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‘Quaker values can be part of our political life’ Tania Mathias and Jessica Metheringham 13 Dec 9/12/19 15:27 Page 1

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News 4 Prayer, Penzance, peace pole, and more Rebecca Hardy

Meeting for Sufferings 6 Young Friends and Central Committees Joseph Jones & Harry Albright

Letters 8

How should we vote? 10 Avoiding the Trump playbook Jessica Metheringham

The freedom of choice 13 Conservative values Tania Mathias

The God of broad places 14 Christian Quakerism Mark Russ

Q Eye: a look at the Quaker world 16

Poem 17 Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay Jonathan Wooding

Friends & Meetings 18

We commit ourselves to learning again the spiritual value of each other. We find ourselves utterly at odds with the priorities in our society which deny the full human potential of millions of people in this country. That denial diminishes us all. There must be no ‘them’ and ‘us’.

From the public statement made at London Yearly Meeting 22–25 May 1987, ahead of that year’s general election

Quaker faith & practice 23.20 and girls, and concluded and girls is rooted News on 10 December, Human in centuries of male Rights Day. domination. Let us not [email protected] Quakers in County forget that the gender Durham said they chose inequalities that fuel rape to illuminate the Meeting culture are essentially house in orange to fit a question of power New Holocaust so that compassion can the 2019 theme for the imbalances.’ Memorial Day prayer prevail over hatred, and day ‘Orange the World: According to the Christian, Muslim and respect over intolerance in Generation Equality UN, certain women are Jewish faith leaders have our society.’ Stands Against Rape’. particularly vulnerable, created a prayer for the Chief Rabbi Ephraim This year’s focus was such as: young girls and seventy-fifth anniversary Mirvis described the prayer on rape. However, the older women; LGBT+ of the liberation of as ‘a sincere call to each organisers pointed out women; migrants and Auschwitz-Birkenau. of us to bring a little more that violence against refugees; indigenous The prayer for Holocaust light into the world’. women can manifest in women and ethnic Memorial Day (HMD) Friends said that the ways such as: intimate minorities; women and 2020 echoes its theme of prayer echoes Saint partner violence (physical girls living with HIV and ‘Stand Together’, which Francis’s words quoted by and psychological); sexual disabilities; or through encourages communities to Paul Parker, recording clerk violence and harassment; humanitarian crises. unite to prevent the spread of Britain Yearly Meeting human trafficking; female Experts say that a key of hate and division. for last year’s HMD: genital mutilation; and driver of domestic violence The Archbishop of ‘Where there is hatred, we child marriage. One Friend is economic inequality. Canterbury, the Chief must sow the seeds of love, from another Meeting who Two women a week are Rabbi and the Senior Imam reconciliation and peace.’ wished to stay anonymous killed by a current or at the Makkah Mosque The prayer has been told the Friend that she former partner in England launched the prayer, which developed in partnership thought Quakers could do and Wales alone. is intended to be used with HMD Trust. more to raise awareness by people of any faith of the issue. She said: ‘My Penzance Citizens’ gathering to mark the day Darlington Meeting impression is many regard Panel could be ‘start of on 27 January. House goes orange it as a fight that has already something new’ Imam Qari Asim, Senior Darlington Friends lit up been won in this country – Bring back Sure Start, Imam at the Makkah their Meeting house in when it hasn’t.’ charge double council Mosque in Leeds, said: orange last month to mark According to UN News: tax for second homes ‘Our society is becoming the UN’s International ‘A third of all women and and end the five-week increasingly polarised Day for the Elimination girls experience physical wait for first payment for and respect for difference of Violence Against or sexual violence in their Universal Credit. These appears to be declining. Women. The day, on 25 lifetime, half of women are just some of the key It is therefore critically November, started sixteen killed worldwide were recommendations made important that Holocaust days of activism aimed at killed by their partners by the Penzance Citizens’ Memorial Day is marked preventing and eliminating or family, and violence Panel, which was set up by all and lessons are learnt violence against women perpetrated against women by a Quaker to debate the is as common a cause of housing problem. death and incapacity for Gavin Barker, from those of reproductive age WORDS Truro Meeting, and as cancer, and a greater project manager of the cause of ill health than initiative, told the Friend road accidents and malaria that the process had ‘a ‘[People can] debate combined.’ striking familiarity with UN secretary-general Quaker practices’. He António Guterres said said: ‘The five evening difficult issues… in his message to mark sessions spread over six the day that the statistics weeks were, in many given a safe space, mean ‘someone around respects, an extended you… a family member, form of Meeting for key information and a co-worker, a friend, or Learning. Panel members even you yourself’ has equipped themselves with experienced this type of key information and a sufficient time.’ abuse. He added: ‘Sexual deeper understanding Quaker Gavin Barker on the Penzance Citizens’ Panel. violence against women of issues to do with

4 the Friend 13 December 2019 housing, homelessness Tax on all second homes NUMBERS and low pay by listening and holiday lets. to nine expert speakers. Gavin Barker said that These included Citizens the process showed that ‘in Advice, the Breadline an age of highly polarised project, a trade union rep, and often brutal political and the CEO of a social debate, people can come 7.6 housing association. They together and debate The percentage by which global emissions must fall also [quizzed] elected difficult issues in an adult every year until 2030, according to a new UN report. representatives, [such manner – provided they as] Andrew Mitchell, the are given a safe space, key residents,’ she said.. Cornwall Council cabinet information and sufficient Police should be She added: ‘It is also member for housing. We time… My hope is that ‘largest human rights close to Dallas Road also hope to meet our new this is the beginning of profession’, says QCEA Primary School and MP in the new year.’ something new. We badly The Quaker Council for Lancaster Girls’ Grammar The first of the proposals need to find a way of European Affairs (QCEA) School, which have also submitted to the local bringing people together has released a new booklet been involved. We had to councils – to address street and doing politics in a way arguing that policing conduct house-to-house homelessness – comes with that heals divisions rather should be reframed so it surveys, as well as doing than exploits them. Friends aspires to be ‘the largest other recommendations assemblies in the primary such as: restoring grant have a real role to play.’ human rights profession’ school about peace, upholding the rights of money; providing more which the children really mobile and fixed night Lancaster Peace Pole everyone. In the booklet engaged with. It took us Framing Human Policing: shelters and warden- ‘opens new avenues’ about eighteen months to supported accommodation The ‘Peace Pole’ unveiled Towards a more just public go through all the hoops, service QCEA makes the for young single people, by Lancaster Friends because it’s in a public as well as more early this autumn has ‘opened case that ‘twenty-first space and we had to have century policing should… intervention mental new avenues’ within the planning permission.’ health support; and more community, according be backed up by policies Two hundred people which emphasise the emergency accommodation to local Quakers. Ann came to an inauguration for families. Morgan, clerk of Lancaster universal protections we all ceremony on 30 October, enjoy’. The other key proposals Meeting, told the Friend featuring peace songs and – out of twenty-one – that the 2.5-metre oak pole Writing on the QCEA silence. Some seventy website, Martin Leng include: a £10 per hour installed on 23 October has schoolchildren attended, as minimum wage; restoring built bridges with the local argues that, despite the well as thirty refugees and fact that ‘European Sure Start centres; Muslim community and asylum seekers. implementing a large-scale nearby schools. governments and The pole is inscribed institutions have framed social housing building ‘It’s been a very with the words ‘May Peace programme in Cornwall; interesting exercise and policing in ways which Prevail on Earth’ in English align to the broader values reviewing Universal Credit has created a closer and three other languages. of freedom, the rule of law (particularly ending the relationship with the Ann Morgan explained: and – crucially – human five-week wait for the first Muslim community ‘Gujarati because that is rights… many migrants payment); unfreezing Local because the area where the predominant language and refugees in Europe find Housing Allowance and the pole is situated has a of the local residents; their human rights violated charging double Council high population of Muslim Arabic, because a signifiant by police officers and number of asylum seekers private security personnel and refugees in the area – the very people entrusted speak Arabic; and Japanese, with guaranteeing these as that is where the “Peace fundamental protections’. Pole” movement began.’ The booklet offers According to the clerk, examples of ‘what is during the house survey possible when police take ‘people really engaged with bottom-up steps to respect the message of peace. One and uphold the human particular family translated rights of people arriving in our leaflet into Gujarati so Europe. we could go around to the ‘Every act of kindness, other families who didn’t every gesture of speak English and show professionalism is an act of

Photo: Ruth Quinn. Photo: Ruth them our plans’. rehumanising treatment.’

the Friend 13 December 2019 5 Quaker decision making different gender from Meeting for Sufferings process.’ their birth, but reverted again at fifteen. ‘My fear is 7 December Quaker Life Central the medicalisation of the Committee (QLCC) issue.’ Most of the morning was One talked about being taken up with reports wary of gender non- Young people’s Spencer King, one of from central committees. conformity as a younger participation the Junior Yearly Meeting First, Emma Roberts, clerk man, but beginning to On one occasion in every clerks, introduced of QLCC, spoke to the explore it later in life. He year Meeting for Sufferings a ‘Getting to know committee’s report, which feared for his Meeting and (MfS) meets with, and you’ session in which offered highlights from himself. ‘I hope Friends alongside, the Young representatives were the year. can love each other,’ he People’s Participation Day encouraged to discuss a QLCC is responsible said. (YPPD). Young Friends, number of questions with for overseeing the rollout In response, Friends aged fourteen to eighteen, those around them: What of local development found these testimonies joined the opening is your most significant workers (LDWs) – the useful and moving. One worship before spending Quaker memory? What extension of the vibrancy from the south of England the day following their helps you feel like you programme. The next said his area had dedicated own programme. belong to your Quaker wave of workers is due in a meeting to the subject The worship began community? What do Autumn 2020 and there and had a ‘similarly with a reading from the you treasure most about was much ‘excitement tortuous experience’. Epistle of Junior Yearly Meeting for Worship? and enthusiasm’ building Circulating these stories in Meeting, 1991 (Quaker Returning at the end across the country, she the wider Society would faith & practice 21.06): of the Meeting Spencer said. QLCC was in the be a valuable addition ‘We discovered that it King read the minute process of approving the to the discussion and is acceptable to have from the YPPD, which criteria for shortlisting the discernment, he said. confused feelings, to be talked of a day well areas that would be next in Another Friend said different, to do things our spent. Young Friends had line to receive LDWs. that ‘when you hear own way. We should not ‘touched on the meaning The committee had also these stories you react feel guilty when we are of discernment to us as been considering how differently than when wrong, and appreciate that Quakers in corporate to support unattached approaching the subject in there must be room for decision making, but also Friends and the issue of general’. They encouraged mistakes. There are people in our daily lives.’ gender diversity. The latter people to express empathy who want us to be exactly ‘The… day was a had seen a struggle – but in a way that wasn’t always as we are.’ great opportunity to a successful one – to hold possible with a more MfS clerk, Anne explore how discernment the different viewpoints philosophical approach. Ullathorne, explained can bring together the within the committee. to Young Friends MfS’s community in decision There was still time for Quaker Peace & Social role in ‘guiding direction making and can support Friends to make personal Witness (QPSW) and setting vision’ for our personal decision responses to the initial The QPSW Central the Yearly Meeting. The making… Participants felt QLCC statement on the Committee report offered process, she said, was that they were a part of the issue. ‘We hope your a snapshot of QPSW ‘quiet and deliberate, but Quaker community and Meetings are also getting work. This included important’. they were able to reflect on on with discussion and coverage of the Sanctuary discernment’, said Emma, Everywhere programme who went on to read five in support of refugees and personal statements on migrants, with ninety- WORDS the issue from members eight Meetings becoming of the commitee. These Sanctuary Meetings. This expressed various worries programme has ‘had some ‘There are people about how to create a of the highest Quaker welcoming inclusive space engagement of any for all. ‘I fear that hate QPSW work’, it said, and who want us to be will consume us,’ said one. Meetings are reporting ‘Trans exclusion is the that working on the exactly as we are.’ reality of my life.’ Another project had strenghtened spoke of a daughter who, them as communities. Extract from Quaker faith & practice 21.06 (from Junior at seven years old, had Trevor Evans, speaking Yearly Meeting 1991), read during opening worship. wanted to identify as a to the report, said that

6 the Friend 13 December 2019 QPSW was in a process of he said that, while this NUMBERS developing its strategy. He was yet to be determined, noted with satisfaction that witness was sure to be climate justice was moving important. up the political agenda, Another Friend and the issue was sure to talked about the issue be a core part of that new 70 of inequality when strategy. In particular, the creating new economies The number of responses, so far, from individuals effects of climate change and asked whether a and groups, to the Quaker Life Central Committee on poorer people would focused statement on statement on gender diversity. be a significant focus of this would be useful the work. The Quaker ahead of the upcoming Quaker Committee was about how we live United Nations Office general election. Oliver together in difference. was demonstrating how Robertson, head of for Christian and Interfaith Relations But Quakers have to take advantage of worship and witness for staying power, she said: opportunities to express Britain Yearly Meeting, (QCCIR) ‘We have often been a Friends’ concerns and this responded by saying that QCCIR had been involved lonely voice.’ She was keen would be something to such statements made with the biggest recent to stay in the position on take further during the the biggest impact when news story in the Society. behalf of Friends who big climate conference Quakers were saying Hannah Brock Womack, had found themselves (COP26) in Glasgow things that were either of Sheffield & Balby Area in similar positions. ‘We next year. Climate justice unique (as they had been Meeting, had been selected have a chance to model was also releveant in the on same-sex marriage) or as a presidential nominee God’s love for queer UK, he said, and QPSW the product of experience for Churches Together people. But we shouldn’t wanted to support Friends (as with the work on in England (CTE), be complacent, and have to develop sustainable Sanctuary). But with other but her appointment a lot to learn from other local economies. He hoped organisations doing good was unacceptable to churches.’ MfS would guide them in work on this subject, and some other churches in Indeed, said Ann Floyd that. with just six days to go membership of CTE, of QWRC, responding, One Friend responded until the election, it was due to the fact she is it was important to by talking of his recent unlikely to make much married to a person of remember that there were time at the Centre for difference right now. the same sex. This had divisions in our own world Alternative Technology obviously caused some Quaker World family. Another Friend (CAT), an eco-centre considerable difficulties said that it wasn’t just in Powys. Zero-carbon Relations Committee between Britain Yearly down to Quakers to live economies were perfectly (QWRC) Meeting and CTE, with with difference – other possible, he said. Around Ann Floyd, of QWRC, many Friends expressing faiths must too and had half of UK councils talked about how Britain disappointment and anger we been clear enough had declared climate Yearly Meeting was just about the decision, as well with them that we did not emergencies but many one small part of a world as concern for Hannah think that this was how life weren’t actually doing family. Quakers around and her partner. should be lived? anything about it. The the world shared many ‘The first thing I want It had been made very CAT had some questions concerns – sustainability, to say is that I’m fine’, clear, said Paul Parker, that Friends could raise privilege, diversity and said Hannah, reporting recording clerk, that it with their councils to try peace – and there was to the Meeting. She was ‘unacceptable to us to move things forward. considerable scope for felt well supported by to consider someone’s One Friend wondered mutual learning and Friends and friends of sexuality’ when what was meant by ‘local collaboration. The other faiths. But she also considering such an sustainable economies’ Turning the Tide project knew that someone else appointment. Our sadness and Trevor Evans pointed was one good example of in her positon might not and disappointment had to the previous example this, with workers from be. Although she saw been expressed robustly, provided by CAT. He East Africa coming to the an opportunity to get he said. Now we had to mentioned that QPSW UK to share experiences. issues around sexuality stick with it, he went on. was hoping to raise funds Could your Meeting discussed, she wanted to ‘We’re in it for the long for staff to help Local host a Friend from make clear that it was not h au l .’ Meetings with these issues. abroad? asked Ann. What acceptable for them to be When another Friend other ways could Local given a greater importance asked about the link Meetings work with the than all the other issues Next week: Yearly Meeting between these QPSW staff committee to encourage over which various review, nominations, and the roles of LDWs international learning? churches disagreed. This trustees’ report and more.

the Friend 13 December 2019 7 Eating free-range meat from

theFriend Letters these grasslands (assuming 173 Euston Road a drastic overhaul of current London, NW1 2BJ methods of transport and 020 7663 1010 slaughter of livestock) may be www.thefriend.org justifiable. But I hope no one The Friend welcomes your views, would take this as an excuse to to [email protected]. Please Subscriptions eat meat without checking its keep letters short. We particularly UK £92 per year by all payment provenance. welcome contributions from types including annual direct The major thrust of the vegan children, written or illustrated. debit; monthly payment by argument, for those concerned direct debit £7.75; online only Please include your full postal about climate change, is against £74 per year. Contact Penny address, even when sending industrially-farmed meat (and Dunn: 020 7663 1178 emails, along with your Meeting dairy), which has unquestionably [email protected] name or other Quaker affiliation. damaging effects in terms of In essentials unity, climate change and animal Advertising in non-essentials liberty, welfare. Contact George Penaluna: Helen Porter in all things charity. 01535 630230 Montgomery Meeting, Powys [email protected] Judy Clinton Hostile language Editorial Like many other readers I have Can I express a deep concern Articles, images, correspondence enjoyed the contributions sent about the negative and hostile should be emailed to over the years by Judy Clinton. language used in the article [email protected] It was with great sadness that I headlined ‘Quaker in same- or sent to the address above. attended the Memorial Meeting sex marriage blocked as CTE held for Judy in Gloucester on 20 president’ (29 November)? Editor November following her recent, I could understand the ‘deep Joseph Jones sudden death. sadness and anger’ if this was Journalist I first got to know Judy in the solely a Quaker appointment but Rebecca Hardy early 1990s, having met her at it wasn’t. Production and office manager an Experiment with Light retreat It was to Churches Together Elinor Smallman in Glenthorne. Our friendship in England and, irrespective of developed from there. I consider Quaker acceptance of same-sex Sub-editor marriages, haven’t other religions, George Osgerby knowing Judy to have been one of the blessings of my life. I’m who form the vast majority in Arts correspondent this country, got a right to oppose Rowena Loverance sure that there are many who will be saddened by the news of her such liaisons without being Environment correspondent death. accused of ‘bigotry’ to quote Laurie Michaelis Carolyn Sansom one respondent included in the Clerk of trustees South Wales Area Meeting article? Paul Jeorrett A further Memorial Meeting is None of the major religions being held for Judy at Painswick in our country officially support ISSN: 0016-1268 Friends Meeting House in same-sex marriages and the vast February. Details on page 18. majority of countries in the world The Friend Publications Limited have no legislation permitting is a registered charity, Land use this. number 211649 Sue Holden’s letter (29 November) If Friends are ‘a broad church’ raised some interesting points embracing everyone from Printed by about land use. It is certainly nontheists to Christians, surely Warners true that recreating Savannah- we have to extend that generosity Midlands Plc, type grasslands with (natural of spirit and acceptance to those The Maltings, populations of) grazing who, for deeply-held religious Manor Lane, animals is good for countering beliefs, do not agree with Bourne, desertification, and this is part everything we support. Lincolnshire of the case for the current Richard Stewart PE10 9PH promotion of rewilding. Ipswich Meeting, Suffolk

8 the Friend 13 December 2019 Joseph the carpenter kilotons killing power – hardly low. description of a ‘vote on a Brexit I much appreciated Janet Scott’s The bomb dropped on Hiroshima deal’, if this is what the propaganda reflections on Joseph and his was fifteen kilotons. These bombs means. sons (29 November), but am are now being upgraded to B61-12 Avoiding propaganda is avoiding puzzled that she should say that bombs which will be accurately sowing the seeds of conflict. his identification as a carpenter targeted and earth penetrating. R Claire Christopher is ‘an assumption based on the At the same time, NATO is [email protected] description of Jesus as a carpenter expanding round the world (Matthew 13:55)’, since that with agreements with Asia and Land and houses verse identifies Jesus’ father as a Australasia and even Colombia, In the leaflet from the Quaker Land Value Tax (LVT) group, carpenter. the latter country being part of the ‘Towards equality: the hidden role Jesus has returned from Latin American nuclear-weapon- of land’ (4 October), it states that Capernaum and taught in the free zone. ‘land now accounts for an average synagogue at Nazareth (the Next year NATO will hold of seventy per cent of a house’s sale occasion which concludes with his extensive military exercises in price’. wry comment that ‘A prophet is Europe under the title ‘Defender’, Yet we continue to talk about not without honour except in his which will provoke more ‘buying a house’ and ‘house prices own country and his own house’). antagonism from Russia. It was a increasing’. In fact we are buying The people have recognised him, unanimous conclusion of those a piece of land with a house on it. and ask the question ‘Is he not the at the conference that NATO is The value of the house, like most carpenter’s son?’, which suggests not keeping people safe either in other things we own, decreases in they knew Joseph was a carpenter. Europe or across the world. value unless we invest quite often It is Mark who in his account Britain should withdraw from NATO and address real security large sums of money maintaining of the same occasion has them ask the house. rather ‘Is he not the carpenter, the challenges and non-military solutions to conflict. Land usually increases in son of Mary?’ (Mark 6:3). value and most Quakers we James Robertson Rae Street Brentford and Isleworth Meeting, Hebden Bridge Meeting, know, including us, are therefore London Lancashire accumulating unearned wealth without making any contribution Disordered world Avoiding propaganda to others through taxation. On Saturday 30 November a May I suggest the Friend avoids In our case, the value of the land NATO counter summit, ‘The publishing the term ‘people’s (adjusted for inflation) under our New World Disorder’, was vote’? I believe that this term is fairly modest terraced house has held at Bloomsbury Central propaganda. probably at least trebled in value Baptist Chapel in London, with It is vague, unclear and seems since we bought it twenty years participants from across Europe. pejorative as it implies other public ago, and only because we live in There were a host of workshops votes do not in some way reflect a part of Sheffield that enjoys including: ‘NATO and the New the votes of people. fabulous amenities we have done Cold War’, ‘NATO goes Global’, As someone who voted in the virtually nothing to bring about, and ‘Conflicts, Climate Change first referendum on exiting the EU, whilst in other parts of Sheffield and Militarism’. I would like to consider myself people suffer poverty in degraded Over the day, the most a person, and therefore to have environments, relying on food disturbing facts were brought out taken part already in at least one banks and other handouts. about this nuclear armed, military ‘people’s vote’. If Quakers are going to make a alliance. In the nuclear weapons I therefore find it somewhat difference in the world, we have workshop, we learnt that NATO depressing to be informed by this to start talking about the world still held a policy of first use of strange ‘people’s vote’ moniker as it really is, a world in which nuclear weapons and ‘nuclear that I was not a person when I many of us are blindly acquiescing sharing’. voted, as I did not take part in a to inequality through owning The latter means that the US ‘people’s vote’. Personally, I am not property and not thinking about it keeps nuclear bombs at bases sure when I became a non-person clearly. in five countries across Europe: – and who has decided that, and A good place to start is by Belgium, Germany, Italy, the even on what grounds. bringing this gross inequality in Netherlands and Turkey. These are For accuracy, perhaps this which we participate into the light. publication could replace ‘people’s Chriss and Gordon Ferguson B61 bombs, sometimes described Sheffield Central Meeting, as low yield, but have upto 340 vote’ by the more accurate South Yorkshire

the Friend 13 December 2019 9 This election is full of tricks from the Donald Trump playbook, says Jessica Metheringham. So how to vote? ‘Just how cynical do you have to be to exploit our anxious desire for objective truth?’

hree years ago, British people were considerations must be personal. Indeed, elsewhere stupefied to see Donald Trump in this magazine is an alternative view on this subject, come from the political outskirts from a supporter of the prime minister’s party. But, to win the US presidential election. for me, the resemblance between the leaders of these Up and down the country, and two countries reaches its most dangerous point when across the political spectrum, I we consider their willingness to say things that are heard people asking how could misleading, disingenuous, or simply not true. Further, it possibly have happened. How these expressions seem to be made without shame – had people across the Atlantic and, because of a general failure in our politics to hold collectively made this choice? them to account – without consequence. This was perhaps the most important job in the In this general election more than one party is world, and it was now being done by someone who denying things that are demonstrably true, while Tappeared so obviously unfit for such an office. Had compelling assertions are made to listeners who people in the United States lost self-respect to such a know immediately that they are false. This brazen degree that they would give the position to someone attitude makes it very easy for political campaigners to who seemed to hold it in contempt? embrace these falsehoods as truth. In the best of these It seems three years is a long time. Britain has gone cases some supporters are inclined to believe their from disbelief to imitation. In France, Le Monde calls candidate without knowing the details. But at other our current prime minister a ‘mini-Trump’ whose times campaigners have chosen to accept what they election would be ‘a calamity for his country’. The New know is not the case for the good of the team. A senior York Times says he ‘resembles President Trump’, not Conservative told The Atlantic about Boris Johnson: physically but in his ‘barrage of distortion, dissembling ‘He lies and cheats, but I trust him.’ The big picture is and disinformation without precedent in the country’s considered so important that supporters deliberately history’. There are further parallels, from avoiding turn a blind eye to the (small and individually scrutiny over Russian interference to unethical personal inconsequential) lies it is built on. relationships (though, in the latter case, Donald Trump’s The corruption spreads. Other senior politicians had no conflict of interest over public funds). are expected to repeat and defend these claims with The similarity that I believe really matters though conviction, and to spread this misinformation, equally is right out of our core testimonies. It is truth shamelessly, on their own account. Some parties and integrity. I recognise that, at election time, have doctored videos and set up a fake fact-checking

10 the Friend 13 December 2019 Photo: Steve Houghton-Burnett / Unsplash. Houghton-Burnett Photo: Steve

Twitter account. Just how cynical do you have to be that we can legitimately disagree on, and almost to exploit our anxious desire for objective truth in all certainly do. But unless I’ve seriously misjudged my this fraudulence? When confronted with these offences Friends in the Society, you’re not the kind of people those involved laugh it off and keep at it. Even well- who look at someone running for office on shameless intentioned media struggle to broadcast reliable news. misinformation and soul-deep falsehood, and think, My question for voters, therefore, is this: what do we yes, that’s what we need. Please vote for those candidates do when the prime minster is carefully and deliberately who are trying to resist politics of this nature. portraying himself as Our electoral system is both unfair and much ‘My conclusion flexible with the facts? Trust misunderstood. The idea of ‘voting tactically’ makes the in politicians is nearly at assumption that political parties are no more than lists from this is that its lowest since records of policies, and that you will wholeheartedly agree with the single most began, according to Ipsos one of them. Neither political parties nor our electoral Mori’s November poll. system works like that. We vote for individuals, who important thing What would five years make up broad churches – the Labour Party has been in this month’s of unrestrained Trump- led by both Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn, for example. UK election is to like popularism do? Our I have voted in five general elections, in five different democratic systems are constituencies, for five different individuals representing stop this Trump- already seriously struggling four different political parties. Usually my consideration like popularism to cope, and we desperately is finely balanced between the individual candidate and need a citizens’ convention the impact my constituency has on the national picture. gaining an on our unwritten This time the national impact is far more important. overall majority.’ constitution. What do Before the 2016 election, Boris Johnson considered people who get into power Donald Trump ‘frankly unfit to hold the office of through unashamed deception do with that power? If president of the United States’. Perhaps he saw that democracy depends on trust, what becomes of it when that unfitness was rewarded at the ballot box. Perhaps you entrust it to someone who cannot be trusted? we have all learned too much from this. There are too My conclusion is that the single most important many echoes in this campaign of the Donald Trump thing in this month’s UK election is to stop this Trump- playbook. n like popularism gaining an overall majority. There will be no end of questions of policy and personality Jessica is from Reading Meeting.

the Friend 13 December 2019 11 Vote for any of the parties, says Tania Mathias, but as a former Conservative MP she recommends one ‘Freedom is not a Quaker value per se but it is the core of my Conservatism.’

hen I was a an attitude’, or a force, that is consistent with a human Conservative desire for freedom and is therefore part of human member of nature itself. parliament my Freedom is not a Quaker value per se but it is the core Quaker faith was of my Conservatism. Much of the Conservative Party’s part of every decision manifesto at this election, and in previous manifestos, I made, and every is focused on economic strength with lower taxes in constituent case I order to help and never wittingly hinder aspiration. dealt with. But it was I would like to think that Quakers who are business probably only obvious to other people at the start of my leaders and those who have social enterprises would term in the House of Commons. At the beginning of want competitive business rates, low personal taxation parliament, and before taking my seat, I had to make a and especially lower taxes for those at the start of their Wsolemn affirmation when other members were choosing careers. I support the Conservative policies of recent religious texts on which to swear an oath. I was very elections that have resulted in those on lower pay scales glad that I was not the only Quaker MP in that intake not having to pay any income tax. Those same policies and happy to discover that the other Quaker MPs were have resulted in those on higher incomes paying in the opposition party. For me, that is how it should proportionately more income tax under a Conservative be: I hope all the British parliamentary parties are open government. The taxes under a Conservative to all faiths if those faiths are all embracing and seek a government, however, are aimed not to be at a level that common good. threatens ambition or the growth of business. Thus I would hope that Quakers reading this article Equality of aspiration is also a core Conservative value are already able to consider voting for any of the main and that is where my Quaker values find sympathy. British parties as I believe our main parties are all For example, the Conservative wish for equality of consistent with Quaker values (I am not familiar with opportunity includes the need to have a choice of types the values of all of the smaller parties). Nevertheless, of schools – and that is a clear difference with other I am happy to highlight the reasons why I am a parties. When I was an MP, and previously when I was a Conservative, why that matches my personal beliefs and school governor, I valued being able to visit schools when my vision for a better society. I could witness how different schools could flourish. It’s difficult to give one over-arching definition of Hence I support academies, free schools and, yes, Conservatism. But the one that resonates for me has grammar schools and private schools. As a Conservative been relevant for nearly a century and it comes from politician I saw my role was to ensure standards in all the Conservative politician Quintin Hogg who stated schools were equally high so that parents might have the that Conservatism is ‘not so much a philosophy but freedom to choose the appropriate school for their child’s

12 the Friend 13 December 2019 Photo: Parker Johnson / Unsplash. Johnson Photo: Parker personal needs. My favourite school in my constituency to authorise bombing in Syria. All the speeches in the was a non-selective state school from which some pupils parliamentary debate from Conservative colleagues went on to Russell Group universities, while some pupils were about how to achieve long-lasting peace and I in the same school who had learning difficulties worked know that every member of parliament had the same towards attaining life skills. That school’s awards evening desire to achieve peace – we only disagreed about how was the best I ever attended because I saw the whole to effect the peace. school community applauding the various students It is easy for me to support the Conservative policies equally and enthusiastically. But my politics means I on the environment as they have already brought about would only wish parents to send their children to that a change that will help sustainability. While fossil fuel school if they had had the ability to choose from different dependence has decreased, and with air pollution types of schools. recognised as a major health concern, there is still much As a Quaker and NHS medical doctor I see more to do. But the Blue Belt that was brought in by the Conservative fiscal strength as the best way to support last Conservative government is an extraordinary gift the NHS budget to maintain NHS services that will to the planet – working towards protecting four million always be free for all at the point of need. In the square kilometres of the ocean around the UK Overseas next parliament the need to improve social care – so Territories by 2020 will help to conserve more numbers there is more equality of of flora and fauna than in all of the British Isles. ‘Truth is a provision – will be a cross- Truth is a precious value. I see it in so many British party decision if we have a politicians I have met in all of our major parties. precious value. Conservative government. Sadly, it is not so evident in social media articles or I see it in so Peace is what every newspaper interviews but I have confidence that a voter government in this country can recognise it when he or she sees it in their local many British seeks to maintain. I fully candidate. politicians in understand that most In summary, I believe Quakers should be open to Quakers will vote against giving their vote to any of the candidates of the major all our major nuclear defence. I cannot political parties listed on their ballot paper. Engaging parties.’ pretend that any of the with all political parties, and, critically, also after your debates I have had on local councillors and local parliamentary candidate have matters of arms has been easy: my background includes been elected, means that Quaker values can be part of working for the United Nations in refugee work in a our political life thoughout all our lives in this precious conflict area. The area of defence is where faith is very democracy. Thank you for voting! n personal for me. I attended a Quaker Meeting soon after my Conservative government debated and decided Tania is from Kingston & Wandsworth Area Meeting.

the Friend 13 December 2019 13 The God of broad places: Mark Russ offers his personal, Christian approach to nontheism ‘I find great comfort in describing myself as a Quaker-shaped Christian.’

t’s not often that I get to share my beliefs I’ve found being a Quaker-shaped Christian requires with other Friends. The chat over tea and a ‘patchwork’ approach to my religious life. Being a biscuits after Meeting for Worship doesn’t Christian, I find it important to spend time with others usually lead to a sharing of our most deeply for whom Jesus is central. I’m part of an ecumenical house and dearly held truths. In my work as a group, occasionally visit cathedrals, go to Franciscan tutor at Woodbrooke, I’m more often than monasteries on retreats, and follow lots of Christian not helping to create a space for others to theologians on Twitter. But I’m also Quaker-shaped. I share their beliefs, and so I generally keep ‘speak Quaker’. I feel at home in Quaker settings. I’ve had a mine to myself. Especially the more unusual lot of practice at Quaker discernment. I know what it feels ones! I’ve also found that, when I do share my beliefs, like to be called to give vocal ministry. I’m inspired by the Quakers get surprised, uncomfortable and suspicious. insights of our Quaker ancestors, I value the progressive My beliefs have even made some question whether I’m nature of the contemporary British Quaker community, Ia proper Quaker. and I’m thankful for the many wonderful Friends who have So, what are these beliefs? Well, I identify as Christian. come into my life. There’s no other church I want to be a I’m happy claiming that Jesus is ‘Lord’ and ‘the Son of part of. I’m a Quaker-shaped Christian. God’ and that God is the maker of heaven and earth. Knowing this about me, you might assume I’m less than Every year I fall more in love with Mary the mother of happy about being part of a community that includes Jesus, and get increasingly excited about the virgin birth. nontheists. I can confidently say that this is not the case. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and I find hope This is because my understanding of Quakerism is a in the resurrection of the dead and God’s judgment. I’m spacious one, and there’s room for nontheism within it. open to talk of the angelic and demonic. I’m also very A characteristic of the God I worship is spaciousness. happy talking about God in trinitarian terms. Within Judaism, one name for God is HaMakom, meaning When you hear that I believe these things, you might ‘the Place’, suggesting infinite spaciousness. God is the make certain assumptions about me – that I’m an liberating space within which ‘we live and move and have evangelical Christian, that I also believe in hell or an our being’ (Acts 17:28). The Old Testament repeatedly angry God, or that I approach the Bible in a literalist way. speaks of God bringing people into a ‘broad place’ (for You’d need to have a conversation with me to find about example, in Psalm 118), symbolising freedom. Broad places whether these things are true or not. You might also are spaces where people can breathe, live and thrive. The think I’d be happier in another church. I’ve sometimes God of Jesus is a God of broad places. wondered that myself. The truth is I’m called to be More specifically, the space for nontheism within my both Christian and Quaker, and I find great comfort in Quaker-shaped Christianity is found in valuing right describing myself as a Quaker-shaped Christian. I make action (orthopraxy) over right belief (orthodoxy). For the sense of life through inhabiting the Jesus story, and I see first Friends, your behaviour revealed what your beliefs the Jesus story through a Quaker lens. were. They believed you weren’t in right relationship

14 the Friend 13 December 2019 Photo: Diana Vargas / Unsplash. Vargas Photo: Diana with God (also called being ‘justified’) unless you were telling people that we’re all part of God’s good creation, living a Spirit-empowered ‘holy’ life (also called being and that God loves us, regardless of what we’ve done ‘sanctified’). You couldn’t claim one without the other. or do. An important part of the Quaker message is our They read in the Bible that faith without works is dead inherent worth – the number of people in the world who (James 2:17), and that a tree is known by its fruits don’t love themselves demands that we share this message (Luke 6:44). Jesus said: ‘Not everyone who says to me, widely. “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but I also don’t want to minimise the challenges of being only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven’ part of a community with diverse theological views. We (Matthew 7:21). When the Psalmist says that ‘Fools have to be free to use the religious language that works say in their hearts, “There is no God”’, the evidence of for us, and allow others to use what works for them. We their foolish unbelief is also need a shared language, so that we can communicate their ‘abominable deeds’ with each other, and have a shared understanding of what ‘There’s no other (Psalm 14:1), not the words Quakerism is. Spending time learning how to talk to church I want to they use to describe their one another is the price we pay for theological diversity. religious understanding. Rhiannon Grant has done invaluable work on this, and be a part of.’ The black theologian her book Telling the Truth About God should be widely Anthony Reddie writes that read among Friends. ‘placing orthodoxy before praxis has always been a fool’s The point I’m trying to make is that it’s possible to be errand’ because holding ‘orthodox’ views of the trinity a Quaker who believes in God – specifically the Creator was not enough to stop white Christians enslaving black God revealed in Jesus – and hold an understanding people. My Quaker Christianity teaches me that the lives of Quakerism that sees nontheist Quakers as equal we try to live are more significant than the beliefs we conversation partners, as fellow Friends, not people on individually hold. If I had to choose, I’d rather be in a the fringe to be reluctantly tolerated or treated as a threat. community of people attempting to live lives empowered I came to Friends from a non-religious background, by the spirit of liberation than a community who all not knowing what I believed. It was the spaciousness of confess the same thing. Quakerism that enabled me to become a Christian. I still This isn’t to say that our beliefs don’t matter. Thinking value this spaciousness, seeing it as reflecting the God critically about our beliefs is important. For example, of broad places, a Divine spaciousness broad enough saying that our actions mean more than our beliefs has to encompass all manner of people who have set their its problems. It might lead us to a place of extreme self- hearts on a peaceful and just world, whether they believe righteousness, claiming that only people who live up to in God or not. n certain behavioural standards are ‘real’ Quakers. It could also lead us to a place of self-hatred when we don’t live Mark is a tutor at Woodbrooke, the Quaker study centre in up to ‘Quakerly’ standards. A big part of my ministry is Birmingham, and from Central England Area Meeting.

the Friend 13 December 2019 15 said: ‘It reminded me They tried to explain Q Eye of the value of feeling about aeroplanes and cars part of a bigger Quaker and were puzzled when [email protected] community, using our she asked: “But what biggest Meeting houses do they eat?” Quaker as a useful recharging worship was unfamiliar point for our work. to them too, but they Think it possible and art and singing Teenage General Meeting settled comfortably into Quakers from two Area workshops throughout happened at the same five minutes’ silence with Meetings came together the day, as well as the time, and it was great her and told us afterwards for a Regional Gathering children’s programme to see so many teenage that they found it very at Liverpool Meeting and Teenage General young Quakers in one peaceful and refreshing. House on 2 November. Meeting… spot – from Machynlleth They liked the chance to With a theme of ‘Paul looked at the to Lancaster.’ hold someone dear to ‘Peace is not a fairy Peace Testimony not just them (or a beloved pet) tale: Rediscovering in terms of the valuable Peaceful and “in the Light”.’ our Peace Testimony work that he has done refreshing in our personal and and continues to do on ‘Is that real?’ A nine- Spied in another Eye corporate lives, in an age the international stage, year-old asked as he Those who subscribe of uncertainty, conflict but he related that to entered Stourbridge to both the Friend and and chaos’, Friends the hundreds of tiny Meeting during Quaker Private Eye got a surprise from Hardshaw and decisions that we all Week this year. Friends on 29 November, when Mann Area Meeting and have to make every day, hosted forty children for David ‘Ziggy’ Greene’s Wirral and Chester Area how we manage our a surprising encounter regular cartoon strip Meeting gathered for a relationships with other with seventeenth century featured, somewhat day that one described as people who don’t agree Quaker Elizabeth Hooton unexpectedly, Quaker ‘valuable, interesting and with us, or may want to (1600-1672). Given voice Homeless Action’s thought provoking’. do different things than by Journeymen Theatre’s (QHA’s) mobile library. Kath Ward, from we want them to, or even Lynn Morris, Elizabeth Nigel Engert, of Southport Meeting, want us to do different and the children Wincanton Meeting, told Eye: ‘It was good things than we want to. discussed religious told Eye that the cartoon to see representatives ‘What he suggested beliefs, human rights, featured a visit to the and literature from about active listening, persecution, prisons, and library one cold Tuesday the Northern Friends and how he has the differences between evening and that it Peace Board and Peace developed, over time, a George Fox’s times and ‘paints a very sympathetic Pathways, an East way to bring himself to the present day. picture of the work being Cheshire initiative meetings and difficult Local Friend John done, as well as who by working in schools on situations as a Quaker, Lampen told Eye: and who for… Outreach conflict resolution. brought to mind to me ‘[Elizabeth] was in an unexpected but ‘There were two Advices & queries 17, disbelieving when they very welcome place’. plenary sessions led by which ends, “think it told her that some of In the cartoon two Paul Ingram [a nuclear possible that you may be them had travelled to people are looking disarmament expert mistaken”.’ America in a matter of at books with speech and Quaker], and also Andrew Backhouse, hours; she told them it bubbles containing the discussion groups, from Wilmslow Meeting, had taken her six weeks. words: ‘From January to October this year we lent out 451 books. We factor in that fifty per cent won’t come back, which is fine to be honest.’ On Twitter QHA praised the cartoon for its ‘beautiful, accurate and sensitive reporting’. The organisation is also working to raise £22,405 to fund this year’s Open Christmas.

Friends singing during Regional Gathering. Photo: Andrew Backhouse. Poem: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay

Jonathan Wooding

Jackdaw, take your turn – ravens are breaking bread before you, under the ministering eye of morning’s winter moon.

Sing Yud Hay Vav Hay before these fabulous ravens; before the groaning cattle too, stock still in the valley’s shadows.

Brazen sun, blinding eastern skies – sing Yud Hay Vav Hay before the hooting woodpigeon, and before the rinsing river.

Grass blades, ease your frosty burden into the flick of caught light – sing Yud Hay Vav Hay.

And thunder-jets, blast the unlistening land – your whorl of threat, your throated roar – but hear, Yud Hay Vav Hay.

Look down, even look away – beneath, the cold garden – indifferent and particular I sing, Yud Hay Vav Hay.

Joanthan is from Totnes Meeting.

the Friend 13 December 2019 17 Photo: Valentin Petkov / Unsplash. Petkov Valentin Photo: 13 Dec 9/12/19 15:27 Page 8

Friends&Meetings Deaths Diary Elizabeth BAKER 26 November. FYLINGDALES MEETING FOR Member of Welwyn Garden City WORSHIP Saturday 4 January and Meeting. Old Scholar of Sibford and first Saturday every other month. The Mount schools. Formerly of the 12 noon-1pm, outside main gate of Recording Clerk's office, and the Fylingdales RAF base. Hospitality World Council of Churches, at Pickering FMH afterwards. Geneva. Aged 91. Funeral 10.45am Directions: Pickering clerk, John Friday 3 January at Welwyn Garden Lawson 01751 472827 or City QMH. Enquiries: [email protected] Please consider leaving [email protected] a legacy to the Friend. Judy CLINTON 30 October. Aged 66. A Memorial Meeting to celebrate Judy’s life will be held at Painswick Meeting, Gloucestershire, 2pm Saturday 15 February followed by afternoon tea. All welcome. RSVP and enquiries: [email protected]

Dorothea TEAGUE (née Barker) 30 November, after a long illness. Wife of S John Teague, mother of Helen Allinson and Tony Teague. Member of Maidstone Meeting, former member of Bromley Meeting. Aged 92. Changes to meeting

CREWE & NANTWICH MEETING Our Meeting place is unavailable Sundays 22 and 29 December. Next Meeting 3-4pm Sunday 12 January then 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday each month. Coppenhall Methodist Church, Bradfield Road, Crewe. Enquiries: [email protected] Christmas meeting

KEIGHLEY MEETING Join us for Meeting for Worship, 10.30-11am on Christmas Day. Friends Meeting House, Strawberry Street (off Skipton Road), Keighley BD21 3BA. All welcome. Enquiries: 01535 647151, [email protected] Christmas gifts? Give someone you care about a subscription to the Friend! Call Penny on 020 7663 1178 to pay by card or email for an order form: [email protected]

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LAST Friends & Meetings Send your CHANCE! QUAKER ARTS Personal entries (births, marriages, Christmas NETWORK deaths, anniversaries, changes of Greetings address, Meeting up, etc.) charged Using the arts to support at £40 incl. vat for up to 35 words through The Friend our spirituality, outreach and includes a copy of the maga- We will print readers’ Christmas and witness zine. Meeting and charity notices, Greetings in our issue of Friday (Changes of clerk, new wardens, 20 December. Using The Friend to new Members, changes to meet- send your love and best wishes has See what’s on in ing, etc.) £33.33 zero rated for always been simple, economical and vat. Max. 35 words. Three entries Friendly. It’s also green! Quaker arts this £80 (£66.66 if zero rated); six The cost is £30 for up to 35 words month and next! entries £120 (£100 zero rated). (including your address if you want DIARY NOTICES: £36 incl vat for it printed). Extra words 61p each. Advertise your own up to 35 words, £30 zero-rated. We will also send a complimentary Three entries £72 incl vat, £60 copy of the 20 December issue arts events: zero-rated. 6 entries £108 incl. vat containing your greeting to a Ffriend £90 zero-rated. of your choice. plays, exhibitions, Deadline usually 12 noon Monday. Simply email your greeting and the concerts, poetry Entries accepted at the editor’s name and address discretion in a standard house for any compli- readings... style. A gentle discipline will be mentary copy to by adding them exerted to maintain a simplicity of [email protected] style and wording that excludes (free!) to our terms of endearment and words Or telephone events listings. of tribute. Guidelines on request. 01535 630230. The Friend Ad Dept, 54a Main St, Payment details Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. on ordering. VISIT Telephone: 01535 630230 Deadline: 9am Email: [email protected] Mon. 16 Dec. quakerarts.net

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