7 October 2016 £1.90 the discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 174 NO 41

3 Thought for the Week: The joyous gift of love Bob Lovett 4-6 Meeting for Sufferings Tara Craig and Elinor Smallman 7 News 8-9 Letters 10-11 Answering that of God Laurie Michaelis 12 The dead weight A Friend 13 Quaker renewal: The gift of leadership Craig Barnett

14-15 Simplicity: Meeting. Yearly Photo courtesy of Britain Simplicity, time and technology One of the four Quaker Week 2016 posters Anne de Gruchy designed by Rob Pepper. See age 7. 16 Friends & Meetings

Apology Cover image: An aerial view of the old Rowntree Cocoa Works in York The Friend apologises to readers for in the early twentieth century. the late delivery of last week’s special Photo courtesy of The Rowntree Society. See page 7. issue. This was due to a problem at the printers in Ashford.

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2 the Friend, 7 October 2016 Thought for the Week

The joyous gift of love

here was much of love in a recent issue of the Friend. It reminded me of the following ministry given by a young Friend some weeks Tago. She explained that her mother had recently died and in her will had written that, while she had little material wealth to pass on to her children, she had been given an enormous amount of love during her lifetime, and it was the wealth of that love that she wished to pass on as a gift to them.

Since then I have found myself constantly returning to thoughts about the nature of love, and I cannot rid myself of the idea that love is a gift. Indeed, not just any old gift, but the most important gift any of us will ever receive or give. I am reminded of the following saying, which seems to have been with me all of my life but whose origin escapes me:

The love which I have is the love I’ve been given And the love which I give is the love which I have.

This facility for love to be both given and received makes each of us a reservoir, a cistern of constant renewal, replenishment and succour. Surely, this was the gift given to us by Jesus and the gift, which we, as members of the Religious Society of Friends, give to one another and the world.

Bob Lovett Devon Area Meeting

the Friend, 7 October 2016 3 Meeting for Sufferings Focus on Vibrancy at Sufferings The new Vibrancy in Meetings initiative was providing any information requested. That is the first one of the main agenda items at Meeting for Sufferings of four ways in which the team will support Meetings. held in the George Fox Room at Friends House in Carrie Comfort will work in Surrey, Sussex and London on Saturday 1 October. Kent. She outlined the second way of helping. When Rachel Matthews, who took up the role of national Meetings have a query that isn’t fully formed, she coordinator for the Vibrancy in Meetings pilot said, the Vibrancy team will talk them through it and programme in March, told Sufferings that the rest of share examples of how other Meetings have dealt with the team had been in place for just four weeks. She similar queries. acknowledged that there are many interpretations Pip Harris, the staff member for Devon, Cornwall of ‘vibrancy’, but defined the team’s version as one and West Somerset, gave the third example. The team that was ‘full of life’. Rachel said that this does not will support Meetings with major projects, such as necessarily mean busier, or ‘all singing, all dancing’, but those concerning Meeting houses, she said. They will related to ‘depth and richness’. ‘be there beside Meetings with a sequence of support Vibrancy in Meetings is a three-year legacy-funded for them’. pilot programme, and a joint initiative between the The fourth and final member of the team is Wendy Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham Hampton, whose remit covers part of the North West and Britain Yearly Meeting. It involves locally based of England – Manchester & Warrington, Pendle Hill, staff getting to know Meetings, Rachel explained. Hardshaw & Mann, Lancashire Central & North, She stressed that anyone can contact the Vibrancy in and Kendal & Sedbergh Area Meetings. Wendy told Meetings team about anything, big or small, to do with Sufferings that the fourth way in which the team will Quaker life. help Meetings is ‘by signposting in the other direction’, Helen Oldridge was the first to introduce herself. informing Friends House and Woodbrooke about She did so first in English and then in Welsh. She will Friends’ gifts, needs and basic requirements. be responsible for Wales and the Southern Marches. Rachel Matthews concluded by saying that the team Helen explained that she sees her responsibilities hoped Vibrancy in Meetings would ‘be a gift to the as similar to those of a tourist information desk, Society’. Clerks reflect on American trip Recording clerk Paul Parker the Americas team, Friends Center, They keep coming back, they and Yearly Meeting clerk Deborah Friends General Conference and said, because their Yearly Meeting Rowlands gave an informative the American Friends Service ‘is striving to transform itself report on their recent trip to visit Committee (AFSC). Paul spoke into a welcoming and inclusive Quaker communities in the USA of having come away with ‘a community so that it can witness (see the Friend, 2 September 2016). kaleidoscope of contacts with with integrity in the world’. Paul described the trip, which organisations and groups’. The epistle struck a particular took in Philadelphia and Baltimore Deborah said that she had been chord with a member of Meeting Yearly Meetings, as being ‘full struck by the different styles of for Sufferings, who said that it of the Spirit, light, community, clerking they saw. Baltimore Yearly reflected the anger felt by young warmth and welcome’. He spoke Meeting, for example, had three British Friends. Pointing out how of the Meetings as ‘communities reading clerks who were at the few there were at Sufferings, he that are working hard’ and likened table throughout. All of them were said that involvement seemed to visiting them to visiting someone’s under twenty-five years old. be ‘dictated by age rather than by home, where the guest is expected Paul read from the epistle of gifts’. to do their share. Philadelphia Young Friends, The Friend added: ‘This is a Between them, Paul and who wrote that while their gifts real problem, which needs to be Deborah also visited a number are essential to their Yearly addressed. I hope you and your of Quaker bodies, including Meeting, they ‘felt blocked from Meetings, and Britain Yearly Friends World Committee for full participation – discouraged, Meeting, will tackle it. You will lose Consultation (FWCC)’s Section of frustrated, and ignored’. your next generation if you don’t.’

4 the Friend, 7 October 2016 reported by Tara Craig and Elinor Smallman QPSW journey continues Charlotte Seymour-Smith, resources less effectively and that A Friend asked to know more clerk of Quaker Peace & Social grouping programmes together about movement building. Helen Witness Central Committee works better, in terms of both Drewery, former general secretary (QPSWCC), spoke to its annual efficiency and creativity. of QPSW and now head of worship report to Meeting for Sufferings. Legacy funding has been and witness, explained that what QPSW is already looking especially helpful in the last year, this means in practice is still being towards next year’s Yearly Meeting Sufferings heard. It has enabled explored. She stressed, however, Gathering. Charlotte described it QPSW to appoint a one-year that Friends can’t change the world as ‘an opportunity to excite and policy intern, who will work with on their own, and that QPSW enthuse Friends’ and ‘an important the charity Housing Justice, and needs to find ways of working step in building communications has allowed for the appointment collaboratively. that witness among British Friends’. of a programme manager to Helen said: ‘We need to be She told Sufferings that QPSW will work on forced migration. A daring and imaginative about who focus on movement building. third annual Quaker Activists we work alongside.’ The new QPSW strategy is Gathering will take place on 3 Another Friend asked about almost finished, Charlotte reported, December, in York. QPSW’s work on forced migration. but it was not quite ready to be Charlotte said of the report to Helen explained that the team had shared. She said: ‘There will be no Sufferings that it had been difficult initially tried to address the causes dramatic shifts. The emphasis will to do justice to the breadth of of the problem. The appointment be on the need for more clarity in QPSW’s work. She talked about of a programme manager will objective setting.’ work being done on the idea of enable QPSW to focus on two Charlotte explained that there a new economy and said that new initiatives: research into were plans to strengthen the links booklets on the subject were in what to do at a national level and between Quaker Life and QPSW, preparation. Sufferings heard about advocacy. in order to ‘make the best use of the Ecumenical Accompaniment A Friend asked Sufferings to hold resources entrusted to [them] Programme in Palestine and QPSW in the Light. He added: ‘We by Friends’. She explained that Israel (EAPPI) and the lengths send people to dangerous places QPSWCC has discerned that very QPSW goes to in order to keep on our behalf. We need to support small programmes of work use volunteers safe. them even more than we do.’

Britain Yearly Meeting trustees Ingrid Greenhow, clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW). In light of (BYM) trustees, spoke to the minutes of the trustees’ the loss of funding from three other bodies, a small meeting, held on 9-10 September at Friends House, ad-hoc working group was appointed by trustees London. to work with staff in exploring ways that the Yearly In a short report, Ingrid brought a few key areas of Meeting might be able to help. the minutes to representatives’ attention. Second, Ingrid responded to concerns a Meeting First, the trustees’ meeting had an international for Sufferings representative had raised regarding the flavour: receiving information about changes to number of short-term posts being advertising by BYM the governance structures of the Quaker Council in the Friend and whether this indicated a shift to less for European Affairs (QCEA); visiting the Friends secure employment. Ingrid reassured Friends that the World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) London trend was due to a combination of maternity leave cover, offices; and hearing from Jonathan Woolley, director short-term legacy-funded projects and internships. of the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in In rounding up, Ingrid highlighted the progress Geneva, and Stan Lee, a member of the Quaker UN being made on centrally managed work, as shown Committee, in an informal briefing session. in the mid-year review of the 2016 Operational Ingrid spoke of the financial challenges facing Plan, where 315 projects were seen to be on track or QUNO in Geneva, which is an independent charity completed, twenty-nine had been delayed, sixteen under Swiss law and no longer under the auspices of were new and one had been cancelled.

the Friend, 7 October 2016 5 Meeting for Sufferings Exploring priorities and balances Meeting for Sufferings returned to questions genuinely Quaker to be said’, which do not duplicate relating to the Yearly Meeting 2015 minute ‘Living out the work of others, may only occur every forty to fifty our faith (call for equality)’ that it had not had time years. to consider in April. Four questions had been posed The other recalled the discernment and response following the encouragement from Yearly Meeting for of Sufferings to a ‘broad brush’ question about the Sufferings to explore how it prioritises and balances allocation of Yearly Meeting resources. Representatives different parts of the work Friends are called to do. were able to get input from their Area Meetings and Friends first discussed the questions in lively help guide decision-making – but Sufferings ‘can’t conversations with their neighbours before the do fine detail with a broad brush’. He spoke of the Meeting opened to contributions from the floor. importance of delegation and relying on the ‘people Ministry ranged widely: from the strengths of of great experience and talent’ the Yearly Meeting Sufferings to Friends’ worries that Quakers can be employs, as paid staff and volunteers, to provide concerned about ‘absolutely everything’, from the information and seek guidance from Sufferings. relevance of Yearly Meeting structures to needing A Friend described prioritisation as being a ‘difficult to learn how other groups within Yearly Meeting task well worth doing’. Another Friend spoke of the prioritise their work. situations in which guidance on priorities might One Friend raised the issue of what was meant be needed; especially where an ‘either/or’ decision by equality and expressed concern about the Yearly is required. It was said that, in such circumstances, Meeting, querying whether Quakers are afraid to ask the opportunity to take the issue to Local and Area questions about the age, race, income and levels of Meetings would be helpful and ‘might engage with homeownership within the Society compared to the more Friends’. wider population. One Friend challenged the Meeting to ‘be a little Two Friends who had served as Meeting for more honest’ and not to think of Sufferings as the Sufferings representatives in the past spoke of similar place to prioritise work but as ‘a place where we can conversations about its role that they had been test issues, explore them, give them substance’. The involved with. Friend said central committees and trustees may be One felt that the role of Sufferings is in discerning better placed to prioritise. ‘what is genuinely Spirit-led… springing from Another Friend brought the Meetings’ attention to the well of Quakerism’. The Friend explained that Sufferings’ role as a ‘visionary and prophetic’ body and finding ‘rare opportunities where there is something how ‘as such we have priorities thrust upon us’. Area Meeting concerns heard Minutes from four Area to Quaker Peace & Social Witness minuted their concern over Meetings (AMs) were brought to Central Committee (QPSWCC) for the proposed introduction of Sufferings for consideration. information. cadet forces to Scottish state Brighouse West Yorkshire AM Supporting refugees, locally and schools, to be financed by the raised the Ammerdown Invitation in Calais and Dunkirk, has been UK government, via the Ministry and Friends’ responses to it. The formally adopted as a concern by of Defence, from fines levied Invitation was written by a group East Kent AM. The minute was on banks. Friends at Sufferings of UK peacebuilding professionals forwarded to QPSWCC, in light of spoke of the ‘deeply concerning’ and seeks to prompt a conversation ongoing work on forced migration. implications of the government in about alternatives to the current Friends in Central Yorkshire Westminster bypassing the Scottish approach to national security. AM raised questions about the government and of the lack of The AM minute highlighted clarity of Yearly Meeting accounts, democratic conversation these that ‘as Quakers we need to look at particularly the reporting of moves had had in parliament. In this locally and understand what expenditure by Friends House addition to work being undertaken is being done centrally’. Sufferings Hospitality Company. The minute by General Meeting for Scotland’s encouraged Friends to learn more has been forwarded to Britain Parliamentary Liaison Function about the Ammerdown Group’s Yearly Meeting trustees. Group, the minute was forwarded work and forwarded the minute General Meeting for Scotland to QPSWCC for advice.

6 the Friend, 7 October 2016 News reported by Tara Craig [email protected] Diversity marks ninth Quaker Week Quaker Meetings throughout Britain have been embraced the arts. An art exhibition entitled ‘Spirit involved in a wide range of diverse events for the ninth and Place’, with work by local Friends, is being put on British Quaker Week. at Wandsworth Meeting House and another was on Four bright and artistic new outreach posters, offer at Westminster Meeting in central London. especially commissioned for Quaker Week on its theme Hartington Grove Meeting hosted a performance of of ‘Inspired by faith to build a better world’, were sent Red Flag over Bermondsey, the play about Ada Salter, at to Meetings throughout Britain from Friends House. Michaelhouse in Cambridge. Dorchester Quakers also The BBC One Songs of Praise programme was supported Digging the Dirt, a play on the seventeenth broadcast from the former Rowntree’s chocolate century Diggers and whistleblowers in the world factory in York (see cover) on World Quaker Day, today. Sunday 2 October. Folk singer and songwriter Eden Thomas performed The programme told the story of the role of the some new Quaker folk songs at Swarthmoor Hall in Rowntree family in supporting wartime Quakers Cumbria at two events during the week. facing imprisonment as conscientious objectors and Malton Quakers hosted a special Quaker Week at the setting up of the Friends Ambulance Unit. It their historic Meeting house to celebrate the work of included two interviews with Friends: Chris Lawson Quakers and the birth of the movement in the town. and ninety-two year old Peter Rutter and is available to Bath Quakers organised a weekend of talks, view this month on the BBC iPlayer. exhibitions, and a specially commissioned play that A feature of this year’s Quaker Week, which runs all explored issues around conscientious objection to between 1 and 9 October, was the way Friends military service.

First woman member of FAU dies TTT website goes live The last surviving female member of the The new website for Turning the Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU) has died at the Tide is now live. age of ninety-five. The bright, user-friendly website Angela Sinclair-Loutit was the first contains information and resources woman to join the FAU, having given up her on the work of Turning the Tide. history studies at Somerville College, Oxford, Some tools are available free to as she ‘wanted to do something’ and train as a download. nurse. Themes covered on the website She served first at the FAU headquarters in include: ‘Power and change’, Gordon Square, London, and later with teams ‘Spirituality and activism’, ‘Violence helping refugees in Egypt, Italy and the former and nonviolence’, ‘Working in Yugoslavia. Jeremy Corbyn said on her recent groups’, and ‘Worship logistics’. The

Photo courtesy of Sinclair-Loutit family. Photo courtesy of Sinclair-Loutit death that she ‘was a friend to all who want new website is: turningtide.org.uk peace and justice and to live in a caring community’. For some years she regularly attended Coventry Meeting. Quakers address state of banking system A one day conference on the the Banks!, talked about what banks by a lively question and answer state of the banking system was do, what they are not doing and session. held at Friends House, London, on what they could become. Eleri Pengelly, of Purley Meeting, Saturday 1 October. In the afternoon session Fran said: ‘During the day Friends The event was organised by Boait, executive director of Positive considered some of the key issues London Quakers and attracted Money, Neil Hewitt, of Triodos and concerns, such as the creation around 100 people. In the morning Bank, and Cait Crosse, of Quaker of money, and talked about models session David Shirreff, economic Peace & Social Witness, considered that offered a radical alternative to journalist and author of Break up ways forward. This was followed the status quo.’

the Friend, 7 October 2016 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Title changes to reduce our small nuclear weapon system might I am concerned about the change in titles at Friends encourage others to do likewise. House, as part of the changes to Management Meeting, J Trevor Evans and the lack of consultation which accompanied this Harpenden Meeting, Hertfordshire change. I am surprised that the terms ‘Head of Worship and It is said that actions speak louder than words and Witness’, ‘Head of Operations’ and ‘Head of Finance what you do matters most – not what you say you will and Resources’ and, in consequence, the implications do if others do it too. of a hierarchical organisation, which these titles Many will be unsettled by unilateral nuclear suggest, should have been considered suitable. disarmament: for example, the workers who will lose Our whole Quaker Business Method is based on the jobs and their union power base. Those who profit principle of collaborative working, and our current from the nuclear (killing) industry and the sale of titles of the above roles [general secretaries to Quaker arms will be bitterly opposed. Politicians will lose Life, Quaker Peace & Social Witness, and Quaker votes and the prime minister would lose the prized Finance and Property, and Head of Facilities and nuclear necklace (which will serve no purpose in Hospitality] clearly reflect the concepts and ideals Armageddon) and would have to depend on reason which are fundamental to Quakerism. Our Quaker rather than the threat of war. language is there for good reason. Jesus would not have contemplated the use of While I appreciate this has been put in place to violence or any weapon if threatened. He would have make our structure more accessible to other agencies, been unarmed. the new titles may well confuse such agencies as to the Let us follow Him. Tommy Gee essence of Quakerism. Diss Meeting, Norfolk I am saddened that this has been presented to us as a fait accompli with no apparent awareness that this Tabular Statement might need further consideration. In response to Abigail Maxwell’s letter (23 September), Mavis Rogers I am delighted to note that this week an error in Barnstaple Meeting, Devon the Tabular Statement for 2015 has been corrected. Peacebuilding and disarmament The updated version, now online, shows that three Mark Frankel (23 September) draws from the 2016 members are listed as ‘other’, rather than one. I’m Swarthmore Lecture a challenging point about how particularly pleased by this, as I am one of the other unilateral nuclear disarmament by Britain might ‘others’ who had been omitted by mistake! ‘destabilise the international situation’. However, I I agree with Abigail that the ‘other’ option seems think he overlooks two things. only to be known about in some areas and not in First, the physical consequences of a nuclear war others. In my Local Meeting a brief announcement of would be so devastating to so much of the planet the option during notices did the trick. Fred Langridge that his comparison with the use of machetes is not North East Thames Area Meeting convincing. Second, for any nuclear power to renounce nuclear weapons might well be a huge trust-building move – rather than destroying trust, as he argues. Why do people coming to our Meetings have to be John Lampen categorised as men or women at all? It would be much [email protected] simpler (and more equal?) to only record names. Brian Beecroft I agree with Mark Frankel when he says that the Orpington Meeting, London prerequisite of peacebuilding is trust between communities. I also agree that the ultimate objective End of Life Working Group: of initiatives relating to nuclear weapons should be recording funeral wishes multilateral disarmament. The question for us is, At Quaker Life Representative Council (QLRC) in therefore, what actions would promote trust and lead April Friends shared their experiences of bereavement towards this ultimate objective. Russia and America and the Working Group introduced the leaflet Love have taken some initiatives to reduce their nuclear and Loss. Now we are building a picture of the ways stockpiles but the current negotiations associated with in which our Meetings encourage Friends to consider the Nuclear Non-Profileration Treaty appear to be and record their end of life arrangements and how that stalled. I suggest that the UK renewal of the Trident information is gathered across Britain Yearly Meeting. missile system will not build trust and promote First, thank you to all the Friends who have this process. It is possible that unilateral initiatives responded on behalf of their Local and Area

8 the Friend, 7 October 2016 [email protected]

Meetings to the questions sent out by email via the Uneasy QLRC network. We’ve had responses from forty-five I am spurred by Robert Tucker’s letter on renewable individuals on behalf of their Local/Area Meetings. energy (16 September) to write, as I feel very uneasy We would like to ask the same three questions again about the full-page [Quaker] advertisement in the to ensure that we collect as many Friends’ responses current Ethical Consumer magazine which shows a as possible. In addition to hearing from Meetings young woman in the ubiquitous jeans and proclaims: who could not respond previously, we would now ‘Inspired by faith to build a more sustainable world’. also welcome replies to the questions from individual Robert’s letter shows that this is clearly not so. Friends: There are many individuals, charities, even • Does your Meeting use the ‘Funeral Wishes’ form businesses, working hard for sustainability: Scientists from Friends House or any other form? for Global Responsibility, Viva!, Garden Organic, • Do you have funeral visitors or are elders and Pesticide Action Network, Beauty Without Cruelty, overseers responsible for gathering this information? to name but five. They don’t spend their time and • If your Meeting has a form, do Friends money announcing their faith but get on with the job independently complete and return it, or do Friends – obviously inspired by love – they care! make their wishes known in conversation with Do any other Friends detect something false or smug another Friend (funeral visitor, elder or overseer)? about this advertisement? Is it money well-spent? Please send any responses to the following address: What is it actually saying? email [email protected] or by regular Dorothy Woolley mail. Brant Broughton and Newark Meetings MaryFaith Autumn 11 Queen Street, Lancaster LA1 1RS Spelling Reading Fee Berry’s interesting and informative letter Equality (23 September) brought to mind one of the most apt What am I to make of Brexit and of the ‘wide gulf’ anagrams I know: that ‘cuts [Keith Archer] off from [his working-class] William Shakespeare: I am a weakish speller! origins’, now that he has been ‘educated into the Harry Holloway ways of [his] social betters’ and feels at home among Chesterfield Meeting, Derbyshire Quakers, as part of the ‘remote liberal intelligentsia’? (16 September). What has happened to our Quaker War and Peace testimony to equality? The 21 September was the International Day of Peace. Geoffrey Braithwaite But, on that day I was haunted by the pictures from St Albans Meeting, Hertfordshire war zones of death and suffering in Syria and the starving people – children dying of hunger – in the Redefining anti-Semitism Yemen. What can we do? Following on from Don Mason’s excellent letter, Rae Street ‘Re-defining anti-Semitism’ (23 September), I am Rochdale Meeting, Greater Manchester extremely disturbed by the current attempts by the pro- Israel lobby to change the meaning of the word ‘anti- Semitism’. In essentials unity, Anti-Semitism is described in the English dictionary in non-essentials liberty, as ‘…a hostility towards or discrimination against in all things charity. Jewish people’. This is far removed from speaking out against Israel and those who have a Zionist ideology. Speaking out against the ‘apartheid’ perpetrated against Palestinians by the Israelis is no worse than The Friend welcomes your views. speaking out against the apartheid that used to be present in South Africa and which, thankfully, is no Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). longer in existence. Please include your full postal address, even The pro-Israel lobby in Britain and, indeed, across when sending emails, and specify whether you the world is in the process of trying to redefine the wish for your postal or email address or Meeting phrase anti-Semitism in an attempt to gag any open name to be used with your name. criticism, and this cannot be allowed to happen. Miles Fielding Letters are published at the editor’s discretion Brigflatts Meeting, Cumbria and may be edited. (presently attending Forres Meeting, Moray)

the Friend, 7 October 2016 9 Europe

Answering that of God

Laurie Michaelis believes the Brexit vote presents a challenge to Friends

ike many people, I felt physically ill when I our own role in them, makes it harder to address them. heard the news on the morning of 24 June. I had We need to be willing to face unpalatable truths. We to lie down for half an hour. Part of the shock also need healing, mutual understanding, compassion, Lwas just how much it affected me. But perhaps we trust and community building. These are vital if we are should be grateful for the Brexit vote as a lightning to be at peace with ourselves and with each other, and flash, revealing something of the social landscape. if we are to make any progress on things that really Destructive as it seems, it could help to open up new matter for the long-term viability of our society. ways forward. The first-past-the-post electoral system leaves many, We are living through a constellation of crises. if not the majority of people, feeling unrepresented People, communities and nations are suffering. Some or even betrayed. There has been talk of building of the issues seem to be global – international conflict, bridges and more collaborative politics. The Green terrorism and mass migration. Others seem more Party proposes a ‘progressive alliance’ as a one-off for local – pension provision, housing, health, justice and the next general election, to bring together left-wing energy planning. But the crises are connected. They are parties, ‘kick out the Tories’ and bring in proportional symptoms of what sociologist Ulrich Beck called the representation. But it is not clear that there is a real ‘metamorphosis of the world’. willingness in any of the parties to listen, or to move Humanity is on unfamiliar territory and we cannot beyond the culture of political tribalism, adversarial cope. We have tried to free ourselves from many of the dialogue and personal attacks. constraints of nature, using science and technology to extend life, overcome infertility, insulate us from the Old certainties weather, travel and communicate globally. We have yet to see the depth and breadth of the unintended I have heard people, including some Friends, making consequences in social destabilisation and ecological generalisations about what the Leave vote meant. It disruption. probably meant a lot of different things to different people – including a kick against authority, a desire Some kind of bubble to go back to old certainties, an expression of national belonging and solidarity, or a principled moral choice. Things are happening too fast. There is too much There has been a lot of thought in my Meeting about information. Soundbite-based, adversarial politics and what is needed. Much of the conversation has revolved media coverage leave no space for considered decisions around politics. There has been particular interest in about the way forward. We ignore facts that don’t Compass, which describes itself as ‘a home for those fit our expectations. Most of us live in some kind who want to build and be a part of a Good Society’. of bubble. There are people in our neighbourhoods Friends are also attracted to the idea of a progressive whom we never meet, with values and viewpoints we alliance. are unaware of. These movements seek to bring together people ‘like The nationalist turn in the United Kingdom and us’ – or at least a bit like us. But if we are to find ways elsewhere in the world is a natural response, trying to forward, everyone is needed. George Fox calls on us regain control and return to the familiar. But blaming to answer that of God in everyone. The Bible tells us problems on ‘foreigners’, denying their true causes and to ‘love the stranger’. Who is the stranger? Perhaps

10 the Friend, 7 October 2016 Remember your responsibilities as a citizen for the conduct of local, national and international affairs… Advices & queries 34 Photo: Eliza Tyrrell / flickr CC. / flickr Tyrrell Photo: Eliza not just the victims, the refugees and asylum seekers, Seeing the state of British politics, I wonder whether but also the people we most profoundly disagree with. there is a need to work with MPs in Westminster, to Unless we can find unity with those people – respecting build bridges within and between parties. This work their worldviews, needs and goals – we cannot hope for could aim to bring together people who don’t usually real progress. talk to each other to have the kinds of conversation This question of taking sides comes up time and they don’t usually have – perhaps focusing on personal again in Britain Yearly Meeting – over Palestine and values, feelings, hopes and fears. Israel, over fossil fuel disinvestment. Friends often say we should ‘speak truth to power’, but how does this sit Giving everyone a voice with answering that of God in everyone? Another opportunity might be to bring together Listening carefully to others Quakers in politics, including our MPs and MEPs, to explore and develop shared approaches and principles. In Quaker Meetings we practice ways of working Perhaps this could develop into a wider network of through differences based in the disciplines under- people in politics committing to and working from pinning Meeting for Worship and the Quaker business shared principles, perhaps with training in nonviolent method. Those disciplines include listening carefully communication and other skills. They could be asked to the contributions of others, reaching deep for the to commit to a set of standards for positive politics truth they may contain for us, ‘thinking it possible that – such as listening to opponents and responding we might be mistaken’ and being prepared to set aside constructively, focusing on agreement rather than our own positions as we seek unity. Should we behave disagreement, and refraining from personal attacks. differently when we engage in politics? Do we see Something, perhaps, that is within reach of local Meeting for Worship as a different kind of space from Friends would be to use our Meeting houses to host our communities and workplaces? community gatherings on themes that matter to There is perhaps a particular challenge in combining everyone. An immediate focus could be on energy different aspects of listening and conversation. One options: nuclear power, fracking and renewables. Other involves the search for truth and understanding, themes could be food, health and housing. Meetings bringing together facts, analysis and deliberation. would need to be carefully planned and might be Another involves cultivating mutual compassion, supported through a range of resources, including the sharing feelings and needs and practising our sensitivity use of briefings and experienced facilitators. to others. These are foundations for developing the A Quaker approach to public discourse must start trust and collaboration that can be the basis for unity from a willingness to see our darkness, to recognise in a way forward. our own part in the world’s problems and to change. It Friends have sometimes worked with these principles is from the humility of this foundation, this openness, to provide listening spaces or mediation for people who that we can truly listen to others and enable them to are in conflict. We have powerful examples in Quaker hear us. It is the basis for answering that of God in each work at the United Nations and in Northern Ireland, other and giving everyone a voice. and in the writings of Friends such as John and Diana Lampen, Adam Curle and Simon Fisher. Laurie is environment correspondent for the Friend.

the Friend, 7 October 2016 11 Reflection

The dead weight Photo: Arjan Einbu / flickr CC. Arjan Einbu / flickr Photo:

A Friend voices concern over the ordering of Meeting business

t would be difficult to better Craig Barnett’s these shortcomings. An attender who expressed an succinct analysis of membership (9 September). interest was emailed by an Area Meeting treasurer Craig quotes the three fundamental elements of with the words: ‘Haven’t you got anything better to do.’ Ibeing a Quaker from Quaker faith & practice 11.01, the third of which is the ‘ordering of the Meeting’s At a recent Area Meeting an attender who attempted business’. to query a ‘transfer’ of almost £50,000 was ‘eldered’ within seconds of rising to speak. This, in my opinion In twenty years as an attender, my experience is – done in front of other Friends – was close to that it is this third element that drastically inhibits ‘bullying in public’. This huge sum could be the result membership applications. Over the years my tiny Local of money laundering for all anyone cared. Meeting has seen a steady stream of attenders appear and disappear, leading to only very rare applications The reappointment of the examiner after years for membership. The few long-term attenders, such of problems was surely a matter for reflective as myself, who ‘stick around’ are in no doubt that discernment by Meeting after presentation of the facts. the underlying reason is nearly always related to the However, on this occasion, it was rushed through, ‘Quaker Business Method’. Following a recent Area following an inept performance by the treasurer under Meeting, one such attender told Local Meeting: ‘If only the instruction of the trustees. we could become independent and concentrate on the spiritual lives of our Meeting and our community, I don’t believe any of this is unique to my Meeting. without this dead weight of bureaucracy around our I was speaking recently to a long-term Friend from necks. It is all so depressing.’ elsewhere, who said: ‘Goodness, I’m sure none of our trustees have ever acknowledged the Quaker Business For purposes of illustration, finance provides Me t h o d .’ a useful focal point. I have recently surveyed the accounts of eight Area Meetings as filed with the After twenty years of attending Meeting for Worship Charity Commission. They are, again, depressing; in my Local Meeting, I continue to support my wife instead of demonstrating our testimonies of truth and in her membership, but becoming a member myself is simplicity, in recent years they have been reduced to a not something I can ever consider. meaningless consolidation of bureaucratic nonsense. A financial priesthood that brooks no argument enforces A Friend.

12 the Friend, 7 October 2016 Quaker renewal

The gift of leadership

Craig Barnett continues his series on Quaker renewal

t is often claimed that Quakers don’t have leaders, sometimes mistaken for a belief that everyone is the but this is not quite true. In a Quaker Meeting same, instead of recognising the equal value of our leadership is shared among Friends holding many very different gifts and experiences. Iroles – including clerks, elders, overseers, nominations, This suspicion of leadership has contributed to a children’s and outreach committees, among others, Quaker culture that often serves to squash individual and it is also practised more informally by those who initiative, responsibility and enthusiasm. Those in minister to the community in many different ways. All leadership roles may be accused of being hierarchical of these Friends need to exercise the gift of leadership. when they try to fulfil the responsibilities given them Leadership is a form of service to the community. by the Meeting as a whole. This creates a strong It enables things to happen, by taking responsibility temptation to be timid about exercising leadership, for supporting, enabling and encouraging others, and for fear of provoking Friends who don’t accept the it is essential for any group to function. The tasks of authority of elders or other appointed roles. Part leadership are not usually highly visible or dramatic. of the challenge for those who hold leadership They include motivating, encouraging, thanking and responsibilities is to be faithful to the authority welcoming, making sure that information is shared entrusted to them by the Meeting, even at the risk of and clear arrangements are made, helping the group being criticised or resented. Sometimes this may mean to stay on-topic and summing up the outcomes of challenging Friends who insist on getting their own discussions. It is also a function of leadership to way in opposition to the discernment of the whole remind the group of ‘right ordering’ (the Quaker community. This, too, as difficult and sometimes community’s agreed processes) and to discourage painful as it is, is an essential form of service – helping the most vocal individuals from dominating a group. to prevent the community from being bullied by its Good leaders support and enable others’ gifts and most aggressive members. leadings (including others’ potential for leadership) In those periods when the Quaker movement has instead of suppressing everyone else’s initiative, as thrived, there have always been significant numbers often happens in organisations where all authority of Friends who have practised leadership on behalf is monopolised by a few individuals. The Quaker of the community. The revitalisation of our Quaker approach to church government, which early Friends communities relies on encouraging the development called ‘Gospel Order’, is a way of recognising and and expression of the gift of leadership within our distributing leadership, while keeping it accountable Meetings. Quaker communities, as with all other to the community as a whole. In a Quaker Meeting, human groups, need people who are willing to take authority means being ‘authorised’ by the community a share of leadership responsibilities, including the to exercise accountable leadership. difficult and challenging ones, in order to thrive. But there are many Friends today who see every Leaders are not a special kind of people with suggestion of leadership as authoritarianism. Many of extraordinary abilities. The principal quality needed us have experienced groups where authority has been for leadership is simply a willingness to embrace abused or monopolised. Some who have been hurt by some responsibility for the flourishing of the whole the misuse of authority in other contexts come to a community. Quaker Meeting expecting it to be a ‘leaderless group’ where ‘everyone is equal’. The testimony to equality is Craig is a member of Sheffield & Balby Area Meeting.

the Friend, 7 October 2016 13 Simplicity

Simplicity, time and technology

Anne de Gruchy, in the second article in her series on Simplicity, explores the impact of technology and the importance of making room for God in our lives.

hat are the barriers to leading a simple one Friend. Technological progress is a positive thing, life? I asked this question to participants another felt, ‘we are meant to be inventing, meant to be during research for my 2016 Eva Koch curious’. WScholarship and was surprised to find that social media and technology took a distinct back seat. Far and away The importance of time and focus the biggest concern was trying to practice simplicity with a husband, wife or partner whose values did not One Friend I spoke to had returned to washing things sit comfortably alongside the respondent’s own. Second by hand; this felt simpler, she said, even though it took came the pressures of society – the ‘norms’ we are longer. Perhaps this was because she gave time and expected to follow and having to go ‘against the flow’. attention to the task. In Holiness in the Everyday, David Cadman suggests that to change our way of being we Technology and simplicity need discipline and to accept a slower pace. The greater challenge of simplicity is not to do with possessions Where does technology sit in our thinking about but ‘the right use of the gift of time’ said one person in simplicity? For most people I spoke to technology Twelve Quakers and Simplicity. provides a tool that we need to use appropriately. The internet and computers were seen as having many Making time is important. For one Friend simplicity benefits: keeping in touch with family, learning a involved reducing the number of contacts and language, buying groceries online, finding information, complications in her life. ‘Having time to be’ is part satellite navigation, emails as a form of record and of simplicity, said another, enabling spontaneity and communication and an aid to memory problems. making room for God and other people. By simplifying her life this Friend found that she interacts with her ‘It’s simplistic to say that Facebook is bad,’ one Friend neighbours more, and is open to listening and hearing said, ‘human existence is about relationships and a what other people say and want. lot of these things are about relationships’. One older Friend, though, found the assumption that everyone Friends acknowledged the tendency of technology to has access to the internet was ‘a real burden’, and limited ‘suck energy’, and limited its use, for instance, by keeping her options. computers away from the lounge, deleting the Facebook app on their phone, and using a weekly podcast to catch Technological advances, such as washing machines, up on news. In his book A Sustainable Life: Quaker were also generally accepted as making life simpler and Faith and Practice in the Renewal of Creation, Douglas saving time. Simplicity is ‘not doing without a fridge/ Gwyn says: ‘We read about different religions and living in a mud hut in the middle of nowhere’ said learn new spiritual techniques, for example, through

14 the Friend, 7 October 2016 books, the internet, and other outward resources. But, taking a similar role today? As one Friend told me: ultimately, these resources only scatter our attention, ‘My mobile phone doesn’t make me happy… It does intention, and energies, leaving us exhausted and lost.’ complicate my life, to be on Facebook… and to have all We need to employ such technologies as help us sorts of ways of people contacting me at my fingertips.’ towards our goal ‘without distracting’, says Martin Cobin in Workers in God’s Mine: Maintaining Simplicity Media and a sick society in a Society Preoccupied with Technology. Cobin returns us to the territory of discernment, of identifying those Friends were uncomfortable with the media. It ‘few concerns’ that God asks us to be faithful to as ‘confuses people’ said one Friend, because it can ‘get outlined by Thomas Kelly in A Testament of Devotion. the weightings wrong between the traditional wisdom and the need to make it controversial’. Another disliked Avoiding a technological ‘utopia’ the pressure of advertising and said that you ‘could very easily get swept away by the forces of the media… A Friend who attended Quaker Quest told me they that you need things… and that to be happy your life had discussed whether George Fox would have had an should be more complicated almost’. In Celebration of iPhone; their answer was ‘yes’ – he might have used Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster it as a tool but not own the latest model. Most people says: ‘The mass media have convinced us that to be out I spoke to had older versions of technology, resisting of step with fashion is to be out of step with reality. It the pressure to upgrade. One Friend had chosen not to is time to awaken to the fact that conformity to a sick buy a smartphone at all because mining the minerals society is to be sick.’ needed to make them was fuelling war in Congo. But fashions do impact on us and lead to changes Some Friends spoke about the cultural and peer in the ways we learn and practice spiritually. Douglas pressure their children and grandchildren were under Gwyn writes about how Rex Ambler based his to have the latest technology; however, young adult Experiment with Light meditations on a mix of George Friends had generally chosen to limit the technology Fox’s advice and methods used by psychologist Eugene they used, although this isolated them amongst their Gendlin. ‘Living in an era dominated by technology friends. One was challenged because she felt that and technique, many today find a series of steps more most technology is environmentally unsound yet ‘the helpful than the traditional Quaker palette of evocative level of social exclusion you’d experience as a young images and metaphors,’ says Gwyn. adult not being on any kind of technology is daunting to say the least’. She spoke of the conflict between Framing the problem of distraction the ‘ecological soundness of it and being part of the (political) conversation’ and sometimes had ‘screen- A Friend in his late twenties felt sad that young people fasting’ days. appeared to feel there is something better going on elsewhere, constantly looking at their phone rather In his essay ‘Technology and Simplicity’ in The than experiencing the moment, the here and now. ‘I’m Hidden Door: Mindful Sufficiency as an Alternative to so fortunate I grew up just (before) that time… all this Extinction, Mark Burch talks about our ‘enchantment’ social media stuff became so in your face, it’s now like with technological progress and how many people kids are hardwired to it from a young age.’ He said that are ‘technological utopians’. My interview participants it is when he feels unable to ‘express himself to the full’ appeared to resist this trend and concur with Burch’s in ‘more powerful ways’ that he uses Facebook most, view that we need to bring mindfulness to our use of becoming addicted to it even though it doesn’t nourish technology. Burch goes further, saying society needs to him. explore how technology’s role might change in order to serve simple living. Thomas Kelly says that ‘the outer distractions of our interests reflect an inner lack of integration of our own We should also ask: Does technology increase our joy? lives’. It is hard to believe that attentiveness, slowness, Joy is one product of experiencing the ‘Eternal Now’, silence and compassion will improve our wellbeing, according to Thomas Kelly in A Testament of Devotion. says David Cadman, but we have to learn to ‘let go and Writing in the early 1940s, Kelly said the era was dwell in the Divine with an open heart’. one of ‘this-sidedness, with a passionate anxiety about economics and political organisation’ and that this was causing people to ‘neglect the Eternal Life springing up Anne is a Woodbrooke 2016 Eva Koch scholar and a within our “ordinary experience of time”.’ Is technology member of Nottingham Meeting.

the Friend, 7 October 2016 15 7 Oct 4/10/16 14:11 Page 6

For details of how to place a notice on Friends&Meetings this page, please see info box page 18. Deaths Notices Journeymen Theatre and Quaker Concern for the Graham CLARKE 25 September, QUAKER ARTS NETWORK Abolition of Torture (Q-CAT) peacefully at home. Widower of SPRING 2017 EXHIBITION Olwen. Member of Bournville Exhibition proposals invited for a Feeding the Darkness Meeting, formerly of Shrewsbury corridor exhibition at Friends Shining a Light on State- and Malmesbury. Aged 94. Funeral House in Spring 2017. Closing date Sanctioned Torture Through details from Linda: wickenslinda@ for submissions 2 December 2016. Story, Poem and Song gmail.com or call 0121 550 1931. For terms of reference see www.quakerarts.net or email We invite your Meeting or group Deborah HENRY (née Barratt [email protected] to host a performance of this Brown) 2 October at Borders powerful 65-minute play. General Hospital. Widow of Howard, Premiered at Britain Yearly mother of Humphrey, Giles and Diary Meeting 2016, it portrays and Michael (deceased). Aged 95. explores the impact of state- Member of South East Scotland CHURCH AND PEACE sanctioned torture on victims, Area Meeting. Donations: Save the Day Conference, Bull Street FMH, their families, colluding bodies Children. Funeral details: Birmingham Saturday 29 October and perpetrators. [email protected] 10am - 4.30pm. The church as an The play can be followed by a agent of peace in an increasingly discussion with the actors. Catherine WOODHOUSE insecure world. Keynote speaker: Suitable for ages 18+ 28 September, peacefully in Leeds Simon Barrow (Ekklesia). General Infirmary. Wife of the late Details: Barbara Forbes For details and booking: www.journeymentheatre.com Stuart, mother of the late Kate [email protected] [email protected] (Susan), Francesca and Adrian. 07791 210687 Member of Ilkley Meeting. Aged 85. EMBODYING EQUALITY IN Funeral Meeting for Worship 11am BUSINESS - WHY? & HOW? For Q-CAT contact Juliet Morton Saturday 8 October at Ilkley These important questions will be [email protected] Meeting House, Queens Road, LS29 addressed by challenging speakers, “An hour it will be hard to forget...” 9QJ followed by a reception at the with group exploration in work- Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley. shops. Quakers and Business Group A natural burial will take place later Day Conference, Weds. 9 November, Meeting up at Gertrude’s Pasture, Scotton. Friends House. Info and booking: qandb.org GENETIC FREAK IN LANCASTER, Changes of address 53, with a kind heart, needs an QUAKER CONGO PARTNERSHIP Esmerelda. Uncertain future needs UK, Jesus Lane FMH, Cambridge love of a good woman. Male atten- QUAKER HOMELESS ACTION Saturday 29 October, 11am–2pm. der living independently. Vegetarian, New Project Coordinator and Discussion, information sharing, non-smoker. Replies please Box 982 Manager from 1 September: fact finding. Learn about our c/o The Friend Ad Dept. John Coburn, Quaker Homeless community projects. All welcome, Action, 17 Old Ford Road, London especially funders/potential associates/ VERY ACTIVE QUAKER WOMAN E2 9PJ. Tel. 020 8983 5066. trustees… Details/booking: 60 years old, not yet retired, seeks Email: [email protected] Catherine Putz 07783 060088, a like-minded man for long-term [email protected] romantic relationship. Loves conversation, and is interested in QUAKER QUEST QUAKER SOUTH ASIA INTEREST everything. Lives in the SE. Replies NETWORK GROUP (www.qsaig.co.uk). AGM to Box 981 c/o The Friend Ad Dept. Saturday 15 October 10.30am-4pm, All welcome to our 12 Montagu Place, Leeds LS8 2RG. Annual General Meeting Speaker: Margaret Waterworth: Keep in touch... ‘Growing & Deepening’ Education in India - experiences of positive change. New members Planning for reaching out welcome. All attending contact: ...let everyone know Saturday 8 October, 2pm Stuart Morton [email protected] by putting your family Friends House, 173 Euston Rd 0121 472 5305. London NW1 2BJ announcements in Opposite Euston Station. the Friend! Good access. Free.

16 the Friend, 7 October 2016 7 Oct 4/10/16 14:11 Page 7

QPSW Relief Grants Applications now being sought Applications are now being sought for these annual grants available for projects in the UK and overseas. All projects/programmes requesting support should be for the relief of people who are suffering as a result of natural disasters, climate change, war or conflict but not for immediate crisis relief. Each project must have a Britain Yearly Meeting Quaker link (person or group) and the application should arise from the concern of Friends, supported at least by their local meetings. Projects need not be Quaker led and existing as well as new projects may be supported. Annual grants will usually be for up to £4,000 per project with a maximum of £6,000 and applications for single payments are encouraged. Grants for two or three years in appropriate circumstances will also be considered with a maximum three-year total of £15,000. Existing as well as new projects may be support- ed and these grants may cover only part of the total funding required. If a beneficiary has received a grant for 2 or 3 consecutive years, there must be an interval of at least one year before they can be considered for another grant and a new project proposal for them would need to be substantially different from any previous one. Application packs can be downloaded from www.quaker.org.uk/qpsw-grants Further information from Ann Pfeiffer, Grants Programme Officer, Communication & Services: Tel. 020 7663 1053. E-mail [email protected] The closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 28 February 2017. Registered charity no. 1127633.

the Friend, 7 October 2016 17 7 Oct 4/10/16 14:11 Page 8

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GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make DAVID BOULTON’S NEW BOOK space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old Through a Glass Darkly defends Quaker B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers nontheism against recent charges that it Explore Birmingham and the Midlands supportive, nurturing environment for aims to turn the Religious Society of or relax in 10 acres of gardens and individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: Friends into a secular friendly society. woodland. Close to Bournville and public meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic Available from Quaker Centre Bookshop, transport. Wonderful library, delicious activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian 020 7663 1030, £7 plus £2.50 postage. meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call 0121 472 5171. SOUTHERN FRANCE Centre Quaker Congénies. Walk, cycle, lovely valley. Share INNER LIGHT BOOKS camaraderie/worship with Friends. 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Anywhere consid- QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, ered. We are 2 or 3 non-drinking, non- Partnerships, commitments, notices and smoking, careful adults and one old polite YORKSHIRE DALES/1652 COUNTRY. other calligraphy. Liz Barrow 01223 369776. quiet and clean dog. 3 previous successful Settle Meeting B&B in Friends' homes. houseswaps. Please contact me on £20pp to improve wardens' accommoda- [email protected] WRITING YOUR BOOK? Biography, tion. Contact Alison Tyas 01729 822677. family history, novel or non-fiction, let me help with layout, typesetting, printing. THE QUAKER LGBTQI+ FELLOWSHIP COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING Photographs/images can be included. welcoming people of all sexual and gender Free quotes. Leaflets/brochures also identities nationally, with some local prepared. Trish: 01223 363435, A WARM PEMBROKESHIRE WELCOME groups. Contact Roy Vickery, 9 Terrapin [email protected] awaits you in 2 cosy well equipped Court, Terrapin Road, London SW17 8QW. cottages each sleeps 4. Woodburners, [email protected] sea views, coastal path 2 miles. 01348 891286. [email protected] Friends & Meetings www.stonescottages.co.uk for sale & to let Personal entries (births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, changes of COTSWOLDS. Spacious barn conversion CENTRAL CROYDON, SOUTH LONDON. in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. Double room in spacious shared three- address, etc.) charged at £27.50 Woodburner. Lovely walking. 01608 bedroomed flat on second floor of incl. vat for up to 35 words and 811558. [email protected]. Croydon Meeting House. Very convenient includes a copy of the magazine. www.cotswoldsbarn.com for East and West Croydon train stations, Meeting and charity notices, trams and buses. £400pcm plus council (changes of clerk, new wardens, EAST DEVON THATCHED COTTAGE tax and utilities. Contact Gillian Turner changes to meeting, diary, etc.) Lovely peaceful Grade II Listed thatched 07805 087981. cottage. Perfect for autumn/winter £23.23 zero rated for vat. 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Friends Historical Society Research Grants Call for applications Friends Historical Society (FHS) Research Grants, up to a maxi- mum of £500, are offered to help both individual historians and groups, whether academic or non-academic, with their expenses in researching Quaker history, or in attending and delivering a paper at a conference or similar event. Up to four grants may be awarded for 2016, and they may be used to supplement funding from other sources. Applications are welcome from all researchers of Quaker history; there is no requirement to be a member of FHS, or a member or attender of the Religious Society of Friends. For further details and how to apply please request an information sheet by email to [email protected] with ‘FHS Research Grants’ in the subject heading, or send a stamped self-addressed envelope marked ‘FHS Research Grants’ to: Rod Harper (FHS), 9 Montpelier Grove, London NW5 2XD The closing date for completed applications is 31 December 2016. the Friend Part-time sub-editor The Friend seeks a part-time sub-editor to work on the magazine two days a week. Experience of sub-editing, writing, and proof reading are essential. A good knowledge of a computer based publishing design system, such as InDesign 5, would be helpful. The successful candidate should have a keen eye for layout and design, an understanding of the production demands/processes of a weekly magazine, attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines as part of a small team. The position requires the sub-editor to work on Monday and Tuesday each week in the office in Friends House. A willingness to share in the various tasks of running a small and busy office is required. Membership of the Religious Society of Friends is not essential, but a close knowledge and understanding of Friends’ beliefs and practices would be a distinct advantage. Salary circa £10,000pa. A freelance position will be considered. The position will start in January 2017. Interviews will be held in early December. To apply, please send a CV (no more than two pages) with a covering letter stating how you meet the above requirements to [email protected] or write to The Editor, The Friend, 173 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ. Closing date for applications: Friday 11 November 2016. The Friend Publications Ltd is a registered charity, 211649.

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