the 6 July 2012 £1.70 discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

Interview with George Lakey the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 170 NO 27

3 Thought for the Week: Happy New (financial) Year Faith in action George Penaluna ‘I dislike arrest and jail, personally. Been 4-5 News there, done that, as long ago as the civil 6 Welsh concerns rights movement in the ‘sixties. I dislike the loss of freedom, being put under the Christine Trevett custody of someone with a gun. Most of 7 Getting to no what I dislike are the reminders of that Oliver Robertson seizure of my body and my destiny: the tight pressure of cold metal handcuffs on 8-9 Letters my skin, the awkward angles my body takes getting into police vehicles (I’m not 10-12 Interview: George Lakey as limber as I once was), the temperature Peace, justice and conflict in the cells (always, it seems, too hot or Milan Rai too cold), the uncertainty about whether I’ll be able to stay with my comrades or be 13 Buddhist wisdom and the earth isolated, the awful clang of metal against Peter Jarman metal when the cell doors close. I’m lucky 14 Deepening the Life of the Spirit in that I’m rarely beaten and in those situations I have some protection from my Pete Duckworth white skin and my peaceful disposition.’ What does Quakerism mean to you? George Lakey, Quaker political activist Galileo West and nonviolent campaigner. 15 Found poem in three voices from: http://eqat.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/ Sylvia Edwards (See page 5 and interview on pages 10-12) 16 q-eye: A Round Tuit 17 Friends & Meetings

Cover image: Poppies Photo: Trish Carn. See page 5.

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2 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Thought for the Week Happy New (financial) Year!

n common with all charities, The Friend Publications each year. As a rule of thumb, to calculate the price of has a financial year end: a fixed day each year when a subscription, we take the total budgeted cost, deduct we tot up all the ‘ins’ and all the ‘outs’ and breathe a anticipated advertisement and voluntary income and Isigh of relief that the ‘ins’ nearly always exceed the ‘outs.’ divide what is left by the number of subscribers. The more subscribers, the less each one has to pay. For The Friend Publications (a small, independent charity whose main function is the publication of the ‘Ah,’ you’re thinking, ‘we’re being softened up to be Friend and the Friends Quarterly), our annual day of told the price is going up from 1 July.’ Well, no, actually. reckoning is 30 June. While we are confident that we Despite the cost of mailing the Friend having increased are on track again to break even this year (or even make by £2.50 per subscriber per year since April, our trustees a very small surplus), final figures won’t be known for have decided to hold subscription rates for the Friend another few months. and the Friends Quarterly at their current levels.

Although we rent office accommodation in Friends We appreciate the wonderful support that has been House, The Friend Publications is independent of given, and continues to be given, by our readers. Britain Yearly Meeting and has its own body of Quaker Accepting the difficult economic times, we do not want trustees. We provide an independent voice for Friends to burden loyal subscribers with a price increase. What in Britain, and have done so for almost 170 years. The we hope is that by launching a drive to recruit more Friend is one of the longest running continuously subscribers, our costs will be spread across a larger published magazines in the world. constituency.

Our finances are pretty simple: about sixty-three per As our subscribers and readers are our best cent of our income is from subscribers, thirty per cent ambassadors, will you, Friends, help us increase our from advertisements and seven per cent from grants, readership and introduce a friend to the Friend? Later donations, legacies and income on our small reserves. this year we will be launching an ‘Introduce a Friend’ As you can see, without you, our steadfast subscribers promotion, with postcards in the magazine for you to and advertisers, there simply wouldn’t be a ‘Friend’ each share with Friends and attenders. With your help, the week. Our costs are correspondingly simple: about sixty Friend can have a happy new financial year in 2012- per cent goes to rent, administration and staffing and 2013 and postpone any price increases for as long as forty per cent on paper, printing and postage. possible!

Being a charity, we are a non-profit organisation. Just George Penaluna like an Area Meeting, we simply have to cover our costs The advertisement manager for and, hopefully, have a little left over to carry forward the Friend and the Friends Quarterly.

the Friend, 6 July 2012 3 News Quaker addresses Methodists

explain. I have asked one country while nearly all their people to pay their work takes place elsewhere. taxes when due, where He was keen to point to due and in the right campaign successes: George amount.’ Osborne has closed a VAT loophole One of the first concerning online purchases people to carry out routed via the Channel Islands. detailed research The USA now requires oil and gas into tax havens, he companies to present accounts on founded the Tax a ‘country-by-country’ basis, which Justice Network with makes it much harder to cover up John Christensen in tax avoidance. The UK government 2003. have ended their subsidy for the The Methodist Isle of Man, which had helped it to audience in Plymouth function as a tax haven. heard that tax havens ‘This work is the fulfilment have cost developing of my Christian vocation,’ said Photo: Anna Drew. countries about Richard Murphy. He added: ‘You ‘How did a Quaker £100bn per year – simply can’t take the message of chartered accountant become a almost exactly the same as the total Christian concern for the poor dangerous man?’ asked Richard world aid budget. Turning to the out of the Bible and have anything Murphy, co-founder of the Tax UK, Richard Murphy presented tax meaningful left. It is, I think, what Justice Network on Monday. He justice as an alternative to austerity. Christian faith is all about.’ was giving the Beckly Lecture, ‘There is now a choice to be He insisted that public awareness part of the annual Methodist made,’ he said. ‘We can stop tax of tax justice had ‘led directly to Conference. cheats cheating or cut pensions. We the creation of the UK Uncut and Richard Murphy – who considers can cut corporation tax for large Occupy movements’. He welcomed himself as ‘a Quaker with some companies or cut the NHS. We can both movements, saying they had Anglican leanings’ – was described sack staff who could crack down on brought ‘enormous’ pressure to as ‘dangerous’ in a report by Her tax avoidance at HMRC or deny our bear on UK companies. Majesty’s Revenue and Customs children a proper education.’ In the autumn, Richard Murphy (HMRC). The head of the Cayman Offshore accounting was once drew controversy after sharply Islands Monetary Authority called part of Richard Murphy’s work. criticising St Paul’s Cathedral for him ‘the leader of the international He told the conference: ‘I stand their response to the Occupy camp tax Taliban’. before you as a sinner and ask on their doorstep. He defended He told the conference he would your forgiveness.’ He described his position on Monday, insisting ‘confess’ what he had done to be offshore accountancy as ‘quite that Jesus ‘would have been outside treated as ‘an enemy of the state’. literally a world of fiction’, in which on the steps with the Occupy He said: ‘This, thankfully, is easy to companies are supposedly based in movement’. Christians need to be open to change

The new president and the vice-president of the change. The vice-president, Michael King, insisted Methodist Conference have said that Christians need that Christianity is about following Jesus rather than to be more open to change and to welcome people as obeying a book of rules. they are. They were speaking at the annual gathering He said: ‘The person whose lifestyle, or sexuality, or of Britain’s Methodists, held in Plymouth from 28 June abilities, or impairments seem very different – how is to 5 July. it possible for them to minister to a fellowship that has The president, Mark Wakelin, said that God become at ease with itself, or too comfortable with its welcomes everyone but also challenges everyone to own exclusive view of the world?’

4 the Friend, 6 July 2012 reported by Symon Hill [email protected]

Commemoration prompts controversy The commemoration given [in Bomber Command] were their lives and the architects to Bomber Command last week, brainwashed to take part. It is sad of the deliberate bombing of and the unveiling of a memorial that we should be celebrating the German civilians in their homes statue in Green Park, London, has event in this way – by dropping – particularly its chief advocate prompted controversy. petals.' Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris. Thousands of poppies were The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) Columnist Peter Hitchens dropped over the area by a has expressed concern that the vast supported the commemoration Lancaster bomber as part of the new memorial ‘goes far beyond as ‘a recognition of the bravery of commemoration. mere commemoration’. young men’ but pointed out that Brenda Bailey, a Quaker who The PPU said: ‘Its sheer scale Harris described, unambiguously, strongly opposed the bombing of and attendant ceremony are a clear the aim of his offensive as ‘the German cities during the war, was statement by its supporters, the destruction of the German cities, surprised to discover more than military and the state that the core the killing of German workers, a dozen poppy petals in her back activities of Bomber Command – and the disruption of civilised life garden. which an unbiased International throughout Germany’. She said: ‘I am horrified that Court would readily identify as He writes: ‘The victims included we should be so unfeeling about a war crime – are here seen as women and small children and the mistakes we made long ago. laudable, heroic and noble.’ were concentrated in working-class The bombing of innocent German Many commentators have areas – where most people had civilians was a shocking thing to made a clear distinction between never voted for Hitler, so it’s hard do. The young men concerned the 55,000 young men who lost to say “they asked for it”.’ Pilgrims reach George Lakey to Canterbury tour UK A leading US Quaker activist is were among a about to begin a speaking tour of England group of pilgrims who have and Scotland. George Lakey, who has trained walked from London to thousands of people in nonviolent direct Canterbury as a witness against action in five continents, will speak at ten economic injustice. venues in July. Around thirty-five supporters In the 1960s, George Lakey joined the civil of Occupy Faith – a group rights movement and the campaign against the formed by religious supporters war. He was a founder member of the of the Occupy movement – Movement for a New Society, which promoted spent twelve days on the walk, revolutionary change through nonviolent while others joined for parts means. He was later an unarmed bodyguard of the journey. Those involved for human rights campaigners in Sri Lanka, included Christians, Muslims, and was smuggled across the border to work Sikhs and Rastafarians. with activists in Burma. The walk began with a Arrested for the first time at a sit-in in the blessing by clergy at St Paul’s CC. / flickr Photo: Karen Roe 1960s, his most recent arrest took place at Cathedral. Along the way, the pilgrims spoke at an a Quaker against mountain top coal Anglican morning service and joined Sufi evening prayers. mining in 2010. He now works for Training They held discussions with Sikhs in Gravesend, with the for Change, which trains people in active Bishop of Rochester and with a Conservative member of . He is also a visiting professor at Medway Council. After arriving in Canterbury, they joined in . an economic conference at the University of Kent. The speaking tour will begin at Friends A spokesperson for Occupy Faith said: ‘There have been House in London on 16 July, with the topic calls for similar actions and when we have rested we will ‘After the Arab Spring: Making nonviolent start to develop these plans’. revolution’. (See interview pages 10-12.)

the Friend, 6 July 2012 5 Report Welsh concerns

Christine Trevett reports on the Meeting of Friends in Wales on 23 June

f only he hadn’t had to conduct a marriage subject of ‘the cuts’ in Wales and their effects. ceremony. Had he come, it might have felt like an Unemployment is a cause for concern but accounts in historic moment of ecumenism. Local Friends had the press of what Wales’ first minister had reportedly Iinvited the vicar of Meifod in Powys to join Meeting of said caused concern too. This was that Milford Haven Friends in Wales in its Saturday afternoon session. would welcome the jobs and the Trident submarine In Meifod’s village hall Paul Parker, our recording ‘fleet’, should it be ousted from its naval base on clerk, would be speaking on the future of Quakers the Clyde. This may have been news to many in in Britain. There would be plenty of sandwiches and Milford Haven (a town boosted at the start of the fruit cake at the end. The vicar’s seventeenth century nineteenth century after families of Quaker whalers predecessor in Meifod had been one of the most from Nantucket settled there) but it would also be dogged opponents of early Friends in Wales. More a further step in a ‘militarisation’ of Wales, which than once he had published writings against them and is deeply troubling. Earlier in the day we had noted he disinherited his daughter when she married one. that while some of us were in Meifod other Friends, His dislike of Quakers was, of course, matched by their in association with the Fellowship of Reconciliation/ dislike of him. Cymdeithas y Cymod, were close to Aberporth In the twenty-first century, though, relations with airfield, holding a service of repentance for the role the vicar are rather more cordial. Though his duties of Aberporth and of Wales in the development of kept him at the church, the Friends’ invitation had military drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). They are been appreciated. tested there. The Wales government is to receive a Ecumenical work and outreach were part of the petition on the subject. business of the day. With The Royal Welsh Show It would have saddened the man whose life we and the National Eisteddfod in mind we dealt with remembered when we listened to a Testimony to the logistics of such things: find Welsh-speaking God’s grace in it. Stephen Griffith, schoolmaster, bard, Quakers for the eight-day rota of shifts as ‘a Friendly internationalist and historian of Quakerism in Wales, presence’; take our newly-created (and lovely!) Welsh lived to be a hundred and two, promoting peace language (English-subtitled) DVD, which is now on almost to the last. Recognised for his contribution to sale (‘how many copies for the Eisteddfod?’). It’s called Wales’s literary life he was also remembered among us Y Ffordd Dawel? Tystiolaethau Pump o Grynwyr / The as a man who had supported the creation of Meeting Quiet Way? Five Quakers’ Experience. In the CYTÛN of Friends in Wales and who had encouraged the Churches Together refreshment marquee other Friends greatest Welsh language religious poet of the twentieth will be needed for tea and coffee-making alongside century into the Quaker fold, namely Waldo Williams. volunteers from the churches, and for maintaining And the recording clerk? It was very good to have a constant flow of traditional flat Welshcakes (‘how him with us. Paul Parker made us think about Quakers many thousand do the visitors get through?’ – ‘don’t going ‘whoosh’ – taking off as a radical, liberal, worry, you don’t need Welsh to brew tea or smile’). revitalised religious group. He made us think about Then there will be the Quiet Corner, which is Friends’ what revitalisation might touch: our language for the particular responsibility: ‘very successful and well-used present age; our willingness to serve and our pocket- at the Royal Welsh last year’, someone commented at books. lunchtime, reminding us again that the difficulties of farming life in rural Wales can make The Royal Welsh Show a place where a sensitive pastoral spirit is needed. Christine is a member of South Wales Area Meeting and At our next Meeting we shall be returning to the co-clerk of Meeting of Friends in Wales.

6 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Opinion

Getting to no Photo: xlibber / flickr CC. Photo: xlibber / flickr

Oliver Robertson considers a prompting of conscience

have a university friend getting married this would certainly help my trip feel less self-indulgent. summer. I confirmed I’d go and booked the flights But unsustainable practices don’t become sustainable to her home in Israel. Then the thunderbolt hit. just because we do good; and so much of the good in IIt was a line in an email, that a forthcoming study this world could be undone by climate change. I’m not (from an oil company, no less) predicts 6˚C warming sure the planet can bear to hear me promise, again, that by the end of the century if we continue on our present this is the last time. So I kept to my original decision. course. This is just so appalling that I find it almost I have a strong memory of the time, a few years unthinkable, and I know that I am part of the problem. ago, when a Quaker stood up during a Meeting for In various parts of my life I am more sustainable Sufferings discussion on the environment and asked than many. I am vegetarian, I live in a small studio us when we were going to start doing things that hurt. and I am frugal with water. But I travel. A lot. In 2011 For me, facing the loss of a friend (or even several, I clocked up about 25,000km of travel for work and depending how my other university colleagues took it), pleasure combined, most of it by train. this was when it began. I had started to become resigned to the fact that So, I called to break the bad news, and my friend exceptions to my general no-fly policy come up about reminded me just why she is my friend. She was once a year. But enough exceptions make a norm, obviously sad that I wouldn’t be there, but she and then I got that email explaining exactly where appreciated my honesty and didn’t want me to go that norm would get us. It made me sad and fearful against my principles. I would have to experience the to think about turning round and saying to my friend wedding through stories and photos, but we would still that I wouldn’t come to her wedding, that no matter be friends, and I felt that we ended the conversation how much it meant to her I was drawing my line in the closer than we had been at the start. My other friends sand here, that her special day wasn’t special enough were similarly understanding. to attend. But thinking about going made me uneasy I had thought this would be a story with a moral deep inside and gave me the gnawing in the pit of my about doing the right thing – even when it hurts. But stomach that is a sure sign of my conscience speaking. it actually turned out to be a tale of being affirmed by Right doesn’t always mean nice. those around me, even to do things that they wouldn’t. But, just as I was getting to ‘no’, something else How many times, I wonder, did the first Friends ‘come happened. One of my Geneva friends, who had moved out’ as Quakers and meet not scorn but support? to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, wrote to Perhaps, as we move forward in our individual and ask if anyone could come out to help her run some collective efforts to become sustainable and low- theatre workshops in a refugee camp. The timings carbon, we need more stories of positive outcomes as corresponded exactly with when I was planning to be well as positive actions, and to remember that people in Israel. Some might call this a sign that I should go. can still be friends even if they don’t attend each Some might call it a temptation. Some might call it other’s weddings. a coincidence. I know that whenever I do fly I work especially hard to get the most good out of it and this Oliver is a member of Geneva Monthly Meeting.

the Friend, 6 July 2012 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

A Concern for Syria in my disquiet at the well-organised activities of the Kurds in Syria have been fighting systematic torture, nontheists. I hope those articles and letters have arbitrary arrests and oppression by the regime for given me the confidence to speak out that we are a many years, but the arrest and torture of a group of religious organisation, rooted in Christianity, and in children from Dara’a on 6 March 2011 led to mass our Meetings we are seeking the presence and guidance peaceful in the streets inspired by the ‘Arab of God. It is from this deep place that our testimonies Spring’. In the early days, protestors waved olive arise. branches, bread and flowers and chanted in peaceful Brenda Stokes unity, gave water and roses to soldiers and faced the Farnham Meeting, Surrey regime’s brutality and bullets with bare chests. This was, initially, an uprising committed to I have watched the theist/nontheist correspondence democratic change, no violence, no sectarianism and in the Friend over several months but until now no foreign military intervention. The government was have refrained from joining in, lest by doing so I not sure how to respond, and so used excessive and should perpetuate what I feel is an unfortunate and disproportionate violence. The interference of other unQuakerly quasi-theological spat about ‘notions’. countries with their diverse agendas, revision of cold However, I cannot let Edward Hoare’s apparent war relations and influx of weapons spread mistrust, equating of ‘nontheist’ with ‘nonfaith’ (22 June) pass and fear of what may follow a change of leadership. without comment. This contributed to a significant upsurge in violence. Just because I do not subscribe to the concept Kofi Annan offered everyone the chance to disarm of an omnipotent, omniscient supreme being ‘out honourably but this was undermined and the killing there’ or ‘up there’, it is wrong to imply that I have no has escalated again. faith. I use the word ‘God’ as a shorthand for what is What can we do? essentially inexpressible. I meet with this inexpressible Meeting for Sufferings on 7 July will be considering something in my fellow beings; I join with Friends in a minute on Syria based on our testimonies to peace ‘giving it worth’ in faith, in our silent worship. Others and equality, to encourage the UK government to have described it in their own way: the ‘ground of demonstrate its real commitment to a nonviolent being’ (Tillich), that which ‘rolls through all things’ solution for the diverse peoples of Syria by engaging (Wordsworth). As a Friend in the silent tradition I will fully with Kofi Annan and those dedicated to stopping not try to do so, any more than I will subscribe to a the killing through dialogue. creed. Join our new eGroup: bit.ly@QC4Syria for sharing ‘In essentials, unity’ indeed – the essential unity of ideas, thoughts and mutual support with other gathered worship, in faith. But let us remember above Quakers in these dark times (email: [email protected] all our valuable advice that ‘Christianity is not a notion to join). but a way’. Sheila Mosley Bronwen Currie Leicester Area Meeting West Scotland Area Meeting www.quakerconcernforsyria.org.uk Solar panels In essentials, unity Cheltenham Meeting are planning to install solar At times Friends are called to define their faith and panels. Knowing that other Meetings have fitted them, this can be difficult and even divisive. But in a Meeting we would welcome news of their experience. for Worship we are, as in a photograph in the Friend (1 If there were unexpected problems, perhaps in the June), standing together, looking inwards and holding planning or installation stages, it would be helpful to hands. The farthest from us in the circle are united receive any feedback. with us in the silence, the stillness and the ministry if Please contact the undersigned, tel: 01242 574747 or we look towards the centre. email: [email protected] Edrey Allott Bill Rowland, Premises committee 36 Radbrook House, 46 Stanhill Road, Shrewsbury Cheltenham Meeting, Gloucestershire SY3 6AL Unexpected mentions I wish to add my gratitude for the article ‘Faith We do not expect, as a small group, to receive frequent and Clarity’ (18 May) and the article by David and mention in the media. However, there were two recent Margaret Heathfield in the recent Friends Quarterly, examples worth reporting. also for the letters in the Friend of David Saunders In an article in the 21 June issue of the Metro (a free and Edward Hoare. I now know that I am not alone morning paper) on love and lust, William Penn was

8 the Friend, 6 July 2012 [email protected]

used to begin… ‘love springs from an union of souls century Friends in building a Quaker Centre for future and the other from an union of sense’. generations. I, too, found James Turrell’s proposed The other was from Time Out (a London-based design for the Large Meeting House utterly inspiring entertainment magazine, 12-18 April). In an article in and uplifting. the weekly section on gay and lesbian life, there was a Let’s wind the clock back 700 years. James is invited discussion about the case for equal marriage: ‘Over the to design a spire for the tower of the newly built past few weeks, we’ve heard from all sorts of people Salisbury Cathedral. The dean and chapter are aghast who are against what they call “gay marriage”. With the by his boldness: ‘we can’t possibly commission that; honourable exception of the Quakers, who informed our parishioners are recovering from the Black Death, the queen that they wanted the right to perform “same we’ve had some terrible corn harvests, townsfolk will sex marriages” in their churches…’ revolt, swans might fly into it, it could collapse…’ It is important not to hide our light under a bushel! We had a unique opportunity to build something Donald Scott equally distinctive that could have enriched the Blackheath Meeting, London spiritual landscape of Britain in its own very Quakerly way. Friends House refurbishment Kevin Redpath What is fundamental to Quakerism? 1.01 of Quaker Street Meeting, Somerset faith & practice tells us that it is commitment to a way of worship that allows God to teach and transform Meeting stories us and that we have found that together we shall be With reference to the letter from Ann and Anthony led into truth, unity and love if we rightly follow the Gimpel (29 June), it is a true story, but actually took Spirit’s leading. If we find ourselves in a situation in place in Taunton Meeting House. The Friend who was which there is manifestly not unity, in which even that addressed was E Vipont Brown, who gave the full story discernment exercised when trustees were appointed to WH Sessions, who published it in his small book, is challenged (see Janet Sturge’s letter, 25 May) then Laughter in Quaker Grey (William Sessions Ltd. 1952). clearly something has gone wrong. John Hall This is by no means a unique situation when Colchester Meeting, Essex decisions have to be made on practical matters and there are differing views on the best path to take. Discipline Perhaps we need to seek together how to rightly Carol Fulton’s letter on [a flea’s t-shirt] (29 June) follow the Spirit’s leading at a time when there are reminds us of a saying that was used by a former decisions to be made. Monthly Meeting clerk about the discipline of Monthly Evelyn Thixton Meeting. He said: ‘Tea at 5.30, Monthly Meeting at Bury St Edmunds Meeting, Suffolk 6.15, Carriages at 8.00’. Invariably this was achieved! It encouraged good attendances. There was no need for Skyspace ‘shuffle breaks’. If it failed attendance would be down When trying to catch up with articles that I only at the next Meeting. skimmed when the Friend was delivered, I was pulled Michael and Christine Johnson up short by the following paragraph (‘Skyspace plan’, Central England Area Meeting 18 May) on why the project was dropped: ‘However, we have also heard of concerns that the installation does not necessarily reflect our concept of the Light being from within, reflecting our experiential approach to spirituality and faith.’ The Friend welcomes your views. Please keep letters Has the nonfaith lobby now taken control? The short (about 250 words) and include your full Quaker faith is not in the inner light but in the Inward postal address, even when sending emails. Please Light which comes to us as our Guide and from which specify whether you wish for your postal or email our action flows. address or Meeting name to be used with your The Skyspace reflects that perfectly. name, otherwise we will print your post address or Edward Hoare email address. Letters are published at the editor’s Mid-Somerset Area Meeting discretion and may be edited. Write to: the Friend, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ or email Leaving Euston Station, I never fail to be impressed by [email protected] the grandeur of Friends House and how it continues to Remember if you are online that you can also comment on all articles at www.thefriend.org reflect the unshakeable, optimistic vision of twentieth

the Friend, 6 July 2012 9 Interview Peace, justice and conflict

George Lakey, a leading American Quaker activist, spoke with Milan Rai, editor of , about the connections between his faith and campaigning, his views on nonviolent and his recent concerns

ould it be fair to say, George, that your What is your background? commitment to nonviolence and your faith grew together? I was brought up in a blue-collar family, working class, W in rural , so my parents did not graduate Very much. It was a mercy to discover the seventeenth- from high Doctorschool. They were each forced out of century Quakers, who were cousins of the Levellers and high school in order to work to enable the family to the Diggers and so on. They were part of that whole survive. Very hard times. There was never very much revolutionary ferment that was going on at the time of money around. the [English] Civil War. It took a lot of soul-searching… George Fox was, in fact, a warrior. He was enormously attractive to soldiers. Whenever George Fox would in order to come to the point show up at a market square, soldiers would start accumulating. He got along with them. They got along where I could adopt pacifism with him. He was even offered the captaincy of a Cromwell unit because he was so obviously an excellent warrior. He was a nonviolent warrior. I gained so enormously from that background. I don’t know of an organisation that doesn’t benefit from more I learned about early Quakers and their nonviolent working class people in it; except organisations like revolutionary posture, how they made war on the one unions, which only have working class people in them, per cent in Britain, how they believed in pre-figurative because they then benefit from having middle class politics. They set up their alternative institution called people in them. the Holy Experiment in Pennsylvania. One of the advantages of my having been brought up There was a tremendous lot of inspiration from in the working class and then moving into the middle them. The point is that early Quakers enabled me to class, which is what I’ve done, is that I have been able fully identify with the Society of Friends because they to acquire some of the skills of middle class-ness at the brought nonviolent revolution to such a fine point and same time. And I appreciate that because both classes did it with an obvious spiritual undergirding. have so much to bring to the table.

10 the Friend, 6 July 2012 I was brought up a non-pacifist. I didn’t discover Most of those people have passed on, and the strategic Quakerism until I went to college. And it was there ‘smarts’ about nonviolent direct action campaigning that I was hugely attracted by the worship process. I’ve and maybe some of the courage has been lost in the always been a deeply religious person. I was a very meantime within the Quaker community. Our plan was intensely religious boy and I love the worship of the to create a new Quaker force to enter this. We realised Quakers, their style. that we had to have a learning curve here. We couldn’t just haul together the good old folks – because they’re At the same time, I was initially repelled by the dead mostly – so we needed to start over: building skills, pacifism. I thought ‘this is craziness’. We obviously have building the strategic sparks and building the courage. to be violent, when push comes to shove. So it took a lot of soul-searching, and a lot of research, in order to come to the point where I could adopt pacifism. But I never Peace is a concept that includes did adopt the harmony kind of pacifism as, obviously, I adopted the conflict-oriented kind of pacifism. (laughs) justice… you can’t have justice

Your activism, recently, has been pretty climate- without conflict focused. Would you like to say something about that? So we’ve been doing exactly that, and it’s been a thrilling It seemed important to me that the Quaker banner be experience for me to watch people who I’ve known for raised high with regard to that issue. One thing about years to be deeply committed to the electoral process the Quaker ‘brand’ in the US is there’s still a lot of esteem and ‘well, let’s lobby’ and ‘speaking truth to power would for the Quakers in the US. So, we felt, well, by waving be a good thing’, and ‘witness is the way to go’, and all of the Quaker banner in the context of this movement, it that kind of thing that has taken over Quaker culture in would be something that would be useful in supporting the US, allowing those dampers to move aside and create people that are being targeted by the right wing and so fresh space for creativity and courage to manifest. on – there might be some usefulness in that way. So we decided to start a group called ‘Earth-Quaker Action It’s been very much an empowerment process for me Team’ in order to be able to hoist that banner aloft. to watch and nurture, and we’re getting pretty feisty, we’re getting to be an outfit that the fifth largest bank in Then the question was what we should focus on first. the US has to seriously worry about. Allies are critical. We were looking around for an issue that was winnable Any group of protesters who think they can do anything – where it might make a difference to add our small by themselves are out of touch with reality. force – and we found that mountain top removal coal mining has already been targeted for years by the people Our attack on the banks is not only because so many of , who are most severely impacted with Americans are now distrustful of banks, thanks to 2008, high cancer rates and so on, but also by people around but also because banks are key in this preferred way of the country, knowledgeable people, that have been mining by the evil mining companies. So our job is to joining that struggle. choke off the capital – and already Morgan Chase was chased out of funding mountain top removal – not We thought, OK, this is a struggle that probably can by us but by other forces and we’re intending to chase be won, let’s add our small voice to that. Let’s of course PNC Bank out of the business as well. It’s wonderful use nonviolent direct action, because that’s the most fun. Twisting their tail. We love doing it. I’m practising effective and strongest way to operate in a situation now for a 200-mile walk from eastern Pennsylvania when you’re up against the real nasties, so let’s see what to western Pennsylvania – because their headquarters we can do – and that’s what we’ve been doing. are in western Pennsylvania, in Pittsburgh, and we’re intending to walk across the state – and do something, We’ve just finished two years and a bit. Quakers used yet to be announced, at the corporate headquarters, and to be, maybe thirty or forty years ago, very prominent they will know every day that we’re on the road and that in nonviolent direct action in the US. Bayard Rustin we’re coming to get them. was a key advisor to Martin Luther King. He coached King in the early days when King wasn’t very clear what Most folk I’ve met would say – if you are trying to to do. Bayard was a Quaker. I was a young guy then topple powerful forces, which are bound to fight you and I got to be mentored by some people who knew a violently, then you’re going to have to, at some point, tremendous lot about nonviolent direct action. use violence to overcome that violence.

the Friend, 6 July 2012 11 Our database includes dozens of cases of dictatorships Polarisation is the meat and drink (or, for vegans, being overthrown nonviolently. It’s simply factually the tofu) of life. We have to have polarisation. Martin false to assert that what has been done so frequently Luther King was in that tradition. When he got the cannot be done! Nobel Peace Prize, there were a lot of people criticising because they said: ‘Wait a minute, we had harmony in Could you expand on the difference you have our town and then Martin Luther King came to town, highlighted between nonviolent revolution and what and there was all that conflict, and there was blood on you call ‘middle class pacifism’? the streets. And the guy gets a Peace Prize for that?’

Middle class pacifism has a very strong interest in the Is peace about harmony or is peace about conflict? common ground, in reconciliation. For example, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, it’s built into the title. King said peace is about conflict – because peace is a ‘Let’s find a way to come together’, that’s very strongly concept that includes justice. And you can’t have justice the concern. At a low point in the Quaker tradition, without conflict. You have to struggle, you have to with what is still called the Peace Testimony, there was a polarise the situation in order to get something done. proposal from one of our most outstanding Quakers that So that is a very major distinction. it be called the ‘Testimony of Harmony’, a ‘Testimony for Harmony’. So middle class people, not for any nasty There have been people who have been able to do reasons, but just because it’s the job of middle class both. In a conflict-ridden pacifist organisation, I love to people… We have to take a step back, I guess, and note have the skills to enable them sometimes, to be able to what are the functions of these different classes. agree enough, to move the organisation forward. And that’s usually not done through polarisation. It’s done The function of the middle class is to manage, and through other skills. nurture, the working class on behalf of the owning class. So, it is bred into middle class people from when they On the other hand, an organisation that says ‘We’re are little bitty people that management is key. Of course, getting along fine, we’re just not getting anything done,’ all kinds of enterprises do need management, right. But well, then of course my job is to assist polarising to in patriarchal and capitalist history that’s what we have happen in that organisation. I was part of a facilitation got. It’s the middle class’s job to manage in that way. team leading a recent weekend retreat of a whole coalition working on mountain top removal coal mining. It was a weekend. By Saturday night, they I believe that the world were in tremendous battle with each other. And some of the leaders were saying: ‘George, we want to fire needs both more conflict you. Even though the retreat isn’t over, we want to fire you. Because we were getting along, and now we at and more harmony hammer and tongs with each other.’ And I said, with my facilitation team, ‘You are on target. You are doing great. You are fighting, you are crying, you are screaming at So, do you know any managers who have moved each other. Excellent work. Congratulations.’ ahead in their careers because the people they are managing are constantly conflicting? No. And, of course, the organisation has moved ahead as a result of that stormy weekend. I believe that the world The sign of a good manager is conflict resolution. needs both more conflict and more harmony – at the The sign of a good manager is to have people working same time. Certainly in my country we need way, way, cooperatively together in a harmonious way. And the way more conflict than we have going. And the little I more harmonious, say, a bunch of school teachers are, know about your country, it needs way more conflict the more we appreciate the principle of people really than it’s got going. being in harmony. But there is time for this and a time for that. That’s So, that is hugely a value in the middle class – harmony Biblical. (laughs) and common ground. The thing is: ‘only harmony’ is really insanity. ‘Only harmony’ is death. There also An extended version of Milan Rai’s interview with George needs to be conflict. The nonviolent revolutionary Lakey was published in the 2544, 2545 and 2547-8 editions tradition is one in which the emphasis is not on of Peace News. George Lakey will be visiting Britain in July. harmony, it’s on conflict. For further information visit: http://bit.ly/LakeyUKTour

12 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Opinion

Buddhist wisdom and the earth Photo: Gabriel Rocha / flickr CC / flickr Photo: Gabriel Rocha Peter Jarman considers four Divine states of wisdom about human development

he respect given to Burma’s opposition leader, heavenly abodes of Buddhism that should direct Aung San Suu Kyi, and Tibet’s spiritual human development. Firstly, loving kindness, metta in leader, the Dalai Lama, this June in Britain is Sanskrit, the word used in the Burmese translation of Theartening to Buddhist Quakers like myself; for they love in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: ‘now abideth are outstanding Buddhist practitioners of nonviolence faith, hope and love, but the greatest is love’. In and well tested by the suffering of their peoples and of Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh’s revision of themselves. Their visit to Britain coincided with the basic Buddhist precepts, loving kindness is extended UN Earth Summit, Rio+20, that sought agreements on not only to other sentient beings than humans, but the sustainability and wellbeing of the human species also to the earth’s inanimate resources. The second and the resources of planet earth. The UN issued red heavenly abode is that of compassion: Aung San Suu alerts for this summit on key environmental factors Kyi added that compassion, to be effective, requires like climate change, biodiversity, water resources, wisdom to appreciate the state of the suffering to which pollution and the acidity and fish resources of the that compassion is directed. She referred to the mutual oceans. sense of joy that the sufferer and the compassionate Both these visitors have described spiritual person will enjoy if that suffering is alleviated, the third approaches to human development in response to such heavenly abode. She wrote that the most difficult, if alerts. The Dalai Lama referred to the ‘genuine sense not impossible, fourth heavenly abode is equanimity: of spirituality’ of millions of people. ‘We must work the need to balance compassion with wisdom, love together to serve humanity as we have responsibility with truth, peace with justice, and contemplation for the care of planet Earth’, he said. In 1988, British with action. For truth without love is inhumane; love Quakers visiting the Russian Orthodox seminary without truth is ineffective; justice without peace is in Sergei Passad, not far from Moscow, were told unattainable, but peace without justice is an affront to by a monk there ‘either the twenty-first century is a human rights and human dignity. spiritual one, or mankind is finished’. Now that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from Aung San Suu Kyi gave the Pope Paul VI Memorial house arrest to face the realities of Burma’s human Lecture in 1997 to the Catholic Development Agency condition, including inter-ethnic violence, she will face (CAFOD) during her fifteen years of house arrest. A the challenge of political actions, imperfect as they Catholic friend sent it to me then and I have treasured may be, to match the contemplation of her Buddhist it, for it provides compass directions on human practice. Equanimity indeed! development from a Buddhist perspective that are pertinent to this earth summit. She quoted the four Divine states of wisdom or Peter is a member of York Area Meeting.

the Friend, 6 July 2012 13 Spirituality Deepening the Life of the Spirit

Pete Duckworth is delighted with a new spiritual booklet

ew Friends will be surprised and, for this reader, enthused to try Experiment with Light, Kindlers that as Meeting co-clerk I something new and to return to and the wealth of practices offered get a lot of mail. Much of methods that have been neglected. by Woodbrooke courses this Fthis needs sifting, sorting, being Few seasoned Friends will find booklet is brilliant. Laid out before presented to an appropriate all the resources presented entirely you are a set of tools to help a Friend or quietly filing away. One new. I suspect that fewer such Meeting or an individual reconnect packet that was not for quiet filing Friends will have tried all of them. with the divinity, which we all too was Ginny Wall’s new booklet Highlights for me are a revised easily ignore. Deepening the Life of the Spirit: model for the Bible study group At £4 it’s terrific value. I trust Resources for Spiritual Practice. I belong to and two ‘gratitude every Meeting house will have one. This book is an absolute delight. practices’, which are entirely new Every Quaker can, I believe, benefit Arranged alphabetically from to me. from this work. Appleseed to walking meditation, it This is a lovely distillation of contains a two-page introduction to practices currently used across Pete is a member of Central England sixteen distinct spiritual practices. Britain Yearly Meeting. It was Area Meeting. Each is presented in an exemplary developed for use during the modern, straightforwardly Quaker Life Representative Council readable style. The use of lists and held at Woodbrooke in April this Deepening the Life of the Spirit: bullet points acts as a model for year. If, like me, you can feel a bit Resources for spiritual practice a contemporary Quaker writing overwhelmed with the possibilities Ginny Wall. Quaker Books. ISBN: style. The reader is encouraged presented by Appleseed, 9781907123306 £4 + £1.80 p&p.

What does Quakerism mean to you?

Galileo West celebrates a feeling of belonging

uakerism, for me, is a sense of community and for anyone to read. He began to read it. Not a word inclusivity, a sense of belonging and a sense of did we say to each other but ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ – but friendship. The story below reflects this. for the half an hour or so we spent there, it felt like Q I was at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre I’d known him all my life. It was an amazing feeling. a few years ago and was reading a classic novel: The atmosphere in the room was one of warmth and George Orwell’s 1984. I decided to go down into the friendliness and happiness – a productive, warm, reading room and read a few chapters in between my silence, a silence that makes one smile. various hours of study. The room is gorgeous. It has a I never saw that man again and I probably never lovely antique chessboard, a jigsaw puzzle and some will; but for thirty minutes it felt as if I knew him extremely comfy chairs. for all my life. That magic feeling is what I love most Anyway, an elderly man with a warm smile came about Quakerism. That feeling of belonging. and sat next to me. He proceeded to pick up one of the various papers that was on the table and available Galileo attends Muswell Hill Meeting.

14 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Poetry Found poem in three voices

‘Found poetry’ is poetry composed of facts compiled from sources such as the media and put into verse form. Here, Sylvia Edwards has used The Times.

Greece

Greece is gripped by the spectre of isolation beneath the surface is deep fear and anger

A bloated and corrupt centre has sucked the economy dry

Most Greeks want to stay in the EU as guarantee against Turkey where memories go back to age old enmity

Germany

Why can’t Greeks behave more like Germans?

Most Germans want Greece out of the EU

Das Bild headlined: ‘Sell your islands, you bankrupt Greeks! and sell the Acropolis too!’

Academia

The real risk lies in Brussels rather than Athens

The Euro is not the problem, it’s Europe that is the problem

We should let the EU destroy itself, which it eventually will.

Sylvia Edwards Rugby Meeting

the Friend, 6 July 2012 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected] A Round Tuit

The Carboholic continues his occasional, irreverent, ramblings around the world of sustainability

Right. I am Definitely going to do it. Now. Probably…

To be honest, I’m a bit cold at the moment. What with it being summer (!) and the price of oil and everything, I haven’t lit the Rayburn. And the storage heaters take a while to heat up, too. I know, I know, if I’d had the cavity wall insulation done I wouldn’t be needing either, but you see, the problem is, I haven’t got one of those things yet. You know, a Round Tuit.

Without a Round Tuit, it’s almost impossible to do anything. It’s certainly impossible to do anything important like saving the planet or going for a pint. If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard people say, ‘I was going to go to the library / sell my HBOS shares / learn French / form a government / lose weight / redecorate the house / have an affair but I haven’t got a Round Tuit yet’, I’d be a millionaire. Come to think of it, if the government stopped pouring money into the banking system and simply issued a Round Tuit to every household in Britain we’d probably solve the financial crisis and the economic downturn overnight. Imagine all those things that would suddenly get done…

Like my cavity wall insulation. When I get a Round Tuit I’m going to have it done. It apparently costs about £300 if you’re filthy rich and nothing if you’re on benefits. Or over seventy. Nothing! And you start saving money immediately.

So why aren’t I doing it? Am I filthy rich and therefore don’t care about paying all that extra on my electricity and oil bills? Am I a member of some strange sect that is dedicated to making the world uninhabitable for humans within a century? Am I so idiotically bigoted that I think all this ‘global warming, save the planet’ stuff is a load of rubbish – in short, am I Jeremy Clarkson? No, I just haven’t got a Round Tuit yet…

That’s all I need to do. So I’m definitely going to.

I. Am. Going. To. Get. A. Round. Tuit

Soon…

16 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Ad pages 6 July 3/7/12 14:13 Page 3

Friends&Meetings Marriage affirmation Diary

Raymond KRUMGOLD and BAMFORD QUAKER Helena BELAJEVA On 24 June, COMMUNITY RETREATS reaffirmed at Worthing Meeting in a 20-22 July Living Together: theory Quaker manner their 2007 Latvian and practice of Quaker community; civil marriage. Helena, associated 27-29 July Quaker Parenting; with Friends House Moscow, now 3-5 August Young Friends Getting adopts the name Krumgold. Wrinkly: get-together for Friends aged 30-50. Contact 01433 650085, Deaths [email protected] QUAKER HOUSE www.quakercommunity.org.uk NEW MILTON Melanie BARBER 29 June. BUNHILL FIELDS FRIENDS Peacefully. Daughter of the late Residential care home with MEETING, Banner Street, London personal independence William and Gladys Barber of EC1, Wednesday 18 July and the Brighton Meeting. Sister of Barry, third Wednesday of every month, for active older people Benita and Ondré. Sometime editor 12.45 - 1.15 p.m., meeting for wor- WE HAVE A VACANT ROOM of Friends Quarterly. Aged 69. ship followed by light shared lunch. Enquiries: Christopher Stringer Funerals, 01273 306000. High standard of individual care MONKSEATON LM Trial from provided by trained, experienced, Alma CURETON (née Bracey) Sunday 10 June until 2 September, long serving, caring staff 24 June. Peacefully in Hove. children’s group will be held each An excellent residential home Formerly of Bournville Meeting and Sunday 11-11.45am at Monkseaton with a superb reputation, offering Friends Relief Service. Aged 88. FMH, 23 Front Street, Monkseaton, independence - dignity - privacy, Tyne & Wear NE25 8AQ. Visitors encouraging residents to make Barty KNIGHT 27 June. warmly welcomed at our coastal positive contributions to the home Peacefully at home in Hereford. MfW. Enquiries 0191 289 3944. by exercising their personal choices and rights as individuals Dorothy Muriel TRIPPIER 20 June. Moving to a new home? • Very reasonable inclusive fees. Peacefully in hospital. Mother of Ian Let everyone know with a Change Not for profit charitable status. and Stephen, mother-in-law of Helen of address notice in the Friend! • Purpose built two storey building and Pat. Grandmother of Tansy, Jim with lift. All rooms have and Hannah. Member of Southport en-suite facilities. Meeting. Aged 89. Quaker funeral Notices on this page. • In-house activities and entertain- held 29 June. Donations to Britain Friends & Meetings notices should Yearly Meeting for work in Kenya. preferably be prepaid. From 1 July ment - planned outings. Enquiries Ian: 01782 722685. 2012 personal entries (births, mar- • Easy walk to New Milton and one riages, deaths, anniversaries, mile from the sea and cliff top. Margaret Elizabeth WRIGHT changes of address, etc.): £18 incl. 22 June. Mother of Eleanor, Edwin vat. Meeting and charity notices We are currently able to offer (changes of clerk, new wardens, respite care. and Alison (deceased). Sister of alterations to meeting, diary, etc.) Norman and John. Member of £15 zero rated for vat. Max.35 Call 01425 617656 for an Cambridge Jesus Lane Meeting. words. 3 Diary or Meeting up informal discussion and arrange Aged 72. Funeral 11am, 10 July at entries £40 (£33.33 zero rated); 6 St Peter’s Church, Broad Street, Ely. entries £69 (£57.50). If you would an assessment of your needs. like a copy of the issue with your notice please add £1.70. Cheques You are very welcome to make Notices payable to ‘The Friend’. an appointment to view Quaker Entries are accepted at the editor’s House with a friend or relative discretion in a standard house style. and we can talk about your needs. FRIENDS OF THE LIGHT A gentle discipline will be exerted to We would like to announce the maintain a simplicity of style and For further details and a home launch of the "Friends of the Light" wording that excludes terms of brochure please call online community which aims to be endearment and words of tribute. Paul Abbott our Home Manager both Passionately Christian and Deadline usually Monday. on 01425 617656 passionately inclusive. For Further The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Look at our website - information please visit: www.quakerhouse.org.uk http://www.friendsofthelight.co.uk/ T. 01535 630230 E. [email protected]

the Friend, 6 July 2012 17 Ad pages 6 July 3/7/12 14:13 Page 4

Classified advertisements HAVE YOU EVER 54a Main St, Cononley Keighley BD20 8LL. T&F: 01535 630230. E: [email protected] COUNTRY COTTAGES NEAR LUDLOW THOUGHT OF where to stay with sustainable tourism awards. Walking, BEING A BOARD wildlife. Short breaks. Pets welcome. GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS Ffriends’ discount. 01547 540441. MEMBER? www.mocktreeholidays.co.uk B&B LEEK, much Arts & Crafts legacy; gate- way to Peak District. 1724 house built by LAKE DISTRICT. Self-contained annexe in QUAKER HOUSE Quaker button maker Josiah Strangman. peaceful area of Ambleside. Close to NEW MILTON William Morris stayed frequently. Restored village, buses and beautiful walks. and owned by Quaker couple. For Sleeps 2. 015394 34069. Residential care home Meeting House funds. 01538 386946. www.amblesideselfcatering.com for older people. [email protected] NORTH WALSHAM SUMMER VACANCIES. Being a Board Member is an EDINBURGH. City centre accommodation Static caravan, quiet site, 3 miles beach, incredibly important role and a good at Emmaus House. Tel. 0131 228 1066. sleeps four. Mod cons. Details: 07866 way to make a significant difference www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk 241460 or [email protected] to our business. As a respected and Email: [email protected] Scottish charity SC042957. responsible role, it is also a great PEMBROKESHIRE, NEAR TENBY. Golden way to develop new skills and it sands, castles, Coastal Path. Two comfort- is a good way to get involved in GLASGOW FRIENDS B&B. £15pppn. able flats attached to 16th Century farm- supporting your community. Proceeds for Meeting House roof. Contact house, each sleeping 5. Peaceful environ- 01505 842380. [email protected] ment. 01834 845868. malcolm.gregson@ Board Members do not receive littlewedlockgallery.co.uk remuneration, we are a not for ISLE OF MULL. Staffa House offers warm profit organization registered with welcome. Spacious, comfortable B&B. RETREAT, CORNWALL. Yurts and B&B charitable status - we aim to keep Views of Iona and Ben More. Solar hot overlooking the Fowey Valley. Holiday, our fees as low as possible. water. Delicious food, local/organic spa and retreat options. Walking to Reasonable travel expenses paid. products. Vegetarians most welcome. Lostwithiel, main train line connection. 01681 700677. www.staffahouse.co.uk www.yurtretreatcornwall.co.uk THE ROLE Email: [email protected] Support the Management Board to oversee the quality service delivery LONDON: B&B IN CENTRAL, quiet com- fortable family homes. Double £27 pppn. ROSEDALE, NORTH YORKSHIRE. to 40 older residents through effec- Single £42 pn. Children’s reductions. Converted chapel in gorgeous setting. tive participation at Board Meetings Prices excluding Olympic periods. Panoramic views. Summer vacancies. Wi-fi. of which there are 9 per year. 020 7385 4904. www.thewaytostay.co.uk Sleeps 8. [email protected] Ensure the service continues to operate within the legislative require- NEWCASTLE, WARM, FRIENDLY B&B SUFFOLK COAST WALBERSWICK Self- ments of a residential care home. Jesmond. Quiet, adjacent Metro/city. contained annexe. Very close to beach. Veggies welcome. 0191 285 4155. Beautiful, varied walks. Sleeps 2/3. £120– We also welcome applicants who £240pw; £40/night. Tel: 01502 723914 are interested in supporting a sub THE HIGHBURY CENTRE, LONDON. email [email protected] committee to enable us to under- Comfortable accommodation in pleasant, take specific projects. quiet area. Good value B&B with WEST CORNWALL BUNGALOW. discounts for full-time Christian workers. Quiet lane. Sleeps 2/3. Near Marazion. THE PERSON See www.thehighburycentre.org or call http://littletrevarrack-cornwall.co.uk Commitment to the ethos, values 020 7226 2663. 01736 763623. [email protected] and independence of Quaker House. 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18 the Friend, 6 July 2012 Ad pages 6 July 3/7/12 14:13 Page 5

Britain Yearly Meeting Deputy Recording Clerk Annual salary: Managerial scale £50,073 - £57,460 (under review). Based at Friends House, London 35 hours working week, with evening and weekend work required. The Trustees of BYM seek offers of service from Friends (in membership) for the new post of Deputy Recording Clerk, ideally to serve from 1 November 2012. The postholder will work closely with Meeting for Sufferings, Trustees and the Recording Clerk to shape the priorities for the centrally managed work of BYM. The Deputy Recording Clerk will serve as secretary to Meeting for Sufferings, and take responsibility for the annual operational planning, monitoring and reporting cycle. Do you have vision, enthusiasm, energy and organisation skills? Could you play a part in leading the work of Quakers in Britain? Would you like the opportunity to use your skills to serve Quakers in Britain, an organisation committed to peace, integrity, simplicity, sustainability and equality in all its dealings? You will be a member of the Management Meeting, accountable to the Recording Clerk. You will need strong personal communication and management skills. Can you demonstrate experience of successfully managing change, creating robust systems and developing innovation and leadership skills among your staff? Closing date for applications: 20 July 2012. Interviews: 30 July 2012. Further details and application pack are available at www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Registered Charity No. 1127633.

RETIRED PSYCHOTHERAPIST, author for sale & to let miscellaneous 'Using Love to Make things Better.’ With experience of spiritual counselling, offers QUAKER HOUSE LEEDS. 60+ and Active? free counselling by email (although hope- fully meeting at some stage). Please Two ground floor flats for sale. Quiet ACCOUNTING SERVICES garden. On same site as lively Friends contact [email protected] Meeting, on bus routes, close to city Charity Accounts prepared. centre, parks nearby. Interested? Independent Examinations carried out. Contact Una Parker 0113 244 5454. Bookkeeping Services. THE PRIORY ROOMS Contact David Stephens FCCA on 07843 766685. Meeting and conference facilities accommodation Email: [email protected] in central Birmingham. WANTED Comfortable, flexible accommodation ALL YOUR PIANO REQUIREMENTS with a full range of support facilities Restoration/removals/sales/part-exchange. and optional hospitality packages. LONDON. Young Friend, QPSW www.cambridgepianolacompany.co.uk See www.theprioryrooms.co.uk Peaceworker, seeks room in shared house 01223 861507. [email protected] Tel. 0121 236 2317 or Friendly lodgings from August. Please [email protected] email [email protected] or 07813 792356. LIVING FURNITURE WEB DESIGN, TUITION AND HOSTING. TLC for your furniture Green, inexpensive, established 2003. personal Professional furniture restoration, upholstery, www.ethicalinternet.co.uk 01453 762685. gilding, carving. Ornate period antiques to simple Quaker benches. Nationwide. BARBARA AND ANDY, late 50's, recently WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? returned from New Zealand, seeking Roland Carn Books typeset for your family’s pleasure. longish-term house-sit, rental or other 56 Alexandra Grove, London N12 8HG Photos and other graphics can be included. live-in opportunity. Family based in West 020 8446 5772 Contact Trish on 020 8446 5772. Yorkshire but anywhere considered. [email protected] [email protected] Suggestions, possibilities, conversations www.living-furniture.co.uk Other printed material also prepared. welcomed. 0759 1544 122 or [email protected] QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, LIFE FOR THE WORLD. Calling Martin Partnerships, commitments, notices For details of how to advertise in George Bertrand Johnson. Jo Creed and other calligraphy. the Friend please call 01535 0191 285 4155. [email protected] Liz Barrow 01223 369776. 630230 or email [email protected]

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