Can We Have Biscuits Now? Love Requires It’ Rhiannon Grant on Nontheism 23 Aug 19/8/19 14:52 Page 1

the23 August 2019 |Friend £2.00

‘Can we have biscuits now? Love requires it’ Rhiannon Grant on nontheism 23 Aug 19/8/19 14:52 Page 1

Please respondFinal by 30call August the INDEPENDENTFriend QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843 23 August 2019 | Volume 177, No 34 www.thefriend.org

News 4 Brighton, BYM, Peterloo, and more Rebecca Hardy

Letters 6

Poetry 8 The last days Sam Donaldson

Thought for the week 9 Ideas about discernment Rhiannon Grant

Origen 10 Mysticism and sustainability Martyn Kelly

Friends in Florence 12 A fledgling Meeting Kirsten Hills

A teenage visit 14 Thinking about knife crime Tony D’Souza

From the stillness 15 Insights into Meeting for Worship Alan Johnson

Review 16 Sweetness of Unity Sue Glover Frykman

Friends & Meetings 17

What kind of approach to the Bible leads to that discovery? An intelligent analytical and critical approach has its rightful place. We then stand over the Bible as subjects investigating an object. An inversion of this subject–object relationship is, however, possible. We then approach the Bible not mainly to criticise, but to listen; not merely to question, but to be challenged, and to open our lives penitentially both to its judgments and to its liberating gospel.

George Boobyer, 1988

Quaker faith & practice 27.30 News [email protected]

Meeting pulls MP ‘We cancelled because talk amid threats of those we rely on for our violence security – the police and Brighton Meeting House our private security firms was the third venue in – had both told us they less than a week to cancel couldn’t guarantee there would be no violence if an event with MP Chris Part of the human chain in Manchester. Photo: Rob Phillips. Williamson after they were we allowed the meeting to go ahead. We also had an warned that there may precious.’ email from Friends House Inquiry is not limited be violence. The Derby Several people thanked discouraging us because to any time, nor is it in North MP was suspended Quakers in Britain for they were already getting a response to any specific from the Labour Party the decision, with one in February for claiming lot of negative comments situation.’ tweeting: ‘Thank you for Paul Parker said: ‘We are that Labour had been ‘too on Twitter about hosting ensuring that your Meeting apologetic’ in the party’s the event.’ committed to making sure House continues to stand Quaker communities are anti-Semitism row. She added that the issue for love, tolerance and Penny Cloutte, from highlighted the difficulties safe and inclusive places, spirituality.’ for all ages. We look Brighton Meeting, told Friends experienced in Brighton Quakers the Friend that when the negotiating bookings: ‘We forward to using IICSA’s tweeted on 12 August: findings to improve talk was first proposed, found that we had landed ‘We know there have been after ‘careful thinking’, in the midst of a bitter fight safeguarding in Quaker strong feelings aroused Meetings.’ the Meeting decided to between the left and right regarding the booking go ahead with the event of the Labour Party and the and cancellation of a talk because of ‘freedom of differing, highly charged by Chris Wiliamson MP. ‘Human chain’ for speech’. However, before perspectives on the conflict We have not had time to Peterloo massacre the talk on socialism and in the Middle East.’ consider this as a whole Around 150 people inequality on 8 August, Quakers in Britain Quaker community in showed the power of silent the police contacted the tweeted that the event Brighton and will respond action with a ‘human Meeting to tell them that had been cancelled on more thoroughly once we chain’ around the wall of a previous venue had 8 August: ‘Quakers in have done so.’ the Central Manchester cancelled the event due Britain recognise that Meeting House to to violent threats. The anti-Semitism is a real and BYM on IICSA commemorate the 200th talk was also pulled at growing problem in the The Independent Inquiry anniversary of the Peterloo Brighthelm Church and UK and globally. Anti- into Child Sexual Abuse massacre. According to Community Centre, after Semitism, as with all forms (IICSA) has begun a new Manchester Friends, part Labour MP for Hove Peter of racism, contravenes our investigation into child of the wall surrounding Kyle intervened. fundamental belief that protection in religious the Meeting house was Penny Cloutte said: all people are equal and organisations and settings. standing in 1819 when Britain Yearly Meeting the massacre happened, (BYM) has been asked, during which peaceful WORDS with other denominations, protestors were crushed to provide evidence for the against it by the military. Inquiry. A spokesperson Anthony Froggett, ‘Visitors often say the told the Friend that Paul co-clerk of Central Parker, recording clerk for Manchester Meeting, told BYM, will shortly be in the Friend that people Meeting house is an touch with Area Meeting formed the ‘human chain’ clerks and safeguarding on 18 August by holding oasis of calm.’ coordinators: ‘This new hands and encircling phase in the ongoing the Meeting house to Sue Proudlove, manager of Venue 40 – what the inquiry is preparing for a symbolise ‘the strength city’s central Meeting house becomes during public hearing in March of people when they are the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 2020. The scope of the united in peaceful protest’.

4 the Friend 23 August 2019 Protestors removed A Quaker from NUMBERS from Pride Guildford Meeting Quakers supported a tweeted: ‘So @ group of LGBTQ+ people PrideInSurrey said they who were removed from would only exclude a Pride event in Surrey protesters for “hateful this month for protesting and/or bigoted” speech 11 against the event’s but turns out they’ll just The average percentage increase in the cost of sponsors BAE Systems. exclude whoever they want cremation at council-run crematoriums since 2015. The attenders carrying for saying something they anti-BAE banners said don’t like.’ they were thrown out of Mace, both from Down to that it included three the event in Woking Park Funeral debt on BBC Earth, also spoke on the Quaker COs: ‘Andrew on 10 August. However, A woman who was radio. The former talked White, a company the organisers are reported supported by Quaker on BBC5 Live about the secretary, was an absolutist; in the SurreyLive online Social Action’s (QSA’s) importance of ratings for Donald Gray, Friends’ newspaper as denying ‘Down to Earth’ funeral directors, and the Ambulance Unit (FAU) the protestors entered the programme spoke on a latter was interviewed on and Royal Naval Volunteer venue. Stephen Ireland, BBC news programme this TalkRadio about funeral Reserve (RNVR), became founder of Pride in Surrey, month about her struggle poverty. head-master of Bootham said the group ‘did not with funeral debt following school. Jack Hamilton, enter the venue’ and that her brother’s death. FAU, became a civil none of his committee was Teresa Samuel told Quakers at the Fringe The Quaker singer- engineer and as the approached or initially journalist Victoria songwriter Majk Stokes senior resident engineer aware of the incident. Derbyshire on her performed new material responsible for the Stephen Ireland said: eponymous news building of the Forth Road at the Edinburgh Meeting ‘Three to four individuals programme how spiralling Bridge,’ he said. Quakers House, when, for its thirty- thought it would be okay cremation costs pushed and the Edinburgh Peace first year, the building to litter the queue line her deeper into the red. and Justice Centre held a became Venue 40 for the with leaflets, holding some Highlighting the problem workshop where visitors Edinburgh Fringe Festival. makeshift cardboard signs, of soaring funeral costs, could make their own they did not enter the which QSA has long been In addition to his origami ‘peace cranes’. venue and had upset some campaigning against, she humorous show, Make They will be added to of the community in the said: ‘I was left with a bill Tea, not War, the venue an exhibition of 140,000 queue line by challenging of over £4,000, which I hosted a programme of cranes marking the the real reasons we were could not afford.’ events, which, according dropping of the nuclear doing Pride… No member The interview on 9 to manager Sue Proudlove, bombs on Hiroshima and of this group asked August was featured just were selected to reflect Nagasaki at the end of to speak with me or a days before new data Quaker testimonies. ‘We world war two. member of our committee.’ was released that showed try to offer a programme Other events at Venue 40 However, the Peace what QSA describes as that springs from our included new drama Keep Pledge Union (PPU) said ‘a dramatic variation in Quaker values of peace, Your Chin Up, based on four people were removed cremation costs at council- sustainability, truth and war-time letters between and the incident was an run crematoriums across equality, but which also wife and husband in world ‘outrageous assault on free the UK, and an eleven per reflects our sense of fun,’ war two, and Little Rabbit, expression and all that cent average overall price she said, adding: ‘Visitors a dark contemporary fairy Pride stands for’. rise since 2015’. often say the Meeting story. The French company Symon Hill, campaigns The Quaker charity also house is an oasis of calm Piccolo Teatro Nexonnais manager for PPU, told welcomed changes in the in the middle of the busy- performed ‘The Rime of the Friend that the claims application process for the ness of the Fringe.’ the Ancient Mariner’, while by the organiser were Funeral Expenses Payment This theme of peace ran Newbury Youth Theatre ‘untrue’. He said: ‘We have recently announced by the through two free events, brought Francis Poulenc’s tweeted a photograph of Department for Work and including an exhibition on music to life. Tim Rosson inside the Pensions. It says that that Scottish resistance to world Majk Stokes tweeted: site, standing by a BAE the changes will ‘speed war one, documenting ‘Last year I’m pretty sure display. Tim’s a [Quaker] up payments for bereaved the experiences of I was the only person at PPU member and local families’ and follow conscientious objectors #edfringe doing a show gay pacifist who started months of QSA’s ‘evidence- (COs). Andrew Farrar about the environment. the petition against BAE based lobbying’. Claire from Central Edinburgh This year there are about sponsoring the event.’ Brandon and Lindesay Meeting told the Friend twenty of them.’

the Friend 23 August 2019 5 Rebellion (XR) and, I believe, by

theFriend Letters veganism. One of the founding 173 Euston Road members of XR is Rupert Read London, NW1 2BJ and he emphasises that a spiritual 020 7663 1010 path is required in caring for our www.thefriend.org planet. The Quaker doors are The Friend welcomes your views, open. Let’s lead the way! Subscriptions to [email protected]. Please Sarah Sheard UK £88 per year by all payment keep letters short. We particularly Wooldale Meeting, West Yorkshire types including annual direct welcome contributions from debit; monthly payment by children, written or illustrated. Creation of welcome direct debit £7.40; online only Please include your full postal Why do people start to come to a £71 per year. Contact Penny address, even when sending Quaker Meeting? We don’t always Dunn: 020 7663 1178 emails, along with your Meeting know but I suspect it is often [email protected] name or other Quaker affiliation. because they have some need with which they think or hope we In essentials unity, Advertising might be able to help. in non-essentials liberty, Contact George Penaluna: I’ve recently finished reading in all things charity. 01535 630230 the novel Missing Persons by Nicci [email protected] Gerrard, which contains a moving Veganism and open doors account of how a Quaker Meeting Editorial I felt proud to see The Guardian is helping one of the characters in Articles, images, correspondence Live talk at Friends House the story. should be emailed to London in April hosting Greta Felix and Isabel, in their [email protected] Thunberg, Anna Taylor and different ways, are trying to or sent to the address above. Caroline Lucas MP. We have an come to terms with the painful ageing population at our Quaker disappearance of their teenage Editor Meeting houses throughout the son, who they thought was away Joseph Jones country and in order to attract at university. Journalist the younger generation I think we Even though Felix professed Rebecca Hardy have to address veganism. no belief in God, in his distress, Production and office manager It is an essential issue that ‘every week he biked to his Elinor Smallman Quakers could lead the way on. Quaker Meeting, eleven miles away. Isabel had gone to a couple Sub-editor When you visit a Sikh temple with him, trying to understand George Osgerby you are always only served vegetarian food. I think in Quaker why they meant so much to Arts correspondent Meeting houses only vegan food him. She had seen how everyone Rowena Loverance ought to be served. It’s sending there welcomed him, how he had Environment correspondent a clear message that this is an found a new kind of family who Laurie Michaelis important spiritual value, which didn’t judge him and with whom Clerk of trustees demonstrates that Quakers listen he didn’t feel a failure, and she Paul Jeorrett and are always ready to evolve was grateful to them. Perhaps and care for our environment. they could make him better. She ISSN: 0016-1268 The football team Forest Green couldn’t – but accepting that Rovers only serves vegan food to had been a melancholy kind of The Friend Publications Limited staff, players and fans. Quakers liberation… Only Felix could is a registered charity, need to also adopt this essential rescue himself, accompanied by number 211649 spiritual message to inspire the his impartial new friends and younger generation to attend their silent ceremonies…’ Printed by Quaker Meetings. Whatever our beliefs – or lack Warners Quaker faith & practice of them – about God, we can Midlands Plc, really needs updating with a all contribute to the creation The Maltings, whole chapter addressing food of welcoming, accepting, non- Manor Lane, production and the horrors of judgemental and inclusive Quaker Bourne, factory farming. Meetings. Lincolnshire The Greta Thunberg generation Michael Hennessey PE10 9PH is inspired by Extinction Frandley Meeting, Cheshire

6 the Friend 23 August 2019 Failure or feminist? can take a long time and effort Somewhere in us all I did not expect to read a political to develop through increasing Once again, a letter in the Friend platform rant as the first item of sensitivity. It is a process we learn suggests I don’t belong in Quakers news in our religious magazine over time in linking to God within because I am unable to believe in a (9 August). A blistering attack by us. God is, as we know, in all of us God (5 July). Ruth Cadbury MP accusing Boris irrespective of beliefs. One letter writer said they didn’t Johnson of being happy to chuck I do hope the true understanding mean a bearded man in the sky. public servants and diplomats of differences between theists and Unfortunately that, or a variant of under a bus, demonising Muslims nontheists can be fully discussed as that, is what most people outside and being a failure as a foreign the answers are in simple truth and the Society mean by ‘God’ – hence secretary. can be obtained by discernment. my reluctance to use the word. Nimco Ali, Muslim co-founder Stuart Potter I refute the idea that spirituality of Daughters of Eve, the movement Banbury and Evesham Area is dependent on belief in an fighting against female genital Meeting external power. I believe there is mutilation (FGM), having that of God in everyone, in that originally met Boris Johnson in Adversarial attitude the qualities Quakers attribute to the street, has written: ‘I will never When I picked up the 9 August God are somewhere in us all. I forget his kindness, dedication and edition of the Friend and read the believe in turning to the Light, and commitment to helping me.’ quote on the front my heart sank. holding people in the Light, but She also writes: ‘As foreign This was not because I objected not in a supernatural force behind secretary, he used every platform to what Piers Maddox wrote in it all. available to advance the cause his piece. Whether I agree with I have been a Friend for more of female education around the him or not, he has every right to than twenty-five years, so smile world, specifically campaigning express his views. My objection somewhat at being associated to make sure that every girl gets is with the editor who chose to with entryism. People with my twelve years of quality education… misquote him on the front cover. beliefs have been likened to joining If more political leaders woke This cover is not Quakerly. It gives a club and changing the rules. up to the benefits – and the an impression of supporting what Hasn’t Quakerism done just that fundamental justice – of educating appears (correctly or incorrectly) throughout its history? There is the daughters of their countries we to be an adversarial attitude. a world of difference between would all be immeasurably better It does nothing to further Quakerism today and that of the off… Boris is not just a feminist, understanding and unity. If one of nineteenth century. My beliefs but a real champion of women’s the two articles was to be quoted have shifted over the years due to rights and for that reason he is one on the cover, then the other should questioning. of my feminist heroes.’ Nimco Ali have been as well. Please can this I attend Meeting for a variety was included in the BBC top 100 kind of thing be avoided in future. of reasons. I find it helpful in my women 2018. She was awarded an Susan Frances Edwards daily life, I value Advices & queries OBE for services to women’s rights Cockermouth Meeting, Cumbria and feel a degree of unity with the in 2019 and also a Geneva Summit wonderful people gathered there, for Human Rights and Democracy Spiritual senses but this flurry of letters is making I am surprised that Rhiannon award for her work for women’s me question whether I should Grant’s book gives Neil Morgan a international rights in 2019. contemplate exitism. headache (9 August). A demoniser of Muslims and a John Deane Nontheists have a heart and failure as a foreign secretary? Kettering Meeting, an awareness of all the rich John Gwatkin Northamptonshire Brant Broughton Meeting, sensitivities of the human spirit, Lincolnshire communicated, for instance, by Quaker tea towel poetry, art and music. They also Friends who have in these pages Sensitive discernment share the characteristic human expressed an interest in Quaker tea I would like to applaud the sense of empathy and compassion towels may like to know that an comments made in the article towards the feelings of others. organisation called the Radical Tea by Neil Morgan in the 9 August They bring all these senses Towel Company has one dedicated edition, ‘Losing our religion?’’ to bear on matters that require to Benjamin Lay. It can be found Discernment is an important discernment – senses that some at www.radicalteatowel.co.uk/tea- process for sensitives. The action would call spiritual. towels/benjamin-lay-tea-towel. of choosing the correct path rather Gordon Steel Peter Herissone-Kelly than others’ paths is one that Sutton Meeting, Surrey Yealand Meeting, Lancashire

the Friend 23 August 2019 7 Poem: The last days

Sam Donaldson

If these days are the last days I will prepare my hours a will and testimony each breath a gift each smile a legacy to pass on to the soil for the next great ascendency

if these days are the last days I will let go of each inhibition lighting a fire that will rage with its mission to burn down to ash every regret and omission

if these days are the last days each word that I speak will be my last stanza that points at the moon with a finger of wonder that denounces injustice with the claws of the lion

roaring out its reminder

that with each breath we are dying that it takes work to be kinder and that love is all that we can ever leave behind us

Sam is from Hull Meeting. Photo: Caleb Ekeroth / Unsplash. Photo: Caleb Ekeroth

8 the Friend 23 August 2019 lthough I’m not a nontheist, Recently Neil Morgan asked since Neil Morgan mentioned my book Telling the Truth about what nontheists are doing when God (9 August) I do have some ideas for him. they are discerning. Rhiannon First, what does anyone Grant has some ideas think we’re doing in Meeting for Worship for Business? Here are four possibilities: making decisions; looking for the will of God; seeking unity; and hoping it will be over soon so we can have biscuits. ‘God is already within us, In any such Meeting, I’m probably doing some or all of Athose. Do any of them require me to believe something part of the natural world unacceptable to a nontheist? Let’s pause and consider what a nontheist position is. as much as our bodies.’ Although my nontheist Friends differ in their detailed opinions, they usually say that, in their experience, there is nothing supernatural. They cannot honestly say they believe in the external existence of any kind of divinity, and only humans have personal characteristics like being loving or merciful. (Quakers who are not nontheists may also think some or all of these things.) The nontheists I know sometimes avoid the word ‘God’, but accept that poetic or fictional ways of speaking can be helpful in understanding complex and subtle things – it’s often helpful to explain complex ideas this way. Where does this leave my four things? Nothing seems to stop a nontheist Quaker from joining in with making decisions but, as Neil says, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to vote unless you also think we’re doing something else. What about looking for the will of God? Doesn’t that suggest the existence of an external divine being who has personal characteristics and communicates with us supernaturally? There are Quakers who understand the will of God in this way, and that should remain welcome among us. But there are also other ways to think about it, and I’d like to offer one possibility here. If the now-standard Quaker phrase ‘there is that of God within every one’ means that, whatever God is, some essence of God is within all people, then God is already within us, part of the natural world as much as our bodies, and nothing supernatural has to happen for God to communicate with us. Similarly, this God does not need to be external – could be, but the part we experience directly is not only within the world, but within us. And this God might only have the personal characteristics we put on God as metaphors, or by enactment through our own lives: by loving one another, for example. Perhaps the word ‘God’ is confusing. It’s so easy to get impressions of what God must be from other places, but this is a normal Quaker use of the term. An alternative might be Love, meaning not just individual love, but the overwhelming Love which speaks within us – God’s Love, a God which is not ‘real like the daisies’ but ‘real like I love you’ (to borrow from nontheist David Boulton’s 2002 book). This Love prompts us all to join in unity. Can we have biscuits now? If that’s what Love requires. n

Rhiannon is a member of Central England Area Meeting Photo: Emily Wilson / Unsplash. Photo: Emily and works at Woodbrooke.

the Friend 23 August 2019 9 What has Origen, a third century Christian mystic, got to do with the climate emergency? Or, for that matter, with the Quaker Testimony of Sustainability? Martyn Kelly looks at the ancient practice of Lectio Divina ‘The challenge to those whose faith is rooted in experience is how to process concepts that transcend any individual.’

ustainability and the climate emergency their purpose was to urge change while change was still seem like obvious bedfellows but how, possible. And therein lies the link between Origen and within the ever-fluctuating meta-Venn the IPCC report. diagrams that encapsulate modern life, It is in the writings of Origen that we find the does Origen fit into the picture? early foundations of the practice of Lectio Divina, Take a step back. Start with the latest the meditative reading of scripture that became, over report from the Intergovernmental the following centuries, a core practice, particularly Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the among monastics but also within the wider Christian impacts of global warming. It is a huge community. In a letter to Gregory of Neocaesarea and tightly reasoned document so feel free, if you prefer, Origen wrote: ‘[W]hen you devote yourself to the divine to jump straight to the twenty-four-page summary for reading… seek the meaning of the divine words which policymakers. The evidence it presents is compelling and is hidden from most people.’ Origen believed that God Swide-ranging. As a result, no scientist can claim expert – the word – was incarnate in the Bible and it could insight into every claim, although they can be respectful, therefore touch and teach readers and hearers. He taught knowing that the work is rooted in peer-reviewed that reading it reflectively (and prayerfully) could help us research (even if it is not from their own discipline) and move beyond elementary thoughts and discover a higher recognising that the authors, too, are honest about the wisdom. confidence that should be attached to each assertion. The challenge to a denomination whose faith is This is science but it is also, in a way, eschatology – rooted in experience rather than divine revelation is that part of theology concerned with the end of days. how we process concepts, such as climate change, that That takes us back almost a thousand years before transcend any individual’s experience. Secular scientific Origen, when the Old Testament prophets were writing reports such as those from the IPCC offer a distillation their predictions on the fate of Israel and Judah, of objective evidence from a far greater range of threatened by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. situations than any one of us is likely to encounter, and Isaiah, Jeremiah and the other prophetic writings of the so constitute a form of secular ‘revelation’, making them Bible are, in parts, alarming to read but that was because subjects ripe for Lectio Divina.

10 the Friend 23 August 2019 Wikimedia Commons.

Reading the IPCC reports with this specific (trying it on). meditative approach leads, perhaps naturally, to the The considered, carefully-weighted arguments of contemplation of an appropriate response. Some of the IPCC summary report are, in my opinion, an the changes that are required are structural and, as appropriate starting point for this secular Lectio Divina. such, require engagement More so, perhaps, than the writings of campaigning ‘The considered, with the political process journalists like George Monbiot. These certainly have (and the time is ripe, with their place but at this point in time the IPCC represents carefully- rumours of a general the scientific magisterium and deserves respect over any weighted election in the offing). But single opinion, however exalted. Lectio Divina offers arguments of the there is space, too, for us us the opportunity to link the climate emergency to a to reflect on individual whole range of spiritual traditions, not least confession IPCC summary responses. The broadscale and repentance. Through this process, we can be honest report are an predictions of the report with ourselves, and start the process of renewal. can each be unpacked into I’d like to finish with an extract from Quaker faith & appropriate lifestyle choices – in diet, practice (29:13). It could itself be a starting point for this starting-point in travel and more – where process. a Quaker or any other for this secular person of faith may find The truth is that we are all hurt and need healing. There Lectio Divina.’ opportunities for fruitful is a spiritual poverty among both rich and poor… If we reflection. are to be whole, we can no longer ignore the divisions Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate created by idolising wealth, success and power. n steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. But modern practitioners add a fifth step: act, or ‘go and do likewise’. Martyn is from Durham Meeting. Jan Johnson, who in Meeting God in Scripture comes up with ‘a hands‐on guide to Lectio Divina’, adds two The 2018 IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of others: silencio (relax and refocus) and incarnatio 1.5 °C can be found at: www.ipcc.ch/sr15.

the Friend 23 August 2019 11 What do you do when you need to go to Meeting, but there isn’t one? After four years there, Kirsten Hills went from occasional Quaker to the face of Friends In Florence ‘I was quite nervous, checking we had the obligatory flowers, and coffee for afterwards.’

wouldn’t say I am a dedicated Quaker, so the silence. With two young kids, and setting up my own idea that I’d play a part in setting up a new business, my days rarely allowed time for anything else, Meeting might seem absurd. My attendance and certainly little peace. I wondered about trying to has always been sporadic, but everywhere I set up a Meeting but thought it too difficult on my own have lived in the UK I have always sought and I knew of no one else who might be interested. So I out the Local Meeting – and there always tried yoga instead. was one. I would go when I felt the need for Suddenly, within the space of one week in January quiet thinking, for a time to recharge, and for this year, I met a Quaker from the US, who knew of a chance to feel a part of something bigger. another. FWCC put me in touch with a third person So Quakerism for me has always been something I’ve and it felt right to try something. engaged with on a ‘drop-in’ basis – until that is, I moved We agreed to meet at one of our homes. I was to Florence, Italy. quite nervous beforehand, checking we had a copy IMy Quaker credentials could be said to be pretty of Advices & queries, the obligatory flowers for the strong, whatever my attendance record. I was raised a table, and coffee for afterwards. Meeting is completely Quaker in Canterbury, attended Summer Schools and different in someone’s home. In many respects it’s Senior Conferences throughout my teens, was a student more intense. I found it initially slightly awkward, but I at the Quaker United Nations Office summer school have become used to it. Some Meetings have had very and had an internship at Quaker Council for European moving moments. I have a renewed sense of calm – Affairs once I’d graduated. Quakerism has always been reconnecting with Quakerism, connecting with Friends, there, shaping me in a quiet but profound way. and finally finding that silence I was seeking. I didn’t In 2011, when I moved to Florence with my Italian know any of the other members well, but they now husband and four-year-old son, I was surprised and feel like extended family. I had forgotten the power of disappointed to discover there was no Meeting. silence, and the familiarity of Quakerism. I did occasionally put messages on Facebook to I have struggled at times with the responsibility of check if anyone out there might have similar interests. being ‘the face’ of Quakers in Florence. The inevitable I contacted the Friends World Committee for question newcomers ask – ‘What is Quakerism?’ – still Consultation (FWCC), where I was told that there was a fills me with dread, knowing that my answer is always a Meeting in Bologna, but nothing in Florence. personal one, and doesn’t necessarily reflect Quakers in After four years here, I found a growing need for general.

12 the Friend 23 August 2019 Photo: Oleksandr Zhabin / Unsplash.

There have been many positive moments (with five • Social media isn’t everything. We need to work newcomers, and more than a hundred followers on on connecting locally, with all communities. Instagram), which are occasionally balanced with a set- back (such as needing to reschedule if too few of us can • Quakers are Italian too! Bologna has a healthy make it). Meeting, comprised mainly of Italians who have Later this month we will be joining our Friends in given us their valuable support. Bologna for Yearly Meeting and are expecting eight children to join us. This is the first time we’ve had • Until the early 1990s Florence did have a Meeting, children in attendance. The weekend will be hosted run by an Italian, Maria Comberti. She wrote a at Friend Evan Wilkins’ agriturismo venue in Emilia- number of articles for Friends Journal back in the Romagna. 1950s, with one of her pieces entitled ‘I’m the only We are now looking for a room to rent for Meeting Italian Quaker’. Meeting ceased when she died. in Florence. We meet on the first and third Sunday of the month and typically have between three and five • There are plenty of resources online to help people at Meeting. This may not sound very much, but support Meetings. FWCC has sent us material, I’m pleased. I have met some wonderful people and and online I’ve found articles on social media use made new friendships and these alone have made it and information on the history of Quakers very worthwhile. There’s a sense we are involved in creating helpful. some important connections and while we continue to meet in people’s homes we aim to spread the word of • Perseverance is everything. Having a quiet the Meetings more widely. confidence that there is interest in Quakers and a need for it in the community is crucial. n Six months on, here are some things that I’ve discovered: Kirsten is also a freelance videomaker.

• Social media is crucial for publicising Meeting. Quakers in Florence is a fledgling Meeting started in It’s helped us contact Friends around the world, January 2019. For more information check Facebook, who offer their support, and a number pass Twitter and Instagram accounts @QuakersinFlorence or through Florence looking for Meeting. contact [email protected].

the Friend 23 August 2019 13 ecently I had to advise my teenage nephew that it was safer to stay A teenage visit prompted indoors after dark. A young boy of colour, he was visiting from Tony D’Souza to do some Australia and was staying briefly in a deprived part of London. I thinking about knife crime told him not to go out at night because of the danger of being a victim of knife crime. This is reality for many teenagers today. Knife crime is getting worse. Last year, there were 40,829 offences. The Home Office records 285 homicides ‘Gangs are successful committeed using knives in the twelve months ending because they provide RMarch 2018, the highest figure since 1946. The media and the talking heads on TV are full of opinions on what we should do about this, but these members with a sense of musings often appear during a hand-wringing time of bewilderment following some particularly senseless belonging and purpose.’ murder. They are often well meant, but impractical. The real reasons for the wave of knife crime are too diverse and controversial for the casual soundbite, and they do not come in anodyne, easy-to-swallow platitudes. There are social forces that draw young people to gangs. Many young, working class, men feel alienated in society. Often, the only jobs open to them are low status, and for those lacking any kind of qualification, the gang is always waiting. Gangs are successful because they can provide members with a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. Gangs also offer ‘Gangs also a particular kind of camaraderie. But this comes offer members a with its own brand of particular kind hyper-masculinity – a heady mixture of casual violence of camaraderie.’ and misogyny. In all respects this is a tragic education. The gang member learns he can earn respect through violence. Friends of Jodie Chesney, the seventeen-year-old stabbed to death in March, believed that the killer may have been ‘dared to stab a random person to show their loyalty’. Violence is the currency of seniority and notoriety. What can we do to change things? I can remember telling a group of gang members in a London prison that masculinity was not about violence, sex and drugs but about being responsible for your family and going to work on a Monday morning. Predictably, this was met with roars of laughter. But I think something got through. Or maybe they laughed because they saw me as a quaint anachronism – a practitioner of a kind of masculinity they only ever came across in black-and-white films. The only way to challenge gang culture is to convey to these young people that life is better than death (the appeal of death seems to have the same pull for gang members as it does for terrorists). This is a very tough call because the devil, as ever, has all the best tunes. But an encounter with the living God can change everything (it also works for alcoholics). I know it works, because I have seen it work. Sometimes, it is the only thing that can. n

Photo: Reza Hasannia / Unsplash. Photo: Reza Tony is from Finchley Meeting.

14 the Friend 23 August 2019 n chapter two of Quaker faith & practice, Many Friends have tried to Friends describe their experiences in Meeting for Worship. In particular, 2.11 reminds us describe a Meeting for Worship. that individual experience, valuable as it is, ‘is not sufficient, and in a Meeting held in the Alan Johnson offers his own Spirit there is a giving and receiving between its members, one helping another with or insights ‘from the stillness’ without words. So there may come a wider vision and a deeper experience’. At the beginning of Meeting for Worship, I am conscious of a flurry of questions in my head. For ‘This is the certainty whom who shall I pray? What shall I pray about? What can I do for those overwhelmed by events? How do I in which I hope to be Idecide? But we may all be praying for different things, and different people. Perhaps a family member is in poor health, or I need to sustain myself during the present enveloped.’ crisis, or to remember what I can do in a wider Quaker context. And then, in the words of John Greenleaf Whittier, ‘through the earthquake, wind and fire, O still, small voice of calm’ breaks into my consciousness. I can hear the deep stillness. This is where the Spirit moves. This is the certainty in which I hope to be enveloped. At this time, the experience has an ethereal quality. I am not anticipating what may develop. I wish to enjoy the moment before whatever may come. I believe that at some point, and it will occur at different times for different people, there will be an inflow of love, bearing warmth, comfort, clarity. Then there is a realisation that to give of oneself is the response. This I believe is a time of purity of intention – an expression of selflessness, unblemished by doubt. The immediacy of the requirement to ‘give over mine own willing’, to paraphrase Isaac Penington, transforms love into surrender. To me, this is The Light, the Light of Christ or, as we would rather hear it these days, ‘that there is that of God in every o n e’. What I have described is particular to me. Is it therefore fair to assume that each individual present is seeking to reach a spiritual realm supported by a deep and undisturbed stillness? Is ‘gathered’, therefore, an accumulation of spiritual energy culminating in a closer connection to God, registered emotionally in various ways? How can language convey to you what became so crystal clear to me? I have chosen a set of words to express the power of an overwhelming abstract experience. Is it left for mystics alone to seek and find a sacred space to inhabit or are there insights arising from the stillness calling us into a similar sacred space? In Gerald Hewitson’s eloquent description of a gathered Meeting for Worship, the limitations of time give way to the unrestricted flow of the spirit: ‘A Meeting where the silence is as soft as velvet, as deep as a still pool; a silence where words emerge only to deepen and enrich that silence and where presence is as palpable and soft as the skin of a peach, where the membrane separating this moment in time and eternity is filament fine’. n

Photo: Josh Boot / Unsplash. Boot Photo: Josh Alan is from Central England Area Meeting.

the Friend 23 August 2019 15 n the preface to this book, the author writes that it is aimed primarily at those Sweetness of Unity: Three with some experience of Quakerism and who understand something about Quaker hundred years of Quaker processes. Those interested in language or historical aspects of business English may minuting by Judith Roads also find nuggets of interest. Those who are, have been, or are becoming clerks, will also find the book useful in that it tells us a lot about how Friends wrote minutes in the past and how we do it today. Despite the author’s academic Sue Glover Frykman background, the words flow easily and the book is easy Ito digest and understand. What Judith Roads has done is to randomly collect and transcribe material from Quaker minute books, alongside those from some non-Quaker historical sources (for comparison purposes), from a period ranging from the late seventeenth century up to the middle of the nineteenth century. The book sets out to answer the following questions, which I have paraphrased as: Did old Quaker minutes look like the ones we produce today? What did they do differently from today? What changes can be found over the centuries? Were the processes, phrases and vocabulary different from present-day language, and if so, how? Did Quaker processes and minute books differ from those of the non-Quaker world of past centuries? Judith has discovered that there are differences between how Quakers did (and wrote) things in the past and how we do (and ‘The author write) them today; many of which are fascinating has discovered and range from subjects differences like behaviour, sufferings, property and housekeeping between how and reports. She also looks Quakers did at what was in the past the annual and time-consuming (and wrote) exercise of ‘Answers to things in the Queries’, which bulked out many a minute book, past and how we and how minutes were do (and write) produced in practical terms. There are linguistic them today.’ differences too – from God-language, to style, tense, civility and the language of giving instructions, to specialised Quaker jargon. Judith also compares Quaker minutes with non-Quaker historical minute writing and makes some interesting observations. All this is just a taster. I’m confident that any potential reader will savour the ‘sweetness of unity’ contained in the book’s pages, and discover for themselves the mysteries of Quaker minute writing across the ages.

Sweetness of Unity can be ordered by writing to roads4@ me.com. The cost is £5 plus postage and packing.

Sue is from Sweden Yearly Meeting.

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Friends&Meetings Memorial meetings Diary Parents, Joan GODDARD A Memorial DOLOBRAN LATE SUMMER Meeting to celebrate Joan’s life will be GATHERING Sunday 1 September. Grandparents, held at 2.30pm, Sunday 15 September Bring picnic to eat from 1pm. Meeting in Barbon Village Hall, Barbon, for Worship 2.30pm, followed by Overseers Carnforth LA6 2LL. Please let Isobel tea provided by Dolobran and know if coming: 01494 758987 or Montgomery Friends. All welcome. Send your students off with [email protected] Details/directions: Simon and a reduced rate subscription Sophie 01938 500746, email: to the Friend! Diamond weddings [email protected] SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY Gordon and Patricia (née Holland) QUAKER CHAPLAINCY The STEEL were married in Sutton Chaplaincy on Highfield campus Meeting House on 29 August 1959. re-opens on 23 September. The first We met at, married at and are still Quaker Meeting will be 12.30pm happily Meeting at Sutton Meeting Tuesday 1 October, and every after 60 years together. Tuesday thereafter. Contact Frank Boulton; [email protected] Changes of address All University community welcome. What better way to send them off to college or university than with a Diana and Nick FRANCIS are Do you have special student rate subscription downsizing just around the corner, to: to The Friend for just £65 a year.* 27 Kipling Avenue, Bath BA2 4RB family news? Save a whopping £23 on the standard rate! Return with a from 28 August. Phones and emails Make sure to let everyone stay the same. cheque payable to The Friend or know with a notice in call Penny on 020 7663 1178. the Friend! Individual online access can be added for a further £5 a year. Simply send £70 and complete the Friends & Meetings student’s email address below. NEW RATES FROM 1 JULY 2019 theFriends Personal entries (births, marriages, Student name...... deaths, anniversaries, changes of address, Meeting up, etc.) Quarterly Student address...... charged at £40 incl. vat for up to Issue three 2019 35 words and includes a copy of ...... the magazine. Meeting and charity No tigers in Africa notices, (Changes of clerk, new ...... wardens, new Members, changes Felicity Kaal Postcode...... to meeting, etc.) £33.33 zero rated The Quaker mariner for vat. Max. 35 words. Three Student email...... entries £80 (£66.66 if zero rated); Peter Bevan six entries £120 (£100 zero rated)...... DIARY NOTICES: £36 incl vat for Experiences of the Light: up to 35 words, £30 zero-rated. the Iban of Sarawak and Name of college...... Three entries £72 incl vat, £60 the Quaker way zero-rated. 6 entries £108 incl. vat Peter Varney Your name...... £90 zero-rated. Deadline usually 12 noon Monday. The ‘way’: Address...... Entries accepted at the editor’s our unifying language discretion in a standard house ...... style. A gentle discipline will be Gerard Guiton exerted to maintain a simplicity ...... of style and wording that excludes Subscribe at £20 a year UK terms of endearment and words or £22 overseas. Individual Postcode...... of tribute. Guidelines on request. copies £5 + £1 UK postage. Return with payment: The Friend, The Friend, 54a Main Street, Order online at 173 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Tel. 01535 630230 www.friendsquarterly.org * Applies to full-time students in UK only. Email: [email protected] or call 020 7663 1178. Offer expires 31 October 2019.

the Friend 23 August 2019 17 23 Aug 19/8/19 15:19 Page 8

Classified advertisements 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. T: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] Classified ads where to stay to let Standard linage 61p a word, semi- COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING display 92p a word (rates incl. WINCHMORE HILL, LONDON N21. vat). Meeting and charity rates Two small comfortable rooms as bedroom THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN. Cottage 51p and 77p a word respectively and study for female student. Telephone (zero-rated vat). Min. 12 words. and apartments. Extensive gardens. Dogs 020 8882 7275. welcome. Suit couples, families and groups Series discounts: 10% on 5 of up to twenty. www.thedellhouse.co.uk insertions, 15% on 10 or more. 01684 564448. WINDERMERE. Gatesbield Quaker Cheques payable to ‘The Friend.’ Housing Association offers ground floor, VISITING FRIENDS HOUSE and need one-bedroomed flat to rent. Lovely garden The Friend Ad Dept, 54a Main St, accommodation? Quiet, garden flat setting. £741pcm. Independent living for Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL 15 minutes from Euston. Quaker discount. ages 55+. Further information from scheme Tel. 01535 630230. www.highgatehome.co.uk manager Joanne on 015394 45578 or Email: [email protected] [email protected] personal

OUR QUAKER FAMILY with a deeply Living as a Quaker held wish for another child, a sibling for our daughter, is appealing for an excep- Friday 18 - Monday 21 October tionally compassionate woman under 35 to donate an egg. Our previous advertise- Residential event for 12–15 year olds ment brought such a heartwarming response, for which we are so grateful and Young people will gather at The Sustainability Centre, East Meon, inspired to continue our search. Could Hampshire to explore Quaker values and personal beliefs you or someone you know help make our alongside centre-run activities including crafts, cooking, campfires dream come true now? We hope to find someone with shared Quaker values and and shelter building. Let your young people know! openness. Our local Meeting is supporting us in this endeavour. All medical, legal For more information and bookings please go to and counselling support provided. If you www.quaker.org.uk/events or call 020 7663 1013. can help and want more information please email us: heartwish.for.a.family@ Bookings close 21 September 2019. gmail.com. Thank you. for sale The Friend Publications COTTAGE IN WILTSHIRE. Grade 2 Listed property in the rural community of Erlestoke. Livingroom with high ceiling, TREASURER flagstone floor and beautiful inglenook fireplace. Exposed wooden floorboards, The Friend Publications produces the Friend, The Friends Quarterly another woodburner and other pretty and a small range of books. As an independent charity the work is features. Three bedrooms with Planning overseen by trustees, working proactively with the staff team. approval for attic conversion. Full gas c.h. South facing garden, separate studio with We are seeking a new trustee with experience of financial manage- woodburning stove and large car port ment in a charity, to join us as treasurer-designate to work with our with gated driveway. Backing onto current treasurer until her period of service ends in December 2020 Salisbury Plain, the thriving community and then continue as the treasurer. boasts a village cricket club at The Walled Garden in Erlestoke Woods and an 18 We employ a Finance Officer one day a week in The Friend office to hole golf course. Great local schools, handle the day-to-day accounts, VAT and payroll, and prepare quarterly pubs, dog walks, and nearby superb rail and annual management accounts. link to London. Offers over £300,000. Trustees meet five times a year in London, including an annual Contact Forest Marble on 01373 482900 or Jim Marshall on 07814 961237. awayday each autumn to discuss strategy. The treasurer is currently clerk of our Finance and Personnel Committee, which meets four DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE. 2 bedroom, times a year. We are exploring video conferencing for some meetings. 1st floor flat adjoining Devizes Quaker The role is un-remunerated but reasonable expenses are paid. Trustee Meeting House. Quiet location with off recruitment is undertaken by a Nominations Committee. street parking. £550pcm. Please contact the Premises Committee - 01380 722560, For details and role description please email the company secretary email [email protected] or Janet Barlow: [email protected] post: Devizes Quaker Meeting House, Enquiries may be made to the treasurer, Sandy Horsfall: Sussex Wharf, Bath Road, Devizes, [email protected] Wiltshire SN10 2AE. Expressions of interest to Janet Barlow, with the names of two supporting Friends, would be welcome by Monday 15 September. PEOPLE REMEMBER WHAT THEY’VE read in the Friend - that’s what makes We are a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, it such a great place to advertise! no. 211649. Registered office: 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

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the Friend INDEPENDENT QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843 Advertisement Department 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Email: [email protected] Tel: 01535 630230 website: www.thefriend.org To all Quaker groups and Local Meeting clerks Order NOW Dear Friend ! Order your copies of our bumper Quaker Week special issue Now is the time to order copies of the special issue of the Friend, available to all Meetings and Quaker groups, to give away or sell at your events and Open Days during Quaker Week, Saturday 28 September - Sunday 6 October, and right through 2020. Use the order form below or email us. Every page in full colour, still just 50p a copy! After much positive feedback on our previous Quaker Week issues, our 27 September issue will be a full-colour bumper edition. It will be undated and will include a range of articles of interest to newcomers and non-Friends alike. Available at the special pre-publication price of just 50p a copy, minimum 20 copies. Please add £1 per order towards delivery. Now is the best time to order sufficient copies to see you right through all your 2019 and 2020 events. You can also make it an ‘Inreach’ issue and give a copy to everyone in your Meeting. Order now by post or email Please return the order form below to arrive by Thursday 19 September. Or, email [email protected] with subject heading ‘Quaker Week Issue’ providing the information on the order form, and pay by Bank Transfer to account 08 92 99, 65114889, ref [your meeting name]. Copies will be dispatched first class on Wednesday 25 September. After publication copies will be £1 each in multiples of 10. Thank you for your support. In Friendship

George Penaluna Advertisement Manager

Order form: special copies of the Friend for Quaker Week 2019, and beyond! Number of copies required: 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 200 Cost of copies*: £10 £15 £20 £25 £30 £40 £50 £100 *Please add £1 per order towards delivery Your name...... Meeting name...... Daytime tel...... Email...... Full name & address for delivery label...... Postcode...... Please return with your cheque payable to The Friend, to arrive by Thursday 19 September 2019: George Penaluna, The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL or email the above details to [email protected] and send payment to 08 92 99, a/c 65114889 - using your Meeting name as the reference. 23 Aug 19/8/19 15:19 Page 10 V

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Keighley BD20 8LL London NW1 2BJ N T 01535 630230 T 020 7663 1010 34 E [email protected] theFriend E [email protected] Lewes Quaker Meeting Friends in Tune Voluntary Resident Friends The singing Quakers We are looking for Voluntary Resident Friends to join our Friendly Our first A.G.M. community for one year. The role involves living in the flat at the News of workshops, performances, meeting house and taking responsibility for specific aspects of the Festival, planning, resources. care of the building and its users. You would be with us at an Saturday 31 August exciting time of planning new development to improve accessibility Note change of venue in our grade 2 listed meeting house. Ambassadors Hotel For full details see: www.lewesquakers.org.uk/resident-friends 12 Upper Woburn Place Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 07553 590816. London, WC1H OHX Vision Room 3-5pm Applications should reach us by 27 September. All welcome: disability access.

The Kindlers AGM Tea Towels with a message from Monday 9 September Northern Friends 8.15pm Peace Board Glenthorne Quaker Centre Organic fair-trade cotton £5 plus £1 p&p Easedale Road, Grasmere LA22 9QH Order by post: Cheques payable to All welcome Northern Friends Peace Board, to NFPB, Request an annual report from: Victoria Hall, Knowsley St, Bolton BL1 2AS. memberquakerkindlers@ Email or phone your order [email protected] gmail.com 01204 382330. Or to send a donation see www.thekindlers.webs.com www.nfpb.org.uk Charity SC 024632

Quakers and Business Group AGM and Autumn Gathering Saturday 7 September Priory Rooms, Birmingham Come and help explore what Q&B does, and how it can best support both its members and the wider community. A day to: • share values & priorities • build community • shape future plans The AGM will be held at lunchtime after the networking session. For details and tickets (£30 members/£35 non members) see: www.QandB.org