LEARNING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2019
LEARN Woodbrooke Learning 2019 Contents
Welcome 5
About Woodbrooke 6 Financial Support 13 Online Learning 18 Exploring Diversity and Inclusion 20 Swarthmoor Hall 22
Course Index by date 25
Course Listings by Theme 33 Engagement in the World 34 Experience of the Spirit 40 Exploring the Quaker Tradition 56 Interfaith 69 Nurturing Our Quaker Community 70 Training for Quaker Roles 76 Quaker Conferences 86
Further Information 87 Programmes Team 88 Associate Tutors 90 Travel Directions 96 Learning and Accessibility 99 How to Book 100 Booking Form 101 Welcome to Woodbrooke Woodbrooke has been offering courses and programmes of learning for over 115 years. People from many different walks of life have found themselves drawn to the learning that we offer in a broad range of subjects. Some of our learning is focused on supporting Quakers in building and maintaining a healthy community. Much of our learning is about individuals finding different ways of exploring their own spiritual path. If you have never experienced one of our courses before, we really hope that you might feel encouraged by this brochure to try something new.
Sandra Berry, Director
For a large print copy of this brochure, please call 0121 472 5171 A Unique Learning Experience Originally founded in 1903 by George Cadbury and John Wilhelm Rowntree as a centre for Quaker learning, Woodbrooke continues to support the learning and growth of thousands of people and equip them to play their part in their communities and the world.
INSPIRED LEARNING OPEN TO ALL Our learning programmes seek Woodbrooke learning, whether held to support, inform and transform at our centre in Birmingham, at other individuals and communities. We locations around Britain and beyond, or aim to nurture spiritual development, online, is open to all who are interested. strengthen communities and enable and We aim to provide inclusive learning encourage work for a peaceful and just and affirm the gifts of all, offering world. stimulating resources, expertise and safe spaces to enable engagement with TIME AND SPACE challenging ideas. One of Woodbrooke’s founders John Wilhelm Rowntree wrote that “In the VARIETY & FLEXIBILITY noisy rush of modern life we need We offer a broad range of courses periods of quiet when the soul may which enable the deepening of feed in peace on that which shall individual spiritual lives, exploration of nourish it for action”. The tranquil setting issues such as understanding Quaker of Woodbrooke’s centre in Birmingham, faith, practices and history, as well as still offers this time and space and our working for peace and justice. learning is a collaborative process, Our online programmes (see p 18-19) creating spaces where the spirit can and workshops for Quaker communities work among us. (see p 55) offer flexible learning opportunities wherever you are.
LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 7 WOODBROOKE LEARNING
“As always Woodbrooke feels like a home from home.” THE CHANGING FACE OF FAITH PARTICIPANT
“Excellent, sensitive and supportive facilitation; an atmosphere of openness and trust.” QUAKER – BUDDHIST DIALOGUE EVENT PARTICIPANT
“Definitely got what I had hoped for and (unexpectedly) felt extremely cared for and supported. Found the course calming and centering as well as What is included? practical and inspiring. I guess I wasn’t The price listed in the brochure includes the following: expecting such a personal impact.” • The course including all materials and handouts MANAGING OUR MEETING HOUSES PARTICIPANT • En suite single accommodation* • Freshly cooked meals** • Access to all of Woodbrooke’s facilities from arrival to departure.
“I loved the freedom of movement that * We have a small number of rooms with a shared bathroom. If you would specifically like one of I was enabled to use. I was surprised by these rooms please state this at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee availability of rooms. There will be a discount of 10% applied to the price of a residential course. If you have any questions the words; they really took me deeper relating to this please contact us first before making a booking. We also have a number of twin and into the dance. Thank you.” double rooms available; if you are coming with someone else and would like to share please let us know at the time of booking. SPIRIT DANCE PARTICIPANT ** A non-residential place includes lunch and evening meal.
8 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 9 WOODBROOKE LEARNING Also at Woodbrooke
ACCOMMODATION At Woodbrooke we are renowned for our warm, welcoming and fairly priced accommodation. You can retreat from the hustle and bustle of life and soak up the atmosphere in the former home of George Cadbury and enjoy the 10 acres of organically managed gardens and grounds.
Our bed and breakfast packages start from just £50.00 per person and we also offer a range of room and board types to choose from. Visit woodbrooke.org.uk/stay to check availability.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS Woodbrooke is the perfect venue for your next meeting, conference or event. With nine bright, airy meeting rooms holding up to 100 people, you will leave feeling refreshed and inspired. Our packages offer exceptional value for money and include complimentary Wi-Fi, freshly prepared meals and handmade cakes and cookies. Our friendly attentive staff will ensure that your event runs smoothly from start to finish.
Our meeting packages start from just £36.00 per person but please contact our reservations team on 0121 472 5171 to discuss your requirements in more detail.
10 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 11 Financial support We want to enable everyone who would like to participate in “The respect, gentleness and love of the tutors and Woodbrooke learning to be able to do so whatever their financial circumstances. other participants made for a brilliant experience. I really appreciated the depth and breadth of practices that were introduced to us.” A ‘PRACTICE AND PRESENCE’ PARTICIPANT
“The course tutors were outstanding; they have an extraordinary way of making the space very safe
whilst encouraging risk taking and spiritual growth.” DO YOU NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT? A ‘TIME SET ASIDE’ PARTICIPANT Woodbrooke’s bursary fund is available for anyone who needs help with the cost of a course whether this is a few pounds or more substantial support. We can also help with a payment plan so you can spread the cost over a period of time.
“There was quiet, no hurry, freedom to think, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY WOODBROOKE LEARNING to listen, to work alongside lovely people.” FOR THE FIRST TIME? If you have never been to Woodbrooke before and are tempted to take the plunge then AN ‘OPEN TO WONDER’ PARTICIPANT you can take advantage of a £50 discount on your first course. This offer is for courses at Woodbrooke only and terms and conditions apply. To claim this discount enter the code INTRO50 at the checkout stage when booking online or tick the box on a paper form. “I got exactly what I was looking for and more” ARE YOU AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 35? AN ‘O BE JOYFUL’ PARTICIPANT If you are aged between 18 and 35 you can book any short course for half the listed price. Enter the code YA19 at the checkout stage when booking online or tick the relevant box on the booking form at the back of this brochure.
For more information about ways we can help please contact our reservations team on 0121 472 5171 or see www.woodbrooke.org.uk/offers.
12 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 13 Would you like to stay on after your course?
If your course finishes on a Sunday you can stay on and enjoy Woodbrooke for a little longer. Take advantage of our ‘Sunday night special’ which offers Sunday evening supper, bed and breakfast for £45. Simply quote SNS19 when booking your course.
14 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 15 We need your help!
Garden Lounge nearing completion, May 2012 Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre is a very special place. Many people tell us how important Woodbrooke is to them and we take great care in trying to keep our buildings and gardens in good order. We also try to improve the facilities too – especially towards making the centre more accessible. Maybe if you see Woodbrooke looking well cared for, you might think that we don’t need financial help.
Sadly the costs of maintenance are increasing all the time. Our recent buildings condition survey has identified work which will cost around £2 million over the next 10 years.
We can raise some of that £2 million needed through our commercial activities, but we can’t raise it all without risking the essential nature of Woodbrooke’s atmosphere. These maintenance costs are not unusual in buildings of the age and complexity of Woodbrooke. Some things will cost a lot and there are also lots of smaller problems where even a modest donation would make a difference.
Over the last few years Meetings and individuals have made donations totalling around £35,000 per year. If you or your meeting could help us with a one off donation or even a regular amount, then we would be very grateful. This would allow us to keep Woodbrooke well maintained and hopefully be able to afford to make some improvements too.
To make a donation visit www.woodbrooke.org.uk/donate or you can add a donation with your booking form when you book a course.
16 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 17 QUAKERISM IN 18TH AND 19TH ELDERSHIP AND OVERSIGHT Learning where you are CENTURY AMERICAN LITERATURE 6 May – 16 June 14 January – 24 March It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, you can learn with LET YOUR LIFE PREACH Woodbrooke. We offer a range of outstanding online learning WHAT TO DO ABOUT MONEY 20 May – 16 June 23 January – 20 February opportunities which give the chance to deepen your connection GALATIANS 7 to the spirit, discover more about the Quaker tradition, explore A FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION TO 28 May THE QUAKER WAY contemporary issues and learn about Quaker roles. 28 January – 10 March PRACTICAL SKILLS IN NON-VIOLENCE Woodbrooke’s online programme offers: BEING A QUAKER CLERK: AN 3 June - 14 July • Flexible learning - courses can be in your own time ONLINE COURSE FOR CLERKS AROUND THE WORLD EXPLORING QUAKER CHAPLAINCY • Engaging video, audio and written material weekly 28 January – 10 March 3 June - 14 July • Learning forums to share reflections and ask questions THE ROOTS OF THE QUAKER BIBLE STUDY FOR QUAKERS • Live Q&A WAY: EARLY FRIENDS IN THEIR 8 July - 18 August • Support from experienced tutors RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL CONTEXT QUAKER NOMINATIONS 5 February – 12 March The times, ways of accessing material and time commitment for online courses vary. 15 July - 25 August Full details are on the individual course listings on the website and where known in DEEPENING THE LIFE OF SPIRIT: MULTIPLE RELIGIOUS BELONGING the brochure. AN ONLINE RETREAT 12 August - 22 September 11 February – 24 March BEING A QUAKER CLERK: A QUAKER RESPONSE AN ONLINE COURSE TO ANIMAL SUFFERING 2 September - 13 October 4 March - 14 April WRITING BRILLIANT ANNUAL ELDERSHIP AND OVERSIGHT REPORTS 2 September - 13 October 14 March - 28 March A TASTE OF LIFE WRITING CLERK TO TRUSTEES: TRAINING FOR TRANSFORMATION™ 11 – 29 April 16 September - 27 October
BEING A QUAKER TREASURER EUROPEAN QUAKER VOICES 16 April – 21 May 16 September - 27 October
RADICAL SPIRITUALITY: THE MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR EARLY HISTORY OF THE QUAKERS BUSINESS: AN ONLINE COURSE 29 April - 17 May 23 September - 3 November
18 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 19 Exploring diversity and inclusion In 2019 we’re offering Friends and meetings a range of opportunities to respond to Britain Yearly Meeting’s call to examine diversity within the Religious Society of Friends.
These events will give you the chance to look at the issues, consider the implications and think about what practical steps individuals and meetings can take.
‘ANSWERING THAT OF GOD IN communities, regardless of economic power, EVERYONE’: A DIVERSITY AND gender, mental health, physical ability, race or INCLUSION NATIONAL GATHERING sexuality? 18-20 January Woodbrooke & Britain Yearly Meeting A FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION working in partnership TO GENDER DIVERSITY A diverse and inclusive community where 15 – 17 March all are welcomed has been an ever present An opportunity to explore the distinctive aspiration for Quakers. This event aims to role of Quaker meetings in embracing the equip Friends to make it a reality. We will richness of gender diversity based on our explore diversity in a variety of forms in an testimonies. intersectional way. Prepare to be challenged and inspired. BECOMING A QUAKER DIVERSITY ALLY CRITICAL WHITENESS 17 – 19 May 22 – 24 February How can we as Friends become more What is white privilege? Who has unearned effective allies in the fight for racial justice and power and why? How does the often racial healing in our lives, in our communities, unnamed racial position of white people and beyond. affect families, careers, and interactions? ENQUIRING INTO QUAKER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BEING AN INCLUSIVE 2- 4 August FAITH COMMUNITY We will use the Philosophy for Communities 1 – 3 March methodology to have an in-depth discussion How is inclusion rooted in our theology? of the deeper meaning and implications of How does inclusion different to diversity, and diversity and inclusion and explore what it how we can include all people in our faith means in practice for Quakers.
Find out more about the courses above by visiting www.woodbrooke.org.uk/diversity- and-inclusion or see the listings in this brochure.
20 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 21 WRITING RETREAT DEVELOPING A PRACTICE OF 7-12 April 2019 CHRISTIAN MEDITATION This retreat is open to anyone looking for 13-15 September 2019 space and time for writing, whether starting An introduction to an ancient Christian way a new project, or to take forward or finish off of prayer beyond words. The emphasis will a current piece. be on practising meditation together and Tutors: Ben Pink Dandelion and John Gray. beginning to understand its rationale, its See page 45 for full details. effect on our daily lives, our understanding of ourselves, of each other and of God. Tutor: Liz Watson. A PLACE FOR THE SCRIPTURES See Page 66 for full details. 3-5 May 2019 The early Friends experience of the living Spirit made them suspicious of placing MOTHERS OF ISRAEL: authority in a fixed text – but they believed EXPLORING THE WRITING OF this insight was rooted in the Bible itself. This EARLY QUAKER WOMEN course is part of a continuing exploration of 27-29 September 2019 how Friends today relate to the Bible without The early Quaker movement was unusual in compromising Quaker insights. its time for the freedom it afforded women Tutor: Timothy Ashworth. to be preachers, prophets and writers. This See Page 58 for full details. course will enable you to explore the lives, and writings of a number of important seventeenth century Quaker women. THE INNER LIGHT: AN EXPLORATION OF EASTERN Tutor: Stuart Masters. Experience See Page 66 for full details. SPIRITUAL POETRY 10-12 May 2019 The weekend will include a wide ranging QUAKER NOMINATIONS Swarthmoor Hall survey of the ways in which Far and Middle 18-20 October 2019 Eastern scriptures and poetry have explored This event is for members of Quaker Join Woodbrooke tutors at Swarthmoor Hall for the chance to and expressed the nature and consequences nominations committees. Friends can explore the Quaker way of the past and the present. of spiritual aspiration. All texts will be studied expect a renewed insight into the potential in translation. of nominations to strengthen meetings and Woodbrooke is working in partnership with Britain Yearly Meeting to offer Tutor: Peter Brennan. enabling them to flourish. opportunities to nurture your spirit, explore the roots of Quakerism and deepen your See Page 59 for full details. Tutors: Members of Woodbrooke’s Nominations tutor team. understanding of Quaker practices in the unique setting of Swarthmoor Hall. JOURNALING: A WAY TO THE CENTRE Situated in the Lake District, Swarthmoor Hall is the ‘hidden gem of Furness’ and was 7-9 June 2019 the home of Judge Thomas Fell and Margaret Fell. Today its historic building and For those who wish to use journaling as a beautiful gardens are open to visitors with B&B accommodation, a café and shop on tool to deepen their spiritual life. In reflecting site as well as offering a variety of courses, retreats and pilgrimages. on our current condition, via a series of exercises designed to image our lives, possibilities are opened for becoming more Find out more about the courses below by visiting www.woodbrooke.org.uk/ deeply centred. swarthmoorhall and to book visit www.swarthmoorhall.co.uk or call 01229 583204. Tutors: Gerald Hewitson and Wendy Hampton.See Page 48 for full details.
22 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 23 Bring your meeting to Woodbrooke Would your meeting benefit from time together in a beautiful setting with the opportunity for learning and fellowship?
We can tailor a package to meet the needs of your meeting – please contact us for more information and to discuss your requirements. Call us on 0121 472 5171 or email [email protected] LEARNING Package includes: • Full board en suite accommodation (if residential) JANUARY TO • Meals and refreshments • Teaching sessions and all materials SEPTEMBER • A meeting room for the exclusive use of your group • Access to Woodbrooke’s garden, library and other facilities for your whole stay COURSE “The quality of teaching & facilitation, the physical space of the house and the beautiful garden felt very helpful in facilitating the explorations of myself and my meeting.” INDEX MEMBER OF A LOCAL MEETING, MARCH 2018 T.S. Eliot: the heavy burden of the growing soul | Mon 25 – Wed 27 Feb Page 43 JANUARY In Humility of Heart | Mon 25 – Wed 27 Feb Page 43 Clearing the Way | Fri 11 – Sun 13 Jan Page 40 Being a Quaker Treasurer | Mon 25 – Wed 27 Feb Page 78 Quakerism in 18th and 19th century American literature | Mon 14 Jan– Sun 24 Mar Page 56 Nurturing Authentic Spirituality: a rule to live by | Thur 28 Feb - Sun 3 Mar Page 43 Answering that of God in Everyone | Wed 23 Jan – Wed 20 Feb Page 70 What to do About Money | Wed 23 Jan – Wed 20 Feb Page 34 Exploring Oversight | Fri 25 – Sun 27 Jan Page 76 MARCH Exploring Eldership | Fri 25 – Sun 27 Jan Page 76 Being a Quaker Trustee | Fri 25 – Sun 27 Jan Page 77 Being an Inclusive Faith Community | Fri 1 Mar - Sun 3 Mar Page 72 A Friendly Introduction to the Quaker Way | Mon 28 Jan – Sun 10 Mar Page 71 Being a Quaker Clerk | Mon 4 March – Wed 6 Mar Page 79 Being a Quaker Clerk: an online course for clerks around the world Page 77 Icon Painting as a Spiritual Practice | Mon 4 Mar– Fri 8 Mar Page 44 Mon 28 Jan – Sun 10 Mar A Quaker Response to Animal Suffering | Mon 4 Mar – Thur 14 Apr Page 35 An introduction to Nonviolent Communication | Fri 8 Mar – Sun 10 Mar Page 35 The spiritual grounding of ecumenical & interfaith work | Fri 8 Mar – Sun 10 Mar Page 57 FEBRUARY Exploring Eldership | Mon 11 Mar – Wed 13 Mar Page 79 A Friendly Introduction to Membership | Fri 1 – Sun 3 Feb Page 71 Exploring Oversight | Mon 11 Mar – Wed 13 Mar Page 79 Resting in Presence: an individually guided retreat | Sun 3 – Fri 8 Feb Page 40 Being a Quaker Trustee | Mon 11 Mar – Wed 13 Mar Page 80 Changing Shape of Eldership and Oversight | Mon 4 Feb – Wed 6 Feb Page 77 Writing Brilliant Annual Reports | Thur 14 Mar – Thur 28 Mar Page 80 The Roots of the Quaker Way | Tue 5 Feb – Tue 12 Mar Page 56 The search for the Deep Self | Fri15 Mar – Sun 17 Mar Page 44 ‘Standing in the light and sitting in the dark’ | Fri 8 – Sun 10 Feb Page 41 Friendly Introduction to Gender Diversity | Fri 15 Mar – Sun 17 Mar Page 71 Exploring Quaker Nominations | Fri 8 – Sun 10 Feb Page 78 Transforming the World | Fri 15 Mar – Sun 17 Mar Page 35 Being a Quaker Clerk | Fri 8 – Sun 10 Feb Page 78 Chaplaincy Retreat | Fri 22 Mar – Sun 24 Mar Page 80 Time Set Aside: an individually guided retreat | Mon 11 – Fri 15 Feb Page 41 Appreciative Inquiry in Quaker settings | Fri 22 Mar– Sun 24 Mar Page 72 Deepening the Life of the Spirit | Mon 11 Feb – Sun 24 Mar Page 41 Reinterpreting the Meaning of the Cross | Fri 22 Mar – Sun 24 Mar Page 57 Exploring the Quaker Practice of Waiting in the Light | Fri 15 – Sun 17 Feb Page 42 Beethoven’s 9th Symphony | Wed 27 Mar – Fri 29 Mar Page 44 Nurturing our Meetings | Fri 15 – Sun 17 Feb Page 71 Telling our (digital) Quaker stories | Fri 29 Mar –Sun 31 Mar Page 45 Richard Rohr on Ego, 12 Steps, Mysticism and Growth | Fri 15 – Sun 17 Feb Page 42 Unity, Diversity, Boundaries (QUAKER CONF) | Fri 29 Mar –Sun 31 Mar Page 86 Present Moment, Wonderful Moment | Fri 22 – Sun 24 Feb Page 42 Critical Whiteness | Fri 22 – Sun 24 Feb Page 34
On-Line course On-Line course
26 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 27 Introduction to Life Writing for Transformation | Thur 16 May – Sun 19 May Page 47 APRIL Becoming a Quaker Diversity Ally | Fri 17 May – Sun 19 May Page 73
Planning a Purposeful Retirement | Mon 1 Apr – Wed 3 Apr Page 72 A Gathering of Fools | Mon 20 May – Fri 24 May Page 47 Registering Officers Training | Thur 4 Apr – Fri 5 Apr Page 81 Let Your Life Preach | Mon 20 May – Sun 16 Jun Page 36 Registering Officers conference | Fri 5 Apr – Sun 7 Apr Page 81 Training for Quaker Prison Chaplains | Fri 31 May – Sun 2 Jun Page 82 Writing Retreat (at Swarthmoor Hall) | Sun 7 Apr – Fri 12 Apr Page 45 A Changing World: Who am I? What can I do? | Fri 31 May – Sun 2 Jun Page 47 Clerk to Trustees: training | Thur 11 Apr – Thur 25 Apr Page 81 Becoming a Band of Everyday Prophets | Fri 31 May – Sun 2 Jun Page 36 Being a Quaker Treasurer | Tue 16 Apr – Tue 21 May Page 81 God in Jewish tradition | Fri 31 May – Sun 2 Jun Page 69 Living Water - an Appleseed Course | Fri 19 Apr – Mon 22 Apr Page 45 The Drama of the Passion | Fri 19 Apr – Mon 22 Apr Page 58 Radical Spirituality: the Early History of the Quakers | Mon 29 Apr – Fri 17 May Page 58 JUNE
Look Not Out But Within: a Quaker retreat | Mon 3 June – Wed 5 Jun Page 48 Pattern of Seasons: a handicraft Workshop | Mon 3 June – Thur 6 Jun Page 48 MAY Exploring Quaker Chaplaincy | Mon 3 June –Sun 14 Jun Page 82
A Drop of Stillness | Fri 3 May – Sun 5 May Page 46 Practical Skills in Nonviolence | Mon 3 Jun - 14 Jun Page 37 A Place for the Scriptures (at Swarthmoor Hall) | Fri 3 May – Sun 5 May Page 58 The Beatitude Way - pathway of prophets | Fri 7 June – Sun 9 Jun Page 60 Eldership and Oversight | Mon 6 May - Sun 16 Jun Page 82 Spiritual Activism | Fri 7 June – Sun 9 Jun Page 60 Spiritual Blogging: continuing the story | Tue 7 May – Thur 9 May Page 59 Journaling: A Way to the Centre (at Swarthmoor Hall) | Fri 7 June – Sun 9 Jun Page 48 Galatians | Tue 7 May – Tue 28 May Page 59 Leadership Amongst Friends | Fri 14 June – Sun 16 Jun Page 73 Travelling in the ministry: strengthening our gifts | Wed 8 May – Fri 10 May Page 73 Exploring the Development of Early Quaker Theology | Fri 14 June – Sun 16 Jun Page 61 Anger Management with Art | Wed 8 May – Fri 10 May Page 36 The History of Woodbrooke Gardens in 10 objects | Mon 17 June – Wed 19 Jun Page 61 The Inner Light: an exploration of eastern spiritual poetry (at Swarthmoor Hall) Page 59 Quaker Studies Conference | Fri 21 June – Sun 23 Jun Page 62 Fri 10 May – Sun 12 May A Time to Speak Out: a guided Bible study | Fri 21 Jun – Sun 23 Jun Page 61 Forgiveness – Why forgive? (QUAKER CONF) | Fri 10 May – Sun 12 May Page 86 George Richardson Lecture | Sat 22 Jun Page 62 Spiritual Principles: daily practices | Mon 13 May – Wed 15 May Page 46 Praying As You Can Not As You Can’t | Mon 24 Jun Page 48 Desert as Sacred Space | Mon 13 May – Wed 15 May Page 46 Eldership and Oversight Together | Mon 24 Jun – Wed 26 Jun Page 83 Towards a Quaker Response to Israel and Palestine | Mon 13 May – Wed 15 May Page 36 Truth is What Works | Mon 24 June – Wed 26 Jun Page 62 Come Holy Spirit | Mon 13 May – Wed 15 May Page 60 Sing in the Spirit: a chant-based retreat | Fri 28 - Sun 30 June Page 50
On-Line course On-Line course
28 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 29 The Wisdom of the Psalms: spiritual guidance for everyday life Page 50 Multiple Religious Belonging | Mon 12 Aug – Sun 22 Sept Page 64 Fri 28 June – Sun 30 Jun Framing your Life | Wed 14 Aug – Fri 16 Aug Page 52 Confronting Mortality and Grief | Fri 28 June – Sun 30 Jun Page 73 Telling our Faith Stories | Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug Page 64 Exploring Sensory-being | Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug Page 74 Centering Prayer and Christian Meditation | Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug Page 52 JULY Julian of Norwich: ‘There was a treasure in the earth Page 65 which the Lord loved.’ | Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug Speaking of Unspeakable Things: giving language to the The Wonder of Seed: the whole world in your hand | Mon 19 Aug – Wed 21 Aug Page 53 spiritual landscape Tue 2 Jul – Thur 4 Jul Page 50 Mindfully Together | Sun 25 Aug – Fri 30 Aug Page 69 Being a Quaker Parent | Fri 5 Jul – Sun 7 Jul Page 74 Experimental Worship | Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sept Page 75 Exploring Worship | Fri 5 Jul – Sun 7 Jul Page 74 Beyond the Spirit of the Age: Page 38 The Spiritual Journeys of John Woolman | Sat 6 Jul Page 63 The 1996 Swarthmore Lecture revisited - and revised? | Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sept Bible Study for Quakers | Mon 8 Jul – Sun 18 Aug Page 63 The Space Between Us | Fri 30 Aug– Sun 1 Sept Page 53 Awakening of the Sacred Feminine | Mon 15 Jul – Fri 19th Jul Page 51 Exploring the Old Testament | Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sept Page 65 Quaker Nominations | Mon 15 Jul – Sun 25 Aug Page 83 Finding Meaning In The Margins | Fri 19 Jul – Sun 21 Jul Page 37 Protest Songs | Sat 20 Jul Page 37 SEPTEMBER Mosaics My Way! | Sun 21 Jul – Thu 25 Jul Page 51 Exploring faith and practice together | Mon 29 Jul – Wed 31 Jul Page 74 Managing our Meeting Houses | Mon 2 Sept – Wed 4 Sept Page 83 Quaker Feminism? Exploring the contributions of Voices of the Earth | Mon 2 Sept – Wed 4 Sept Page 38 early Quaker Feminists to Women’s Rights | Mon 29 Jul – Wed 31 Jul Page 38 Being a Quaker Clerk: an online course | Mon 2 Sept – Sun 13 Oct Page 84 Attention: the way we relate to the world | Mon 29 Jul – Wed 31 Jul Page 64 Eldership and Oversight | Mon 2 Sept – Sun 13 Oct Page 84 Experiment with Joy | Fri 6 Sept – Sun 8 Sept Page 53 Take Time: retreat for mental health carers | Fri 6 Sept – Sun 8 Sept Page 75 AUGUST Gender and the Divine: learning from feminist religion | Fri 6 Sept – Sun8 Sept Page 65 Being a Quaker Clerk | Fri 6 Sept – Sun 8 Sept Page 84 Drawing a Labyrinth | Fri 2 Aug – Sun 4 Aug Page 51 Depicting Religious Characters in 19th Century Fiction | Mon 9 Sep Page 66 Enquiring into Quaker diversity and inclusion | Fri 2 Aug – Sun 4 Aug Page 64 Faith, Food and Earth Justice | Mon 9 Sept –Thu 12 Sept Page 39 Paths to the Grail: restoring the courts of joy | Mon 5 Aug – Wed 7 Aug Page 51 Dance for Joy | Fri 9 Aug – Sun 11 Aug Page 52 Jung and Persona/Personae | Fri 9 Aug – Sun 11 Aug Page 52
On-Line course
30 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 31 Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies (QFAS) and the Page 75 Friends Fellowship of Healing (FFH) Conference | Fri 13 Sept – Sun 15 Sept Developing a Practice of Christian Meditation Page 66 (at Swarthmoor Hall) | Fri 13 Sept – Sun 15 Sept A Taste of Life Writing for Transformation | Mon 16 Sept – Sun 27 Oct Page 54 Creativity and Ministry | Mon 16 Sept – Wed 18 Sept Page 54 European Quaker Voices | Mon 16 Sept – Sun 27 Oct Page 54 Towards Forgiveness | Fri 20 Sept – Sun 22 Sept Page 39 A Quiet Day with Experiment with Light | Sat 21 Sept – Sun 22 Sept Page 52 Walking with a smile into the dark | Mon 23 Sept – Wed 25 Sept Page 54 Meeting for worship for business: an online course | Mon 23 Sept – Sun 3 Nov Page 84 Envisioning a World that is Open To All | Wed 25 Sept– Sun 29 Sept Page 39 Mothers of Israel: exploring the writing of early Quaker women Page 66 (at Swarthmoor Hall) | Fri 27 Sept – Sun 29 Sept
LEARNING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER COURSE LISTINGS
32 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 33 WOODBROOKE LEARNING ENGAGEMENT IN THE WORLD
MON 4 MAR – THU 14 APR Online FRI 8 MAR – SUN 10 MAR A QUAKER RESPONSE course AN INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SUFFERING TO NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION 16 places | £36 per place Are you concerned with animal suffering? Do 15 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Engagement in you question the moral justifications for their At home or at work, the way we think ill-treatment? Do you have an awareness of about ourselves and communicate with them as precious creatures of God? This six others affects a fundamental aspect of our the World week online course will introduce key themes lives - human connection. Develop ways in the field of Animal Theology within the of expressing the heart of your messages Exploring and understanding Quaker testimony, and its various context of the Quaker faith. Also looking at with power, and learn to hear the essence expressions amongst Friends, reflecting on how we can live out our faith biblical, Buddhist and scientific understanding, of other’s communication, instead of in today’s world and supporting Quaker witness and activism. We also we will ask how our lives of active witness hearing blame and criticism. This workshop might realise the common bonds we share offer learning on a wide range of themes that reflect current Quaker introduces you to the concepts and tools of with other species, and extend our vision of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) developed concern and witness. the peaceable kingdom. by Marshall Rosenberg. It will improve your This course involves a time commitment of best relationships and ease the conflicts and WED 23 JAN – WED 20 FEB FRI 22 – SUN 24 FEB approximately two to three hours per week. misunderstandings of your worst. Online Tutor: Martin Layton Tutors: Therese Bentley and Shona Cameron. WHAT TO DO course CRITICAL WHITENESS
ABOUT MONEY 15 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential FRI 15 MAR – SUN 17 MAR 16 places | £24 per place What is white privilege? Who has unearned We are involved with money every day – power, and why? How does the often TRANSFORMING THE WORLD working for it, spending it, saving it, investing unnamed racial position of white people 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential it, and giving it away or just worrying about affect families, careers, and interactions? it. We feel guilty about having too much and This course speaks from the personal How can we, as Quakers, bring about worry about having too little. In this online experience of the white tutors who are in an non-violent, peaceful transformation course we’ll explore our relationships with ongoing process of understanding their place in our Meetings, in our families, in our money so that participants are better able to in the world’s racial systems, with the aim of workplaces, in our society, and in the world? make choices about their use of money, as ending racism and white supremacy. All are In this course, we will explore together how individuals or as Meetings. Financial advice welcome to join us for this exploration, which transformation starts and unfolds – and how will not be given. may be challenging, moving, and uplifting. we can make it happen. We will learn from Quaker history and experience, as well as Tutor: Maud Grainger Tutors: Rhiannon Grant and Andrew Lane from current creative approaches, to better understand our roles in bringing about transformation in line with our testimonies. Tutors: Tracey Martin and Ivan Hutnik
34 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 35 WOODBROOKE LEARNING ENGAGEMENT IN THE WORLD
WED 8 MAY – FRI 10 MAY MON 20 MAY – SUN 16 JUNE MON 3 JUN – SUN 14 JUN FRI 19 JUL – SUN 21 JUL Online Online ANGER MANAGEMENT LET YOUR LIFE course PRACTICAL SKILLS course FINDING MEANING WITH ART PREACH IN NONVIOLENCE IN THE MARGINS
12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 16 places | £24 £36 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential This course is for anyone who wants to Are we challenging the injustices in the Woodbrooke working in partnership with Most of us have felt on the margins at look at anger issues using art materials – world? In worship are we hearing the cries Turning the Tide. times. But how can we find comfort or those wanting to look at their own anger, of the world and are we responding to Dreaming of a more peaceful and just world? solace – or even transformation – through those working with others who are angry, the call to act? Together we will explore Join us as we share ideas, thinking, practice such experiences? We will look at margins or both. No ability in art is needed, just a the roots of our tradition to see how this and real life examples about collective action in nature, in the lives of social and spiritual willingness to have a go. We will look at what helps us today. ‘In our communities we can through nonviolent means. Whether you reformers, artists and others, as well as in anger is; whether it is good or bad; at the find ways to challenge, to test and to work are an experienced activist wanting some our own lives. We will look at the extent to physical symptoms of anger; the influence together to build the kingdom of heaven on space to reflect or you’re wondering about which marginal experiences are universal, and of early family patterns; using relaxation earth. This may be challenging, this may be how to make a difference (and everything how they can lead to renewal and healing and assertiveness to manage anger more uncomfortable but we can work together in between!) – you are very welcome to of ourselves and the world in which we live. constructively. with love and tenderness. Friends, it’s time to participate. The weekend will be highly participatory, ask ourselves, if we were accused of being using music, poetry, nature and people’s Tutors: Marian Liebmann and Kate Hale Tutors: Turning the Tide trainers Quakers, would there be enough evidence to experiences, including our own. convict us?’ Tutors: Chris Bemrose and Mike Mullins MON 13 MAY – WED 15 MAY This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. TOWARDS A QUAKER Tutors: Martin Layton and Maud Grainger SAT 20 JUL REGIONAL EVENT RESPONSE TO ISRAEL PROTEST SONGS AND PALESTINE FRI 31 MAY – SUN 2 JUNE 40 places | £20 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential BECOMING A BAND OF Singing can bring joy and lift up our Should Friends do more to promote EVERYDAY PROPHETS hearts. This one day workshop is for reconciliation in Israel-Palestine? In this anyone who wishes to learn the songs course we will explore together the roots 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential that sing out against injustice and to sing of the conflict and the role of cross-border What does the prophetic voice sound like the words of hope for a changed world. initiatives such as the Parents’ Circle Families in our time? The everyday prophet listens Come and spend a day learning songs of Forum. We will ask what other steps might for the Holy in the midst of the turmoil of protest in the company of other singers, be acceptable to many Palestinians and ordinary life and lives out of the wisdom the passionate for a just and compassionate Israelis. Among Quaker peacemakers some spirit opens in our hearts. We will explore society. see their chief role as “prophets”, others as how our meetings might nurture us as This one day workshop is being held at “reconcilers”. Both can contribute to this we become everyday prophets creating Watford Quaker Meeting House (WD17 enquiry. a community that sustains all of us as we 4QB) from 11 – 4pm. Please bring a Tutors: John Lynes and Alwyn Knight faithfully witness to God’s way in actions large packed lunch. Drinks will be provided. and small. Tutors: Maud Grainger and Mark Russ Tutors: Margery Post Abbott and Maud Grainger
36 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 37 WOODBROOKE LEARNING ENGAGEMENT IN THE WORLD
FRI 30 AUG – SUN 1 SEPT MON 29 JUL – WED 31 JUL MON 9 SEPT –THUR 12 SEPT BEYOND THE SPIRIT OF THE QUAKER FEMINISM? FAITH, FOOD AND AGE: THE 1996 SWARTHMORE Exploring the contributions of Alice Paul EARTH JUSTICE and other early Quaker Feminists to LECTURE REVISITED - AND 14 places | £235 residential | £130 non-residential Women’s Rights REVISED? Food is emerging as one of the most 10 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential challenging issues of our time – food is 15 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential This course will explore the disproportionate political, controversial, companionable, How much has changed in the two decades role that early Quaker feminists made to the joyful, anxiety-inducing, nourishing, since Jonathan Dale gave his prophetic advancement of women’s rights. Women depleting, and more. People of faith are Swarthmore Lecture challenging Friends such as Alice Paul, Lucretia Mott, Susan pushing the boundaries of this growing to renew their social testimony? Does that Anthony, Angelina Grimke, Abby Foster, and awareness – questioning our notions of challenge need updating for our time? During Elizabeth Stanton were key figures in the what constitutes ‘just eating’ and seeking out our time together we will reflect on how our first wave of feminism and the suffragette new collaborations with local community faith asks us to engage with a society that movement. We will discuss and celebrate food projects and with the growing food remains both economically and politically WED 25 SEPT – SUN 29 SEPT their achievements, while also looking at justice movement. This energising, hands- polarised. To what extent do our lifestyles what role spirituality played in their activism on workshop is for people of all faiths and ENVISIONING A WORLD THAT of comfort and convenience accommodate and ideas about gender equality. We will backgrounds who want to understand better IS OPEN TO ALL: LET US SEE us to this world, and how might we become also debate how feminism developed within the food dilemmas we all face and who feel agents of change? Join us as we listen and WHAT LOVE CAN DO global Quakerism both historically and today. led to work towards a new, life-affirming food learn from one another. Tutor: Kathryn Lum story for ourselves and our communities. 60 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential Tutors: Jonathan Dale and Martin Layton Tutors: Cliodhna Mulhern Jointly organised by Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network, Quaker Council for MON 2 SEPT – WED 4 SEPT FRI 20 SEPT – SUN 22 SEPT European Affairs, Quaker United Nations VOICES OF THE EARTH Office, Quaker Peace and Social Witness TOWARDS FORGIVENESS and Woodbrooke. 16 places | £285 residential | £245 non-residential A weekend conference learning about This popular course uses the rich 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential asylum and migration; hearing from those resources of Woodbrooke’s art room and Our lives as individuals and communities are who have felt its impact, and working extensive gardens to explore creatively our often damaged by unresolved conflicts, injury together to create the change that we need. relationships with the world we inhabit. With and hurts. How can we deal with painful Speakers, workshops, performances and new directions offered by the tutors each events and move towards understanding, panel discussions will explore the interplay year, we will engage hands-on with poetry forgiveness and reconciliation? How do we between race, privilege and migration - how and a range of media and art forms, familiar help ourselves and others heal and move on? does it work, what can we do? Language and unfamiliar. Working both individually Drawing on their experience, the tutors will and the media: challenging and changing the and collaboratively to recharge our ways of help you deepen your understanding of the language of migration - Migration and the seeing and sensing, we will discover fresh process of forgiveness, reconciliation and arts: how migration enriches our communities perspectives on the world in its variety and of healing and help you to become a source of and how the arts can bring about change - our place within it. strength within your community. This course The UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly Tutors: Zelie Gross and Philip Gross will not address individual therapeutic needs. and Regular Migration. Tutors: Marian Liebmann and Roger Cullen
38 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 39 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 8 – SUN 10 FEB ‘STANDING IN THE LIGHT AND SITTING IN THE DARK’
14 places | £245 residential Experience of £170 non-residential Are you looking to live a spirit led life? Join us to make space for unhurried, the Spirit open hearted attention to your inner life and the depths that call us. Together We offer a variety of courses and retreats to nurture, support and we will explore and create models for challenge individuals in their spiritual lives and to enable people to navigating from these depths to tangible ways of being and acting; to lives that explore and understand a variety of personal and corporate spiritual realise the spirit’s yearning for love and practices, including the expression of spirituality through the creative arts. justice. MON 11 FEB – SUN 24 MAR Online Tutors: Katie Evans and Meredith DEEPENING THE LIFE course Freeman FRI 11 – SUN 13 JAN SUN 3 – FRI 8 FEB OF THE SPIRIT: AN CLEARING THE WAY RESTING IN PRESENCE: ONLINE RETREAT
MON 11 – FRI 15 FEB AN INDIVIDUALLY GUIDED 14 places | £54 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential TIME SET ASIDE: AN RETREAT This course involves a time commitment of The New Year is a good time to reflect on who we are, what we feel called to do, and INDIVIDUALLY GUIDED approximately four hours per week. 6 places | £245 - £545 residential what gets in the way. We will explore the RETREAT Would you like to explore new ways of An opportunity for individual reflection and nature of the clutter that distracts from our opening to the light? This online retreat, stillness. This will be a chance to pay attention life’s purpose and consider how to create 12 places | £495 residential | £170 non-residential running over six weeks, offers spiritual to your inner wisdom, to become more aware space in our minds and hearts as well as in For this retreat, twelve people will join nourishment and renewal in the midst of of your true self, and perhaps to explore our living rooms. Timothy Ashworth and Frances Henley Lock everyday life. Each week you will be invited more deeply the role of Spirit in your life. You Tutors: Jennifer Kavanagh and Penny Fosten in a silent retreat which will utilise spaces to rest and reflect, explore spiritual practices, will meet each day with a personal spiritual set apart from the busyness of the main meet the Spirit at work in your life and share guide who will help you to focus, reflect and Woodbrooke building. Meals will be shared with your retreat group and guide through discern. Woodbrooke’s house and beautiful in silence in our own quiet space. conversation in the online retreat forum. garden provides a place of nurture and an Participants will be able to join meeting for open Quaker welcome. You may come for a You will choose the times and days that you worship and epilogue. Each day will include chosen length of time between two and five engage with this online retreat each week, as one short talk and one-to-one time with Tim days starting on Sunday evening and finishing we will not all be online at the same time. You or Frances. at 9am on your final day. These retreats are can join in from any time zone. open to those of all faiths and none. Tutors: Timothy Ashworth and Frances Tutor: Julia Ryberg Henley-Lock Tutor: Gill Pennington
40 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 41 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 15 – SUN 17 FEB MON 25 – WED 27 FEB THU 28 FEB - SUN 3 MAR EXPLORING THE QUAKER T.S. ELIOT: THE HEAVY NURTURING AUTHENTIC PRACTICE OF WAITING BURDEN OF THE SPIRITUALITY: IN THE LIGHT GROWING SOUL A RULE TO LIVE BY
12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 12 places | £345 residential | £170 non-residential William Penn said Quaker spiritual practice This course will track the remarkable How are we to live an authentic spirituality? was an ‘experiment on the soul’. We will evolution of Eliot’s poetry – from his early What spiritual principles do we apply in our look at the writings of early Friends and put modernist forays, culminating in The daily lives and how can we be accountable their words to the test to see if the practice Waste Land, via the intensifying spiritual to our faith community in our quest for of waiting in the light they describe can preoccupations of subsequent years, leading spiritual authenticity? This course will give us be a reality for us. The experience can be to his crowning contemplative masterpiece, a chance to share our spiritual aspirations, searching and powerful. We will do the Four Quartets. histories and practices and to identify those meditation twice during the weekend. This We shall focus especially on the poet’s areas where we feel we need help. Building course is suitable for those who are familiar intensifying quest for meaning against the community through worship and creative with, or new to, the Experiment with Light listening, we will define personal strategies for FRI 22 – SUN 24 FEB often hostile background of the modern practice. world, and consider how these challenging – daily faithfulness and explore how we might Tutors: Angie Dunhill and Caroline Kennedy PRESENT MOMENT, but intensely human, subtle and honest – challenge and support one another along the WONDERFUL MOMENT works stimulate insights into our own way. quandaries and aspirations. Tutors: Alex Wildwood and Ben Pink FRI 15 – SUN 17 FEB 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Tutor: Peter Brennan Dandelion RICHARD ROHR ON EGO, For many years Woodbrooke has hosted 12 STEPS, MYSTICISM retreats and weekends which have focused on the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat MON 25 – WED 27 FEB AND GROWTH Hanh. IN HUMILITY OF HEART Whether a beginner or experienced, on this 17 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential weekend retreat you will taste something 15 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential We will share video teaching from Franciscan of the deep peace that can be discovered Richard Rohr whose daily reflections reach One of the foundations of the spirit-led through simple practices of being present. 250,000 radical contemplative Christians life, humility is at the heart of our witness. The practice is very accessible and will around the world. However, in this age of individualism, status involve sitting and walking meditation, deep and celebrity to turn oneself over to a life of We’ll look at excerpts from two of his books relaxation and silence as well as the invitation faithful service is a radical act. ‘Breathing Under Water - Spirituality and the to take our meals in silence. The food will be Together we’ll explore how we can let go of Twelve Steps’ and ‘The Naked Now - Learning vegetarian. to See as the Mystics See’, often through the need to judge and be judged, and learn Tutor: Lesley Collington worship sharing. How do you ‘wake-up’ into to accept, forgive and be content. It will be a a fuller life? You are welcome to whether space in which to be encouraged by those or not you attended the Rohr Woodbrooke who have faced the troubles of life with weekend in February 2018. grace-filled hope. Tutor: Peter Fishpool Tutor: Martin Layton
42 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 43 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 15 MAR – SUN 17 MAR SUN 7 APR – FRI 12 APR THE SEARCH FOR WRITING RETREAT THE DEEP SELF 12 Places £545 residential | £380 non-residential 16 places | £250 residential | £170 non-residential COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL The course will help people discover their Set in the beautiful and quiet surroundings deeper selves and what gives them meaning of Swarthmoor Hall, this retreat is open and purpose. It is based on stories of people to anyone looking for space and time for finding insight into who they are and what writing, whether starting a new project, or their life is about. Stories are drawn from to take forward or finish off a current piece. the well-known and the not so well known There will be the opportunity to hear from the eureka moments and slow dawnings. All, tutors about their experience of writing and however, are liberating and life-giving. By one to one time with them but the emphasis exploring these often intimate and moving will be on creating a supportive environment MON 4 MAR – FRI 8 MAR stories, participants reflect on themselves – to devote to the craft itself. ICON PAINTING AS A and are empowered to take further steps in Tutors: Ben Pink Dandelion and John Gray SPIRITUAL PRACTICE their own lives. Tutors: Deborah Ravetz and Chris Bemrose 14 places | £485 residential FRI 19 APR – MON 22 APR £170 non-residential LIVING WATER - AN Practicing icon painting helps us to look WED 27 MAR – FRI 29 MAR into ourselves, making time to be in the FRI 29 MAR –SUN 31 MAR APPLESEED COURSE silence of our hearts and learn who we BEETHOVEN’S 9TH TELLING OUR (DIGITAL) 16 places | £315 residential | £210 non-residential are. How can we then, after knowing SYMPHONY more about who we are, develop a QUAKER STORIES Water is essential for life and has been a connection and relationship with the 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential feature of the natural world that has given 10 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Divine? Learning technique will be a very Beethoven’s final symphony expresses rise to spiritual symbolism and religious ritual important part of the course. Feeling complex and intimate states of mind while This course provides the opportunity to since earliest times. What does ‘Living Water’ confident in creating an image helps us embracing the universal aspirations of the participate in a digital storytelling process mean to each of us today? The Appleseed to forget about all distractions; things we Age of Revolution, in unprecedentedly to create a short film on the theme of ‘Our process balances thinking and feeling can’t achieve and things that we don’t dramatic and beautiful music. In this course Quaker stories’. Through participating in a and provides a safe space for personal understand. We simply let our hands be we shall look both at the historical context supportive story circle you will create a short exploration. Short talks and meditation will an extension of our souls. Participants and the way that Beethoven has shaped the script and additional visual material to make be followed by simple art-based activities will learn all stages of icon painting and work. We shall hear Simon Rattle conducting your own two minute film. At the end of the (no skills required) and worship sharing. The principles of the technique but will focus the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra weekend we will share our stories together course is suitable for those with and without on meditative aspect of the process. in an eagerly awaited performance. This and consider future possibilities for sharing Appleseed experience. Each session will start with a short guided course is intended for all music lovers, and them more widely. No specialised technical Tutors: Kathleen Nelson and Liz Perkins meditation to help us reconnect with our specialist knowledge is not needed. knowledge is required. bodies. Tutors: John Lampen and Diana Lampen Tutor: Rosie Carnall Tutor: Basia Mindewicz
44 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 45 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 3 MAY – SUN 5 MAY MON 13 MAY – WED 15 MAY MON 20 MAY – FRI 24 MAY A DROP OF STILLNESS SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES: A GATHERING OF FOOLS DAILY PRACTICES 15 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 15 places | £385 residential | £245 non-residential A weekend retreat to nourish the deep peace 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential This is a retreat exclusively for those who that stillness and silence can offer us, and The fellowship of Alcoholics is based on have completed a previous ‘fool’ course with the soft, graceful movements of Qi Gong to spiritual principles contained within its twelve Angela. centre ourselves, replenish and harmonise steps and traditions. Visitors to meetings The fool archetype is sometimes known our Qi (energy), to nurture a calm and relaxed often remark that the spiritual principles as a systems changer. This means that by body and mind. To be centred. Sitting and contained within this framework would be showing up as the fool we automatically walking meditation, periods of noble silence, good for anybody to live by. Together we change any environment we are a part of. deep relaxation, informal walking meditation will explore the practical applications of As great change is happening everywhere in the gardens, and the invitation to take our these principles, in relation to the faith and in the world, we need a flood, a renaissance meals in silence and enjoy eating meditation practice of Friends. Those attending can look of fools, who can positively change systems together. forward to worship, individual and corporate and environments through their embodied, Tutor: Lesley Collington reflection, and sharing. No previous twelve flexible, spontaneous, aware, courageous steps experience is required. All are welcome. service. This year’s gathering will focus on Tutors: Caroline Gibbs and Donald Whitlock how we can serve a group, system or ‘social THU 16 MAY – SUN 19 MAY (Elder) body’. INTRODUCTION TO Tutor: Angela Halvorsen Bogo
MON 13 MAY – WED 15 MAY LIFE WRITING FOR TRANSFORMATION FRI 31 MAY – SUN 2 JUN DESERT AS SACRED SPACE A CHANGING WORLD: WHO 10 places | £315 residential | £210 non-residential 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential AM I? WHAT CAN I DO? ‘Greet yourself in your thousand other forms. For centuries the vastness and emptiness As you mount the hidden tide and travel back 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential of the desert has called out to us. Within home’ Hafiz. Whether you are looking for its shifting landscapes, we find a place for Drawing on the wisdom of the enneagram practical tips to kick start your writing, or seek solitude and silence, a symbol of spiritual to deepen our understanding of ourselves as deeper personal transformation, this course growth and maturity, for refuge and struggle, spiritual beings and to recognise what drives provides a safe, inspiring retreat. Introducing stillness and change, withdrawal and meeting. us, we will consider how we can act with key tools of Transformative Life Writing™ Together we’ll explore the significance of the integrity in our communities. By valuing our that minimise your inner critic; enabling you desert experience in religious, literary and talents and gifts; by noticing our characteristic to reconnect with your authentic voice. On cultural texts; from Jesus of Nazareth to the patterns of behaviour; and by considering our completion, writers join the wider community Desert Fathers and Mothers, from T.S. Eliot to position within our family or community, we of Transformative Life Writers™. This David Lean. will think about how we might be effective includes newsletters, and an annual retreat at agents of change. Tutor: Martin Layton Woodbrooke. Tutors: Heather Brown and Gill Pennington Tutors: Farrukh Akhtar and TBC
46 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 47 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
MON 3 JUN – WED 5 JUN FRI 7 JUN – SUN 9 JUN LOOK NOT OUT BUT WITHIN: JOURNALING: A WAY A QUAKER RETREAT TO THE CENTRE
14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential For Friends seeking a refreshment of COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL their Quaker spirituality and a deeper This course is for those who wish to use understanding of its roots. We will draw on journaling as a tool to deepen spiritual life. the writings of early Friends and others to In reflecting on our current condition, via a enrich our own experience. Short talks and series of exercises designed to image our whole group sessions will alternate with lives, possibilities are opened for becoming extended periods of silent time with the Spirit, more deeply centred. We hope to take reflecting on what we have heard. Meals will ourselves to the place where we are more be silent. Individual spiritual accompaniment composed, more still, and words become is not a formal part of this retreat but can be irrelevant because we are writing the Living offered if required. Minutes of a faithful life: we will be engaged Tutors: Eleanor Jackson and Estella Lovett in prayer. Tutors: Gerald Hewitson and Wendy Hampton
MON 3 JUN – THUR 6 JUN
PATTERN OF SEASONS: A MON 24 JUN HANDICRAFT WORKSHOP PRAYING AS YOU
14 places | £315 residential | £210 non-residential CAN NOT AS YOU CAN’T Using informal workshop sessions, we will 12 places | £50 explore and develop the traditional handcrafts A chance to reflect on if and how of rug-making, quilting, patchwork and Quakers pray. This day offers applique to create fabrics reflecting and opportunities to explore and deepen our inspired by the colours of spring, summer, understanding of how we engage with autumn, and winter. A group project is ‘the seed’ and to experience a variety of included and all materials and equipment will spiritual practices that might lead us to be provided. a place of prayer. We will spend time Tutor: Jenni Simmonds alone as well sharing our reflections and experiences with others. Tutor: Gill Pennington
48 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 49 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 28 JUN - SUN 30 JUN MON 15 JUL – FRI 19 JUL FRI 2 AUG – SUN 4 AUG SING IN THE SPIRIT: A AWAKENING OF THE CHANT-BASED RETREAT SACRED FEMININE DRAWING A LABYRINTH 12 places | £245 residential 13 places | £385 residential | £245 non-residential 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential £170 non-residential Song can break open the heart, take us to a This experiential retreat will create space for Labyrinths are creative resources for place of prayer and refresh soul and body. the flowering and expression of your own spiritual practice, and offer space for This retreat is a time to sing simple chants Sacred Feminine. Join us for exploration prayer, play and discovery. Starting with together, allowing words and music to speak and discovery through Thea-logy, the Divine paper and pencil, we’ll create labyrinth deeply to us. You are invited to bring along Feminine in different spiritual traditions patterns from around the world, from favourite chants, including well-loved words (including Christian), the four elements, simple to more complex designs. We’ll to turn into chants of your own. What new ceremony, stories, art, songs, poetry and make labyrinths small enough for song will the Spirit put into our mouths? All the Britannia Goddess Wheel. We will also postcards - and big enough to walk, using voices are welcome, and everything will be explore Goddess as archetype and as lived natural and temporary materials. By the taught be ear. reality and embodiment in the 21st century. end of the course, everyone will know Tutor: Mark Russ Tutors: Lynne Sedgmore and Gill Pennington how to create a temporary labyrinth indoors or outdoors. FRI 28 JUN – SUN 30 JUN TUE 2 JUL – THU 4 JUL SUN 21 JUL – THU 25 JUL Tutors: Jan Sellers and an Elder THE WISDOM OF SPEAKING OF MOSAICS MY WAY! THE PSALMS: UNSPEAKABLE THINGS: 10 places | £355 residential | £250 non-residential SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE GIVING LANGUAGE TO THE MON 5 AUG – WED 7 AUG FOR EVERYDAY LIFE SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPE There is beauty in the process of mosaic PATHS TO THE GRAIL: 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential making. You jig-saw fragments to describe RESTORING THE your story, which may include items of For centuries people have found solace, Amongst Friends there is a tradition of personal significance. Within the process of COURTS OF JOY challenge, inspiration and companionship attempting to describe in writing what goes play, we discover a stillness in making. No 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential in praying with the Psalms. Those attending on in our spiritual lives, in our engagement previous mosaic experience necessary. All this retreat can look forward to entering into with Spirit, and the consequences of these equipment and materials provided. During The Grail is a quest for all living beings. This a living stream in which they may encounter activities in our daily lives. Grounded in the course you will learn essential skills: cut medieval myth has familiar resonances with the comforting presence of God through the worship, we will savour Quakerly writings shapes with tile nippers, score snappers, our own times: a wasteland of rapine, wars, lyrics of these songs. Meditative reading, in this tradition through personal narratives, create with crockery, use a variety of exploitation, and the urgency to restore peace worship, song, individual and corporate fiction, poetry, song and film. In addition to adhesives, translate your ideas into mosaic and joy. Our study of the unique Elucidation reflection, writing and sharing will enhance exploring these forms, participants can expect and learn how to grout. text helps us experience the regenerative our experience of the Psalms as a part of to spend time in solitary reflective writing, and Tutor: Caroline Jariwala Grail as a gift in which all participate. Through our daily spiritual practice. This retreat is for sharing in pairs and small groups. discussion, meditation, prayer, and simple ceremony, we will walk its paths, discovering those interested in contemplative, reflective Tutors: Deborah Shaw and Ben Pink timeless ways to embody its wisdom, practice. Dandelion (Elder) enabling its healing to irrigate our world. Tutors: Deborah Shaw and Ben Pink Dandelion (Elder) Tutor: Caitlin Matthews
50 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 51 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT
FRI 9 AUG – SUN 11 AUG WED 14 AUG – FRI 16 AUG MON 19 AUG – WED 21 AUG FRI 6 SEP – SUN 8 SEP DANCE FOR JOY FRAMING YOUR LIFE THE WONDER OF SEED: EXPERIMENT WITH JOY 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 16 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential THE WHOLE WORLD IN 10 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential YOUR HAND If you enjoy dancing and music from all We will aim to explore aspects of Christianity exhorts us to rejoice and give around the world, then this is the weekend for mindfulness through the practice of yoga 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential thanks. It’s quite hard to do in the face of our you. We will dance to a wide variety of music and meditation for physical and mental many world challenges. We’ll come together An oak tree inside an acorn, a conker on and in different styles, some lively, some self-awareness. We will combine this with in an experimental spirit to enquire together a string, the wheat grains that makes our more meditative. Circle dance enhances our photography as a self-guided meditative as to what might support us in the practice bread – seeds will provide beauty, wonder sense of community, of wholeness and of practice to deepen our experience of self of joy. We’ll include singing/sounding, giving and inspiration to stimulate creative ideas harmony, drawing as it does on the diverse and the environment, in the context of thanks, praying for each other. and writing. We will also draw on the rich heritage of traditional cultures and a range Woodbrooke’s house and beautiful garden. Tutors: Susan Groves and TBC meanings and resonances of seeds by of musical genres. Experienced and less Tutors: Jill Woodman and Gill Pennington experienced dancers are all welcome. dipping into myths, our imaginations and memories, finding how the seed offers a Tutor: Sandie Wade MON 16 SEP – SUN 27 OCT way of thinking and speaking about our deep FRI 16 AUG – SUN 18 AUG selves and inner growth. EUROPEAN Online FRI 9 AUG – SUN 11 AUG CENTERING PRAYER AND Tutor: Rebecca Hubbard QUAKER VOICES course JUNG AND PERSONA/ CHRISTIAN MEDITATION 14 places | £35 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential FRI 30 AUG – SUN 1 SEP PERSONAE This is a 6-week online retreat for European 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Quakers, using devotional and inspirational ‘Centering Prayer is a method of silent THE SPACE BETWEEN US material by European Quakers. In addition prayer that prepares us to receive the gift 18 places | £295 residential | £225 non-residential This course takes a new look at the persona to readings, there will be suggestions for of contemplative prayer, prayer in which in the light of Jung the person and his activities and exercises appropriate to a we experience God’s presence within us, How can we evolve our co-creative capacities work. The idea of the persona as a mask/ retreat. Participants will share reflections closer than breathing, closer than thinking, so that we make all groups we are a part masks is central. While for Jung, persona and experiences with each other along the closer than consciousness itself.’ These of inclusive, dynamic and innovative? This did not contain archetypal dimensions, a way. The retreat is thus an opportunity for words of Thomas Keating give a sense of our course will give people who want direct consideration of mask work in theatre can individual and group spiritual development, exploration this weekend. This introduction experience of new models of co-creating lead to a different perspective on the use of as well as an opportunity to learn from the to centering prayer and Christian meditation practice that elevate presence, fun and mask creatively. Through input, experiential rich experience of European Friends. will include meditation sessions, teaching on collaboration in groups. We will practice work and a masque enactment, the persona meditation and its effects and help with taking methods that take us beyond the individual This course involves a time commitment of will be considered both in theory and in lived forward a discipline of meditation into the and use the whole self, body, mind and heart. approximately two to three hours per week. experience. future. These new ways of observation, sensing, Tutor: Julia Ryberg Tutor: Angela Cotter sharing and creating, deepen awareness of Tutor: Richard Eddleston the space between us, otherwise called the we-space or social body. Tutor: Angela Halvorsen Bogo
52 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 53 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT WOODBROOKE MON 16 SEP – SUN 27 OCT SAT 21 SEP – SUN 22 SEP A TASTE OF LIFE A QUIET DAY WITH Online ON-THE-ROAD WRITING FOR course EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHT TRANSFORMATION™ 8 places | £125 residential | £90 non-residential Bringing Woodbrooke learning £54 This will run for 24 hours from lunch on This self-paced course introduces a process day one to lunch on day two. This day is to you and your meeting of writing for authentic, creative self- suitable for those who are familiar with the expression and personal development. A Experiment with Light practice and those who “no red pens” approach results in greater are new to it. It will allow people to use the awareness, mindfulness and self-acceptance Experiment with Light practice in a retreat through a gentle stream of guided tools like atmosphere. Participants will be given you can use just five minutes at a time. The an introduction to the practice if needed. course includes three multimedia modules Experiment with Light will be practiced on the and a workbook, based on the work of afternoon of the first day and the morning of Joanne Klassen, creator of Life Writing for the second day. Transformation™. Each module introduces Tutors: Members of the Experiment with Light key concepts from the book followed by Network exercises, examples, a review and additional optional learning activities. MON 23 SEP– WED 25 SEP This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. WALKING WITH A SMILE Tutor: Joanne Klasson INTO THE DARK 8 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential MON 16 SEP – WED 18 SEP ‘But there is a deeper, an internal CREATIVITY AND MINISTRY simplification of the whole of one’s 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential personality, stilled, tranquil, in childlike trust listening ever to Eternity’s whisper, walking Our creativity meets the world in many with a smile into the dark.’ Thomas Kelly Workshops designed to nurture spiritual life, different ways, but often we are too shy to Accepting that there is much that we do not use it fully. We will use the playful creation build community and support witness in the world. know and cannot control frees us to walk of simple physical objects to help us free the path of faith. We will use this weekend to our natural urge to create and consider how explore alone and together how we can let go Find out more by visiting www.woodbrooke.org.uk/wotr our ministry can be enriched. We will be of what blocks us and be more open to the using a variety of craft and natural materials, guidance of the Spirit individually and as a group. As we will be spending time in the garden, participants will Tutors: Jennifer Kavanagh and Annique need a moderate degree of mobility. Seddon (Elder) Tutors: Floe Shakespeare and Joanna Godfrey-Wood
54 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 55 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPLORING THE QUAKER TRADITION
FRI 8 MAR – SUN 10 MAR INSPIRATION AND PRACTICE: THE SPIRITUAL GROUNDING OF OUR Exploring the ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH WORK 45 places | TBA Quaker Tradition Woodbrooke working in partnership with Opportunities to discover and understand the faith and practice of the Quaker Committee for Christian and Quakers from the 17th century to the present day. Exploring the history of Interfaith Relations Quakerism, its roots in the Christian tradition and the diversity of present- Ecumenical and interfaith work can bring moments of real breakthrough as well day Friends in Britain and around the world. as sticky challenges. Our speakers will FRI 22 MAR – SUN 24 MAR help us explore the spiritual depth in such moments. What helps encourage REINTERPRETING THE MON 14 JAN– SUN 24 MAR TUE 05 FEB – TUE 12 MAR moments of openness and insight? MEANING OF THE CROSS Online Online THE ROOTS OF THE How do we honestly face and deal with QUAKERISM IN 18TH course course 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential AND 19TH CENTURY QUAKER WAY: EARLY the barriers of substantial difference? We will bring such reflections together AMERICAN LITERATURE FRIENDS IN THEIR RELIGIOUS Many of us struggle with the Bible’s with examples of practical work on the sacrificial imagery and are troubled by the 20 places | £45 AND POLITICAL CONTEXT ground, making use of the up-to-date idea that God punishes Jesus for our sins. 30 places | £54 snapshot of current Quaker interfaith and In this course we will explore alternative This online course explores the influence ecumenical activity produced through understandings of the cross drawing on of Quakerism on 18th and 19th century What are the roots of the Quaker way? research undertaken for QCCIR by the early Church, peace church traditions, American writers, as well as the How were early Friends influenced by their Woodbrooke. theologies of liberation, and the work of representations of Quaker characters in religious and political context? In this webinar Co-ordinated by Timothy Ashworth with Rene Girard. Can we move beyond violent fiction of the period – sometimes good, series we will explore this issue and consider members of the Quaker Committee for punishment and embrace a faith that in the sometimes bad! You will encounter the good the connections between Quakers and Christian and Interfaith Relations words of James Nayler “outlives all wrath and Quaker abolitionists of Uncle Tom’s Cabin other radical religious groups, such as the Invited speakers: Gretchen Castle, Inderjit contention and wearies out all exaltation and and Nathan Slaughter, the murderous Quaker Anabaptists, the Family of Love, the Diggers Bhogal and Deborah Rowlands cruelty”? in Nick of the Woods. The course will have and the Ranters. We will look back to the Tutor: Stuart Masters 5 sessions, spread over 10 weeks to allow influence of the early Church and medieval time for reading. No previous experience movements, and forwards to the emergence of literary study is necessary – just come of new movements in the eighteenth century. prepared to explore and enjoy. This course involves a time commitment of This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. approximately two to three hours per week. Tutor: Stuart Masters Tutor: James Peacock
56 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 57 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPLORING THE QUAKER TRADITION
FRI 19 APR – MON 22 APR FRI 3 MAY – SUN 5 MAY TUE 7 MAY – THU 9 MAY THE DRAMA OF THE PASSION A PLACE FOR THE SPIRITUAL BLOGGING: 15 places | £315 residential | £210 non-residential SCRIPTURES 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential CONTINUING THE STORY This course looks at the story of the Passion 14 places | £165 residential as told in the gospel texts and as interpreted COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL £95 non-residential through drama, music and other arts. We The approach of early Friends to Scripture begin by looking at the Oberammergau How does writing help people to share was extremely controversial. Their experience passion play (due in 2020) to see the their spiritual lives with their friends, of the living Spirit made them suspicious of questions of interpretation raised. We shall family, and community? In this course placing authority in a fixed text – but they try to analyse the theological viewpoints we’ll use historical and modern examples believed this insight was rooted in the Bible behind the interpretations and use them to explore how and why Quakers and itself. How do we now articulate the Quaker to look at how we view the Passion today. others have chosen to record and publish approach? And how does it shape how the There will be time on Easter Sunday to attend spiritual autobiographies. There will be Bible is used among Friends? This course church or meeting for worship. opportunities to try writing for yourself is part of a continuing exploration of how and space to consider whether blogging Tutor: Janet Scott Friends today relate to the Bible without FRI 10 MAY – SUN 12 MAY or another format might be a good way compromising Quaker insights. to share your work. Come as you are: THE INNER LIGHT: AN MON 29 APR – FRI 17 MAY Tutor: Timothy Ashworth Online no previous writing experience, technical EXPLORATION OF EASTERN RADICAL knowledge, or saintly spirituality required. course SPIRITUAL POETRY Tutors: Rhiannon Grant and Gil Skidmore SPIRITUALITY: THE 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential EARLY HISTORY OF THE COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL QUAKERS TUE 7 MAY – TUE 28 MAY Free Online The weekend will include a wide ranging GALATIANS course survey of the ways in which Far and Middle Learn about the beginnings of this radical 26 places | £36 Eastern scriptures and poetry have explored religious group as it emerged in 17th century and expressed the nature and consequences England, with this free three week online ‘For freedom Christ has set us free’. This is of spiritual aspiration. We shall consider the course. With films, discussions, quizzes, the heart of Paul’s teaching in this letter. Here thought and style of texts from pre-history the course covers the exciting and dramatic is Paul’s most radical expression of how the to the Middle Ages, including Lao Tzu, months of 1652. Follow the course at your experience of the Spirit can transform how Indian scriptures, Rumi and Hafiz, focussing own pace in your own time. Suitable for people think of themselves and treat each on their evocation of the difficulties and individuals or Meeting groups. other. In this online course we will tackle rewards of spiritual work, and how their insights may assist our own understanding Find out more and sign up here: the letter step by step, aiming to bring Paul’s and development. All texts will be studied in www.futurelearn.com/courses/quakers words alive, find connections with Quaker understandings, and better understand Paul’s translation. Tutors: Ben Pink Dandelion, Rhiannon Grant, confidence that faith in the living word can Tutor: Peter Brennan Stuart Masters and Betty Hagglund. bring a new creation. This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. Tutor: Timothy Ashworth
58 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 59 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPLORING THE QUAKER TRADITION
FRI 7 JUN – SUN 9 JUN FRI 14 JUN – SUN 16 JUN THE BEATITUDE WAY: EXPLORING THE PATHWAY OF PROPHETS DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY 10 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential QUAKER THEOLOGY 12 places | TBA An opportunity to experience the ancient wisdom of The Beatitudes or blessing sayings To what extent were early Quakers influenced of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded in the Gospel by the religious ideas that surrounded of Matthew, viewed through the lens of his them? Drawing on Madeleine Ward’s recent native Middle Eastern culture and Aramaic research, we will explore developments in language. The course aims to breathe Quaker theology during the seventeenth fresh life into these key teachings which century. As well as considering the overall encapsulate Jesus’ healing ministry. Following shape of the early Quaker vision, we a roadmap provided by the mystical Tree of will give particular attention to changing MON 13 MAY – WED 15 MAY Life, participants will be offered the chance to understandings of “the Light within”. How FRI 21 JUN – SUN 23 JUN walk beside the Aramaic Jesus on a journey much of this remains relevant in the modern COME HOLY SPIRIT towards prophetic consciousness. world, and how might it inform our faith and A TIME TO SPEAK OUT: 13 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Tutor: Mina Tilt practice today? A GUIDED BIBLE STUDY Tutors: Stuart Masters and Madeleine Ward ‘Come Holy Spirit!’ is an ancient cry of the 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential Christian tradition. But what is the Holy FRI 7 JUN – SUN 9 JUN Spirit? To help us answer this question we MON 17 JUN – WED 19 JUN The Quaker tradition deeply values silence. SPIRITUAL ACTIVISM will study the Bible together. We will learn THE HISTORY OF But Quakers have also been led to speak 20 places | £165 residential truth to power when that has been required. about the experience of Christian groups WOODBROOKE GARDENS who have prioritised experience of the Holy £95 non-residential This tension between silence and speech has Spirit, such as the Montanist, Quaker and IN 10 OBJECTS biblical roots. Drawing on recent work by the Pentecostal movements. Throughout the Whether newly awakened to injustices or 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential radical Biblical scholar, Walter Brueggemann, course we will reflect on our own experience a seasoned activist, high profile or caring we will explore events in the Bible – from of the Holy Spirit, asking how God is present unnoticed for one person or place, spiritual By exploring the history of Woodbrooke’s both Old and New Testaments – which in our lives today. activism offers ways of doing, being and gardens through ‘objects’ we will glimpse expose times when maintaining silence allows understanding that can make you more Tutor: Mark Russ the story of people, plants, design, water, oppression and coercion to continue and alive to your deepest purpose. Balancing sculptors and gardeners who have shaped the powerful to keep control. When should talk and experience, we’ll go “under the this special space for over 100 years. Using silence be interrupted? lintel” of power, leadership, movements maps, diaries, tools, photographs, books, Tutors: Timothy Ashworth with Ann Conway- and consciousness. Here, discernment plants and garden features we will examine Jones and psychological honesty are key to the garden through time and assess why a grounding that neither burns out nor and how it matters today. Combining garden sells out, but transforms the burden of walks, interactive sessions examining ‘objects’, awareness into a “precious burden”. discussion and reflection, this is a chance to Tutors: Alastair McIntosh and consider context, detail and management of Matt Carmichael this historic garden. Tutors: Letta Jones and Kelly Baker
60 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 61 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPLORING THE QUAKER TRADITION
FRI 21 JUN – SUN 23 JUN SAT 6 JUL REGIONAL EVENT MON 8 JUL – SUN 18 AUG Online QUAKER STUDIES THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS BIBLE STUDY course CONFERENCE OF JOHN WOOLMAN FOR QUAKERS 45 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 30 places | £20 16 places | £54
Postgraduate work at Woodbrooke is twenty This one day workshop is being held at Do you find the Bible intimidating but years old this year and this is the 25th annual Friargate Meeting House, York intriguing? Do you want to engage your Quaker studies conference. Come and join The spiritual life of John Woolman was meeting in Bible study? This course will help us to present your work or listen to the latest inseparable from his travelling ministry. you to find your way around the Bible and in academic scholarship in every area of the As he went, he felt the movement of the understand the distinctive Quaker approach field. Visit www.qsra.org to see the call for spirit, challenged injustice, and shared his to scripture. You will closely study several papers. A weekend of celebration and cutting understanding of God’s love. We’ll examine Biblical texts and reflect with others on your edge thinking. his life and works and consider how his experience of the Bible. Each of the six units Discount for current Postgraduate Students travels gave him new opportunities to will be accompanied by a group study plan, £165. Please use Code QSPG19 when encounter God and proclaim the Kingdom. supporting you in sharing your learning with booking online. Together we’ll reflect on how our own your local Quaker community. Tutors: Ben Pink Dandelion and Rhiannon journeys might become a spiritual discipline, This course involves a time commitment of MON 24 JUN – WED 26 JUN Grant both renewing and prophetic. approximately two to three hours per week. TRUTH IS WHAT WORKS Join us on Sunday for an early-morning Tutor: Mark Russ 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential Prayer Walk before Meeting for Worship at 10.30am. SAT 22 JUN How do we know when our foundational For more information see our website GEORGE RICHARDSON religious beliefs are true? And how does or visit the website of Friargate Meeting LECTURE this truth bind us together as a Quaker House. http://www.yorkquakers.org.uk/ community? Drawing on the insights of friargatequakerm.html 7.30 - 9pm Pragmatic philosophers like William James Tutor: Martin Layton and Charles Pierce this course explores how This Lecture is the annual prestigious Friends might find new ways of applying lecture in Quaker studies. It is public and the Truth Testimony to thorny questions of free. This special celebratory lecture shared Quaker belief and identity. At the heart will be given by Professor Hilary Hinds of this exploration is the suggestion that the of Lancaster University, author amongst fruits of Quaker practice are the basis and other works of the book ‘George Fox illustration of its truth. and Early Quaker Culture’. Dinner available beforehand by booking with Tutors: Ben Wood and Rhiannon Grant Woodbrooke.
62 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 63 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EXPLORING THE QUAKER TRADITION
MON 12 AUG – SUN 22 SEP FRI 30 AUG – SUN 1 SEP MON 29 JUL – WED 31 JUL Online MULTIPLE RELIGIOUS EXPLORING THE OLD ATTENTION: THE WAY WE course BELONGING TESTAMENT RELATE TO THE WORLD 16 places | £54 10 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential 14 places | £245 residential £170 non-residential Quaker-Pagan. Anglican and Buddhist. Does the Old Testament puzzle, perplex or Jewish and Christian (and interested in put you off? Come and discover some of Our attention is a precious resource. shamanism). Multiple religious identities are its riches and beauty, as well as its agonised It is essential in learning and love. becoming more visible in the Western world responses to suffering and violence. We will Religious traditions appreciate its role as globalisation makes us more aware of the explore the contexts in which the Hebrew in meditation and worship. At the same possibilities and religion is increasingly seen Bible was written, and then trace the different time, commercial and political interests as something private which can be chosen at ways in which it has been interpreted in get ever more skilled at attracting and will. This course will explore what it is like to Jewish and Christian traditions. When holding it. This course will reflect on the belong to more than one religious tradition, this course was offered in a local meeting, nature and value of attention, its creative ask how and why people might set out on participants felt they had received ‘profound role and how we preserve and deepen it. that path, and give space to reflect on the insights with a lightness of touch’. Anyone Preparation will include an invitation to implications. welcome – no prior knowledge required. engage with carefully selected resources This course involves a time commitment of Tutor: Ann Conway-Jones before our onsite dialogue enables us to approximately two to three hours per week. sharpen our own thinking. Tutor: Rhiannon Grant FRI 16 AUG– SUN 18 AUG Tutors: Timothy Ashworth and FRI 6 SEP – SUN 8 SEP Joycelin Dawes with Iain McGilchrist JULIAN OF NORWICH: (by video link) and Dan Nixon FRI 16 AUG – SUN 18 AUG ‘THERE WAS A TREASURE IN GENDER AND THE DIVINE: TELLING OUR FAITH STORIES THE EARTH WHICH THE LORD LEARNING FROM FEMINIST FRI 2 AUG– SUN 4 AUG 15 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential LOVED.’ RELIGION ENQUIRING INTO QUAKER 16 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Stories help to shape how we understand and interpret ourselves, our communities Julian’s writings are complex and deep but Judaism and Christianity both have strong 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential and our world. Faith stories in particular have their meanings are beautiful in their simplicity. traditions of using gendered language to power to influence how we live. In this course This course will use the P4C (Philosophy for We are the treasure. The course will aim to describe God. This has often been masculine each participant will have an opportunity Communities) methodology which enables engage with Julian, the woman, her life and but, both historically and recently, there are to tell their own faith story, and together we in-depth enquiry into matters of belief and spirituality, offering the opportunity to explore also feminine examples. In this course we will look at the impact of our faith tradition ethics. This approach creates a positive her words through reflection, music and will explore ways in which feminist Christians and how its stories shape our own. Come environment for deep discussion and safe laughter. Discover how the message of her and Jews have re-read Biblical texts, re- prepared to talk freely and listen deeply. disagreement. Participants will be given the Revelations for the world is as relevant today worked their traditions, and found resources Tutors: Janet Scott and Rhiannon Grant opportunity to have an in-depth discussion as it was in the 14th Century. There will be to describe a Divine who is masculine, of the deeper meaning and implications of times to be quiet, times to discuss and times feminine, both, and neither. We will also take diversity and inclusion. The group will create to Simply Be. time to consider how this affects our own their own questions to explore what diversity Tutor: Pauline Lovelock relationships with God. and inclusion mean in practice for Quakers. Tutor: Rhiannon Grant Tutors: Rosie Carnall and Helen Griffin
64 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 65 WOODBROOKE LEARNING EQUIPPING PROGRAMME MON 9 SEP FULL FOR 2019 ASK NOW DEPICTING RELIGIOUS ABOUT EFM FOR MINISTRY 2020 CHARACTERS IN 19TH CENTURY FICTION A TWO-YEAR COURSE 18 places | £50 ON LIVING AS A A day conference organised jointly by the Centre for Research in Quaker Studies and QUAKER IN THE Keele University, on all aspects of religious characters in nineteenth-century fiction. The WORLD TODAY. conference is open to all with an interest in the subject, including postgraduate students. If you would like to present a twenty minute Designed to deepen paper, please contact Betty Hagglund, betty. your spiritual life [email protected] before the and be of benefit end of April. FRI 27 SEP – SUN 29 SEP to both you and Tutors: James Peacock and Betty Hagglund MOTHERS OF ISRAEL: your meeting, EXPLORING THE WRITING OF EfM provides EARLY QUAKER WOMEN grounding in four FRI 13 SEP – SUN 15 SEP 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential key aspects of life DEVELOPING A PRACTICE OF as a member of the CHRISTIAN MEDITATION COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL Quaker faith: spirit, 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential The early Quaker movement was unusual in tradition, community its time for the freedom it afforded women COURSE AT SWARTHMOOR HALL to be preachers, prophets and writers. This and the world. course will enable you to explore the lives, An introduction to an ancient Christian way of and writings of a number of important prayer beyond words, as taught in our time seventeenth century Quaker women. This will by Benedictine monks John Main (1926 – 82) include Margaret Fell, Martha Simmonds, and Laurence Freeman (1951- ). The emphasis Sarah Blackborow, Dorothy White and START YOUR will be on practising meditation together Elizabeth Bathurst. In our sessions we will get and beginning to understand its rationale, its to know these women using short talks, the effect on our daily lives, our understanding of JOURNEY TODAY reading of texts and group discussion within a ourselves, of each other and of God. Find out more by visiting www.woodbrooke.org.uk/efm safe and friendly atmosphere. Tutor: Liz Watson Tutor: Stuart Masters
EEQUIPPINGf FORM MINISTRY 66 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 INTERFAITH RESTING IN PRESENCE Individually guided retreats for reflection and stillness Interfaith Exploring the beliefs and practices of all faiths and links between Quakers and other faiths to deepen our understanding, further dialogue and foster mutual enrichment.
FRI 31 MAY – SUN 2 JUN SUN 25 AUG – FRI 30 AUG Pay attention to your GOD IN JEWISH TRADITION MINDFULLY TOGETHER 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 45 places | £545 residential | £370 non-residential inner wisdom, become What images of God can one find in Jewish Woodbrooke in partnership with the more aware of your true tradition: in the Bible, in Jewish liturgy, in Community of Interbeing self, and set aside time to the prophetic literature, in Jewish poetry, in A retreat drawing on the Zen Buddhist the mystical tradition? During this weekend teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh. Discover how focus, reflect and discern participants will have an opportunity to mindfulness of the present moment can bring explore how God is portrayed and ‘imagined’ peace and happiness. While the practice is with help from a personal within Jewish texts spanning more than 2500 accessible and guidance will be offered to spiritual guide. years. And through discussion and personal those with little or no experience, it is not reflection we will consider how such images without demand. You will enjoy times of of divinity resonate with participants’ own silence, walking meditation in Woodbrooke’s spiritual journeys. beautiful grounds and specially prepared DISCOVER YOUR Tutors: Howard Cooper and Andy Stoller vegetarian food. Tutors: Sister Annabel Laity with Timothy ‘SELF’ TODAY Ashworth and Lesley Collington For dates and availability please see our website www.woodbrooke.org.uk/retreats
LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 69 WOODBROOKE LEARNING NURTURING OUR QUAKER COMMUNITY
FRI 1 – SUN 3 FEB A FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION TO MEMBERSHIP 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential
What is Quaker membership? How do I Nurturing Our apply and what will happen? The weekend gives an opportunity to explore the meaning of membership and belonging, and to share Quaker Community with others at a similar stage in their journey with Quakers. We will look at the history of Deepening our understanding of what it means to be a Quaker today, as MON 28 JAN – SUN 10 MAR Quaker membership, the practical aspects of individuals, meetings and a wider Quaker community. Exploring faith, life A FRIENDLY applying for membership, and at the rewards and responsibilities belonging to a faith practices and organisation of the contemporary Quaker community and Online INTRODUCTION TO community brings. course supporting and nurturing Friends within that community. THE QUAKER WAY Tutors: Mark Russ and Caro Kelly (elder) 16 places | £54 FRI 18 – SUN 20 JAN Are you relatively new to Quakers and FRI 15 – SUN 17 FEB ‘ANSWERING THAT OF GOD keen to find out more? This course sets IN EVERYONE’: A DIVERSITY out the Quaker ‘basics’. It will give you an NURTURING OUR AND INCLUSION NATIONAL understanding of the history and international MEETINGS reach of Quakerism, and the importance of 14 places | £245 residential GATHERING spiritual experience to the Quaker Way. We £170 non-residential 60 places | £220 residential | £145 non-residential will discuss what happens in a meeting for worship and how Quakers make decisions How can we make our Quaker meetings Woodbrooke working in partnership with Britain and organise themselves. We will explore vibrant and inclusive communities in Yearly Meeting what Quakers mean by ‘testimony’ and which each person is accepted and explain simple spiritual practices for you to A diverse and inclusive community where all are nurtured, and strangers are welcome? experiment with. welcomed has been an ever present aspiration for In this course you will discover ways to Quakers. This conference aims to equip Friends This course is intended for those who have deepen and strengthen the life of your to make it a reality, offering key note speeches, been attending a Quaker meeting for between meeting. Together we will explore a workshops, opportunities for informal discussion six months and three years. variety of spiritual practices, including the and all age worship, all as discreet standalone This course focuses principally on Quakerism ‘ministry of welcome’. sessions. We will explore diversity in a variety as practiced by Britain Yearly Meeting, what is We will share our spiritual journeys, of forms, including race and ethnicity, class, known as the liberal unprogrammed tradition. look at how we bear the burden of one age, sexuality and gender, in an intersectional Participants from other yearly meetings and another’s failings, and help one another way. Prepare to be challenged and inspired. We traditions are very welcome. up with a tender hand. welcome your courageous participation. This course involves a time commitment of Tutors: Ann Banks and Val Bone Tutors: Led by a team of facilitators including approximately two to three hours per week. Edwina Peart Mark Russ and others Tutor: Annie Womack
70 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 71 WOODBROOKE LEARNING NURTURING OUR QUAKER COMMUNITY
FRI 1 MAR - SUN 3 MAR FRI 22 MAR – SUN 24 MAR WED 8 MAY – FRI 10 MAY FRI 14 JUN – SUN 16 JUN BEING AN INCLUSIVE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY IN TRAVELLING IN LEADERSHIP AMONGST FAITH COMMUNITY QUAKER SETTINGS THE MINISTRY: FRIENDS 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential STRENGTHENING 16 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential
Do you long for your faith community to Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based OUR GIFTS How does leadership work in our non- be truly inclusive? This course will give you approach to development and change that 14 places | £165 residential hierarchical Society of Friends, and what tools to put inclusion at the heart of your faith is particularly relevant to Quaker principles £95 non-residential does it mean to take a lead when working in community life. We will ask how inclusion and practice. This course provides basic relationship with others? This course is for is rooted in our theology, how inclusion training in AI, which will equip Friends with An early practice within the Quaker tradition anyone interested in questions of leading and is different to diversity, and how we can the understanding and skills to facilitate AI was travelling in the ministry, Friends following in a Quaker context. We will explore include all people in our faith communities, processes in their meetings or committees. sharing their concerns and encouragement through discussion, reflection and experiential regardless of economic power, gender, It will be especially useful to Friends serving for members of the Religious Society of activity the ‘leaderful behaviour’ that enables mental health, physical ability, race or in roles, employed staff and any Friends Friends. We will build on this rich tradition by our meetings and structures to fulfil their sexuality. with experience in leadership or facilitation exploring the behaviours and patterns Quaker spiritual purpose, including the connections women and men traveling in the ministry Tutors: Ruth Wilde and Mark Russ wishing to develop their skills and learn a new between leadership and service, issues of approach to real issues. found beneficial. This workshop is intended authority and power, and being a leader in for those who are acting as “minister” or have Tutors: Zélie Gross and Rob Griffiths our own lives. a desire to do so or learn about Travelling. We Tutors: John Grey and Zélie Gross FRI 15 MAR– SUNDAY 17 MAR will discuss practical approaches to traveling in Ministry. FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION MON 1 APR – WED 3 APR Tutors: Thomas Swain and FRI 28 JUN – SUN 30 JUN TO GENDER DIVERSITY PLANNING A PURPOSEFUL Ben Pink Dandelion (Elder) 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential CONFRONTING MORTALITY RETIREMENT AND GRIEF In recent years we may have become FRI 17 MAY – SUN 19 MAY 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 13 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential more aware of transgender people – in our BECOMING A QUAKER meetings we may encounter a transgender This workshop offers space to reflect on In accepting the fact of death, we are freed newcomer seeking a spiritual home, a what a rich, fulfilling retirement would look DIVERSITY ALLY to live more fully. This retreat will give you longstanding Friend may ‘come out’, or we like for you. The workshop is based on the 11 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential space to reflect individually and with other might have a relative who is trans or non- first part of Richard and Heather’s book Friends on the end of life – your own death, binary. This weekend aims to demystify ‘Creating a Purposeful Life’ which will be The purpose of this course is to help us as preparing for death, or the experience of gender diversity by hearing personal stories. provided and we ask that you to read before Friends sort out the many messages we get grief. This event is hosted by Quaker Life’s We will explore the distinctive role of our attending. Together we will explore topics about race, racism, unconscious bias and end of life cluster. meetings in embracing the richness of gender such as: my unique talents and strengths; my white privilege and then to explore ways of diversity based on our testimonies to truth, values; different attitudes to retirement and becoming more effective allies in the fight for This event is grounded in Quaker worship equality and simplicity. change; losses and gains on retirement and racial justice and racial healing in our lives, and does not offer therapy. overcoming blockers to personal change. The in our communities, and beyond. We will do Tutors: Yvonne Wood and Fred Langridge Tutors: Members of the Quaker Life Network. workshop will be interactive, with time for this drawing on the life and witness of Bayard personal work and small group discussions. Rustin as a case study, and guided by Advices Tutors: Heather Brown and Richard Fox and Queries numbers 33 & 34. Tutors: Nim Njuguna and Edwina Peart
72 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 73 WOODBROOKE LEARNING NURTURING OUR QUAKER COMMUNITY
MON 29 JUL – WED 31 JUL FRI 30 AUG – SUN 1 SEP FRI 13 SEP – SUN 15 SEP FRI 5 JUL – SUN 7 JUL Woodbrooke working in partnership EXPLORING FAITH AND EXPERIMENTAL WORSHIP QUAKER FELLOWSHIP FOR with Quaker Life PRACTICE TOGETHER 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential AFTERLIFE STUDIES 14 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential (QFAS) and the Friends Fellowship of BEING A QUAKER PARENT How many ways are there of doing Quaker Healing (FFH) Conference 26 places | £135 worship? This course will ask how we can Whether experienced or new to Quakerism, 40 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential this course will give you the opportunity to enrich and expand our worship in ways that An opportunity for parents and carers to share with Friends from other Meetings your are in keeping with the Quaker tradition. We explore together some of the joys and This joint conference of the Quaker insights and responses to the first and the will take risks with song, images and words, challenges of being part of a Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies (QFAS) and final five challenging chapters ofQuaker faith finding new ways to hear the voice of the meeting. We will share our experiences the Friends Fellowship of Healing (FFH) is & practice. Two optional sessions will be Spirit in our midst. Participants will receive an and reflect together on what being a open to all. For nearly twenty years QFAS has devoted to creative work in words or images electronic copy of Terry’s book Consider the Quaker and parent means to us and gathered and shared evidence of experiences that may be used to support our exploration Rock which will serve as a starting point for consider how we and our meetings beyond the body, which goes to the very of the text. our reflections. can nourish and support each other. heart of what it means to be human. FFH Tutors: Terry Hobday and Mark Russ Accompanying children aged 5 to 11 will Tutors: Roger Babington Hill and Jaana was founded in 1935 and is one of the largest attend ‘Exploring Worship’ which runs Erkkila-Hill interest groups within the Religious Society simultaneously. A crèche will be available of Friends in Britain. The conference will for children under 5, and a light-touch FRI 6 SEP – SUN 8 SEP explore spiritual and psychic experiences and programme for 12 to 15 year olds. TAKE TIME: RETREAT FOR evidence of healing of the mind and body. FRI 16 AUG – SUN 18 AUG We will discuss how we can integrate these Tutors: Alistair Fuller and Kathy Chandler MENTAL HEALTH CARERS EXPLORING SENSORY-BEING experiences into our daily lives, helping us to 12 places | £165 residential | £95 non-residential grow stronger in faith and love. EXPLORING WORSHIP 14 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Tutors: Members of QFAS and FFH and 28 places | £35 ‘Take Time’ is a weekend for people who Sensory-being is a form of mindfulness visiting speakers care for someone who needs care because designed for people with cognitive disabilities This event is for children aged 5 to 11 of their mental health problems. Supporting but accessible to all, in which an engagement years-old. This weekend will explore and someone can be life changing, revelatory with the present moment is encouraged think about some big questions: What is – and exhausting and isolating. Look after through a calming sensory activity. On God? Where is God? What is worship? your needs to enhance your caring. Come this course you will learn about the theory What is a Quaker? We will spend time and meet Friends, enjoy quiet, share in behind sensory-being, exploring and creating inside and outside, hearing stories and optional activities, hear about rights and sensory-being activities for people you care music, playing games, being still, getting resources. The Retreat Benevolent Fund for and for yourself. The course is relevant creative with arts and crafts, and making could give grants to those who cannot afford to those interested in creating more inclusive worship places for ourselves. Children whatever respite care is needed by the communities, as sensory-being allows more must be accompanied by an adult who person they support. Apply at: http://www. able and less able people to take part in an will be responsible for them outside of retreatyorkbfund.com activity as equals. programme time. Accompanying adults Tutors: Alison Mitchell and others are welcome to book on ‘Being a Quaker Tutors: Joanna Grace and Katie Rose White Parent’ which runs simultaneously. Tutors: Mel Cook and Quaker Life Children & Young People’s work volunteers.
74 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 75 WOODBROOKE LEARNING TRAINING FOR QUAKER ROLES
FRI 25 – SUN 27 JAN BEING A QUAKER TRUSTEE 18 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential
Particularly suitable for new/less experienced Area Meeting trustees, or as a refresher. Underpinned by the spiritual question of what trusteeship means within Quakers, we will be Training for both practical and factual. What does God require of us? What does the law require? What is considered good practice? How Quaker Roles do trustees, area and local meetings relate to each other? We aim to provide easy- Equipping and supporting those with various roles and responsibilities to-understand information and enjoyable within Quaker meetings and organisations. This includes both practical learning, to make trusteeship approachable training and exploration of the spiritual basis of the roles. and rewarding. Tutors: Members of the trustees tutor team MON 4 FEB – WED 6 FEB
FRI 25 – SUN 27 JAN FRI 25 – SUN 27 JAN CHANGING SHAPE OF ELDERSHIP AND EXPLORING OVERSIGHT EXPLORING ELDERSHIP MON 28 JAN – SUN 10 MAR Online OVERSIGHT: PRESENT 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential BEING A QUAKER course EXPERIENCE AND CLERK: AN ONLINE This course will help those with responsibility This course will help those with responsibility UNDERLYING TRADITION for oversight in Quaker meetings gain a better for eldership in Quaker meetings gain a better COURSE FOR CLERKS 15 places| £245 residential understanding of the role and the confidence understanding of the role and the confidence AROUND THE WORLD £170 non-residential to do it. What does the role involve? What to do it. What does the role involve? What £25 per place is expected? What is the spiritual basis of is the spiritual basis of eldership? How can Eldership and oversight – or to put it oversight? How can overseers respond to elders respond to and nurture the spiritual life This is an opportunity for Quaker clerks more clearly, Quaker ways of providing and meet the pastoral needs of the meeting? of the meeting? around the world to learn together. We will pastoral and spiritual care – are changing. We will look at the range of tasks, share good Participants will have the opportunity to consider the clerk’s role before, during and Meetings are sharing out the work practice and explore ways of handling difficult explore the role and share experiences with after a meeting for worship for business and differently and more widely, trying not to issues as well as looking at practical ideas others as well as looking at practical ideas look at the differing styles of clerking around burden individuals while also including and useful resources. and resources that will be of help. the world. The course is for all clerks whether attenders. This course will explore the This course focuses on oversight in Britain This course focuses on eldership in Britain at a local, regional, national or international history of this work and the different Yearly Meeting but may also be of interest to Yearly Meeting but may also be of interest to level or just want to learn more about the patterns now being used to support the Friends from other yearly meetings. Friends from other yearly meetings. role. We hope that participants will learn spiritual and social lives of meetings. Tutors: Members of the oversight tutor team Tutors: Members of the eldership tutor team from each other as well as the leaders. Everyone welcome: you do not need to This course involves a time commitment of have been appointed to any specific role approximately two to three hours per week. in order to participate. Tutors: Members of the clerking tutor team Tutor: Rhiannon Grant
76 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 77 WOODBROOKE LEARNING TRAINING FOR QUAKER ROLES
FRI 8 – SUN 10 FEB MON – WED 27 FEB MON 4 MAR – WED 6 MAR EXPLORING QUAKER BEING A QUAKER TREASURER BEING A QUAKER CLERK NOMINATIONS 16 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential 16 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential For new and prospective treasurers, and This course is for new or prospective clerks An event for members of Quaker those who still feel uncertain. We will cover with little or no experience of Quaker nominations committees. How can we root all the main tasks, from first entries to year- clerking. We will focus on clerking local ourselves in good practices of discernment end preparation of accounts, principles, meetings but clerks of other meetings or whilst responding to the particular issues responsibilities, and legal requirements. You committees will also find they can learn that face us? Nominations are at the quiet will find sympathetic companionship with much about their role. There will be practical heart of the way we live together as Friends, other treasurers, and explore the spiritual sessions including planning agendas, drafting when we listen faithfully to the Spirit. We will basis of the role. minutes and discipline in the meeting. We will include the practical aspects of being ‘on Please note times: The course starts at also consider other responsibilities that come nominations’. Friends can expect a renewed 11:15am on the Friday with Basic Book- with being a clerk. Participants will learn from insight into the potential of nominations to keeping (this runs to 5:45pm and will include each other as well as from the leaders. lunch). Those without much experience Tutors: Members of the clerking tutor team strengthen meetings and enabling them to MON 11 MAR – WED 13 MAR flourish. need these sessions. If Friday attendance is Tutors: Members of the nominations tutor difficult, the exercises will be available online EXPLORING OVERSIGHT team to complete at home beforehand. On the MON 11 MAR – WED 13 MAR 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Sunday there is an optional session on the Quaker spreadsheet programme which runs EXPLORING ELDERSHIP This course will help those with responsibility FRI 8 – SUN 10 FEB from 1:30pm to 3.00pm. 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential for oversight in Quaker meetings gain a better BEING A QUAKER CLERK Tutors: Members of the treasurer tutor team understanding of the role and the confidence This course will help those with responsibility to do it. What does the role involve? What 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential for eldership in Quaker meetings gain a better is expected? What is the spiritual basis of understanding of the role and the confidence oversight? How can overseers respond to This course is for new or prospective clerks to do it. What does the role involve? What and meet the pastoral needs of the meeting? with little or no experience of Quaker is the spiritual basis of eldership? How can We will look at the range of tasks, share good clerking. We will focus on clerking local elders respond to and nurture the spiritual practice and explore ways of handling difficult meetings but clerks of other meetings or life of the meeting? Participants will have the issues as well as looking at practical ideas committees will also find they can learn opportunity to explore the role and share and useful resources. This course focuses much about their role. There will be practical experiences with others as well as looking on oversight in Britain Yearly Meeting but sessions including planning agendas, drafting at practical ideas and resources that will be may also be of interest to Friends from other minutes and discipline in the meeting. of help. This course focuses on eldership Yearly Meetings. We will also consider other responsibilities in Britain Yearly Meeting but may also be Tutors: Members of the eldership and that come with being a clerk. Participants will of interest to Friends from other Yearly oversight tutor team learn from each other as well as from the Meetings. leaders. Tutors: Members of the eldership and Tutors: Members of the clerks tutor team oversight tutor team
78 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 79 WOODBROOKE LEARNING TRAINING FOR QUAKER ROLES
MON 11 MAY – WED 13 MAR THU 14 MAR – THU 28 MAR THUR 4 APR– FRI 5 APR Online THU 11 APR– THU 25 APR BEING A QUAKER TRUSTEE WRITING BRILLIANT REGISTERING OFFICERS Online course CLERK TO 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential ANNUAL REPORTS TRAINING course £27 20 places | £125 residential | £90 non-residential TRUSTEES: Particularly suitable for new/less experienced TRAINING Area Meeting trustees, or as a refresher. This three-week online course is an interactive Woodbrooke working in partnership with £54 Underpinned by the spiritual question of what discussion space which will help participants Britain Yearly Meeting trusteeship means within Quakers, we will be to better understand the Charity Commission A training event for new Quaker Registering A three week course will help clerks to both practical and factual. What does God and Britain Yearly Meeting requirements for Officers. Run in partnership with the Area Meeting Trustee bodies develop require of us? What does the law require? an Area Meeting Trustees’ Annual Report. You Recording Clerk’s Office of Britain Yearly their skills and confidence. We’ll talk What is considered good practice? How will consider the target audience and share Meeting. Information and booking details will about what’s involved in the role, being do trustees, area and local meetings relate ideas about how to produce the most useful be sent directly to Registering Officers. a trustee in a Quaker context, building to each other? We aim to provide easy- document(s) possible. There will be exercises good working relationships, and where to-understand information and enjoyable Tutors: Judith Baker, Michael Booth and to try out as you prepare your 2018 report. to go for help. Possible topics include learning, to make trusteeship approachable Seren Wildwood This course is intended for anyone involved planning agendas, writing minutes, and rewarding. in producing the annual report for an Area using subcommittees, contracts and Tutors: Members of the trusteeship tutor Meeting, including Area Meeting trustees, employment, what needs doing when, team. treasurers, and clerks. FRI 5 APR– SUN 7 APR and trusteeship and faith. There will be This course involves a time commitment of links to useful material and a forum to approximately two hours per week. REGISTERING OFFICERS discuss your particular circumstances Tutors: Martin Ford and James Bradbury CONFERENCE and questions. 60 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential Tutors: Members of the trusteeship tutor team FRI 22 MAR – SUN 24 MAR Woodbrooke working in partnership with CHAPLAINCY RETREAT Britain Yearly Meeting TUE 16 APR– TUE 21 MAY 12 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential A conference for Quaker Registering Officers. Online Information and booking details will be sent BEING A QUAKER course This weekend retreat will provide the directly to Registering Officers. TREASURER opportunity for Quaker chaplains working Tutors: Michael Booth, Linda Craig and Seren £115 in any setting (prison, education, hospital or Wildwood others) to reflect, relax and reconnect with For new and prospective treasurers of local our spiritual foundation. We will use a mix meetings. We will cover all the main tasks, of creative listening, the labyrinth, journaling from first entries to year-end preparation and a range of spiritual practices to provide of accounts. You will find sympathetic opportunities to recharge our batteries and companionship and explore the spiritual remind ourselves why we do this important basis of the role. Full participation requires a work. This weekend is not a training event webcam and microphone. and may not be suitable for people with no chaplaincy experience. This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. Tutors: Members of the chaplaincy tutor team. Tutors: Members of the treasurer tutor team
80 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 81 WOODBROOKE LEARNING TRAINING FOR QUAKER ROLES
MON 6 MAY - SUN 16 JUN MON 3 JUN –SUN 14 JUN MON 24 JUN – WED 26 JUN Online Online ELDERSHIP AND course EXPLORING QUAKER course ELDERSHIP AND OVERSIGHT OVERSIGHT CHAPLAINCY TOGETHER £115 £115 18 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential
This six-week online course will help all those Woodbrooke working in partnership with This is a weekend for Friends serving in serving in eldership and oversight to gain Quaker Life joint or corporate systems of eldership or better understanding and confidence in their Are you a Quaker chaplain in hospital, prison, oversight, or with elements or combinations role – whatever the system in their meeting. school or university or in any other work or of these. This course aims to help The six modules cover the full range of topics community setting? Or considering starting participants identify how the responsibilities included in the separate and combined chaplaincy? This online course will be an of eldership and oversight are met in their eldership and oversight onsite courses, opportunity for sharing, supporting and meetings, and to share good practice. with options to focus on areas of particular developing your ministry. We will explore We will explore pastoral care and spiritual relevance. the connections between different settings. nurture within worshipping communities and This course involves a time commitment of Over the six weeks of this course, we will consider practical issues. We hope everyone MON 2 SEP – WED 4 SEP approximately two to three hours per week. encourage you to take a couple of hours will leave with new skills and insights, feeling more confident about their part in eldership MANAGING OUR MEETING Tutors: Members of the eldership & oversight a week to reflect on your work, share your and oversight in their meeting. tutor team experiences, ideas and insights, and come HOUSES away refreshed. Tutors: Members of the eldership and 10 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential This course involves a time commitment of oversight tutor team. FRI 31 MAY – SUN 2 JUN approximately two to three hours per week. Woodbrooke working in partnership with TRAINING FOR QUAKER Tutors: Members of the chaplaincy tutor team MON 15 JUL – SUN 25 AUG Quaker Life Online This training and support event for meeting PRISON CHAPLAINS QUAKER course 10 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential houses of all sizes and functions includes: NOMINATIONS witnessing to Quaker values; workshops for £115 Woodbrooke working in partnership with staff and employers on employment law Britain Yearly Meeting and good practice, and on health and safety An entirely online course for anyone involved legislation; as well as sessions on meeting This training is open to all Quaker prison in Quaker nominations. We will aim to root house administration matters, and on building chaplains. It will cover the Quaker basis for ourselves in good practices of discernment working relationships and support networks. prison ministry, finding and developing your whilst responding to the particular issues that The course aims to respond to the needs of ministry, practical issues about working in face us. Nominations are at the quiet heart of participants so everyone will gain increased prisons, building trusting relationships, and the way we live together as Friends, when we enthusiasm, skills, confidence and knowledge training and support for your ministry. It is listen faithfully to the Spirit. By taking two to to enhance the life of their meeting house. suitable for both new and more experienced three hours a week over six weeks to reflect, Tutors: Bonnie Grotjahn, Sam McNair and chaplains, regardless of how much time you we hope you will gain a renewed insight into Oliver Waterhouse spend on chaplaincy work. the potential of nominations to strengthen Tutors: Members of the chaplaincy team meetings and enabling them to flourish. This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. Tutors: Members of the nominations tutor team
82 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 83 WOODBROOKE LEARNING POSTGRADUATE STUDY MON 2 SEP – SUN 13 OCT FRI 6 SEP – SUN 8 SEP Online BEING A QUAKER course BEING A QUAKER CLERK AND RESEARCH CLERK 20 places | £245 residential | £170 non-residential £115 with the Centre for Research in Quaker Studies This course is for new or prospective clerks This online course, for new or prospective with little or no experience of Quaker clerks with little or no experience of Quaker clerking. We will focus on clerking local clerking, is based on the on-site course with meetings but clerks of other meetings or the same name. The five modules cover the committees will also find they can learn clerk’s role before, during and after a Meeting much about their role. There will be practical for Worship for Business. We also consider sessions including planning agendas, drafting why we use our particular business style minutes and discipline in the meeting. We will in our meetings. We will focus on clerking also consider other responsibilities that come local meetings, but clerks of other meetings, with being a clerk. Participants will learn from including area meetings, will also find they each other as well as from the leaders. can learn much about their role. Tutors: Members of the clerking tutor team This course involves a time commitment of approximately two to three hours per week. MON 23 SEP – SUN 3 NOV Tutors: Members of the clerking tutor team Online MEETING FOR course
MON 2 SEP – SUN 13 OCT WORSHIP FOR Online BUSINESS ELDERSHIP AND course £54 OVERSIGHT £115 Meetings for worship for business are Online taught courses leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Quaker one facet of Quaker worship; but what is This six-week online course will help all those actually going on in a meeting for worship Studies or MA in Quakerism in the Modern World and distance serving in eldership and oversight to gain for business? Why do we do what we learning with supervision leading to MA by research or PhD. better understanding and confidence in their do? What is the spiritual underpinning? role – whatever the system in their meeting. This course is for all Friends, to help The six modules cover the full range of topics you to understand our decision making included in the separate and combined process better. Friends ‘on the bench’ For more detailed information on these postgraduate options, eldership and oversight onsite courses, as well as clerks can benefit from the entry requirements, fees and how to apply for the 2018-19 with options to focus on areas of particular course which will help you to understand relevance. more about deepening our experience of academic year, please visit woodbrooke.org.uk/crqs This course involves a time commitment of worshipful discernment as a group. approximately two to three hours per week. This course involves a time commitment Tutors: Members of the eldership & oversight of approximately two to three hours per The Centre for Research in tutor team week. Quaker Studies works in partnership with the Tutors: Members of the clerking tutor University of Birmingham team and Lancaster University.
84 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 WOODBROOKE LEARNING
Quaker Conferences The events are organised by Quaker Recognised Bodies and take place at Woodbrooke. For details of how to book see the individual listings.
FRI 29 MAR –SUN 31 MAR FRI 10 MAY – SUN 12 MAY UNITY, DIVERSITY, FORGIVENESS – BOUNDARIES WHY FORGIVE? 40 places | £250 50 places | £234
This year’s Nontheist Friends Conference will This conference, which is open to all, will explore ideas around the themes of Unity; explore our understanding of forgiveness Diversity; Boundaries. What do we mean from religious, moral and psychological by unity? Does this limit or enhance our perspectives. Why should we forgive? diversity? What are our boundaries? Who benefits? Is forgiveness a religious/ Stimulated by the diverse interests and moral imperative or a practical virtue? backgrounds of the speakers we hope to How does forgiveness relate to repentance learn, draw strength from and embrace and reconciliation? What are the limits of differing perspectives. As we begin the forgiveness? Why can forgiveness be so process of revising ‘Quaker Faith & Practice’, difficult to achieve? There will be visiting our Book of Christian Discipline, this is speakers, small group discussions and free an opportunity to consider how we can time to socialise and enjoy this wonderful contribute. We look forward to a lively and conference venue. participatory event which is open to all. See QUG website for full details. Booking To book contact Hugh Rock (26 Fairmile, form on the QUG website http://qug.org. Henley-on-Thames RG9 2LA or hugh_rock@ uk/ or from Glen Gates ([email protected] btconnect.com). or 5 School Street, Church Lawford, Rugby, CV23 9EE). Enquiries, day rate prices and Tutors: Hugh Rock, Marisa Johnson and completed booking forms to Glen Gates. Tony Philpott INFORMATION 86 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 FURTHER Woodbrooke’s Programmes Team
Simon Best is Head Martin Layton is Gill Pennington is Michael Eccles is QPSW of Learning and has Senior Programme Ministry Programmes Tutor providing training overall responsibility for Leader for off-site and Co-ordinator and and support for Quaker Woodbrooke’s learning online learning. He has Spirituality Tutor. She Peace & Social Witness programmes. He is responsibility for our has responsibility for the placement programmes. passionate about creating online learning and Equipping for Ministry Michael also works as the opportunities for Quakers to learn Woodbrooke-on-the-Road. He is programme. She works to facilitate Assistant Secretary of FWCC-Europe and grow individually and together. interested in exploring how Quaker learning and enable a deepening of & Middle East Section supporting Simon is responsible for supporting the spirituality strengthens our lives of spiritual experience. Friends around the region. Swarthmore Lecture programme. active witness. Mark Russ is Tutor for Rhiannon Grant is Tutor Ben Pink Dandelion is Stuart Masters is Nurturing Friends and for Quaker Roles. She is Programmes Leader for Senior Programme Meetings. His interests a lifelong Quaker who the Centre for Research Leader for on-site include intentional researches and writes in Quaker Studies. learning. He coordinates community, music and about religious language He has responsibility Woodbrooke’s on-site worship, theology and and practices. Rhiannon for our postgraduate course programme and apocalyptic spirituality. is also Deputy Programmes Leader, programmes run in partnership with leads courses exploring the Quaker Centre for Research in Quaker Studies the University of Birmingham and way and its relationship to other and supports our postgraduate Maud Grainger is Faith Lancaster University. He both teaches traditions. programmes and research work. in Action Tutor. She has and supervises postgraduate students experience of and passion in a variety of fields, and his own Betty Hagglund is for environmental, social Timothy Ashworth is specialism is sociology of religion. He Librarian and Learning justice and interfaith work. Biblical Studies Tutor, is a prolific author and editor. Resources Manager, and She is interested in how especially interested in has overall responsibility we live our witness in the world and how the experiences of for Woodbrooke’s library community activism. the first Christians shaped and archive. She is their writings and ways of particularly interested in early Quaker life. He is also Interfaith Co-ordinator, history and writings. engaged in our ecumenical as well as interfaith work.
88 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 89 Woodbrooke has a large number of associate tutors who Woodbrooke’s deliver many of our courses. You can find details about the Associate Tutors tutors for each course in the listings and on our website. Alastair McIntosh is a Quaker whose most Angie Dunhill has practised Experiment with Caroline Gibbs is a Friend, life coach, writer Dr Pauline Lovelock currently at the Anglican recent book is Poacher’s Pilgrimage. With Light for 6yrs and has worked with others to and inspirational speaker. She is passionate Shrine Walsingham formerly employed Matt Carmichael he is co-author of Spiritual deliver workshops nationally. about sharing positive ideas and offering by the Julian Shrine specialises in silence, Activism: Leadership as Service. Ann Banks is a teacher, shopkeeper, opportunities for personal growth. reflection and spirituality. Alex Wildwood gave the 1999 Swarthmore therapist, personal development tutor and Caroline Jariwala is an ethical mosaic artist, a Edwina Peart is the Inclusion and Diversity lecture ‘A Faith to call our own’ and is active Quaker, Ann has experience of working qualified teacher and professional artist since Coordinator for Britain Yearly Meeting. passionate about articulating the spiritual with Experiment with Light and the Kindlers. 1988, teaching the art of mosaic to children Eleanor Jackson has been a Quaker for diversity of British Friends. Ann Conway-Jones is an Honorary Research and adults for 20 years. Caroline is a member forty years, is a member of the Birmingham Alison Mitchell works for the Retreat Fellow at Birmingham University. She of the British Association of Modern Mosaic. Ecumenical Forum for Spiritual Directors and Benevolent Fund as Mental Health specialises in making biblical scholarship Caroline Kennedy was introduced to the Companions. Development Officer, raising awareness and accessible, relevant and inspiring. Experiment with Light in 2011, and has Estella Lovett has taught meditation and asking questions about mental health. Annie Womack started going to Quaker continued the practice from that time, both accompanied people on their spiritual Alistair Fuller is Head of Ministry and meetings while living in Berlin. Now based solo and in a Light group. journeys for thirty years. Outreach for Quakers in Britain and also a in Sheffield, she attends Nether Edge Local Carrie Salmon discovered Experiment with Farrukh Akhtar is an experienced Quaker parent. He is deeply interested in Meeting and works as a translator. Light 3 years ago and values how it has Transformative Life Writing facilitator, a writer nurturing spiritual community and helping Annique Seddon, with a background as a enriched her life and Meeting. and a senior lecturer at a London University. seekers find Quakers. therapeutic counsellor, is a personal tutor and Chris Bemrose is a Quaker who designs and Floe Shakespeare has been a Quaker for Alwyn Knight has worked in Hebron as a co-leader on Woodbrooke retreats. leads experiences to help people explore nearly fifty years, has facilitated groups in member of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Basia Mindewicz is a Member of the British spiritual, psychological and social issues. different contexts and has a longstanding Programme, and as a member of Christian Association of Iconographers and the Details at spiritofthemargins.org interest in creativity in all its forms. Peacemaker Teams. founder of the Edinburgh School of Icon Dan Nixon leads Perspectiva’s work on Frances Henley Lock, spiritual director Andy Stoller has been a Quaker for over Painting. Paying Attention (https://www.systems-souls- and group facilitator, enjoys encouraging thirty years coming from a Liberal Jewish Ben Wood was recently a Lecturer in society.com/payingattention). participants to explore their human/spiritual background. She has experience of facilitating Theology & Religious Studies at Leeds Trinity. Deborah Ravetz is a painter, social sculpture journey in possibly unfamiliar ways. various groups and has also offered service His interests include, theological ethics, practitioner, vocational trainer and author Fred Langridge was part of Wanstead LM’s both locally and nationally. Quaker history & philosophies of knowledge. of ‘The Art of Being Human’. Details at discernment around gender. They are a Angela Cotter is a Jungian analyst and Bonnie Grotjahn was a Resident Warden in deborahravetz.org Quaker and an adviser on diversity and shamanic practitioner drawing particularly the UK and a Quaker employer at Friends Deborah Rowlands is the current Clerk of inclusion. on Celtic roots, and an experienced group House Moscow. Her passion is people! Britain Yearly Meeting. Gerald Hewitson described his spiritual facilitator/teacher. Caitlín Matthews is a teacher of mythic & Deborah Shaw is a life-long Friend and journey in the Swarthmore Lecture of 2013. Angela Halvorsen Bogo is a storyteller, singer spiritual traditions: her many books include seasoned retreat leader who delights in Journaling is his primary spiritual practice. and clown. She has been curious about The Lost Book of the Grail. spiritual exploration in the company of Gil Skidmore is passionate about finding ways and developing the relationship between others. to inspire us today by deepening knowledge performer and audience, embodying the fool and understanding of our Quaker past. and travelling wherever called.
90 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 91 Gretchen Castle is General Secretary at Janet Scott is a theologian and a teacher. She Jonathan Dale gave the 1996 Swarthmore Linda Craig is a recent Clerk to Woodbrooke Friends World Committee for Consultation. is a former clerk of Meeting for Sufferings Lecture, ‘Beyond the Spirit of the Age’. He Trustees, a registering officer and former She brings experience of the diverse ways of and was the 1980 Swarthmore lecturer. has written extensively on Quaker Testimony General Secretary of QPSW. Friends worldwide. Jenni Simmons is a textile worker and Joycelin Dawes has written on Quaker and Liz Perkins has been Appleseeding for fifteen Heather Brown is a freelance facilitator and teaches handcrafts. contemporary spirituality, including recently years. She has facilitated a number of craft qualified teacher of the Enneagram. She Jennifer Kavanagh is a speaker on the Discernment and Inner Knowing: making and spirituality workshops. enjoys walking, sailing and choral singing. Spirit-led life, and author of, among others, decisions for the best. Liz Watson has been meditating for over Helen Griffin is a SAPERE-accredited level 2 ‘Simplicity Made Easy’ and ‘A little book of Julia Ryberg is an American-born Quaker 20 years and is a member of The World P4C trainer and experienced Quaker. She has Unknowing’ living in Sweden. She works for Friends Community for Christian Meditation (www. been using P4C since 2003. Jill Woodman is a British Wheel of in Sweden and more widely in Europe in wccm.org). Iain McGilchrist is author of The Master Yoga teacher and has taught annually at ministry and outreach. Madeleine Ward wrote her doctoral thesis on and his Emissary: the Divided Brain and the Woodbrooke for several years. She has a Kathleen Nelson has been using Appleseed early Quaker theology and was the Henry J. Making of the Western World. particular interest in mindfulness meditation methods for over 30 years and is an Cadbury Scholar at Pendle Hill Quaker study Inderjit Bhogal is a Methodist theologian, as a way of connecting to the moment and experienced Appleseed facilitator. centre from 2017 to 2018. founder of the “City of Sanctuary” movement creating a breathing space in life. Kathryn Lum is an anthropologist, a lecturer Margery Post Abbott is a released Friend and formerly CEO of the Corrymeela Joanna Godfrey Wood is a lifelong Friend, in Global and Gender Studies, and a feminist currently writing and traveling in the ministry, Community. particularly interested in facilitating study activist. She is a member of Nottingham with the support of Multnomah MM in Ivan Hutnik is a facilitator with Restoring groups and developing spirit through Monthly Meeting, and has carried out Portland, Oregon. Relations, an internationalist, and a member creativity. research on Dalit human rights in India and Marian Liebmann is an art therapist and of the QPSW conciliation group. Joanna Grace is an international sensory racial discrimination in Brazil. mediator. She also works as a practitioner, Jaana Erkkila-Hill, previously Clerk of Finland engagement and inclusion specialist, TEDX Katie Evans is a Quaker who loves making consultant and trainer in restorative justice Yearly Meeting, is Professor of Fine Art at the speaker, author, trainer and founder of The breathing space for the Spirit. and has published widely. University of Lapland. Sensory Projects. Kathy Chandler is a Quaker parent and an Marion Mills Dadds is a Quaker and a James Bradbury was a Senior Manager in Joanne Klassen of Heartspace on Line overseer at Lancaster Meeting, where she Buddhist, interested in how these two manufacturing industry before becoming Learning Associates; Learning that Changes supports a youth group. At work, she teaches traditions complement each other. a Trustee and lead Treasurer for Central Lives is from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. students working with children, young people Martin Ford is a part time management England Area Meeting. John Gray works as a freelance and families. consultant and serves on Quaker Stewardship James Peacock is Senior Lecturer in organisational facilitator and coach, and is a Katie Rose White is a therapeutic laughter Committee, whose responsibilities English and American Literatures at Keele lecturer at the University of York. He attends practitioner with an interest in playfulness and include ensuring compliance with Charity University, where he is currently researching Friargate meeting in York. He is a conceptual freedom. Commission requirements. the relationship between Quakerism and speaker and writer. Kelly Baker was trained at Kew Gardens and Matt Carmichael is a climate activist, inner American literature, 1780-1900. John Lampen is a trainer in creative conflict worked at Knebworth before starting in 2017 city teacher and dad. With Alastiar McIntosh Jan Sellers, a Quaker and writer, handling, and author of ‘Mending Hurts’. as Head Gardener at Woodbrooke. he is co-author of Spiritual Activism: leads retreats and labyrinth events for John Lynes has worked in Palestine as Lesley Collington is a potter, teaches T’ai Chi Leadership as Service. Woodbrooke, the Retreat Association, a QPSW observer, as an Ecumenical Chuan & Qi Gong, a Dharma Teacher in the Meredith Freeman ventures, hosts, holds, Veriditas and other organisations. Accompanier, and with the Christian tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. maps and prays. She is currently practicing Janet Entwistle is member of the Community Peacemaker Team in Hebron. Letta Jones, MA is a Lecturer in Horticulture allowing action to flow from answers. of Interbeing and also has a strong Quaker Jon Martin is Ministry & Outreach Officer for and Garden History. She also leads garden background. Quakers in Britain. study trips abroad.
92 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 93 Mike Mullins is a Roman Catholic who is Richard Fox is a partner in The Learning Steve Palmer is a teacher and a percussionist. a facilitator and coach with experience and Corporation LLP, a pan European firm of The Gandhian idea of ahimsa has inspired qualifications in philosophy, psychology and leadership coaches and training facilitators. him to look for practical ways to extend his psychotherapy. Rob Griffiths is a Quaker with more than own circle of compassion. Mina Tilt is a Friend from South Birmingham, 20 years of experience in using AI in his Susan Groves appreciates the wisdom with a special interest in Middle Eastern management consulting practice. and joy that comes from people gathering mysticism and the wisdom of Jesus. Roger Babington Hill is a Trustee of Devon together. She is interested in bringing Nim Njuguna is a Quaker prison chaplain. Area Meeting, he formerly lectured at the contemplation into relationship with others He was awarded an Eva Koch Scholarship in University of Exeter. He is writing on “Daoism through spirit. 2018 to explore being a Quaker Diversity Ally. and the Quaker Mystical Tradition”. Terry Hobday has been facilitating Peter Brennan is an experienced tutor who Roger Cullen currently works as a family experimental worship for over twenty years, particularly relishes exploring the practical mediator and also has experience of conflict developing a contemporary approach to spiritual implications of the English poetic resolution in Quaker meetings and restorative semi-programmed worship. Her interests tradition. Peter is concerned to explore justice settings. include the literary and musical aspects of sharing the Quaker experience, the Bible, the spiritual implications of literature and Rosie Carnall is a life-long Quaker and a lively early Quakerism and depth psychology. particularly enjoys working with those and creative facilitator, who enjoys getting seeking self development. people thinking and talking together. As Eva Therese Bentley is a qualified teacher, with a Peter Fishpool is learning to walk gently over Koch scholar in 2018, she has developed special interest in the link between spiritual the earth out of mastering mind; into the flow resources for Quakers to use the P4C and practical everyday life. of graceful Spirit. methodology. Thomas Swain has travelled amongst Friends Philip Gross is a Quaker, poet, prose writer, Ruth Wilde is a Quaker and National for over 12 years teaching and sharing his dramatist and Professor of Creative Writing at Coordinator of Inclusive Church. She also concern for the future of Quakerism. the University of South Wales. works part-time for the charity Christian Tracey Martin works in international Rabbi Howard Cooper is a psychoanalytic Peacemaker Teams (CPT). development, is a Turning the Tide facilitator psychotherapist in private practice and Sam McNair is a warden involved in a major and co-editor and co-writer of the Barefoot the Director of Spiritual Development at refurbishment. Interests include the spiritual Guides www.barefootguide.org Finchley Reform Synagogue, London. He dimension of wardenship and building robust Val Bone is a lifelong Quaker and nurse. is a workshop leader, lecturer and writer lettings procedures. Val’s exploration of spirituality includes both exploring religious, Judaic, spiritual and Sandie Wade has shared her love of circle eastern and western traditions which inform a psychological themes. dancing for many years, encouraging others very grounded practice. Rex Ambler taught theology at Birmingham to discover its delight. Yvonne Wood is a committee member University for over 30 years and since retiring Shona Cameron came to NVC via a career of Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity has mainly researched and written about as an educational psychologist. She travels Community. Quaker faith and practice. extensively offering workshops and trainings, Zélie Gross is a Quaker writer and editor who Richard Eddleston has long experience of which are noted to be delivered with clarity brings exploratory group work and broad running centering prayer groups. A retired and humour. www.shonacameron.com experience of Quaker service to her teaching. social worker, he has been a Quaker for Sister Annabel Laity has worked closely with twenty five years. Thich Nhat Hanh over many years, including translating several of his writings into English.
94 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 95 Title BY ROAD hill and do a U-turn through the next gap Woodbrooke is accessible from the A38 (as signposted) to come back down the Bristol Road. hill to the Woodbrooke entrance. If you are travelling south (from TO GET TO THE A38 Birmingham city centre towards From the M6 – take Junction 6 and Longbridge): travel through Selly Oak, head towards the M38 Aston Expressway passing a Sainsbury’s supermarket which will turn into the A38 Bristol Road. on your right. Continue straight ahead Continue for around five miles. and when the road slopes downhill, carry on past Fircroft College on your From the M40 – join the M42, exiting the Travel directions left. Woodbrooke is on the left shortly M42 at Junction 2. Take the A441 towards afterwards. Birmingham (signposted Cadbury World). Woodbrooke is based in Selly Oak – around five miles south of After six miles, turn left onto the A38 If you are travelling north on the A38 Bristol Road. Woodbrooke is on the left Birmingham city centre. We encourage our visitors to travel by public (towards Birmingham city centre): after after Fircroft College. transport where possible. leaving Northfield, continue straight ahead. When you pass under a From the M5 Junction 4 – take the A38 footbridge, look out for Woodbrooke (travelling north) for approximately six RAIL from Selly Oak station to Woodbrooke 200 yards on the right, on the opposite miles. Mainline trains arrive into Birmingham by taxi, you will need to pre-book a taxi. side of the carriageway. Go further up the New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill Call TOA Taxis on 0121 427 8888 or stations. Local trains from New Street to request a taxi using your smartphone. Selly Oak take about 10 minutes. From Selly Oak station it is a short bus ride or BUS a 20–25 minute walk. Buses run to Woodbrooke from close to Birmingham New Street and Moor Street COACH stations. For Woodbrooke you need to National Express coaches terminate at alight the bus at ‘Witherford Way’ stop. Digbeth Coach Station in Birmingham, a Buses accept the exact fare only so 10-15 minute walk from New Street from please have plenty of change with you. where you can travel by bus, taxi or train. For the most up to date bus information please visit www.nxbus.co.uk TAXI There are taxi ranks at New Street and Moor Street railway stations and Digbeth coach station. If you choose to travel
96 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 97 Learning and Accessibility
At Woodbrooke we aim to provide If you have access or communications inclusive, participatory learning that requirements, please let us know recognises and affirms the diverse gifts of when booking or as soon as possible, all in the community. We all have needs preferably at least three weeks before in relation to our learning and our tutors your course. In our experience this gives work to ensure all are able to participate us a better chance of meeting your in ways suitable for them and the course. requirements. We will try our best to We are aware that some people may meet all access and communications have particular requirements that need requests through reasonable adjustments to be met in order to enable them to and/or the provision of additional aids or come to Woodbrooke and to participate equipment. Whether we can meet your in courses (e.g. being a wheelchair user needs will depend on the exact nature of and needing a ground floor bedroom your request, and we will work with you or needing course material/handouts to find the best way of you being able to provided in a particular format). participate as fully as possible.
We understand that the way that Woodbrooke has hearing loops, ramps, different needs impact on someone’s scooters, a wheelchair lift, stair lifts and life varies greatly between individuals. specially-fitted bathrooms, toilets and We especially understand that if the bedrooms. needs are well managed, asking further questions might feel intrusive. We ask for If you need to be accompanied by a information about your requirements so carer for you or your child so you can we can work with you to ensure that the participate in a course, Woodbrooke necessary provision is in place for you will provide the carer with free to participate as fully as possible in your accommodation and meals for the chosen course. We are guided in this by duration of your stay. equality legislation and by our Quaker commitment to equality. This information will be shared with relevant staff and Please contact us to discuss any course tutors. Sometimes it is helpful specific requirements or if you would for staff or tutors to be able to contact like further information. participants to discuss their requirements and how these can best be supported.
98 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 99 2019 Dietary requirements: How to book Booking form Anything Vegetarian Veg/Fish Vegan Non-dairy Diabetic Book online at: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/learn. Name of course(s) you’d like to attend: Gluten Free Low Fat Fill in and return the booking form opposite, you can download further forms Intolerances/Allergies: from www.woodbrooke.org.uk/booking. For booking queries and to request a booking form email [email protected] or call us on 0121 472 5171.
HOW TO PAY day (3 weeks) prior to the event, we will retain 20% Dates (from/to): Are you associated with the Religious Society and refund any remaining money paid. of Friends (Quakers?) Yes No • If you wish to pay by credit or debit card we require a minimum payment of 20% of the course • For any cancellations notified after 7am on the 21st If yes, please state which meeting/group you day (3 weeks) prior to the event, no refunds will be fee at the time of booking. The balance will be attend/are a member of: due by 7am, 21 days prior to the event, and will be issued. automatically charged to your card at that point. Online Courses We will credit your booking with any bursaries or Please give details of any extra nights you discounts before this. • If you notify us of a cancellation before 7am on would like to stay: Is this your first course at Woodbrooke? the 42nd day (6 weeks) prior to the event, you will • If you are booking online you must pay in full at the receive a full refund. Yes No time of booking. • If you notify us of a cancellation at any time between Are you attending this course as part of your • If you wish to pay by cheque, you must pay in full at 7am on the 42nd day (6 weeks) and 7am on the 7th the time of booking. EfM programme? Yes No day (1 week) prior to the event we will retain 20% and First name(s) • If your meeting is paying please ask for an invoice to refund any remaining money. How did you hear about this course? be sent to the treasurer when you book. • For any cancellations notified after 7am on the 7th Last name day (1 week) prior to the event, no refunds will be WHEN TO BOOK issued. Name you like to be known by Please book as soon as possible. We encourage early Change of content or tutor: We make every effort to If you have previously been on a course at Address booking to maximise the chances of a course running. run courses as advertised. However, there may be Woodbrooke and have since changed your occasions when we have to change course content Unfortunately, we occasionally have to cancel courses. name or address, please let us have your Decisions about the viability of a course are usually and/or tutors. Woodbrooke reserves the right to make previous name/address: made three to four weeks before the start of a course. these changes. In such instances, no reductions or refunds are available and the normal Cancellation Policy Postcode applies. First Name(s) COURSE START AND FINISH TIMES Insurance: We recommend that you consider taking Year of birth: Courses at Woodbrooke begin at 6.15pm, with an out cancellation insurance to provide cover in the Last name event of having to have to cancel your booking due to evening meal, and end with lunch on the last day Tel. Day unless there are different timings given in the individual unforeseen circumstances. Woodbrooke is not able to Address course details. recommend an insurance provider. Evening Cooling off period:If you cancel your booking within fourteen days of receiving confirmation of your CANCELLATION Email address booking from us you are entitled to a full refund under Postcode If Woodbrooke cancels a course you are booked on consumer protection regulations. you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your place You may contact me by on a course we offer refunds as follows: Accommodation only bookings: You can cancel your Contact and consent: The information you booking up to 7am on the day of arrival without any Post Email have given us on this form will be used for the Onsite Courses charge. Unless you have chosen a non-cancellable, administration of this booking. • If you notify us of a cancellation by 7am on the 56th non- refundable bedroom rate. Please check your We would like to send your course information booking confirmation for further details. We would like to keep you informed about day (8 weeks) prior to the event, you will receive a by email rather than post. If you are unable to future Woodbrooke events and our wider work full refund. The information in this brochure is correct at the time receive your course programme and course by e-mail and/or post. Please indicate that you of printing and may be subject to change. For the • If you notify us of a cancellation at any time between information via email please tick this box: consent to us doing this by ticking the box. 7am on the 56th day (8 weeks) and 7am on the 21st latest information and our full terms and conditions see www.woodbrooke.org.uk. I wish to receive information about Tick here if you would like travel directions Woodbrooke’s learning and other activities.
100 LEARN | JANUARYSEPT 2017–MAR - SEPTEMBER 2018 2019 LEARN | JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2019 101 2019 Access Payment Details PleaseWOODBROOKE list any access/communications LEARNING All cheques payable to Woodbrooke requirements you have in relation to the building. 1. I’ve arranged for my meeting to pay for the course Full payment is enclosed Please send an invoice to the Treasurer
Treasurer’s name
Please list any access/communications requirements you have in relation to the course. Treasurers email address
It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure Woodbrooke gets payment before the course. Please see page 103 for our commitment to 2. I am paying myself, 20% of the course fee is learning and accessibility. due at the time of booking. I am sending a cheque for the full amount. Accommodation Please send me a link to pay on a secure Would you like a residential place? Yes No website for the full amount / 20%*. We will send you a link to pay on a secure website. By paying Please tell us a little about your interest in the 20% using a debit/credit card, you authorise course for which you are booking: Woodbrooke to debit the 80% balance from the same card 21 days before the start of the course. * Refundable subject to our cancellation policy Please fill in the details below Special offers and bursaries Course fee £ We would like to make coming to Woodbrooke as accessible as possible. We encourage you to Donation £ speak to us if you would like to discuss bursaries and special offers. Total payment £ I would like to claim one of the following special offers: I want to Gift Aid* my donation First-timers’ £50 discount Signature 18-35 year olds’ 50% discount Bursaries / financial support Date Please let me know about financial support *If you have boosted your donation with Gift Aid via from Woodbrooke the booking form, please notify Woodbrooke if you (i) want to cancel this declaration (ii) change your name or For more details and to see the full terms and home address (iii) no longer pay sufficient tax on your conditions, visit www.woodbrooke.org.uk/offers income and/or capital gains. If you pay income tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue & Customs to adjust your tax code.
102RETURNLEARN TO| JANUARY WOODBROOKE, - SEPTEMBER 20191046 BRISTOL ROAD BIRMINGHAM, B29 6LJ Woodbrooke is many things to many people Our Quaker-based learning nurtures, enthuses and informs; our inspiring venue in Birmingham offers space for meeting or just for staying. Woodbrooke offers opportunities for learning: • Through courses we run at our centre in Birmingham, and at other venues such as Swarthmoor Hall. • Through our On-the-Road programme which brings our experienced tutors to you in your area. • Via online courses and webinars. Woodbrooke’s centre in Selly Oak, a Grade II listed Georgian manor house with 70 bedrooms and 9 meeting rooms could be the perfect venue for your next meeting or conference and as a base to stay for visitors to Birmingham.
For more information about Woodbrooke visit our website: woodbrooke.org.uk Woodbrooke, 1046 Bristol Road, Birmingham B29 6LJ T +44 (0)121 472 5171 • F +44 (0)121 472 5173 • E [email protected] Reg. Charity No. 313816 Find us on:
For a large print copy of this brochure, please call 0121 472 5171