension and, speaking for ideas of simplicity, equality and welcome. myself, after thirty-five years as a member, I am not at If you have not heard of it yet, a search for ‘Men in all sure where I stand now. Sheds’ on Google will tell you all about it. Name and address supplied Howard Crook [email protected] Outrage in Paris People are still reeling from the terrorist attacks on Power cuts Paris, and life in Europe may not be the same again I read Peter Juler’s letter ‘Power Cuts’ (30 October) with as security will undoubtedly be higher. People’s sense interest. He invites further suggestions for illuminating of safety will feel compromised, especially in capital the non-daylight hours. I live in rural Cornwall, where cities. ‘9/11’ and ‘7/7’ are still within memory. Now there are no street lights. I carry a wind-up/dynamo this outrage will likely be dubbed ‘13/11’ unless the torch in my car at all times, and another one in my Americans describe it as 11/13. The horror of 13 coat pocket in winter; this ensures I never come to November is very much a black Friday in many people’s my torch and find the battery flat. These torches are minds. available in different shapes and sizes from various It could be that Europe, used to peace since world manufacturers (no product placement here). You will war two, has been lulled into a false sense of security. find them in the outdoor pursuit retailers and in the One country that understands the full threat of Islamic sections of magazines, journals and websites that sell terror, where I worked for ten years, is Israel. It is slightly ‘unusual’ or ‘different’ things. I also have a long surrounded by Islamic states, many of whom have strip-light-type torch (with a hook on one end and a issued threats on Israel’s annihilation as a democratic magnet on the other). It is rechargeable from the mains state. I witnessed suicide bombs at close range and and from the car’s twelve-volt outlet. I bought this in a could fully understand the security measures taken to builders’ merchant. protect innocent citizens from impossible to predict Wind-up/dynamo head torches are also available as attacks, although the world seemed to expect Israel to are dynamo radios, which may be a useful resource remain with its hands tied. during a powercut. Now the spectre of terror appears to be on our Richard Halliday own doorsteps. The talk from France seems to be of St Austell Meeting, Cornwall high security and even ‘war’. Why is Israel criticised for doing the same? As Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, put it: ‘We live in a tough neighbourhood.’ Europe may not live in a ‘tough neighbourhood’ but, with the latest migrant crisis, In essentials unity, mostly from Islamic countries, we may find that that in non-essentials liberty, neighbourhood is slowly but surely moving to us – we may even need advice from Jerusalem. in all things charity. Colin Nevin Bangor, Northern Ireland The Friend welcomes your views. Men in sheds Is there any Friend out there who is involved in the Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). development of this very fascinating self-help initiative among the men of the UK? Please include your full postal address, even Having just read The Men’s Sheds Movement by when sending emails, and specify whether you Barry Golding and, hopefully myself being part of a wish for your postal or email address or Meeting name to be used with your name. local launch in Bourton-on-the-Water, I would be glad to hear from anyone with experience of a Shed. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion Small or large, they provide a meeting and and may be edited. work place for older men who might enjoy the

the Friend, 20 November 2015 9 Economic justice

Positive money

Sue Holden writes about money creation and the need for monetary reform

e were at a Quaker conference on economic I was inspired to reach out to those who are unaware justice, sitting in home groups and discussing of the unjust way in which money is created. I mused on the world’s economic problems, when my the possibility of being funded by the Joseph Rowntree Wneighbour turned to me and whispered in my ear: ‘You Charitable Trust (JRCT) in order to take the message realise that the problems we are discussing result from to Quaker Meetings around the country. I put in an the fact that ninety-seven per cent of all our money is application and, to my delight, was successful. created by private profit-seeking banks as debt.’ Over the last eighteen months I have done just that. At first, I couldn’t take in what he was saying. Money JRCT gave me a grant that enabled me to visit sixteen creation had never been mentioned to me before. It Area Meetings over a period of eighteen months. These had certainly never come up at any Quaker conference included North and Mid Wales, North London, Devon on economic justice that I had attended. I was rather and Cornwall and various others in between. surprised. My neighbour, having made his comment, saw my reaction to it, and then continued: ‘You don’t Obstacles and opportunities have to believe me, read The Grip of Death by Michael R o w b o t h a m’. My full workshop ran from 11am to 3.30pm, with I am not much of a reader, but discovered that the a lunch break in between. In the morning I offered book was free on the Internet. I had a look and, after a description of the existing money system and the perusing the first chapter, was hooked. It was then that problems it causes. We started with the first ten minutes I discovered Positive Money: a group of young people of Paul Grignon’s Money as Debt video in order to giving their all to researching and raising awareness introduce an historic perspective. This was followed of the current money system, with well thought-out by members of the group reading a short, ten-minute, ideas for establishing a more stable economy. I went to play that I wrote, which offered a child’s perspective on the second annual Positive Money conference, trained money creation. The morning session finished with a as a Positive Money speaker and became a passionate twenty-minute video clip of Ben Dyson describing ‘the disciple of the monetary reform campaign. problem’ at an early Positive Money conference. The morning was punctuated by a couple of ‘turn to your The present system of money neighbour’ slots for folk to hear their own voices. The afternoon session took the form of a forty- I am not an economist. I’m not good at dealing with five-minute slide show illustrating Positive Money’s statistics, graphs and percentages. However, I am a full proposals. We then broke into small groups to Quaker. As Quakers we are known for our involvement address two questions. First, what are the obstacles in promoting social justice. I became passionately as individuals and/or groups to get behind monetary concerned about the way the present system of money reform? Second, what are our opportunities to get creation flies in the face of our Quaker testimonies to behind monetary reform? truth, peace, equality and simplicity. I’ve always tried to remember that I’ve been asking

10 the Friend, 20 November 2015 my audience to accept in three hours something that took me six months to understand – that money is created as debt and the wider implications of this fact. I have aimed to whet the appetite for continued learning and I have always left behind material and suggestions to encourage further research.

Truth is power

Truth is power. I felt more powerful once I had been initiated into the truth behind the nigh-on fraudulent monetary system and the way it contributes to so much instability and injustice in society. To me, it is more important to spread the word about the nature of the problem than be definitive about the solution. It has not always been easy. Since I completed my tour recently, it is difficult to evaluate the true impact. Whilst I’ve probably recruited well over 100 new supporters for Positive Money, I have received a smaller response to the questionnaire I send out three months after my visit. Sometimes I think of the tour as a small drop in a very large ocean. However, almost all who did respond have at least raised the topic with family and friends. Most have visited the Positive Money website, read further and watched video clips. Many have written to their MPs. A few have moved their money. The series of workshops has, nevertheless, provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the wider implications of allowing money to be created as debt and the way this process counters every one of our Quaker testimonies. I think of myself as having sent out money creation awareness tendrils into various communities around the country, with the hope that some Friends, at least, might feel inspired and impassioned to pick up the baton. I am pleased to have learned recently that members of the North London Meeting I visited are planning a bigger, more centrally placed workshop on the topic in October 2016. After my visit folk in North Wales started an ongoing group, which has taken a proposal for starting a Quaker Credit Union to Meeting for Sufferings. There is also a move towards starting a regional Positive Money group in that area. Members of another Meeting I visited are keen to take the issue of monetary reform to Sufferings. Maybe I can count the ocean drops as two!

Sue is a member of Leyburn Meeting.

Further information: http://positivemoney.org

How Money is Made/Created by Ben Dyson can be CC. Photo: Chris Isherwood / flickr viewed at: http://bit.ly/BenDysonVideo

the Friend, 20 November 2015 11 From the archive …in a broken world

The war on the Western Front, after more than a year of conflict, had reached a stalemate by the autumn of 1915. Quakers in Britain were increasingly well informed of the situation. Friends were also beginning to get more detailed information of events elsewhere in Europe.

owards the end of 1915 news began to filter …all these buildings now emptied, closed and sealed through to Britain of terrible massacres in by Turkish authorities; the Armenian professors and Armenia. The Friend recorded a disturbing instructors killed, the others scattered; the hundreds Tstatistic on 15 October: of students, girls as well as young men, carried off, many of them to a nameless fate; churches emptied; In the House of Lords, in course of a short debate the Armenian community swept away; work at a on the Armenian massacres, Lord Bryce expressed standstill. his opinion that the report that 800,000 persons had been destroyed was probably true. …bringing comfort…

In the same edition the Friend reported correspon- Elsewhere, the broad-ranging relief work of Friends, dence from Alexandria on the situation in Armenia. It such as the support given to interned civilians, offered a human insight – the story of a refugee with ‘a continued to be reported in the magazine: terrible tale to tell’ of her experiences in Syria since the beginning of the war: The representatives of the Society of Friends, Mrs. Rozelaar and Miss Rees, arrived at Boxtel early on She was one of the civilian prisoners from Syria the morning of November 6th… to meet the interned and Asia Minor interned at Urfa… The men were civilians from Ruhleben passing through Holland to sent there from Damascus in June, the womenfolk England… After being held up for examination on following a few weeks later. Consequently they were the frontier for four hours, the train arrived near in that city on August 19th, when the massacre of midnight with 108 men and 6 women. They had Armenians began. “It seems that the massacre must had nothing to eat or drink beyond what they had have been organised, for a systematic house-to- with them on leaving Ruhleben at 7 that morning house visitation took place. All the men were shot and many were in a state of exhaustion, so that or otherwise done to death, and the women and the refreshments liberally provided by the people of children were turned out of the town into the desert, Boxtel put new life into them. where most of them starved to death.” Immediately after the Urfa massacre the Turks As well as the Friends Ambulance Service, which began sending their female prisoners away; hence celebrated the completion of its first year’s work with the arrival of many of those refugees in Egypt. The a concert and dinner, there was a British Ambulance correspondent reports that in August a large part of Unit for Italy in which some Friends served. On 19 the Syrian population had fled inland, and Beyrout November there was a report of their activities: is like a city of the dead, continually quaking under rumours of an impending bombardment by the The mud has been very bad and on several of our cruisers of the Allies. The oil supply has given out and most severe nights’ work the rain has been torrential. provisions are scarce. In the mountains with so much traffic on the roads particularly at night, and even under conditions A later report on American missions in Turkey, compelling the disuse of lights, it is a wonder that published on 3 December, provided more information we have no severe accident to relate… Our chief on the unfolding tragedy: difficulty has been due to want of men… as there has

12 the Friend, 20 November 2015 been a call for day and night work without ceasing with gifts of toys (dressed dolls, stuffed animals, or for nearly all the past week… We cannot praise too wooden animals which will last and be a permanent highly the spirit of the drivers and mechanics in source of pleasure to the little owners). We do not these circumstances who have worked day and night want expensive things… but they should be durable without complaint. and practical… Friends in many of the London meetings are Queen Alexandra Hospital kindly planning to hold parties of the alien families in their districts, at which these presents will be British Friends were extremely well informed of the distributed. About twenty Christmas trees would be work done in their name. A report on 12 November an acceptable donation… carried a description of the daily duties of hospital Besides these presents we very much desire to be orderlies at the Queen Alexandra Hospital: able to give to each family an additional grant, say one shilling for an adult and sixpence for each child, First, the patients must be wakened and either to enable them to have a good dinner on Christmas induced or assisted to wash – a task which varies in Day. We hope to send out with the money a menu, length according as the number of lying down cases worked out by an expert, showing how, for the money is large or small. At 6 a.m. breakfast of chocolate or sent, a dinner, – meat of some sort or a rabbit, coffee and bread and butter is served. Thereafter, with vegetables and a pudding, can be provided at until his own breakfast time, the orderly is engaged present-day prices. We hope that our men Friends on work of cleaning, – and how much there is in a will want to contribute in money towards this. ward to be cleaned no one who has not tried can imagine. For most of the day, in fact, he is scrubbing In Holland Friends had set up workshops in the or sweeping, if he is not carrying meals. refugee camps. At Ede some of the refugees were involved in planning a party. A report was carried in the Great quantities of clothes were needed for those who edition of 24 December: had lost everything. Many Friends were involved in gathering ‘bundles’ for distribution. In the 3 December Our own workroom has been enlarged… [and] here edition S R Day writes from Bar-le-Duc: about 60 girls are variously employed. At present great amusement is afforded by the toys which the One is sometimes tempted to believe that sewing- girls are busily making for Christmas. Wonderful classes and working bees labour under the delusion animals and dolls and Teddy Bears are evolved that all the children in France were born in 1911 from scraps of material and waste wool and fibre. and are all girls, so many bales disgorge mountains There is to be a Christmas party arranged and paid of little girls’ garments! Sometimes, too, we fear that for by these girls; each girl is giving 1/2d. per week we are inculcating vanity in the young. Children out of her wages and may bring one or perhaps two jump for joy when they see the new dresses emerging children to a tea. The collected pence will nearly, if from their bundles, while one wee mite of three, a not quite, cover the expense of the tea, and as we are fair-haired, blue-eyed, solemn creature, fitted with hoping to make almost all the toys for these children a knitted coat refused point-blank to take it off and in our workrooms, they themselves will have the marched triumphantly home in it. happiness of giving Christmas cheer to the little ones.

Planning for Christmas And by the way…

In England the Emergency Committee for Helping The war, however, did not totally dominate the pages Aliens was in touch with over a thousand adults, mostly of the Friend. On 12 December a book review on The the wives of interned men, and about 1800 children, Antiquity of Man informs Friends that: many of whom were suffering from hardship and poverty. As Christmas approached the Friend, on 3 The Piltdown skull represents the oldest human December, carried an appeal by the committee for help: remains yet found in England. “All the essential features of the brain of modern man are to be seen in Most of the homes will be sad and lonely this the Piltdown brain-cast.” Christmas from the absence of the husband and father. Our Committee feels that some special kindness shown at that time would be doubly welcome… ‘From the archive’ is researched and compiled by Janet Friends in country places might be glad to help us Scott. She is a member of Cambridgeshire Area Meeting.

the Friend, 20 November 2015 13 Experiment with Light

Surrendering to the Light

Shanthini Cawson reflects on her experience

t is sometimes hard to imagine that eighteen years the Delphian inscription says. To be curious about that ago we were making our way from Canada to the which is not my concern, while I am still in ignorance of UK looking for a more peaceful, meaningful way of my own self, would be ridiculous… Am I a monster more Ilife and ended up being wardens at a Quaker Meeting complicated and swollen with passion than the serpent house. Now, here we were going to a Quaker retreat at Typhon, or a creature of a gentler and simpler sort, to Shallowford House on Experiment with Light. whom nature has given a diviner and lowlier destiny?’ While being wardens we had also taken to Meeting (Phaedrus, 229-30) for Worship like ducks to water. We attended nearly every Meeting for Worship for eighteen years. So, To know yourself is to find the truth about oneself, when my husband Dave and I were first introduced says Rex, and getting to the truth through the silence to Experiment with Light at our Local Meeting we and stillness, the patient waiting, the promptings of recognised its potential quite quickly. conscience. So, what does Experiment with Light really We followed Rex Ambler’s six steps religiously, and do for us? More importantly, what does it do for me? we all stayed with the programme for at least ten years, As George Fox said: ‘What canst thou say?’ meeting once a month. It was a deeply meaningful Experiment with Light is a slow and steady process, practice for all of us, and the core group remained and, even if nothing ‘special’ happened during while others came and went. Strangely enough, I meditation, I always left with an awaking of this ‘life never felt the need to explore the reasons behind the and love and unity with other human beings’. Meeting practice until quite recently. Since then we have moved for Worship does this, too, in a sense, but Experiment and have been with two other groups, each exploring with Light had the capacity to take me even further, slightly different methods of experimenting with the particularly when I allowed the Light in or was able to Light. When a member of the Experiment with Light let more Light in. Steering Group suggested that we get more involved Was I ready to face the truth about myself? Could I do we jumped at the opportunity. It felt right. It was it this time? These questions always emerge when one time to explore the meaning behind the practice, the is tuned in to the practice. Early Friends used it to get reasons for the practice and why it holds such appeal closer to each other and to trust in each other enough to among Quakers and others. allow the deeper, often darker, thoughts to emerge and It was lovely to finally meet Rex – a caring, for the Light to dissolve these fears. gentle and very interesting person – who guided I have found this meditation especially helpful when us throughout the weekend and gave us clear, deep I have had some darkness in my own life. It is uncanny insights into the practice. He is, as they say, walking how the Light dissolves these fears and then I am more the walk. According to Rex, Experiment with Light is able to deal with the situation. To talk about one’s a practice to find the truth by knowing ourselves. So, darkness is very difficult and it is only really possible if what does that mean, then, to ‘Know Oneself’? We there is complete trust and acceptance within a group. know that the words ‘Know Thyself’ was inscribed in It actually brings people closer if they reveal something the vestibule of the temple at Delphi: of themselves. Our own vulnerability is what makes us human and lovable. So, we should not be afraid to ‘Apollo’s famous imperative “Know Thyself” expresses ‘surrender to the Light’. Rex says in his guided meditation an inner wisdom widely acknowledged in the world’s that ‘this is a process we do well to go through again and sacred traditions. Many ancient Greeks understood it again, so that we can continue to grow and become more as prescriptive advice, a restorative cure for mankind’s like the people we are meant to be’. ills; others took it as a prophetic riddle to be solved. For Socrates it was both, and his life exemplified the importance of its message: “I must first know myself, as Shanthini is a member of Liverpool Meeting.

14 the Friend, 20 November 2015 a look at the Quaker world [email protected]

Yeowhihafo Community,

A steaming dish, a chance a slow oven in a mixture of tomato cake and art phone call and the inventiveness puree and yeast extract. of four foodie Friends inspired ‘The name came from the Artistic and adventurous Reading Friend Lyn Wright (née first letters of the women Friends at Tavistock Meeting in Harris) to get in touch with Eye: involved: “yeo” – Yeoman, “whi” Devon held what they hope will be ‘I was talking on the phone – Whiteman, “ha” – Harris (my the first of a new annual event in today to my daughter in Brighton mother) and “fo” – Ford. October. and discovered that we were both ‘There is a possibility that it was Local Friend Sandy Douglas about to enjoy a dish of delicious from Saffron Walden, not Barnet, writes: ‘As part of Quaker Week Yeowhihafo for our teas. as we lived some time with both. (3-11 October) the Tavistock ‘This is a dish invented during ‘It set me wondering if the Meeting held an art exhibition to the last war by a group of Quaker children of any of these families celebrate the amazing talent of our women from New Barnet are still eating Yeowhihafo, members and attenders.’ consisting of grated carrot, sliced which is being passed down the The exhibition included onions, rolled oats (Quaker, of generations, as it is in my family. I sculptures by Bill Cramer and course!) and cheese. All cooked in would love to know.’ David Williams, photography by Alan Ray-Jones and Vic Ashton, mixed media pieces by Maggi The question of churches Squire and Wendy Miller, paintings by Angela Hooper and drawings by Church buildings have been discussed in the Guardian in recent Mary Andrews. months, with both Giles Fraser and Simon Jenkins writing on the subject. The exhibition, however, was not One paragraph in Simon Jenkins’ piece of 22 October, entitled just a feast for the eyes: ‘To entice ‘England’s churches can survive – but the religion will have to go’, caught visitors through the door free cake the attention of Jenny and Laurie Andrews, from Essex: ‘I have on my was on offer, these cakes were wall a picture of a Georgian tithe-collector squeezing cash out of a particularly unusual as they had protesting Quaker merchant. The tithe is to maintain the vicar in the been made by the male members style to which “heritage” has accustomed him, and the merchant wants of our Meeting. For many this was none of it.’ This conjuring of the Quaker merchant is to illustrate a point the first time they had made a cake regarding public ownership of Church of England properties. He goes on: (living adventurously). In one case ‘When the medieval church stung the nation’s taxpayers to erect grandiose it had taken eighty-five years. buildings, it offered no exemption to unbelievers. Nor when the Victorians ‘The cake and art were a great rebuilt these churches was there any relief of tithes. success, bringing a real feeling of Today’s churches belong to all of us for the simple reason that all of us community, and we hope that this paid for them in the first place.’ will become an annual event.’

Some Friends’ teetotal tendencies have not always won favour, particularly not with those who have a discerning taste in tipples. Rosalind Kaye, of Colchester Meeting, spotted evidence of this in My Dear Hugh: Letters from Richard Cobb to Hugh Trevor-Roper and others, edited by Tim Heald. Vintage In a letter written to Hugh Trevor-Roper, dated 21 January 1989, Richard Cobb writes: ‘Yes, I do agree about the Quakers, a close-knit, dangerous vitriol community, extremely self-satisfied, and with a thing about drink. ‘I suffered under one, a very rich, very self-assured Amercian… In the summer of 1935, when I was doing some part-time work in their headquarters in the Fleischmarkt [in Vienna]. ‘More recently, I went over to Saffron Walden to talk to a couple about a Merton contemporary of mine… and they gave me lunch, with APPLE JUICE to wash it down: one of the worst experiences of my life… Whatever

Photo: jenny downing / flickr CC. / flickr downing Photo: jenny one may say about Catholics, they do give you a decent drink.’

the Friend, 20 November 2015 15 20 Nov 17/11/15 14:20 Page 6

Friends&Meetings Deaths MUSICIANS for PEACE and DISARMAMENT Rachel E DARLINGTON Presents a 3 November, peacefully at home. Widow of Deryk. Member of CONCERT FOR PEACE Bournville Meeting, formerly of 7.30pm WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2015 Kelso and Northfield. Aged 89. ST JAMES’S CHURCH Funeral at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Selly Oak, Birmingham 12 noon 197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL Friday 27 November. Wagner Siegfried-Idyll Haydn Cello 2 Schubert 3 Conductor Howard Williams Soloist Joy Lisney Patricia GILLETT (née Midgley) 2 November. Widow of Roger, For details, online booking and ticket order form go to mother of Martin, Patrick, Donald www.mana.org.uk or have a word on 020 8455 1030 and Godfrey. Member of Sale Meeting. Aged 94. Funeral at NAMING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS Altrincham Crematorium, 3pm Friday 27 - Sunday 29 November. Friends & Meetings Friday 20 November. Memorial Thomas Swain. As part preparation meeting to be announced. Personal entries (births, marriages, for Yearly Meeting 2016! What am I deaths, anniversaries, changes of supposed to be doing? £165. Patricia HILL 9 November, peace- address, etc.) charged at £22.80 Glenthorne Quaker Guest House. incl. vat for up to 35 words and fully at home of cancer. Wife of Grasmere. Tel: 015394 35389, includes a copy of the magazine. Roger, mother of Godfrey and Laura, Email: [email protected] Meeting and charity notices grandmother to Finley, Isobel, (changes of clerk, new wardens, Angus and Rosemary. Member of SATISH KUMAR: SOIL, SOUL, changes to meeting, diary, etc.) Derby Meeting, formerly Aberdeen, SOCIETY Working towards a more £19 zero rated for vat. Max. 35 Sutton Coldfield and Wimbledon. holistic world view we can act to words. 3 Diary or Meeting up Aged 68. Funeral at Mugginton bring Environment, Spirituality and entries £45.60 (£38 if zero rated); Church, Derbyshire DE6 4PG, Humanity together... Saturday 21 6 entries £81 (£67.50 zero rated). 12 noon, Wednesday 25 November. November 2 – 5pm. The Meditatio Notices should preferably be pre- Funeral directors: Centre, London EC1R 1XX. paid. Cheques payable to ‘The [email protected] [email protected] 020 7278 2070 Friend’. Deadline usually Monday. Telephone 01332 550033 or Entries are accepted at the editor’s [email protected] THE ART OF WORSHIP with The discretion in a standard house Kindlers. Wednesday 25 November, style. A gentle discipline will be Diary 6.30 for 7pm start – 8.30pm. exerted to maintain a simplicity of ‘Needing others: hurting and helping.’ style and wording that excludes terms of endearment and words JUST THIS DAY Silence, words and Participatory worship workshop led by Thomas Swain, Philadelphia YM. of tribute. Ask for a copy of our music. Wednesday 25 November. Guidelines. Join in wherever you are. Log on to Experiencing, questioning, exploring. www.justthisday.org at 10am to be Friends House, Euston, London. Free. The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL with us in the morning at St Martin- T 01535 630230. in-the-Fields or 6.30pm at St James's BE SURE TO KEEP IN TOUCH... E [email protected] Church, Piccadilly in the evening. Put all your family notices in the Friend! Quaker Congo Partnership UK We are seeking new trustees They should have experience of the Quaker business method and an interest in sub Saharan Africa. Some knowledge of French, fundraising and development work would also be valuable. QCP UK contributes funding and mentoring to projects managed by Congolese Quakers, all based near Lake Tanganyika and the Burundian border. The projects include a small hospital, trauma counselling, women’s credit and clean drinking water. We work mainly by email; meeting three or four times a year in Leicester, Cambridge or Manchester. If you are interested, check our website - www.quakercongo.org - or contact Hannah Morrow - [email protected] - for more information. Reg charity no. 1159781

16 the Friend, 20 November 2015 20 Nov 17/11/15 14:20 Page 7

Can we work together to give a life-changing education to young Bolivians? The “Internado” hostel, originally established by Bolivian, Irish and US Quakers, provides a safe and secure home in the town of Sorata in the Bolivian Andes for about 20 secondary-school children. They come from surrounding villages, and would not be able to attend school without this boarding house (see The Friend, 14 August 2015). The cost of this life-changing hostel is only £300 per student per year – but funding is an ongoing struggle in the current economic climate. What if, say, 20 Friends or Meetings were each able to contribute £25 a month (£300 a year)? Such a “Friends of the Internado” network could provide much- needed ongoing support for this exceptional facility. We welcome inquiries, ideas, help with organisation and potential offers of financial support. If this special project speaks to you, we would be very glad to hear from you! Chris Stotesbury (Wincanton Meeting): [email protected] Denise Gabuzda (Cork Meeting): [email protected] or telephone 00 353 21 455 4702

Quaker Week issue still Britain Yearly Meeting available! We have had great feedback for Vibrancy in Meetings our special colour Quaker Week Programme Co-ordinator issue. You can still buy them at £1 each in Salary: £25,841 (£32,302 pro rata) subject to review. Contract Fixed multiples of 10, including UK post! Term - 3.5 Years. Hours: Part-time – 28 Hours Per Week (including Send orders with a cheque payable some evenings and most weekends). Location: Flexible and TBC to The Friend to: Penny Dunn, The Friend, We're seeking an enthusiastic, pragmatic, optimistic person to 173 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ co-ordinate the Vibrancy in Meetings Pilot Programme. You will lead a team of regionally based development workers to find ways of helping Quaker meetings get the support they need and want from Britain Yearly Meeting, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, other Quaker groups and each other. Celebrating You will deliver this exciting, new pilot programme to trial a different Our Nontheist way of supporting Quaker communities to develop into what they Friends want to become. If you can say yes to these questions, we’d love you Diversity Network to apply: Exploring Varieties of • Can you lead a small, dispersed, national team to deliver high quality community development work, making the best use of the Nontheist Experience resources at your disposal? Sharing experiences and • Do you have the skills to help your team prioritise their work in the learning from one another. ways that will best enhance the life of Quaker meetings? Engage with ways of being • Can you plan, co-ordinate and help evaluate the programme, being clear about what needs to happen and why, and making it happen and expressing ourselves in a joyful and open way? Woodbrooke Quaker • Are you a good listener who is open to exciting ideas, but with the Study Centre ability to test and develop ideas with rigour? Birmingham B29 6LJ 1–3 April 2016 • Are you sympathetic to Quaker values and committed to the concept of developing more vibrant Quaker meetings? Bursaries can be applied for. For more details and • Can you work effectively with diversity and overcome barriers Registration Form please visit diplomatically, even when things get difficult? www.nontheist-quakers.org.uk Closing Date: Thursday 3 December 2015 (12pm) Or contact Interviews: Monday 14 or Wednesday 16 December 2015 in Birmingham. Sarah Siddle, For further details please visit www.quaker.org.uk/jobs 16 Maltby Court, Darlington DL1 4DZ Registered charity no: 1127633. [email protected]

the Friend, 20 November 2015 17 20 Nov 17/11/15 14:20 Page 8

Classified advertisements 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] the Friends where to stay GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS Classified ads Quarterly Standard linage 56p a word, semi- B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. display 84p a word. Rates incl. Quakerism and Explore Birmingham and the Midlands vat. Min. 12 words. Series dis- or relax in 10 acres of gardens and counts: 5% on 5 insertions, 10% Judaism issue woodland. Close to Bournville and public on 10 or more. Cheques payable transport. Wonderful library, delicious to The Friend. November 2015 meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call The Friend, 54a Main Street, “This issue is scholarly 0121 472 5171. Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL and yet deeply personal. Tel. 01535 630230 EDINBURGH. City centre accommodation Email [email protected] It examines with at Emmaus House. Tel. 0131 228 1066. www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk respect and tenderness Email: [email protected] both the relationship Scottish charity SC042957. RETREATS between and the core HEALING AND RELAXATION RETREATS essence of each faith. COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING Claridge House Quaker Centre in beautiful Surrey countryside. Vegetarian/special diets. The articles promise A WARM PEMBROKESHIRE WELCOME See www.claridgehousequaker.org.uk or insight and inspiration awaits you in 2 cosy well equipped call 01342 832150. cottages each sleeps 4. Woodburners, in equal measure.” sea views, coastal path 2 miles. 01348 891286. [email protected] for sale & to let The issue is free to new www.stonescottages.co.uk subscribers, £20 UK, £22 ARE YOU OVER 60? Interested in living overseas. Single copies £5+70p COTSWOLDS. Spacious barn conversion at Quaker House, Leeds (behind Carlton UK post. Copies to share or in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. Hill FMH)? To join waiting list please call Woodburner. Lovely walking. 01608 Una Parker 0113 244 5454. Two bed- for study group use are 811558. [email protected]. room ground floor flat for sale soon. available at just £2.50 a copy www.cotswoldsbarn.com for 5 or more copies, KENDAL, COSY COTTAGE FLAT. books including UK postage. Two bedrooms. Adjacent Meeting House. Parking. Weeks available 14 December - 30 January. Details tel. 07580 631604, QUAKERS AND ISLAM? Read the 72-page [email protected] Quaker Universalist Group pamphlet, Islam Today: A Muslim Quaker's View. Friends Quarterly £3 including postage. Detail: qug.org.uk THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN. Regency Quakerism & Judaism house in two acres garden. B&B and Self- catering. Groups of 6-20 welcome. Please send me ...... copies of www.thedellhouse.co.uk 01684 564448. miscellaneous this issue. Cheque enclosed for £...... payable to The Friend, HANDPAINTED FLORAL CARDS at £2.50 per copy, minimum 5 (as sold in Quaker Centre), for individual copies, to include UK postage. purchase and/or sell at Meeting. View online: londonflowerportraits.weebly.com I am a new subscriber please Large £1, small 75p plus p&p. Coasters, mugs, calendars on request. Proceeds to send me my free copy. Cheque Quaker Social Action. Perfect gifts. for £...... enclosed. Contact Gill Lowther: [email protected] or 07910 657328. Single copies £5+70p UK postage. Name...... PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY Address...... &TAXATION SERVICE Quaker Accountant offers friendly ...... service countrywide. You can view every issue of Self-assessment & small businesses. Postcode...... the Friend from 1914–1918 Richard Platt, Grainger & Platt online at the reduced rate of just Chartered Certified Accountants Please return to: Penny Dunn, £12 a year for individual 3 Fisher Street, Carlisle CA3 8RR The Friend, 173 Euston Road, subscribers to the Friend. Telephone 01228 521286 London NW1 2BJ. To add it to your subscription [email protected] call Penny on 020 7663 1178. www.grainger-platt.co.uk

18 the Friend, 20 November 2015 20 Nov 17/11/15 14:20 Page 9

Quaker Peace & Social Witness New Economy Project Manager Salary: £22,433 per annum (£31,407 pro rata). Contract: Fixed Term – 1 Year Maternity Cover. Hours: Part Time - 25 hrs per week. Location: Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 Frustrated by the failures of our current economic system? Want to be a driving force within a movement, building a better economic system that works for both people and planet? This is an opportunity to assume management of an exciting and ambitious project currently in its early stages. This is a key role supporting Quakers in an exploration of a vision of what a ‘new economy’ might look like and in starting to take practical action that will help to turn that vision into a reality. Key activities will include project management, research, writing and editing, event design, delivery and networking with relevant organisations and local Quakers. We are seeking a knowledgeable, flexible and enthusiastic colleague with good communication skills, a background in transition/alternative economics and experience of supporting grassroots action. Closing date: Monday 30 November (9am). Interviews: Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 December 2015. For further details and information on how to apply visit www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Registered charity no: 1127633.

the Friend, 20 November 2015 19 20 Nov 17/11/15 14:20 Page 10 vol ADVERTISEMENT DEPT EDITORIAL 173 54a Main Street 173 Euston Road Cononley London NW1 2BJ Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

T 01535 630230 F 020 7663 11-82 47 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] Britain Yearly Meeting Opening and inspiring Opportunities to offer volunteer service at events with children and young people in 2016: Want to work as a • Download information about the events and offer your service Woodbrooke online at: http://old.quaker.org.uk/cyp-volunteers-2016 Gardening Friend? or • Email [email protected] or phone 020 7663 1013 for Woodbrooke is offering a unique information and an offer of service form. opportunity to assist Garden Manager Steve Lock in developing All offers of service to be returned by 30 November 2015. Thank you. and caring for its beautiful organically managed gardens. Gardening Friends usually work in the garden for periods of two to Hammersmith Quakers need three months, joining a team of your help to build our new staff and volunteers on site. We offer room, board, expenses, Meeting House the opportunity to join available short courses free of charge and Hammersmith is a growing meeting. use of Woodbrooke’s other facilities. We are planning a new meeting house See the full role description and in a lively, residential, inner-London download an information pack at: neighbourhood. We will have to vacate www.woodbrooke.org.uk our current meeting house in three If you do not have internet access, month’s time to make way for a please call 0121 472 5171. commercial developer. Closing date: 27 November 2015 An opportunity to create a witness to sustainability Our new meeting house will be built to the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainable materials. The design is welcoming Quakers in and accessible to old and young as well as young families in the community. The beautiful round meeting room will enable us to host Criminal Justice public functions as part of our community outreach. The flexible layout will make it possible to attract many new users. Did the articles in the Can you or your meeting help? 'Prisons Week' issue of We thank the many Friends and Meetings who have already so kindly the Friend chime with your own responded to our appeal leaflet in The Friend of 28 August and concerns about the current recent mailshot. Can you help us make our vision a reality? state of our CJ System? Thank you Friends! QICJ is a network of Friends and Attenders from a wide Donations: I want to help build a new Hammersmith Meeting House spectrum of criminal justice involvement, offering mutual Name....……..…………………………………………………………………… support, the opportunity to Address…...…………………………………………………………………...... share knowledge and to ………....….……………………………………………………………………… inform ourselves more fully. ………....……...…………………...... …Postcode………………………... We hold an Annual Conference, the next one I enclose a cheque/CAF voucher for £………...…. payable to being 26-28 February 2016 Hammersmith Quakers Building Fund. Please send with this form to: in Leeds, with the theme Victoria Timberlake, Quaker Meeting, 11 Eyot Gardens, London W6 9TN 'Poverty and Power - where Please send BACS/electronic transfers as follows: is our Responsibility?' Account Name: Hammersmith Quakers Building Fund For details of the Conference Sort Code 08-92-99 Account Number: 65677410 or membership, contact: Please email [email protected] with the date and amount of transfer. Ann Jacob (Clerk) Please tick if we can send you a Gift Aid form Tel: 020 8991 0158. Email: Please tick if you need a receipt Reg. charity no. 1134215. [email protected]