8 September 2017 £1.90 thediscover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

Greenbelt the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 175 NO 36

3 Thought for the Week: Intelligent loving Judy Clinton 4-5 News 6 Words from Warwick Any kindness Bob Lovett I expect to pass through this 7 Slaying Goliath world but once. Any good, Sam Donaldson therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to 8-9 Letters any fellow creature, let me do 10-11 Faith and the future it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass Symon Hill this way again. 12 An open space Abigail Maxwell Steven Grellett 13 Simon Webb 14-15 Speaking out together Ruth Tod 16 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world 17 Friends & Meetings

Cover image: Greenbelt 2017 Photo: Copyright Jonathon Watkins (www.PhotoGlow.co.uk). See pages 10-11.

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2 the Friend, 8 September 2017 Thought for the Week

Intelligent loving

remember sitting ready for Meeting for Worship on the morning following the Dunblane massacre in 1996. I was in the quiet of the Meeting room and could hear Friends arriving, hanging up their coats and greeting one another in the foyer. One Friend, an active Imember of the peace group, said in a loud voice: ‘I just cannot understand the mentality of someone who does something like that.’ She was talking about the killings. I could. I’d not long come out of a very difficult marriage and had experienced many feelings towards my then husband that were murderous. It wasn’t hard for me to imagine such feelings tipping into action. Why hadn’t they? A large number of factors contributed: a family of origin that was loving and stable and had taught me high moral standards, care for others and the importance of delaying immediate gratification in favour of long-term benefits; an education that had shown me how to think and learn, to articulate, to communicate and to be literate; and a culture that was at peace and was essentially civilised. All of those things and so many more had given me enough within myself to fall back upon when the pressures of life became so extreme that I was driven almost to the end of my tether and could have acted with fatal consequences. What about those who have been brought up in chaos, been abused, programmed to hate and to fight and live in countries where violence has been widespread? What about those who have been so culturally brainwashed that killing innocent people in the name of grossly distorted religious or cultural beliefs is seen as honourable and right? What hope have they when pressure, internal or external, drives them to their limits? Elizabeth Kübler Ross once said: ‘There is both a mother Theresa and a Hitler in every one of us.’ It is all too easy to take the high moral ground when we are comfortable, able and loved within a stable community. I do not condone the recent actions of terrorists and, of course, everything has to be done to try and prevent more of them, and for people to be brought to justice who perpetrate such horrors. It is good and proper that we should refuse to live in fear, supporting the harmed and bereaved, and standing up against terrorism. But what about the deeper causes and the long-term view? If we don’t look at ourselves, at what lies deep within all of us, we will do little more than shuffle the problems of hate and violence from one place to another. If we have never been pushed to the end of our capacities how can we condemn others as being of another species when they crack? We are all capable of doing terrible things if pushed far enough. A great deal of compassion is needed. How do we move forward with intelligent love? I suggest we need to start with ourselves: to honour our gifts and capabilities, to be willing to put them at the service of others and at the same time to admit when we are floundering, mucking up, and needing help. When we can do that for ourselves we can hopefully relate to others in a similar way. If we could all extend this compassion to one another it could ripple out from us into our families, communities and beyond. Then add conflict resolution teaching, mindfulness training and therapeutic interventions for those having suffered traumatic events in their lives, and support for those who are marginalised in our society who struggle to survive. We could change the world.

Judy Clinton Gloucestershire Area Meeting

the Friend, 8 September 2017 3 News Christian Aid urges flood action

Christian Aid is highlighting the Asian monsoon region – would been killed and forty million more the effect of climate change in experience greater increases.’ affected by floods. worsening the natural disasters She added: ‘It is a reminder ‘We’ve all seen the terrible impact being experienced in Texas and that we must respond to the floodwater is having in Texas and parts of Asia. immediate humanitarian needs in that is in a country with “first- Madara Hettiarachchi, South Asia while at the same time world” infrastructure,’ Madara Christian Aid’s head of decarbonising the global economy Hettiarachchi said. ‘The people in humanitarianprogrammes for Asia in order to reduce the likelihood South Asia are much less equipped and the Middle East, said that of such events from happening to cope with such a deluge of scientists are increasingly confident again. Until we start to address floodwater. of the links between such events the underlying causes of climate The charity has deployed £45,000 and climate change. ‘Research breakdown we will continue to see of emergency funds and is also by the Massachusetts Institute more human suffering on a massive using a further £200,000 from Irish of Technology suggests that the s c a l e .’ Aid and the DFID-backed START most extreme rain events in most Christian Aid is bringing fund to provide 4,000 households regions of the world will increase in emergency relief to families in with hygiene kits, tarpaulin, shelter intensity by three to fifteen per cent, India, Nepal and Bangladesh as materials an filters to provide safe and some places – such as parts of more than a thousand people have drinking water. Protest outside arms company’s office Members of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and Turkey. protested outside Northrop Grumman’s office in central Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey have all faced London on 30 August in opposition to Northrop’s arms criticism over human rights violations. Since an sales to Saudi Arabia and its involvement in the arms international coaltion, led by Saudi Arabia, began air trade. Northrop Grumman is the world’s fifth largest strikes in Yemen, in March 2005, there have been over arms company. It has a longstanding partnership with 10,000 deaths. A famine in the country has resulted in Saudi Arabia and has also supplied weapons to UAE millions of people needing humanitarian aid.

Sussex Ride and Stride

Quaker Meeting Houses (including Horsham Meeting House, right) will be among the churches and chapels open on Saturday 9 September for the 2017 Sussex Ride and Stride. Organised by Sussex Historic Churches Trust (SHCT), this is a sponsored ride (bike or horse) or walk in which people from all over Sussex walk or cycle between churches, exploring and enjoying the countryside. The aim is to raise money to preserve historic churches, chapels and Meeting houses in the county for future generations by helping to fund urgent repairs and restoration. There is no fixed route, so participants can choose which church or chapel is their start point, which is their end, and how many they visit in between. Fifty per cent of the sponsorship goes directly to participants’ chosen church; the other fifty per cent goes to the SHCT fund. Photo: The Voice of Hassocks / Wikimedia Commons. / of Hassocks Voice The Photo:

4 the Friend, 8 September 2017 reported by Harry Albright [email protected] Texas Friends request prayers

Friends in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey are asking Friends in Britain and around the world to pray for them. The home of the pastor at Friendswood Friends Church in the Houston area, the church building and many of the church member’s homes have been flooded. Liz Yeats, the clerk of South Central (SCYM), writes: ‘So far Friends in SCYM affected by Harvey are in safe places, no one has suffered injury and [they] are working hard to take care of one another and others.’ She added that ‘first and foremost, Friends in the affected areas are asking for our prayers.’ For Friends who want to give specifically to Friends in need, she said that Live Oak Friends Meeting is discerning whether to set up a fund stewarded by SCYM. ‘There are Friends in Live Oak who have damage to property. ‘There is at least one Friend in Coastal Bend Meeting in Corpus Christi who had damage to her home… and there may be more in Baton Rouge and New Orleans

as this crisis continues.’ Wikimedia Commons. / Photo: Brant Kelly Quaker comment on North and South Korea in Britain are urging the government to do its A minute from Meeting for continuing to monitor the crisis utmost to use diplomatic and non- Sufferings in February said: around North and South Korea. military approaches to de-escalate ‘Humanity needs leaders of In April, the Northern Friends the tensions. NFPB said nuclear integrity and conscience, ready to Peace Board (NFPB) wrote to warfare ‘cannot and must not be be held to account by individuals Theresa May, prime minister, and an acceptable way of dealing with and institutions, national and Boris Johnson, foreign secretary, issues in the twenty-first century’. international.’

New QCEA brochure published Peace Pledge Union

The Quaker Council for affiliated Court, the ECHR has The Peace Pledge Union European Affairs (QCEA) played a vital role in furthering (PPU), an affiliate of the War has published a new brochure human rights in Europe for the Resisters’ International (WRI), an designed to raise awareness of the past seventy years. umbrella body of pacifist and anti- important work of the European ‘However, with a rise in the militarist groups around the world, Convention on Human Rights number of authoritarian and is tone of the groups hosting the (ECHR). Formed after the second Eurosceptic governments across annual meeting of WRI Council in world war, the ECHR brings forty- the continent, this human London this month. seven European countries together rights cooperation is facing Members from as far afield as under one common set of binding unprecedented challenges… many Israel and Zimbabwe will attend rules, designed to protect the European governments’ responses the Council meeting on 11 and 12 fundamental rights of all people. to recently-arrived refugees have September, following DSEI, the In a statement, Marin Leng of involved significant abuses of the London arms fair, at which the PPU QCEA said: ‘Together with its ECHR’s rules.’ will be demonstrating.

the Friend, 8 September 2017 5 Quaker life

Words from Warwick

Bob Lovett reflects on the word ‘grit’

hen George Lakey opened his heart to us in ‘irritant’, demanding action before normal working our opening session at the Yearly Meeting can be resumed. That process can be applied to ways in Gathering at the University of Warwick, in which our persistent and collective irritation forces Wtalking so movingly about his personal journey and politicians and other policy makers to review and the loss of his son, I thought my phrase for the week rethink their plans. Later in the week another Friend might be something to do with unconditional love. pointed out how the irritation caused by a piece of His story touched me deeply, as I know it did other grit within an oyster can produce the most beautiful Friends. I was reminded of the apocryphal story of the pearl. Friends, are we irritating enough to enable such young child going through that phase of wanting to beautiful changes to come to pass? know what everything was ‘for’. Out of the blue, while In the light of these references I came to ponder engaged on some collaborative task with his father, he further on the nature of grit. Our commitment suddenly asked: ‘Daddy, what are people for?’ Taken to speaking truth to power was also mentioned somewhat aback at the philosophical depth of this several times during the week. In some cases such question, father thought quickly, and looking down at outspokenness can be perceived as a rather ‘abrasive’ his young son replied: ‘Tom, people are just for loving’. act, and sometimes rightly so. But while grit is an Wow! What a responsibility! ‘Just for loving!’ During abrasive, it is used not only to roughen up a surface, our week together we shared a lot of love, and sought but also to smooth and, with persistence, polish – to answer the question ‘what does love require of providing beautiful lustrous objects and insightful us?’ But, for me, just loving seems good enough and light. In our speaking truth to power, do we give demanding enough to keep me fully engaged in the sufficient thought to what we wish to achieve, and how world. we might use the abrasive qualities of grit to remind us However, while love abounded as it always does in of different ways of doing so? our gatherings, my word for the week was something Finally, to food. The grit contained in millstones has altogether different. Grit emerged as number one played and continues to play a vital role in the lives of contender. It found itself being called upon to perform all of us, producing flours and their subsequent and several times during our week at the University of varied culinary products in all corners of the earth. Warwick. Like all our little words, grit is a workhorse The weight grit gives to such stones also reminds us required to fulfill a wide range of understandings. Our of the cautionary ministry of Jesus (Matthew 18:1-6, early deliberations focused on our understanding of KJV) ‘but whoso shall offend one of these little ones grit as a measure of tenacity and fortitude, like that which believe in me, it were better for him that a with which early Friends pursued the issue of slavery, millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he or which sustains Friends today as they campaign were drowned in the depth of the sea’. This in turn for nuclear disarmament at Faslane, or maintain the reminds me of the initiative of the youngest group of peace vigil at Menwith Hill, or continue to address children at the Gathering who produced ribbons to the demands made by our Canterbury Commitment. remind us all of the hungry children in the world who Think of all the other words that might be used to need feeding. describe this form of grit, and what their implications Let’s give a ‘thumbs up’ to grit, ponder further on its are for our wider witness in the world today. qualities, and consider how, led by the Spirit, we might Then a Friend pointed out how a small piece find answers to the question, ‘What does love require of grit could bring machinery to a halt, or at least of me?’ create the need for inspection by a member of the maintenance team. Here is grit playing the role of Bob is from Exeter Meeting.

6 the Friend, 8 September 2017 Arms trade

Slaying Goliath

‘There is no peace because there are no peacemakers. There are no makers of peace because the making of peace is at least as costly as the making of war – at least as exigent, at least as disruptive, at least as liable to bring disgrace and prison and death in its wake.’

Daniel Berrigan No Bars to Manhood (1971)

Sam Donaldson discusses the DSEI arms fair and non-violent witness erchants of death are returning to London foremost we must rediscover the heart of David, a this September for the Defence and Security heart of courage and commitment. But we must also Equipment International (DSEI), the world’s be cunning and play to our strengths (which might Mbiggest arms fair. At DSEI planes, bombs, guns also be our weaknesses). David won not by picking up and bullets are sold to regimes accused of human armour, sword and shield but by picking up his sling rights abuses and indiscriminately killing innocents: and aiming for the cracks in Goliath’s armour. We, too, children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents. need to utilise all our resources (or lack of them) and creatively resist, thinking outside the box and working The arms industry is a Goliath, with wealth and with unlikely allies. We must also not forget that there political power behind it. We are like David in are roughly 21,000 Quakers (members and attenders) comparison, without armour, sword or shield. It is in Britain and if only ten per cent of us committed to very tempting to give up and return to tending our actively resisting DSEI, it would be impossible to run. sheep. A group of us in Hull met to explore what we can But that’s not our Quaker way! do. We have raised funds so we could transport people down to the Stop DSEI protests. We organised gigs and As New Zealand Yearly Meeting put it in 1987: workshops to raise awareness of its existence. (Most ‘We totally oppose all wars, all preparation for war… people have no idea that it’s happening!) We also put We equally and actively oppose all that leads to on a screening of Shadow World, the 2016 film based violence among people and nations, and violence on Andrew Feinstein’s book about the arms trade. to other species and to our planet. Refusal to fight with weapons is not surrender. We are not passive Protests were organised by faith communities on when threatened by the greedy, the cruel, the tyrant, Tuesday 5 September and Saturday 9 September is the the unjust. We will struggle to remove the causes Big Day of Action. of impasse and confrontation by every means of nonviolent resistance available. We urge all New If we are to abolish the Goliath that is the global Zealanders to have the courage to face up to the mess arms trade then we are in for a long struggle. Just like humans are making of our world and to have the faith the abolitionists, suffragettes and civil rights activists and diligence to cleanse it…’ before us, above all we will need faithfulness and courage, grounding ourselves in that ‘life and power But how do we stop 35,000 people meeting in that takes away the occasion for all wars’. London to profit from the suffering and death of others this month? If we are to fell Goliath, first and Sam is from Hull Meeting.

the Friend, 8 September 2017 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Governance Woodbrook’s Quiet Room. I know of at least one There are rumblings of discontent with our new other, which took place during autumn term 1963. system of governance, but let’s not blame charitable The young couple concerned were my friend Bente status. In UK law, the Society has always been a Jørgensen from Denmark and Chuck Selee from the charity, and charities are exempt from much taxation United States. because they are doing the work of the state in Bente was a bundle of energy and joie de vivre, but benefitting the community. Gift Aid is not a state also a deaconess (Lutheran nun) trained at the order’s handout. Basically, when a person gives a regular hospital in Copenhagen. She had spent three years donation to a charity by law they also give the tax as a community nurse-cum-health education worker related to that donation. The charity can claim for the ecumenical Inter Church Aid in a remote repayment of that tax and, following the streamlining mountain area in North West Greece. There she had of the system, it is now called Gift Aid. met Chuck, a community development worker on What has changed is that at the behest of the Charity the same team, but based in the regional central town Commission the Society, nationally and at Area Ioannina. Meeting level, now appoints, from its membership, Bente chose to spend a term at Woodbrooke trustees to be fully responsible for the Society. while deciding her next move. Should she go back At national level, besides trustees, it has formed to working for the deaconess community or marry a Management Meeting of five senior employees Chuck (who needed no study centre to clarify his at Friends House to facilitate the exercise of that preferred option!)? When she decided on the latter, responsibility. the Quakers were generous and flexible enough to let It is, perhaps, an open question which body them marry at Woodbrooke in the Quiet Room in the exercises the most influence over the Society. manner of Friends. This has been a dramatic change. The continuing The deaconess community released her gracefully evolution of Meeting for Sufferings as the governing and she wore her Danish national costume for the body, when Yearly Meeting is not sitting, has been occasion. They went on to do development work curtailed. At Area Meeting level a sort of creeping in the Philippines, and eventually settled in the US, paralysis in governance appears to be setting in. I where they were active in local Quaker Meetings for think that what the Society needs is not a resource- the rest of their lives. consuming revision of Quaker faith & practice, Ruth Corry but a representative body to examine method and Friargate Meeting, York transparency in the national and local governance of the Society. Making a difference Gerald Drewett I write to applaud the article by Jamie Wrench in the [email protected] latest Friend (1 September). He articulates my own feelings about Yearly Meeting Gathering, to a large The Lobbying Act extent. Jamie says that we do speak ‘truth to power’ Kay Murphy (1 September) asked whether the but that (alas!) we are not listened to. Indeed, there is Lobbying Act (‘the gagging law’) restricted charities. evidence of this. If I understand him correctly, he is Unfortunately this is a common misunderstanding suggesting that we ready ourselves for the breakdown about the Lobbying Act. The Act applies to any of society as we know it now, so that we can offer help individual or group, regardless of charitable status. then to the worst affected. Over half of those registered under the Lobbying Act In addition, though, I would suggest that we try are companies. to get a hold on the levers of power ourselves in Furthermore, (BYM) has alliance with like-minded people: let’s embrace this not let the Act stop important Quaker work, and we responsibility in order to make a difference. continue to speak out. BYM doesn’t engage in party David Harries political campaigning, although many individual South Wales Area Meeting Friends are members of political parties. Jessica Metheringham Stephen Hobhouse Parliamentary engagement officer for BYM I was glad to be reminded of Stephen Hobhouse and his sufferings in prison as a concientious objector, in First at Woodbrooke? Janet Scott’s journey through the Friend’s archives (25 I was glad to see the item in the Friend (18 August) August). about a marriage on 12 August at Woodbrooke. Stephen Hobhouse drew on this experience later as It was, however, not the first wedding in a member of the Prison System Enquiry Committee,

8 the Friend, 8 September 2017 [email protected]

and the report he wrote with Fenner Brockway led Resolution and protest to the abolition of the inhumane ‘rule of silence’ in The United Nations’ resolution of 5 August prisons and other much-needed reforms. condemned missile launches by North Korea, but His renunciation of his inherited fortune, his gentle bizarrely Quakers in Britain then proceeded to join a character and utter truthfulness led more than one left-wing delegation handing in a protest letter to the person to call him the closest to a Quaker saint they US embassy. ever knew. It is good to remember such Friends. Quakers in Britain seem to act on the instructions John Lampen of CND and the Stop the War Coalition rather than [email protected] by Quakerly discernment. The US Embassy refused to accept the letter, which shows how much influence Time for a shake-up Quakers can expect to have if they collaborate Times have changed. Sunday is not exactly a day of rest with anti-American ideologues. Gone are the days any more. Yet we go on having our hour of worship when Quaker peacebuilding and relief work won in the middle of Sunday morning just as a hundred international admiration such that the Quakers were years ago. Our Meeting size has shrunk, and we try to awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. maintain the same number of ‘offices’. Then we moan Mark Frankel that we can’t find people to take on the jobs. Kingston and Wandsworth Area Meeting It really is time for a bit of a shake-up. How about small satellite groups under the umbrella of a Local Children in Meeting for Worship Meeting, such as an evening Meeting suitable for I shared Meeting for Worship informally at the home younger adults? of a Friend (before travelling back from Yearly Meeting There could be weekday meetings for older members Gathering). There were just four of us, including a dependant on a bus service. For children I suggest a mum and her two-year-old child. breakfast get together on a Saturday morning. That It was a special experience/experiment as the child leaves only very young children needing a crèche scaled down his small play voice, observing us settling during Sunday morning worship. into silence. His mum so appreciated our acceptance, Who is going to organise all this? Young Adult and our joining with her in giving Tom his first Friends are probably more capable than the rest of us experience of settling into silence. with new technology and able to take on roles of clerk I commend receiving with love small children or treasurer, though they might not always be present. and their parents into Meeting for Worship at Local Many young adults are cautious of becoming full Meetings. Doing so speaks to the diversity discussed members. Can we overcome that? in Yearly Meeting sessions. It speaks far, far more – but Another thought I have is that nearly all Friends that I leave to you to discern. should obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Sue Curd certificate. It would be a help to add the skills and Hampshire and Islands Area Meeting knowledge that older members have as back-up at Children’s Meetings. We ignore the young adults who are part of Quakerism and those growing up behind them at our peril. By the way, I am eighty-seven. In essentials unity, Judith Wright in non-essentials liberty, Alton Meeting, Hampshire in all things charity. Treatment of animals Correspondence in the Friend has reminded me of two vegan posters, showing a calf and a chick. In The Friend welcomes your views. fact, most calves and chicks would not exist without humans’ wish to use them, and might well live less Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). long without humans feeding and protecting them. This raises the philosophical question of whether it Please include your full postal address, even is better for individual animals to exist for human use, when sending emails, and specify whether you wish for your postal or email address or Meeting or not to exist at all. It is not unreasonable to think name to be used with your name. that if they are treated decently, the former might be the case. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion Edmund Dunstan and may be edited. Cotteridge Meeting, Birmingham

the Friend, 8 September 2017 9 Greenbelt

Faith and the future Photo: Copyright Andrew R Mackley ( Photoluminati.com ). R Mackley Andrew Photo: Copyright

Symon Hill offers a personal responses to Greenbelt 2017

inging hymns in a beer tent is not the most obvious since I first attended. It was a question I had been choice of activity for a tone-deaf teetotaller. But asking myself. One of the highlights for me this year ‘Beer & Hymns’ is one of my favourite events was joining in Sufi worship. There was outrage in Sat Greenbelt. I am able to belt out praise to God, my parts of the Christian media at the news that Greenbelt glass of Diet Pepsi held aloft, with no concern about would for the first time be providing Christians with whether I am singing ‘properly’. ‘Beer & Hymns’ is the chance to participate in Muslim worship. I find this ‘very Greenbelt. It involves a mixture of tradition and frustrating. Why should a Christian object to chanting innovation that is typical of a Christian festival that Arabic words for ‘There is nothing apart from God’? continues to attract controversy. The opposite of Christianity is not Islam, or even atheism. The opposite of Christianity is idolatry. In I first attended Greenbelt in 2001. I was overawed by today’s capitalist society, idols of money and markets the range of discussions, talks, theological exploration take the place of God; markets are served by humans and styles of worship. I praised Greenbelt to anyone rather than serving them. who would listen – and some who didn’t. Over my subsequent eleven visits, my attitude to the festival has The question for Greenbelt is: can it be both a large become more complex. Many attend Greenbelt for commercial institution and maintain a commitment to music, some for theatre, others for talks or worship. the progressive agenda to which it aspires? In recent Now held in east Northamptonshire, it drew 11,000 years, Greenbelt’s organisers have been projecting an punters this year, running from Friday 25 August to image of the festival as left-of-centre and theologically Monday 28 August. There is a wide range of events to liberal. choose from at any given point. The exception is the Sunday morning, when thousands gather for a united In the early 2000s, Greenbelt was the first Christian communion service, seated on the grass in front of event at which I saw a same-sex couple holding hands. the main stage. The tone of this service is often taken Nowadays you can see almost as many same-sex couples to indicate where Greenbelt is ‘at’ in terms of theology at Greenbelt as mixed-sex couples. This would be and politics. unthinkable at many Christian events. For countless gay and bisexual Christians, Greenbelt was the first place This year I met several people attending Greenbelt in which they could be open about their sexuality. As I for the first time. Some asked me what had changed walked bleary-eyed to morning prayer on Saturday , the

10 the Friend, 8 September 2017 director of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communion service. I always approach it with a mixture (LGBT) Christian organisation told me: ‘I wouldn’t be of enthusiasm and trepidation. The feeling of thousands doing the job I’m doing now if it wasn’t for Greenbelt’. of people worshipping together can be exhilarating, but the carefully choreographed content is not revealed Another positive aspect of Greenbelt’s leftward until the last moment. shift has been far more talk about nonviolence. This point was made to me as I sat in the Tiny Tea Tent The theme of this year’s service was disability. There on the Monday afternoon with Richard Bickle of was an inspiring sermon by a disabled teenager and the Fellowship of Reconciliation (a Christian pacifist contributions from other disabled people about their group). He considers that peace issues at Greenbelt experiences. But not a single word was spoken in the have gone from being ‘tolerated’ to being in ‘the centre service about the way in which disabled people are of the programme’. Quaker activist Sam Walton, along facing systematic attacks on their livelihoods by a with his Methodist comrade Dan Woodhouse, were this government that is dismantling the welfare state. There year given a slot to speak about their nonviolent direct was no talk of the economic structures that disable action. Around 400 Greenbelters watched Michael people. Mears perform his excellent one-person play about conscientious objectors, This Evil Thing. In the past, Greenbelt communion services have been accused of being ‘too political’. Fear of such criticism Poverty appears to have prompted Greenbelt organisers to hold a service full of inspiring comments and little I was also relieved to see talks on poverty given by substance. Faced with an opportunity to say something people with personal experience of it. This is a welcome truly radical about a key issue of injustice in today’s change from the days of Greenbelt panels discussing Britain, Greenbelt ‘bottled it’. poverty in the abstract, as if there were no poor people who Greenbelt could invite to speak in person. Liberal not radical

Greenbelt is certainly not a hotbed of left-wing Greenbelt has been described as ‘the Guardian does extremism, however its critics portray it. At this year’s Jesus’. This is a comment usually made by Greenbelt’s festival, communist theologian Marika Rose called right-wing detractors, but there is truth in it. If you for the abolition of the police. This not only provoked compare the Guardian to most daily newspapers – outrage among parts of the audience but allegedly caused or Greenbelt to most Christian events – it appears some Greenbelt donors to cancel their donations. Views progressive and inclusive. But if you expect the Guardian such as Marika’s are still the exception at Greenbelt. – or Greenbelt – to be a voice of the radical grassroots, to meaningfully include the excluded, or to be run as a The festival’s attenders remain predominantly middle workers’ co-operative, you’re going to be disappointed. class, while a glance around at any given point suggests They both broadly accept capitalist assumptions and are that over 95 per cent of Greenbelters appear to be white. compromised by being large commercial institutions. Greenbelt’s record in disability inclusion is mixed at They are liberal, not radical. best. In 2011, Ceri Owen, a Quaker from York, was dragged from her tent by police to be sectioned under I suggest this is also true of the Religious Society the Mental Health Act. It was immediately obvious of Friends, at least at an institutional level. Large to Ceri’s friends – and Ceri herself – that this action organisations with big budgets seem to travel only so far made her mental health worse, not better. The most to the left before hitting a barrier that they can’t bring positive interpretation of Greenbelt’s behaviour is that themselves to cross. they misunderstood the situation when they called the police. It is an open secret that Greenbelt’s leadership I’ll keep attending Greenbelt, and Quaker Meetings, is privately divided on this issue, but their public and getting a lot out of them, but my expectations of position is that calling the police was ‘regrettably both are more limited than they used to be. I believe necessary’. There has been no public apology. Ceri that the future of Christian faith lies predominantly continues to be denied access to Greenbelt (although in small-scale grassroots movements. That’s how the festival organisers are keen to emphasise to me that Christianity began, and that’s where, I suggest, its the exclusion is not necessarily permanent). future lies.

My hope that Greenbelt was becoming more radical this year was dampened considerably after the Greenbelt Symon is coordinator of the Peace Pledge Union.

the Friend, 8 September 2017 11 Greenbelt

An open space

Abigail Maxwell reflects on the Greenbelt Festival

began August at Yearly Meeting Gathering (YMG) asserting our right to our space, with a feminine desire as I ended it at the Greenbelt Festival: with my to pacify opposition. tribe, my heart opened and mind expanded. The I went to the ‘Men’s Journey’. ‘That’s provocative,’ Ifestival feeds a hunger across the churches. Someone a Friend observed. ‘Well, you know me.’ The at the Queer stall asked: ‘Why can’t church always Quaker running it challenged me, and I said my be this open, thoughtful, loving, generous?’ Here is Y chromosome is as good as anyone’s. I can only the church, wrestling with Quaker issues, all of us be myself by carving out my own inconsistent and celebrating and consecrating the worship of thousands challenging way of being, rather than trying to fit the together. We share interests: I met a man whose talk conceptions of others. He let me join in, in my purple I remembered from YMG in Bath, and they talked of dress. attracting more minority ethnic people. The group runs men’s rites of passage workshops Rachel Rose Reid excavates Judaism, peeling away based on the ideas of the Franciscan Richard Rohr, the rabbinical orthodoxy established after the Jews which include contemplative prayer and the true were expelled from Jerusalem. How can you discover self within us, made in the image of God: the the practices of the people, dismissed as ‘preliterate’, Catholic church has always encompassed elements of from the one true path of orthodoxy? By considering Quakerism. We did worship sharing, speaking and the Mishnah, where the rabbis applied the law to listening from the heart. We shared on why we were every aspect of Jewish life, seeing scraps of stories here, and ‘What is your darkness?’ My darkness is a of the alternative ways of being and doing in which tiger, pacing in a too small cage. The image came to people actually practised their religion, and using me as I spoke, as ministry. Men shared deeply. them to expand the idea of how God wants us to be. Northamptonshire Area Meeting arranged the I met Rachel Rose Reid in the predominantly Muslim Quaker Meeting, in the worship space slightly apart interfaith space, new this year, in a tent made beautiful from the rest of the festival, on the other side of the with many colours and patterns, large enough to lake. We sat in silence, preparing, under huge trees, attract learned speakers and relaxed enough for private appreciating the beauty and quiet. About 120 attended, conversation with them after. and shared anecdotes of people who had come to Also new was the ‘Red Tent’, the women’s space. I Quakers after the Greenbelt Quaker worship. I would asked if I could come in, and found it is for all who welcome other personal reflections. ‘identify’ as women. Some sessions were open to Liz Edman a New York Episcopal priest, spoke on all genders. Asked what were our hopes from that Queering theology. Queer theory is about rupturing place, I said I want to find my place in the tension false binaries, such as between male and female, between the femininity I have chosen to express and making space for queer people. Christianity ruptures the womanhood of most people here. At least one binaries, between human and divine, sacred and woman objected. She approached me afterwards profane, self and other. Authentic Christianity is not and said it was ‘brave’ of me to speak like that. She respectable. It must be Queer! I loved this, and will was uncomfortable with me there, and though she throw away my painstaking analyses of the anti-gay was nervous about telling me she dealt with it in a Bible verses. Liz Edman, does not engage with them. If Quakerly manner: we ate together, then went for a she were near I would happily worship at her church. drink, and explained ourselves to each other. Here I renew my faith in Christianity and humanity. Some men objected to the Red Tent, we heard. Come to Greenbelt, and see the beauty of the church! (Ribald scoffing erupts.) What about the men? They announced there would be a men’s group, at 11am Abigail is from Northamptonshire Area Meeting. on Saturday and 11pm on Sunday. Later I noticed two signs that it would be held inside the Red Tent: Further information: [email protected]

12 the Friend, 8 September 2017 Books

James Nayler

Simon Webb writes about James Nayler and a time of fake news

am one of those people who needs to know the what he did, and exactly what it was that motivated history of everything. Even when I had an eye both his supporters and his detractors. In 1656, those operation, years ago, I was tempted to waste the detractors included a large number of fellow-Quakers. Isurgeon’s time by asking him who invented that Another dramatic element in Nayler’s story is the way particular type of operation. Not only can I not that the most important action in the tale seems to understand Quakerism without understanding its take place inside the main protagonist’s head. history, I find it hard to understand how anyone else I thought I was getting close to understanding his can make sense of it without having a knowledge of thinking when I edited the Langley Press edition events in England in the middle of the seventeenth of his biography, written by his loyal friend George century. Whitehead, and hoped I would get even warmer when The problem is that I didn’t do a History degree, I was researching The Life and Times of James Nayler, or even A-Level History. I did an English Literature the ‘Quaker Jesus’, which was published earlier this degree, and so I tend to see history in terms of stories, year. However, much of James Nayler’s thought and legends and myths. Reading up on the history when motivation remains mysterious: by taking a ‘life and I first became interested in Quakerism, I couldn’t times’ approach I hoped to reveal some of the context help classifying ’s story as an epic; James of thought and action in which he operated; but it is Nayler’s, by contrast, seemed to me to be a drama. still up to the reader to answer many of the questions A Quaker in London in, say, 1655, would be that continue to hang over the head of this fascinating forgiven for thinking that James Nayler, the Yorkshire character. farmer turned Quaker preacher, was the leader of the I felt lucky, researching the book, to be able to take Quaker movement. A convincing speaker, an effective advantage of recent research on him, of which there and prolific writer, and a man who inspired loyalty has been rather more than I can list here. One of the and devotion in his followers, James Nayler, who was revelations, for me, was the grim fact that, in those around forty at the time, was eight years older than days, long before the advent of social media or even George Fox, and was certainly more visible among the tabloid newspapers, there was still plenty of room for Quakers of the English capital. fake news, emanating from pro- and anti-James Nayler But in October 1656 James Nayler and his inner Quakers, and from those who opposed Quakerism in group came into Bristol in a way that some took to all its forms. The researcher has to understand how be a blasphemous re-enactment of Christ’s entry into ‘the media’ operated in the 1650s: it is necessary to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The group was arrested, deploy many grains of salt, detect the folly that arises and their leader was subjected to a prolonged trial, not from panic, and read between the lines of fake news. in a regular court of law, but at the hands of the House of Commons: a most unusual circumstance. Simon is a member of Northumbria Area Meeting. James Nayler’s story is a drama, rather than an epic like the story of the life of George Fox, because The Life and Times of James Nayler, the ‘Quaker Jesus’ any Quaker researcher trying to come to terms with by Simon Webb is published by the Langley Press at it can never be completely sure why the former did £10.99. ISBN: 9781546473459

the Friend, 8 September 2017 13 Witness

Speaking out together Photo: Jeremy Holt / flickr CC. Holt / flickr Photo: Jeremy

Ruth Tod reflects on the need for positive words and actions

recently unearthed these words in a greetings card One thing I know is that having a strong vision from a children’s centre in the Philippines: ‘No one inspires and energises people and that the most of us can light a fire to brighten the world’s darkness. successful leaders of all political hues are those who INo one of us can light a fire to warm all the world’s can express such a vision. Many of us feel helpless, coldness. But we can open our hearts and our circle of paralysed by the challenges around us, stuck between a love to include all those we meet.’ rock and a hard place.

As I reread those words, I was conscious of the coldness in political decision-making and attitudes. …taxation is now seen as money that Austerity suggests coldness and so does the apparent lack of understanding that goes with it. To counter this rightfully belongs to those who have we need to be opening our hearts and our circle of love. it, rather than a resource that enables Our Quaker testimonies spring from love. Compassion and empathy lie at the root of the Yearly society to function well. Meeting’s document Our faith in the future, with phrases such as ‘We offer friendship to all and solidarity to the marginalised. We speak truth to power with Some who voted for Brexit did so because they had love. We find creative and nonviolent ways to get our a vision of being free to make our own decisions and message across.’ Love, not fear, is at the heart of our shape our own destiny. Some hark back to a golden vision. Why, I wonder, does it seem so difficult to age that never was; yet it makes them excited about the convey? What stops it being heard? future. It may all turn to dust. We do not know. But

14 the Friend, 8 September 2017 for the moment they seem energised and eager. People demonstrations need to be springboards for positive were offered a vision and many embraced it. Those who messages and actions, so that people watching say, ‘Yes voted remain, on the other hand, had a much less clear I want to be part of this!’ vision. It was too nebulous and negative, a vacuum, rather than a vision. Somehow the warmth and solidarity in the crowds needs to be harnessed away from what we don’t want, I worry about negative news and subtle messages that towards what we do want. Even quite subtle messages manipulate opinions. Some of this is so ingrained that can help, as at the American base on Greenham we hardly notice it. Peace, for example, is defined in Common when women reminded us about the true terms of arming ourselves against others, and there is nature of the common with flowers and fabric woven no public conversation about peace-building initiatives into the fence. happening around the world. Or there can be more specific action, for example Weapons and war get attention and dominate our when staff at another base were invited to tea at the conversation. Similarly, taxation is now seen as money campaign camp. In each case someone asked: what that rightfully belongs to those who have it, rather do we want to see instead? Common land restored? than a resource that enables society to function well. Hospitality offered across divides? People connecting Our culture seems to have shifted from the moment with one another? Margaret Thatcher told us there was no such thing as society. Positive actions

We also need to affirm the importance of positive In Sudan, where the choice for many actions by talking and writing about them, as well as by engaging in them. For example, in Sri Lanka there is a is between fleeing across the sea or small project working with young Muslims to help them leave the Taliban and surrender their guns. In Sudan, joining Jihad, another small project where the choice for many is between fleeing across the sea or joining Jihad, another small project provides provides apprenticeships and support apprenticeships and support for new businesses. for new businesses. People are discovering that there are alternatives that work, projects that we can support with money and by talking about them. There is no shortage of such I am also concerned about negative campaigning, examples of courage and imagination. even when the underlying vision is a positive one. Too often there seems to be a war of words in which Here in the UK many campaigns focus on a positive people fail to hear one another and conversations turn vision, such as the Ammerdown Invitation to look at to argument. Negative campaigning can turn people redefining security, campaigns for Positive Money, off. It de-energises campaigners and, perhaps most the not for profit organisation that argues for a fair, significantly, it gives energy to the very things we democratic and sustainable money system and for oppose. investment in green energy, and small scale projects to support refugees or start allotments or teach resilience This is true in a personal context as well as a political and life skills. one. If we think of someone who complains a lot, they are feeding the problem by giving it time and space to Inevitably, we will be on different paths, but we can be heard. They are not finding a solution. In my view share our journeys and head in a common direction. this happens over and over again; negative campaigning We can take our own steps towards it and each one can gives airspace and attention to the very things it seeks be a talking point. to reject. There is still warmth and compassion out there; Campaigning towards a vision of peace, sustainability society does exist and love still flows out into all spheres and justice requires that we counter those messages. of life. The words and phrases we use, the stories we tell, and the visions we convey all need to offer ideals that draw people to them. I think, for example, that Ruth is from Mid Thames Area Meeting.

the Friend, 8 September 2017 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected]

Meeting at the Old Quaker Burial Ground

A long lost tradition was revived at Edgworth by Friends from Pendle Hill Area Meeting. John Griffiths, of Pendle Hill Area Meeting, told Eye: ‘On Sunday 9 July ten Friends, along with sheepdog Taff, reprised a long-lost tradition of holding a Meeting for Worship at the Old Quaker Burial Ground in Edgworth… ‘The first record of Quakers in the Edgworth area was around 1760, when a number of young

men walked to the Meeting house Johnson. Photo courtesy of Lee at Crawshawbooth, some nine appointed to be held at the home recorded between 1766 and 1796. miles away. There was also a of William Wood, of Entwistle Old In 1820 a Meeting house opened connection with Bolton Quakers. Hall, in 1764.’ on Tipping Street, Bolton, and ‘The first Quaker Meetings in In 1771 it was recorded that ‘a Edgworth Meeting declined. Edgworth were held alternately Meeting house was builded at the The house ceased being used in the barns of William Low at expense of Lancaster Quarterly for Meetings between 1818 and Isherwood Fold and Thomas Meeting’. The first Meeting was 1837 and was converted into four Thomasson at Thomasson Fold held on 23 June that year. Several cottages. It was sold in 1845 and in 1762-3. Meetings were also burials, and three marriages, were the burial ground retained. Getting Jane right A piece penned by Clare B Dimyon prompted Wheeler – who are buried there. some humility in the Friend office and highlighted the The article by Clare was fact-checked and a change dangers of the internet. made based on information in a widely used site: Daniel Wheeler (1771-1840) was a remarkable Quakers in the World – Jane and Jenny were used Friend who formed a friendship with tsar Alexander instead as a result. In the section on Daniel Wheeler, I of Russia in the early nineteenth century and spent who had developed a scheme for empowering serfs, time in the country with his family. it says: ‘From 1826 to 1832 Daniel led work on the Clare, who has had an interest in Russia and third plot, in Shushari. He then felt called to undertake Quakers for some time, wrote about a pilgrimage she mission work elsewhere. His sons William and Daniel made to Shushary, where there is a burial ground. took over, and Jane stayed in Russia with them and It has survived the ravages of war and time. Clare her younger children Jenny and Joshua. Not long referred, in a recent article (18 August), to the wife afterward Jane and Jenny died, and were buried in a of Daniel Wheeler and her daughter – Jane and Jane Quaker burial ground there.’ Clare had referred to ‘Jane and Jane’ being buried. Her photographs of the gravestone tell the true story – not the Friend version. Unfortunately, as Clare writes: ‘Daniel and Jane Wheeler (senior) had limited imagination vis a vis naming their children, such that they have children both Daniel and Jane Wheeler … and then you have to know your dates. ‘Jane Wheeler (junior) went to St Petersburg aged two (and lived there most of her very short life) and a Russian nurse was employed, thus the Russian nurse Photo: Vyacheslav Slusarev. Sergeevich Inscription (English) on the gravestone at called the junior Jane “Janinka” or more like “Yaninka”, Wheeler Burial Ground, Shushary the Russian diminutive.’

16 the Friend, 8 September 2017 8 Sept 4/9/17 16:22 Page 7

For how to place a notice on this page please email [email protected] or call George on 01535 630230. Friends&Meetings MAHATMA GANDHI FOR THE Deaths Diary 21ST CENTURY Satish Kumar, peace activist and environmentalist, Nigel John LEGG 29 August. GAMES DAY AT CROYDON will give the Gandhi Foundation Member of Golders Green Meeting. Saturday 7 October, 10.30am – 5pm, Annual Lecture at The Nehru Aged 81. Funeral 3pm Thursday Croydon FMH, 60 Park Lane, CR1 Centre, 8 South Audley Street, 14 September at Golders Green 0JE. Bring your board/card games, London W1K 1HF at 6.30pm Crematorium, West Chapel. some provided. Refreshments, light Thursday 28 September. Details: Enquiries: 07702 120237 or lunch available. Exhibition and www.gandhifoundation.org [email protected] illustrated talk (2pm) by games historian David Parlett. E Oscar WALLIS 21 August. QUAKER ASYLUM AND Peacefully at home with Annette and INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE REFUGEE NETWORK (QARN) family present. Member of Leicester Thursday 21 September, Quaker invites all concerned Friends/ Meeting, formerly Ackworth, FRS, Service Memorial Trust host a Attenders to its meeting Saturday NZ Friends School. Aged 96. Both a Meeting for Worship at 2.30pm at 16 September, 11am-4pm, Bull funeral and a meeting for worship the Quaker Service Memorial in the Street QMH, Birmingham B4 6AF. celebrating his long life were held National Memorial Arboretum, Arrivals from 10.30am, tea/coffee on 26 August. Staffordshire. All welcome. provided but please bring lunch. Information and directions at Enquiries: [email protected] Changes of clerk www.qsmt.org.uk QUAKER ARTS DAY AT Meeting up KIRKBY STEPHEN MEETING WOODBROOKE Co-clerks now Hilary Wilson and Saturday 28 October. Morning: SINGLE? WANTING TO MEET David Petrie. All correspondence to Exploring collaboration between art THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE? Hilary Wilson, Over Moor, Appleby- forms, with Zélie and Philip Gross. Use the Meeting up column! in-Westmorland CA16 6LH. Afternoon: Results of the recent One entry £30 incl. vat for 35 words, Email: [email protected] QAN survey; AGM. Advance book- 3 entries £60, 6 entries £97.50. Box Tel. 017683 51061. ing essential. Details : quakerarts.net reply service included. Send all entries and replies c/o: The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL

31 Marsham Lane FEMALE FRIEND, early sixties, East Gerrards Cross of England, seeks male companion Bucks for laughter, love and living adven- turously. Want to know more? Then SL9 8HB get in touch... Replies to Box 987 c/o The Friend Ad Dept. Swarthmore Care Home is set in beautiful landscaped gardens in the village of Gerrards Cross, where RETIRED ACTIVE MALE FRIEND there are many opportunities for (midlands) seeks active female residents to enjoy a variety of fFriend to share interests, holidays, cultural and leisure pursuits. life and romance. European art, architecture, culture, travel, homes We offer high quality care within and gardens. Spirituality and medi- a homely atmosphere, promoting tation important. Replies to Box 986 independence and dignity. There is a busy and varied activities programme c/o The Friend Ad Dept. and opportunities for residents to maintain their hobbies and interests. WARM, ZANY, DEEP-THINKING Swarthmore also offers 4 self-contained flats for the active elderly who Quaker woman. Plump, Guardian- wish to remain independent, bit with the reassurance of knowing help is reading feminist. Late-50s, non- available when required. We offer a permanent home to 36 residents and conformist in West Yorkshire. Music- can also offer respite on occasion. lover, walks with a stick, hopes to meet kind, caring, intelligent man to For further details please call our home on 01753 885663 or share walks in the dewy grass. Replies email: [email protected] to Box 988 c/o The Friend Ad Dept. web: www.swarthmorecarehome.org.uk Swarthmore Housing Society Ltd is managed under Quaker auspices and has Tell everyone about your event charitable status. with a Diary notice in the Friend!

the Friend, 8 September 2017 17 8 Sept 4/9/17 16:22 Page 8

Classified advertisements George Penaluna, Advertisement Manager, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Tel: 01535 630230 E: [email protected]

SOUTH DEVON. Wonderful walks from where to stay peaceful flat on River Dart. Sleeps 2. personal Suggested donation £20pppn to Quakers/ GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS other charity. Reduced rate longer-term winter stays. 01803 431047 THE PERCY BARTLETT TRUST B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. [email protected] Supporting Independence in Older Age Explore Birmingham and the Midlands For Members and Attenders of the or relax in 10 acres of gardens and THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN. Cottage Religious Society of Friends woodland. Close to Bournville and public and apartments. Extensive gardens. Dogs in their later years transport. Wonderful library, delicious welcome. Suit couples, families and groups meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. Examples of grants given for: of up to twenty. www.thedellhouse.co.uk Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call • meeting shortfalls in local authority 01684 564448. 0121 472 5171. funding for residential care • helping those in their own home meet costs of extra help COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING books • help with certain travel costs • specialist equipment CORNWALL, 14TH CENTURY COTTAGE • respite for carers • physiotherapy overlooking sea. £195-230 pw. Short DISCERNMENT AND INNER KNOWING breaks. www.wix.com/beryldestone/ Making decisions for the best Applications are made by the individual cornishcottage 0117 951 4384. By Joycelin Dawes with the support of their local Overseer ISBN 9781 7869 77793 Enquiries to Clerk to Trustees ORKNEY, WESTRAY. West Manse and A ground-breaking study exploring [email protected] Brotchie, plus warm refurbished shoreside or 01279 305247. St Clair Cottage having easy access, track spiritual and secular discernment Please include a contact phone number. and hoist, indoor seawater hot tub. by comparing Quaker practice Dementia/disabled friendly. Sandy and Theory U, a secular model www.westmanse.co.uk of transformational change. Available from the Quaker Bookshop miscellaneous QUIET UNSPOILT NORTH NORFOLK www.bookshop.quaker.org.uk (0207 663 1030) QUAKER WEDDING CERTIFICATES. Cosy characterful cottage with woodburner Illustrated family celebration calligraphy. and garden. Sea 4 miles. Email: www.feedaread.com or other online booksellers. Catherine Holland 07742 404920. [email protected] for photos/details. [email protected] www.catherineholland.co.uk the Friend Part-time journalist CHAIR Are you passionate about the The Friend is seeking a journalist to work two days a week. debate around nuclear weapons? The main responsibility is to cover news of Quaker life and The Nuclear Education Trust witness in Britain today. seeks a dedicated, experienced Chair to make a big difference. You should have an informed interest in the Quaker world, a The Nuclear Education Trust good knowledge of current affairs, excellent networking and (NET), a charity working to communication skills, and be computer literate. You will work to improve education on nuclear the Editor, as part of a small team, and must have experience of weapons, is seeking a new Chair of its Board of Trustees to guide working to deadlines. the organisation for the next 2-4 The position is based at the Friend’s London office at Euston. The years. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic about NET’s remuneration is circa £24,000 - £28,500 p.a. pro rata depending objectives, have the ability to on experience. A freelance position will be considered. think strategically and have knowledge of the nuclear To apply, please send a covering letter, a CV of no more than disarmament debate. two pages and some examples of your writing to For more information about this [email protected] or write to The Editor, The Friend, important role and how to apply, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. by Monday 9 October, please check out our website: The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 20 October 2017. www.nucleareducationtrust.org The Friend Publications Ltd is a registered charity, 211649.

18 the Friend, 8 September 2017 8 Sept 4/9/17 16:22 Page 9

Friends Housing Bursary Trust A registered charity The Trust is able to pay modest regular bursaries or one-off grants to older Friends who Administrator need financial assistance to Salary: £16,210 pa (pro rata). Permanent, part time (20 hrs pw) help them to remain in their own This role will require the individual to provide general administrative homes or where a contribution support across all areas of the organisation. Applicants must have might be made towards care or experience of working in a busy office environment. nursing home fees. For further details contact the Closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 25 September. treasurer: 01494 873216 For a recruitment pack please contact [email protected] [email protected]

A QUAKER BASE IN Handheld Press is a new publisher CENTRAL LONDON focused on stories from life, history and the imagination. Central, quiet location, convenient for Friends House, Classics: forgotten fiction and British Museum and transport. non-fiction, with critical introductions Comfortable rooms tastefully Research: scholarship-based furnished, many en-suite. research passions Full English breakfast. Translations: we’re open to suggestions! Discount for Sufferings and Modern: fiction and non-fiction about modern Club members. times and the future, from diverse voices. 21 Bedford Place Take a look at London WC1B 5JJ www.handheldpress.co.uk Tel. 020 7636 4718 and email your ideas to [email protected] [email protected] The Penn Club www.pennclub.co.uk

Just £25 for the Friend – Quaker Week issue 2017 50 copies Bumper, full-colour issue - still only 50p a copy UK post paid! post paid! We are pleased to offer a special Quaker Week issue of our 29 September edition to all Meetings and Quaker groups, to give away at events and Open Days during Quaker Week, 30 Sept - 8 Oct, and right through the coming year. With much positive feedback on our previous outreach issues, it is again in full-colour. The issue will be timeless and will include a range of articles of particular interest to newcomers and non-Friends alike. Please return the coupon below to arrive by Thursday 21 September. Copies should be dispatched first class from our printers, Warners Midlands, on Wednesday 27 September. Order your copies now! Special bumper colour issue of the Friend for Quaker Week 2017 Number of copies you require: 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 200 Cheque payable to The Friend for: £10 £15 £20 £25 £30 £40 £50 £100

Your name...... Meeting/Group name...... Address for delivery...... Postcode...... Day tel...... Please return with your cheque payable to The Friend, to arrive by Thursday 21 September 2017: George Penaluna, The Friend, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL or email the above details to [email protected] and send payment to 08 92 99, a/c 65114889 ref ‘meeting name.’Any : 01535 630230.

the Friend, 8 September 2017 19 8 Sept 4/9/17 16:22 Page 10 vol

ADVERTISEMENT DEPT 175 54a Main Street EDITORIAL Cononley, Keighley 173 Euston Road BD20 8LL London NW1 2BJ No

T 01535 630 230 T 020 7663 1010 36 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] Quaker Week is coming 30 September – 8 October In turbulent times be a Quaker: are you getting ready for Quaker Week? • Use the new ideas pack sent to clerks in August, order your general posters and leaflets NOW • The new 2017 Quaker Week posters will be sent direct to local meeting clerks (no need to order) • Remember, ‘Quaker Week’ can be whenever you need it to be; if there are other events in your local area – social, cultural, witness – why not link it with them? • Want to set up a Facebook page? Contact Jon Martin: [email protected] • You can also sign up to our monthly outreach newsletter at http://eepurl.com/1y8IL • Share your Quaker Week stories with us at [email protected]

Manchester & Warrington Raising awareness Quakers invite you to of the DSEI Arms join us during the Fair while creating Conservative Party beauty and fun! Art Exhibition: 12-15 Sept. Conference 11am-7pm. Plus music, 2–4 October 2017 comedy and spoken-word evenings. Join us! Venue: “In this fractured world, how SET, Capstan House, Clove can we respond? Crescent, London E14 2BA. What does love require of us?” https://artthearmsfair.org (BYM Epistle 2017) Central Manchester 6 Mount Street M2 5NS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 2nd, 3rd, 4th October • 1–2pm Daily silent vigil on TWO FLATS AVAILABLE the Meeting House steps One large single and one standard single • 10am–4pm Daily silent meditation in the In Quaker-owned Sheltered Housing community. Meeting House We welcome all, of any faith or none, who value their independence within a peaceful and secure environment. Please join us for as long as Close to three Quaker meeting houses and you wish. Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. “What do you mean, says Please call the Warden, Barbara Griffiths, on God, that you crush 0121 472 1286 for further information, my people and you grind the to arrange a visit or a stay in our guest flat. face of the poor?” (Isaiah 3:15) More details on our website www.oaktreehouse.org.uk Further information: admin@ 153 Oak Tree Lane, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1TU manchesterquakers.org.uk or call 0161 834 5797 Registered charity no. 245977