19 October 2018 £2.00 thediscover the contemporaryFriend quaker way
Food justice the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843
Contents VOL 176 NO 42
3 Thought for the Week: Quaker belief I expect to pass through this Stuart Yates world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or 4-5 News any kindness I can show to 6-7 Meeting for Sufferings any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or 8-9 Letters neglect it for I shall not pass 10-11 Food justice this way again. Clíodhna Mulhern Attributed to 12 Friends and the mind Stephen Grellet George Macpherson 13 Friends and equality Ken R Smith 14 Glimpses of Eden Rosalind Smith 15 On prayer Susan Highwood 16 Friends & Meetings Correction In ‘Young Friends ask “connecting questions”’ (12 October) one of the two co-clerks of Junior Yearly Meeting was named as ‘Angela’. This should have been ‘Anya’. The co-clerks’ full Cover image: names are: Lucy Cox-Dodgson and Photo: Fancycrave.com via pexels.com. Anya Nanning-Ramamurthy. See pages 10-11.
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2 the Friend, 19 October 2018 Thought for the Week
Quaker belief
Everything that is sacred and that wishes to remain so must envelop itself in mystery.
Stéphane Mallarmé
he subtitle of Quaker faith & practice is ‘The Book of Christian Discipline’, reflecting our Christian origins. Today, the basis of Friends’ spiritual life and practice is not solely confined to Christianity. We also tend to refer to our faith and our faith in Taction, rather than our belief. So, what do we believe in? What belief do we hold in common – belief that unites us as a coherent community? Because of the diversity of the grounds upon which belief is based, we may be hesitant about being specific about the core of why we are Quaker, for fear of offending, of not being thought a proper Quaker, or of highlighting what may be uncomfortable differences. Sometimes we are hesitant to speak plainly. We hedge our language, try to be all things to all people within our community, which risks weakening that community, rather than relying on the strength that comes from expressing difference from a knowledge of a shared core. We welcome diversity in our Meetings, but too much spiritual diversity risks not only weaker communities within our Meetings but actual schism. Our testimonies provide a basis for our faith in action, but those testimonies are not exclusive to people of faith. They are the result of belief and faith. We need, I think, an explicit core belief around which Friends can unite, demonstrating the common ground on which we stand, that will strengthen our communities in faith. This core belief is not some holy grail to be newly discovered, but is hiding in plain sight and frequently invoked by Friends in various ways. Simply put, many of us believe there is that which is beyond the human dimension – something beyond us that informs the way we live and act. The essential mystery of our belief is in a guiding presence from beyond that cannot be seen or touched, but can be experienced. This is absolutely present in the original writings of early Friends, couched in Christian terminology. While that terminology is no longer accepted by all Friends we have not, as far as I am aware, formally crafted the words that might unite Christian Quakers and Friends whose spiritual base is not wholly or partly Christian. The actual form of words might be difficult to create, but their essence is simple. It is what differentiates us from organisations that may carry out similar works, but from a purely humanist perspective. The implication here is clear: those who do not believe in anything other than human capacity and endeavour would (should?) find it difficult to call themselves Quaker. The book God, words and us, edited by Helen Rowlands, has opened up this topic beautifully. I hope that the whole body of Quakers in Britain can be involved in creating a form of words (preferably brief) that sufficiently describes the central mystery of our faith in a way that we can all accept – to which we can say, in part or in whole: ‘Yes, that is essentially what I believe, that is what underpins my faith.’
Stuart Yates Bournemouth Coastal Area Meeting
the Friend, 19 October 2018 3 News Quaker pushes OU access for prisoners A Quaker Open University when students had to start funding is such limited computer access. (OU) manager is driving access to their own studies. But we’re now However, they achieve the same education in prison by developing seeing increasing students: there are pass rates as mainstream students a ‘virtual learning environment’ so currently 1,500 and we’re expecting and many get distinctions.’ students can access their materials this year we will top 1,800.’ Quaker Tim Newell, former in a digital format. SiSE is also working to improve prisons governor, said the initiative According to Ruth McFarlane, digital access for prisoners. was ‘inspirational’ and ‘could member of Ettington Meeting and Ruth McFarlane said: ‘In 2019 change hundreds of lives’. senior manager for the Students in we’re hoping to offer a pilot scheme Ruth McFarlane described her Secure Environments (SiSE) team, offering secure laptops with HMPPS work in the Widening Access and the number of prisoners taking OU (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Success services (WAS) department degrees has increased by thirty per Service)-approval, so students can as ‘part of her commitment to social cent in the last year. study digitally. At the moment, they justice’. She recently took part in She told the Friend: ‘There was have to manage several hundred Jordans Quaker Centre’s talk on a big drop in students after 2012, sheets of paper in their cells as there Prisons and Justice. Friend tells of her life on the West Bank Quaker Hannah Larn shared her experience these farmers faced and her role, standing at the gates as an ecumenical accompanier in the West Bank as a witness to oversee and report back on what felt and Palestine with the Ecumenical Accompaniment like human rights violations.’ Programme in Palestine/Israel (EAPPI) at Welwyn Robin Vanner added that Friends enjoyed the talk: Garden City Meeting House on 7 October. ‘It raised a lot of interest, not just in her experiences Robin Vanner, warden from Welwyn Garden City but in the wider Palestine issue. We discussed how Meeting, told the Friend: ‘Hannah spent three months security measures can, in the long run, decrease in Israel-Palestine and worked on the agricultural gates security – and how she maintained compassion at the West Bank. towards Israeli soldiers.’ ‘She said that the fence is inside the West Bank, so Attender Daisy Doncaster said the talk was some Palestine farms have to be accessed through the ‘fascinating, tragic, frustrating but inspiring all at the security gates. Hannah talked about the restrictions same time’. ‘Shadows of war, prospects for peace’ York Quakers held a with white poppies.’ day conference at Friargate The event on 6 October Meeting House on 6 October included sessions on ‘The as a contribution to the ‘York Development of Arms Control’ Remembers’ season, marking the by Nick Ritchie, of the York end of the war in 1918. Politics Faculty, and ‘Can we ‘Lifting the Shadow of WW1 Build a more Peaceful World?’ and Prospects for Peace Today’ by Ben Griffin, of Veterans for was an interactive day of lectures, Peace. workshops and displays, bringing Simon Ball, from the Leeds together academics, local History Faculty, also talked about historians, poets and individuals Britain 1918-1979 and the ‘Long involved in promoting peace. Shadow of War’, and Trudi Tate, Cath Harvey, manager at the from the Cambridge English Quaker Centre in Friargate, Faculty, spoke about ‘The told the Friend: ‘We decided Hidden Legacies of War’. not to let the opportunity slip Brenda Tyler, of Friargate
as we knew there would be red Meeting, said that Quakers in Board. Peace Photo courtesy Nothern Friends poppies everywhere, and we Yorkshire offered ‘considerable One of the posters used in promoting the wanted to set up an alternative financial support’. Quaker interactive day in York.
4 the Friend, 19 October 2018 reported by Rebecca Hardy [email protected]
St John Ambulance allow white poppies The Peace Pledge Union The change was brought about (PPU) has welcomed St John after Simone Ramacci, a St John Ambulance’s decision to allow Ambulance volunteer and PPU workers to wear white poppies member living in Colchester, asked in the run-up to Remembrance to be allowed to wear his white Sunday. poppy while on duty. The rules previously stated that White poppies are produced a Royal British Legion red poppy and distributed by the PPU, which could be worn, but now state reports that 101,000 white poppies that a poppy is allowed without were sold in 2017, the second specifying the colour. highest number ever. Photo: akhenatenator / flickr CC. Photo: akhenatenator / flickr NFPB explore peace witness in Lincoln The Northern Friends consideration is being given to arrest. A number of Friends also Peace Board (NFPB) met in Lincoln promoting peace education and took part in the ‘Nae Nukes, recently, where members explored appointing a local authority ‘Peace Anywhere’ international rally and the nature of their peace witness Champion’, following witness at the march at Faslane on 22 September. and reported both positive and Armed Forces Day national events The NFPB appointed a small negative experiences. in nearby Llandudno. group to take forward work on According to Philip Austin, Friends also heard that in nuclear disarmament, focusing on co-ordinator of the NFPB, members Blackpool Veterans for Peace the Treaty on the Prohibition of heard that in Conwy serious protestors were threatened with Nuclear Weapons. ‘Awakening Compassion’ in London QAN update Fourteen members of pigs, rabbits, sheep or chickens The Quaker Arts Network Quaker Concern for Animals with messages aimed to make (QAN) has updated its website, (QCA) joined a monthly event in passers-by stop to think, such as inspired by a successful QAN Day Trafalgar Square, London entitled “I am an Animal – Someone not that attracted people from the US, ‘Awakening Compassion’. Something”.’ the Netherlands and Scotland. The event on 15 September was Julie Hinman added that, Linda Murgatroyd, of QAN, told organised by a group called ‘We although QCA is not an exclusively the Friend that its AGM has also Are The Numbers’ and encourages vegan group, ‘members often wish agreed ‘a shift in emphasis’. kindness towards all through a to show solidarity with those who, She said: ‘In future, QAN will aim vegan lifestyle. in different ways, advocate for more to support the community Julie Hinman, from the QCA animal rights’. of Friends interested in the arts, Committee, told the Friend it is QCA representatives also joined and publicise and encourage ‘a silent action in which some protests on 15 September against Quaker arts initiatives, rather than participants hold beautiful the fur trade and in support of a organising exhibitions or other pictures of animals such as cows, call to end greyhound racing. projects itself.’ Chris Alton talks Quakerism on Young Artists website Chris Alton, the Quaker artist and 2018 Quaker Meeting and have all your answers questioned”, Swarthmore lecturer, was interviewed on the ‘web so I think it’s fostered in me the will to engage with platform’ Young Artists in Conversation this month. the world in a critical manner; although I think it’s The interview, published on 6 October, asked important to do so in a way that makes space for joy, the author of the 2018 lecture, entitled Changing hope and optimism.’ ourselves, changing the world, about his Quakerism and Chris Alton also questioned the word ‘moral’, saying multimedia work English Disco Lovers. it was ‘uncomfortable’ for him and ‘could suggest a rigid In response to a question about his possible ‘moral standpoint’. He said: ‘Quakers tend to use the word code’, Chris Alton, who said he has been a Quaker “values”, it’s humbler and reflects a willingness to be his whole life, replied: ‘Quakers like to say “Come to guided by our experiences and those of others.’
the Friend, 19 October 2018 5 Meeting for Sufferings Sufferings reaffirms boycott commitment
Britain Yearly Meeting suggested by QPSW [Central and horrified’ by the situation in (BYM) trustees asked Meeting Committee]’. Palestine, ‘sacrificing EAPPI is not for Sufferings for advice and Helen Drewery, head of witness the right thing to do’. discernment regarding a proposal and worship for BYM, emphasised One Friend asserted that ‘we to explicitly exclude investments that churches in Palestine have don’t know for sure that that would in companies profiting from the asked for this next phase in be the result’ and felt that the occupation of Palestine from boycott, divestment and sanctions. UNHRC database would be timely BYM’s investment policy. She described it as ‘a bold step’ and helpful. BYM does not currently hold – with Quakers being one of the A Friend acknowledged that it such investments. However, first churches in Britain to do it may not be possible to know all the investment policy does not if Meeting for Sufferings advised the companies involved, but asked explicitly exclude them. Minutes BYM trustees to take that decision. whether that was a reason not to from both Devon and Sussex East Friends were united in boycott those that are known. Area Meetings have asked BYM to reaffirming Sufferings’ 2011 Helen Drewery highlighted that consider adding this. decision to boycott settlement the paper had received significant A paper prepared by BYM staff, goods. However, ministry urged input from EAPPI and that, based with input from the Ecumenical caution on taking further steps. on the experience of the American Accompaniment Programme One Friend asked how the Friends Service Committee in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), Society would be able to identify (AFSC), they ‘don’t think there will outlined the background to this companies in a ‘global world of be appreciable risk’. issue and the implications of such interconnected companies’. They The Sufferings minute reaffirmed a step. It concluded with three spoke of Amnesty International the 2011 decision, acknowledged positions that Sufferings could struggling with this issue. They that BYM’s current investments take: ‘to rescind or to reaffirm referred to an upcoming database don’t include companies profiting its 2011 decision to boycott of such companies, mandated by from the occupation of Palestine, settlement goods’, ‘to encourage the United Nations Human Rights and encouraged BYM trustees ‘to [BYM trustees] to exclude from its Council (UNHRC), which is due amend their investment policy to investments companies profiting for publication in 2019. ensure that this remains the case… from the occupation of Palestine, Another Friend ministered [recognising that] this may be and to amend the BYM Investment on the ‘profound’ effect such a difficult’. Policy accordingly’, and ‘to go decision could have on EAPPI The minute concluded: ‘We further and ask Friends to ensure and felt that it is ‘too precious a continually pray for both Israelis they also exclude from their thing to risk’. This was echoed by and Palestinians, keeping them Meeting and personal investments a Friend who said ‘EAPPI is very, together in our hearts, and looking any companies profiting from very valuable and very Quakerly’. forward to a future of loving and the occupation of Palestine, as Although they were ‘saddened generous cooperation.’ Cautious optimism for Circles UK Meeting for Sufferings welcomed an update has since taken place. from Claire Cooper, parliamentary engagement officer Circles UK and Ministry of Justice officials have for Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), on the status of agreed to work on two proposals: one enabling current Circles of Support and Accountability (Circles UK). provision to continue until March 2019, and one The Circles of Support and Accountability initiative to address longer term funding. Circles UK held a was established by BYM and is a volunteer-based meeting of local providers on 12 September to discuss means of supporting registered sex offenders to the approach to both of these proposals. minimise reoffending. It became an independent Claire Cooper wrote: ‘The Circles UK chief organisation called ‘Circles UK’ in 2008. executive is cautiously optimistic that progress is being In July Sufferings learned that the National made towards a positive outcome. BYM staff remain in Probation Service was going to withdraw funding for contact with her and have reiterated Friends’ readiness Circles UK. A meeting between Circles UK and Rory to escalate our lobbying activity should this prove Stewart, minister of state for the Ministry of Justice, necessary and helpful.’
6 the Friend, 19 October 2018 reported by George Osgerby and Elinor Smallman
Four specific proposals on sustainability
It has been ‘a long journey’ for Britain Yearly garbage and converting it into cleaner energy. Meeting (BYM) on the issue of sustainability, Anne One Friend said: ‘Several of our Meeting houses will Ullathorne, clerk of Meeting for Sufferings (MfS), said be hundreds of years old – listed buildings. There may on 6 October at Friends House in London. She added: be legal restrictions on what we want to do.’ He advised: ‘We haven’t got to the end of it yet.’ ‘Live simply for the moment.’ A meeting of key committees in July was united In the view of another Friend: ‘Any targets have to be in wanting to ensure that all parts of BYM integrate realistic. We have to be able to continue some of our environmental sustainability into their thinking and activities.’ activity. There were now four specific proposals for One speaker said: ‘All we’re being asked to do is Sufferings to consider. investigate. Are we going to say to Young Friends: “It’s First: Was MfS content with the way the too difficult?”’ She added: ‘Where there is a will, a way responsibilities were being shared? Second: Was MfS can be found.’ content with meetings between groups and committees Another Friend said: ‘The advocacy going on behind taking place in future, to provide ‘liaison and mutual the scenes… we should be proud of. Perhaps we’re not encouragement’? Third: Should Woodbrooke be doing enough to let Friends know what we’re achieving.’ approached about exploring ‘whether it could provide Sufferings was reminded that Paul Parker, recording ways of nurturing Friends’ many forms of ministry in clerk of BYM, was part of a faith delegation that met this field’? Fourth: ‘Could the whole Yearly Meeting Claire Perry, the energy minister, several weeks ago. commit itself to the bold target of becoming carbon Paul Parker told Sufferings that he ‘went into the neutral or “net zero” in carbon?… Is this something meeting not expecting a great deal, but there was MfS would want to see thought through carefully and genuine engagement’. He said: ‘The government wishes brought back for consideration?’ to be aspirational.’ There was ‘an opportunity to show The first three proposals were agreed to. Ministry them what aspirational means… Strength comes on the fourth included: ‘I think we’re nodding through from showing what we can achieve at grassroots level. things rather quickly.’ With regard to converting We need to show people want change and can work Meeting houses, ‘more resources in this area’ were together to bring it about.’ needed. MfS agreed to ask for ‘further guidance and advice’ Another Friend said: ‘The government has wrecked on what it means for Meeting houses and for centrally the sustainability industry… My advice is to pause managed work to be ‘zero carbon’. It was agreed to send [and] think about the impact on our other testimonies.’ the minute to the BYM Sustainability Group. Sufferings Sufferings was informed that Norway is buying UK will return to the sustainability issue in November. Vibrancy in Meetings: Beyond the pilot The pilot programme of the completed two years. A key word is ‘fun’. Rachel Vibrancy in Meetings project will The work involves encouraging Matthews suggested that Quakers come to an end in December 2019, and helping Friends and their ‘are too busy sometimes being Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) heard Meetings to be ‘their best selves – worthy to have fun’. on 6 October. generous, loving and Spirit-led’. One Friend said that Vibrancy In June 2019 the main evaluation The programme’s stages of had ‘a lot to offer going forward’, report will be delivered. Before development had been ‘iterative,’ while another talked about the that, from April, there will be she said, adding: ‘I had to look ‘joyful experiences’ she had shared testing and development of it up.’ One hundred Meetings with her Vibrancy worker and said future options by staff from both have been visited, covering topics she was ‘absolutely mindblown Woodbrooke and the Vibrancy based on what is needed locally about all she is doing. I hope the project – and testing with – for instance, enabling eldership work can carry on at this intensity.’ Sufferings on 6 April. A decision training. She continued: ‘It’s like a Another Friend said: ‘Maybe about the future of the project wellspring – the well of the Spirit. the way we have done things will be made by Woodbrooke and Everything is bedded into worship.’ traditionally is no longer the best trustees in June 2019. The work means way we can do them.’ Rachel Matthews, the ‘re-strengthening the everyday. Thanks to his Meeting’s Vibrancy programme coordinator, said We remind, explain, give courage, worker: ‘We have found things we that four workers had already bring hope. We enable the new.’ didn’t know we needed.’
the Friend, 19 October 2018 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend
Travelling through time with illegal chemical weapons. I read with great interest the article in the Friend of The flood of refugees, innocent in themselves, from 5 October, especially in respect of the fact that light this and similar conflicts has led to support for right- from the Andromeda galaxy has taken two million wing nationalist or neo-fascist parties in Europe – in years to reach us. many cases, so it is reported, cynically funded by As someone who studied geology many years ago Russia. This could lead to much greater conflict in the I can cope with the concept of millions of years in future. respect of geological history but really had little idea Does anyone have answers on this? how far away the closest galaxy to our own would be. Neil Simmons As a keen ‘Facebooker’ I have sometimes posted Cambridgeshire Area Meeting photographs (not my own) of the Milky Way from sites such as High Force waterfall, or other dark sky Truths and values areas in the North Pennines. I will now have to view At the turn of the twentieth century my grandmother them in a new light! was employed at Friends House – part of a team of Given this incredible distance, I find it all the twelve. By 1959 my mother worked there with a team more disturbing that the anthropogenic problems of about sixteen. Since then membership numbers of climate change, pollution, over-population and have fallen substantially and staff numbers risen loss of biodiversity on our planet have worsened so dramatically. The top floor is now offices. In my significantly even during my own lifetime from the childhood it was a treasured quiet place. late 1940s. Why the change? Has Friends House become an At the risk perhaps of stating the obvious, I would organisational hub? Is it ‘connected’ with Friends like to register the point that so much damaging in the country, or just with metropolitan and change in such a minuscule speck of time is deeply international matters? Management theory recognises troubling. This article certainly brought this the tendency for an organisation to self-perpetuate. observation home to me, and I expect to others, very Have we considered this? Could we take work out of forcefully indeed. London? Would less ostentatious premises provide Julie Stobbs more money for outreach work? School House, North Street, West Rainton, Our present ‘labyrinthine’ committee structure, in Durham DH4 6NU my opinion, is not in right ordering. Are we primarily a Christian church, or have we turned into a small, Moving stories moderately competent, aid organisation? The very moving stories (28 September) from members While appreciating the advances in new technology of the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network (QARN) and a constantly changing society, truths and values confirm what many of us have found in the course of remain. Where is the still, small voice? our work among refugees. David Taylor We may continue to offer support and comfort, but Brant Broughton Meeting, Lincolnshire the realities of life here are often cruel, and now make joyful scenes of November 2016, when a few refugees A moral imperative were allowed in – seem hollow. Marian McNichol’s article entitled ‘Walking in the Yet the daily tragedies continue, and we must shoes of others’ (7 September), which draws attention continue to support desperate refugees. More to what she terms ‘cultural violence’ towards Jewish importantly we must oppose the wars and sales of people, gives one example (among others) of ‘serving armaments that are creating the problems in the first pork without alternatives’. place. In my view, not eating pork, as distinct from not Anne M Jones eating any animals, is morally irrelevant. Leading Friends House Meeting, London from this, what is not irrelevant is the legal practice, supported by Orthodox Jews, and Muslims, of kosher Intervention and consequences and halal slaughter, in which animals’ throats are cut There are consequences if countries such as ours without pre-stunning. intervene – for example, in Iraq. There are also For want of a better expression, in ‘mainstream’ consequences if we do not intervene. slaughter, animals are frequently not stunned properly. The rebels in Syria started by marching for civil Add to this the handling and the fear caused by rights in 2011, but ended up suffering saturation the sights, smells and noise suffered by animals in bombing by the air forces of their own government slaughterhouses, then it is a moral imperative not to and their Russian allies, and being allegedly attacked eat them or use animal by-products.
8 the Friend, 19 October 2018 [email protected]
Whilst people fail to question the cultural I agree that the values underlying current education assumptions that animals either lack sentience or do are in many ways unQuakerly. Also, provision has not count and are merely for use by Homo sapiens, been taken out of local authorities’ democratic control, then the violence suffered by animals will continue – with various dire consequences. on a scale that far exceeds that which human beings However, the solution of more Quaker-run free inflict on one another. schools would surely just compound the problem. Barrie M Sheldon It would simply add to the chaotic and unequal 25 Deben View, The Avenue, Woodbridge, distribution of non-fee-paying schools in England. Suffolk IP12 4BQ This present system reflects a market-driven ideology in which diversity and parental ‘choice’ are Sympathetic hearing held to be defining features, though for most choice is At Acomb Meeting in York elders were concerned that a myth. three Friends were unable to hear the spoken ministry, The post-war settlement that schools be ‘centrally even with hearing aids and a good loop system. funded and locally managed’ has now been abandoned So, two years ago, we instituted a summarising in all but name. While central government still scheme. Usually this is done on a tablet computer, which controls school funding, it now also defines a is silenced, but sometimes on paper with a pencil. The narrowed curricular content, with Ofsted effectively summariser sits in a regular place and those requiring functioning as an arm of government. the summaries know to sit close by. No attempt is made In consequence, increased testing of pupils and to give every word spoken – just the gist. bureaucratic stress for teachers have become features We have found that it is helpful if Friends quoting of the system. Public education is defined in essentially from a written source pass it to the summariser. There utilitarian terms: as little more than preparation for is minimal disturbance to the worship and the record employment, for which competition and league tables is deleted at the close of Meeting. are alleged to be more effective than cooperation This simple scheme has been hugely appreciated and or trust in professionals. Hence the current flight of allowed those with profound hearing difficulties to teachers and the stress and depression reported among be more fully included in the worship and sometime many of their charges. respond to what has been said. Change must surely involve more radical political John Guest discussion. That could do worse than focusing Acomb Meeting, Yorkshire principally on how we might best meet young people’s needs, promote their all-round personal development Values in education and support those devoting their adult lives to I am a governor of a Church of England primary teaching them. school of 400 pupils in Bradford, West Yorkshire. David Westgate Eighty-five per cent of our pupils are of South Asian Stocksfield Meeting, Northumbria heritage and many speak Punjabi at home. I am accountable to my Quaker principles, which fit in very well with the school’s commitment to ‘restorative justice’. This principle is introduced to In essentials unity, every pupil when they start school. in non-essentials liberty, Pushing, shoving, shouting and fighting are not accepted on school premises, and we amended school in all things charity. rules recently to remove the word ‘punishment’. However, we may use appropriate sanctions. I am accountable to the pupils, the parents and The Friend welcomes your views. staff. We are on the verge of becoming graded as an outstanding school. We want every pupil to succeed Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). educationally and we can only measure our progress by regular testing. In my thirty years’ experience as a Please include your full postal address, even governor in state schools I have been able to influence when sending emails, and specify whether you the school management in many ways, and have found wish for your postal or email address or Meeting name to be used with your name. the work rewarding and fulfilling. State schools need Quaker governors. Letters are published at the editor’s discretion Trefor Howorth and may be edited. Bradford Meeting, West Yorkshire
the Friend, 19 October 2018 9 Witness
Food justice
Clíodhna Mulhern asks: ‘Food justice – what does that mean?’ n a decade of working with groups of committed on a Friday afternoon. Eggs arrived in large trays on the Friends on sustainable living at Woodbrooke and doorstep on a Tuesday, carried in enormous baskets by elsewhere, there is one issue guaranteed to bring the the sun-and-wind-baked ‘chicken woman’, who reared Iroom to an uncomfortable silence: food. a large family of her own on the proceeds from her The question of the food we eat – and the mountain door-to-door sales. It was mostly organic, only we did of injustices loaded into our shopping trolleys and not use that word because organic was ‘normal’ in those onto our dinner plates every day – is immensely hard days, meals were modest, served on what I now know to broach and difficult to talk about without being to be breakfast plates and not dinner plates – modest immobilised by guilt, shame or defensiveness. helpings always looked more abundant that way. Of the three big impact, climate justice, sustainable In the same town a half-lifetime later there is a very lifestyle issues – travel, homes and food – this is the different food story: large supermarkets dominate the least talked about. So, I ask myself, why is this? local food market. This being Ireland, some of the I wonder whether we are overtaken by a basic small independent food stores remain. They never fled survival instinct that puts us on guard; or whether the high street in Ireland in the same way they have its intensely personal nature (we take our food into done in England. However, gone are the small door-to- our bodies after all) rules it out of bounds for public door local vendors, gone is any idea of ‘local produce’, discourse; or whether the entanglement of food with and ‘organic’ is now exceptional, meaning ‘weird and body image makes it just too embarrassing; or whether expensive’ and certainly not ‘normal’. A smart new we are so addicted to the food we eat that we react with ‘Your Local Foodbank’ collection van is parked in my fierce denial. old street and levels of obesity and diabetes type 2 are After a decade of pondering, I have come down on a rising all the time. rather simpler thought. It is that deep down we know there is something very wrong and it is frightening to ‘Choice’ think that it is to do with the food that we so enjoy, and that we rely upon for life. Somewhere along the road the big food retailers sold So, it is with a little trepidation that I raise the us the idea that what we were really after was choice, question of food here. I reassure myself, however, that convenience and cheapness: whatever the damage Quakers have a long history of challenging the gravest to small famers; whatever the damage to soil and of injustices, whatever the discomfort to themselves. water sources from herbicides and intensive faming; And if we don’t, who will? whatever the cost to fragile agricultural economies in Stories are always a good place to start. My own food far away places where people (often our farmers) are story starts very well, in a market town in Ireland in poor and go to bed hungry; whatever the suffering the 1950s. I was raised in a large family. We shopped and degradation caused to our fellow creatures – in small independent shops and our food was local: intensively farmed cattle, sheep, pigs and fish; whatever our vegetables came from neighbouring farms, always the completely avoidable world hunger caused by seasonal, and there was no other kind. Butter, milk and eating meat; whatever the carbon costs of shipping food cheese arrived at our garden gate on flatbed lorries from thousands of miles to feed our appetite for seasonsal the local creamery. We bought meat from our butcher at food, all year around; whatever the cost to the resilience the bottom of the street. of local communities or the food security of countries; Fish was supplied by the lough or by the herring man whatever the destruction of rainforests to grow soya
10 the Friend, 19 October 2018 Photo: Ralph . / flickr CC. . / flickr Photo: Ralph to feed cattle and palm oil to put in everything from choosing to shop in local markets. People’s food cafes shampoos to biscuits; whatever the plundering of wells are feeding all comers as well as reducing food waste. to make soft drinks, leaving local farmers in drought; Faith communities, schools and NGOs are running and whatever the eye-watering costs to our health and education and awareness programmes, and devising the health of our children from industrial foods. liturgies and spiritual reflections on food injustice and I had better stop there, because there is only so the sacredness of food. much of this stuff I can take, though I have said little This great heaving mass of activity is humanity’s about malnutrition, obesity, food banks, plastics and immune system saying ‘no’ to the commodification of disposables, land grabbing, the loss of family meal times food; ‘no’ to the exploitation of land, water and people; and the abandonment of any sense of the sacred in the ‘no’ to hunger, anywhere; and ‘no’ to the poisoning of food we are gifted. our families with industrial food. It is called the Food Sovereignty Movement. So, there is another chapter to Where and what this story after all. In her inspiring book, Just Living: Faith and What becomes clear very quickly when we think Community in an Age of Consumerism, Ruth Valerio, a about the food on our plate in this way is that it is theologian, environmentalist and community activist, not just about what I buy and where I buy it, though was posed this question by her young son: ‘Mum, if you it is about that too. It is about international trade were arrested for being a Christian, do you think there agreements; it is about environmental standards; it is would be enough evidence to convict you?’ about land ownership; it is about grant regimes; it is Sitting in the Woodbrooke library in summer 2017, about government policy; it is about busy lifestyles; it is an Eva Koch scholar studying the moral and spiritual about working conditions for workers; it is about food implications of our food choices, reflecting on this skills and food knowledge – and yes, it is also about very good question, I found myself reframing it thus: where we each buy our food and what food we buy. ‘Friend, if you were arrested for being a Quaker, do you This is not the end of our food story. On the move think there would be enough evidence on the food on across the globe is a growing movement to recover a your plate to convict you?’ healthy, affordable and just food system that works for people and with nature. Academics are speaking Clíodhna is a member of Lancaster Meeting. up. The landless poor are organising. Trade unions are paying attention. Politicians are asking questions. Her Eva Koch Scholarship topic in 2017 was the moral Community-growing projects are proliferating in the and spiritual implications of the food we eat. She will most unlikely places. Independent food businesses are be facilitating a weekend called ‘Faith in Food’ at popping up on our high streets again. More of us are Woodrooke on 9-11 November.
the Friend, 19 October 2018 11 Comment Friends and the mind
George Macpherson writes about a continuing concern
hy have ‘mental health’ issues become producing generations of high-performance brains so prominent in government and media that are expected to maintain maximum output spheres? Individuals, families, communities, almost without rest. In America, most people can only Wnations and, indeed, populations can be seen to be count on two weeks holiday a year. Many in Britain behaving strangely, becoming depressed, irrational, find it difficult to take proper days off. deranged, even violent or self-destructive. Observers have recorded this through the millennia of written Yet, we must all acknowledge that miracles do and oral history. happen. People are ‘saved’ – sometimes by chemical or surgical treatment; sometimes by verbal untangling; Philosophy and science have analysed the root and some in the sense of ‘baptism’ by washing away causes of what boils down to living in ‘a state of hell’. their environmental heritage and finding a way of life Some of them are genetic and physical. Defining surrounded by love and mental support, such as is ‘normal’, however, is just as difficult as defining ‘God’ offered by Pentecostal church communities or Islamic or ‘spiritual’. Some causes of mental dysfunction are disciplines, in which clear rules take over life, allowing environmental, where generation after generation of a the development of knowledge and self-regulation. family has lived in poverty, ignorance and deprivation Some people find peace by participating in Christian because nothing and no one has intervened to break liturgy and song. Jewish people, perhaps, go further, this negative cycle – even though the child is born and help each other with questions and analysis, with all the same potential for reasoning, love and humour and the rails of rigid timelines. We Quakers social cohesion as the majority of the population. like to think we share the Light within.
Why should mental health have become such an Each of these roads out of a state of hell has important part of Britain’s national health? Politicians something different to offer to suit individuals. The are reluctantly steeling themselves to spend more of most obvious respite that Quakers have to offer is the national income on treating an increasing number reflective silence – quiet, in which the light of love, of people stressed by work or study, while others with which we are all born, can help guide us through suffer from drugs or alcohol abuse. Many sufferers the coming days and decades. How often do we hear from ‘breakdown’ finish up in prison, where some are ‘I wish I’d known that this kind of religion was there’? released in a worse condition than before. Why didn’t they? Perhaps it’s because as individual Friends we hide our lights under the bushels of self- It could be argued that the human brain, like the defence. By ‘coming out’ as Quakers and ‘sticking our rest of nature, can only be subjected to certain levels heads above the parapet’ we lay ourselves open to of stress before something malfunctions. Like nature, being expected to behave like Quakers, which can add like the universe, it has its limits of performance and to remorse about our own weaknesses and failures. overload can disrupt its function. Yet our society bombards us relentlessly with fast-moving images and We should take heart from a Roman Catholic exhortation in the quest for ‘growth’: higher output, tradition that too much self-criticism is also ‘a sin’ higher profits, higher achievements, novelty, winning, – the sin of self-indulgence. Jesus said love your security, physical perfection and proud self-image. neighbour as much as you love yourself – forgiveness These are constant reminders of what we could have, all round. It is much more to the point to get out there what everyone must have. and offer refuge for those whose minds are in turmoil and in need of peace and reflection. We, as Quakers, Children’s programmes on television and those on have so much to offer – especially at this time! smartphones and tablets are so fast, I fear, that the brains of young people develop reaction speeds that were almost unimaginable fifty years ago. Society is George is from Minehead Meeting.
12 the Friend, 19 October 2018 Quakers in Europe
Friends and equality Photo: Nejc Košir / Photo: Nejc Košir pexels.com. Ken R Smith reports on a recent gathering in Germany orders Meeting, which includes Quakers from Jenny Helstrother, an economics lecturer and Germany, France, the Benelux countries, researcher, asked what do we mean by inequality? She Switzerland, Ireland and UK, was held in the then demonstrated by a series of graphs and charts that Byouth academy at Walberberg near Cologne on 7-9 inequality has its cost. Societies that suffer a great deal September. The subject for our gathering was: ‘The of inequality suffer more crime, greater ill health and Testimony of Equality.’ There is only one fundamental higher mortality rates, while those countries that are testimony for Quakers. There is that of God in all more equal are happier and more successful. persons; therefore, it is an inescapable truth that to Tony Weekes provided a succinct critique of God all peoples are equal. This belief has led Friends neoliberalism, which he defined, then unpacked some throughout the years to work for a more just society. of the terms and ideas. A new normal has been created Where do we stand today? – a diminishing share of national income going to Stefan Mann, our first speaker, talked on the subject those in employment, profits going to directors and ‘From Hierarchy to Equality’. Coming from a privileged shareholders, tax cuts going to those who do not need background, he said, made it hard for him to practise them, debt increasing and government spending less egalitarian ideals. Even when working for some time on the needs of the poor, leading to greater inequalities. in communist East Germany, here too he was regarded Phil Gaskell spoke about his experiences growing as a member of the elite. He thought that absolute up gay. We are brought up with expectations of life. equality in society could never be achieved, but that However, for some people such as him, life turns out we should work towards less inequality. Recalling to be totally different. He said: ‘Can you imagine what the experiences of his life, he realised he was ‘nicely it is like to grow up in a society that continually tells placed high up on the ladder of social hierarchy’. After you that you should not be the person that you know the talk, small groups were created to consider ten yourself to be?’ questions about aspects of inequality and equality. On Sunday morning Kurt Strauss gave his thoughts After hearing the discussion, we moved round to on the testimony of equality. He said: ‘If you believe, as another group that we were interested in. I do, that we are all children of God… Firstly, everyone In the afternoon, following an enjoyable walk in the is equally deserving of our respect. Secondly, everyone forest, then coffee and cake, we attended a selection of should be given the same opportunities. Thirdly, no workshops comprising altogether six speakers. one should be discriminated against… We should all Martin Touwen spoke on the spiritual roots of the love each of our fellows as we love ourselves.’ testimony of equality. Everyone has the capacity to be There were plenty of opportunities for social contact the vessel of God’s word. He quoted Quaker Quest: – at meal times, walks in the surrounding forest, an ‘No one is perfect, we are all incomplete, unfinished evening social, and the ‘equality bar’ where drinks for humans… we come to worship to grow in wholeness.’ all tastes were served. Andrew Lane and Kate McNally, from the Quaker Borders Meeting is fun and a good opportunity to Council for European Affairs (QCEA), led a racism meet Quakers from other European Yearly Meetings. awareness workshop. We shared experiences in pairs: This was my second Borders Meeting and it is good ‘We all know racism is bad. What if we are part of to see the people I met last year and to have friendly systems of injustice that we cannot see because they contact with Quakers I had not met before. At this have become so normal?’ time, when Britain is leaving the European Union, it Kajo Mentges spoke about poverty in Germany. is important that we maintain and renew our contacts Statistics showed that by 2015 not only the economic with Quakers and peoples of goodwill in Europe. power of Germany, but its poverty had increased as well. As wealth increases, so does poverty. Ken is from Craven and Keighley Area Meeting.
the Friend, 19 October 2018 13 Books
Glimpses of Eden
Rosalind Smith enjoys a celebration of the natural world Photo: reway2007 / flickr CC. / flickr Photo: reway2007
onathan Tulloch will be known to many, not only we can see the first stirrings of hawthorn which on for his novels, which have been serialised on BBC a ‘suddenly sunny day reveal daubs of red in the Radio 4, but also for the series of gentle, thought- swelling bud’. We need not wait for death to see Jprovoking passages he writes regularly in the ‘Nature ‘glimpses of Eden’: we are constantly assailed by them, Notebook’ in The Times and, probably more amongst because Eden, Heaven, is all around us, as many of Catholics, in The Tablet. Glimpses of Eden: Field notes the great mystics and poets have recognised though from the edge of eternity comprises a round-the-year the ages. Heaven is here and now and only needs our anthology taken from this column and so is divided inner stillness to become aware of it. But we do need into the seasons, starting with ‘Winter’. eyes to see and ears to hear these intimations of the There is wisdom in starting with that season because continuance of life; we do need to be open. he exhorts us not to go into it with any kind of Today, while it was pouring with rain, I was suddenly trepidation and dread, but rather to welcome it just as amazed by the depth of colour in some plants outside. we do the other times of the year. And because he does The good nourishment of the rain itself had brought start there we are immediately shown how we can truly out that intense colour. But I could easily have turned appreciate just what is out there, in the gardens, in the away from the window and grumbled about the ‘bad hedgerows and in the fields and streams. weather day’, thereby missing the experience of the We come with our eyes more open and ready to spiritual reality of those flowers. Oh, what a beautiful be amazed and exhilarated by sights such as the natural world we live in! murmurations of starlings against a winter sunset (a There is nothing overtly ‘religious’ in these writings, survival tactic against falcons apparently); gorse still in even though they appear in a Catholic publication, bloom (a plant abounding in rich folklore and which but there is a continual current of spirituality that will appeared so beautiful that ‘eighteenth century botanist appeal to many Quakers, and also to those who feel Carl Linnaeus fell to his knees and wept when he saw a they belong to no particular faith but who, perhaps heath of English gorse in full bloom’); and many birds unknowingly, are deeply aware of the Oneness of all from northern climates that fly in to spend the winter life, of all things. The passages are best read separately here, including fieldfares (from the Anglo-Saxon feldfere and thought about rather than straight through, better meaning ‘wayfarer through the fields’), waxwings in dipped into! Perhaps a lovely Christmas present for a search of rowan berries, and the beautiful whooper Friend? swans, also known as wild swans. Celtic mythology is rich with tales of their communication with man. Rosalind is from Bury St Edmunds Meeting. If we don’t live anywhere near places like these we can find things of beauty even in car parks, especially Glimpses of Eden: Field notes from the edge of eternity blackcaps feasting on mistletoe along the boundaries. by Jonathan Tulloch is published by Darton, Longman & Listen to their song! And towards the end of winter Todd Ltd at £14.99.
14 the Friend, 19 October 2018 Faith
On prayer
Susan Highwood considers the nature of prayer f someone asked: ‘Do Friends pray and, if so, why, waits patiently for us to invite him into our lives. We and how?’my answer would be: ‘Yes, they do pray.’ may think we are making the first move, but I think There are interesting, anonymous, contributions we are actually responding to his overtures to us. Ion this subject in the small booklet Twelve Quakers and Prayer produced by Quaker Quest. There are I’ve visited many churches and denominations – differing opinions regarding this practice. Some letters Methodist, Spiritualist, Anglican, Catholic, Unitarian to the Friend have focused on ‘reading during worship’, and now Quaker. This has not been mindless with some contributors being tolerant and others repetition but an important part of my spiritual less so. My own view is that if the reading matter is education. Sometimes it has taken courage to walk of a spiritual nature that is acceptable and not to be through a door not knowing what to expect. I hope frowned upon. Or am I missing something? I’ve gained a broad perspective and a balanced viewpoint. So, why pray? My background is Methodist and I’ve known about Jesus since early childhood. My Through reading articles in the religious press, prayer life began in adulthood. Attending a Spiritualist and books, I discovered The Churches’ Fellowship church I read the Church of England report on its for Psychical and Spiritual Studies, an ecumenical investigation of spiritualism, which said the committee group promoting the study of psychical and religious were unimpressed with answers received to the experience within a Christian context. It has been question: ‘Has your prayer life, your sense of God, my ‘spiritual home’ for more than forty years. Since been strengthened by your spiritualist experiences?’ attending Quaker Meetings I’ve also joined the Quaker The question kept going around and around in my Fellowship for Afterlife Studies. I have no shadow of mind. doubt that life continues after death. Years ago, the Spiritualist Church illuminated my understanding My prayer life was nonexistent and I wanted to do about the afterlife. something about it. I wanted to know Jesus as a real presence in my life. It was not enough to just know Today, many accounts of near-death or out of body about him. There is a big difference between these two experiences are confirming the same things. I pray by things. I’ve come to regard Jesus as my dearest friend ‘talking’ to Jesus through my mind and heart, using and that is now my answer to his question: ‘But who normal everyday language. I try to be sincere and do you say that I am?’ always try to examine my motives, thinking carefully about my request. ‘Listening’ is equally important My friendship with Jesus has taken years to develop and I need to pay more attention to this. Silence, and is still growing. I have had to learn how to trust in solitude, stilling the mind and body, quiet reflection, him. I believe in the power of prayer. I’ve experienced meditation, a mantra, slow yoga breaths, can all help answered prayer. When I’ve asked for help I’ve never with attentiveness. been let down. I feel as if I’m really being looked after. At times it makes me feel I’m pretty special to Prayer is an important part of my life and I use someone. That’s not meant to sound vain. I just have it every day, for myself and others. It has been a to tell it as it is. Don’t forget to say thank you when tremendous support during some of life’s challenging you receive help. moments. It’s a wonderful resource, to be treasured and valued. How do I pray? Initially I ‘asked’ Jesus to come into my life in a meaningful way. Each of us needs to take that step. Jesus does not impose himself upon us. He Susan is an attender at Hastings Meeting.
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Friends&Meetings Deaths Memorial meetings
Charles GARDNER 9 October, A Christine Lawson WRIGLEY peacefully. Husband of the late A Memorial Meeting to celebrate Outreach Doris, father of Richard, Peter, Christine’s life will be held at 3pm, Conference 2019 Angela and Jennie. Grandfather and Tuesday 23 October at Stockton great-grandfather. Member of House, Stockton Avenue, Fleet, Making Quakers well known Cardiff Meeting. Aged 91. GU51 4NS. www.stocktonhouse.co.uk and widely understood Celebration for his life, 2.45pm on Donations: Quaker Peace & Social Wednesday 24 October, Wenallt Witness. High Leigh Conference Centre, Room, Thornhill Crematorium, Herts. 15–17 February 2019 Cardiff followed by Woodland Burial. Diary An event for Quakers who are keen to reach out, and who want Betty SEAR (née Skipper) 5 October Member of Esher Meeting. Aged 94. HUMILITY IN SCIENCE: to help build dynamic, welcoming A BENEDICTINE ADVICE Quaker communities. Burial 11am Friday 2 November, Clandon Wood Nature Reserve and Led by Dr Marco Schorlemmer, This will be an inclusive event, Burial Ground (GU4 7FN), with a Saturday 10 November with all ages listening, worship- gathering there afterwards. Enquiries 10.30am–4pm. The Meditatio ping and taking action in the [email protected] Centre, London EC1R 1XX. Details same space – sometimes in and booking telephone 020 7278 large groups and sometimes in 2070 or email [email protected] smaller clusters. John WILSON 5 October, peacefully. Member of Guernsey Our objectives for the weekend Quaker Meeting and lay preacher of For how to place a notice are to enable those attending the Island Methodist Circuit. (irrespective of age, family status, Aged 84. on this page please email background, etc.) to: [email protected] or call • actively and creatively engage George on 01535 630230. Put all your family notices in the Friend! in outreach in their local area • learn the value of inclusion, and bring it to the attention of local and area meetings Friends Historical Society • be better equipped for outreach with a range of tools and ideas. William Penn Tercentenary Lecture We invite appointed people from Andrew R. Murphy area meetings. We also welcome Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University, New Jersey bookings from interested individ- To coincide with the tercentenary of Penn’s death and the publication of uals and those involved in his biography of the Quaker State-founder by Oxford University Press. Quaker groups or communities. 2pm Tuesday 13 November To reserve/book your place: Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 www.quaker.org.uk/events/ Lecture open to all, no booking required. The event will incorporate outreachconference2019 the annual general meeting of Friends Historical Society.
Swarthmore Lecture film and book now available The 2018 Swarthmore Lecture given at Britain Yearly Meeting by Chris Alton Changing ourselves, Changing the world is now available to watch online (fully subtitled) at: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/swarthmorelecture You can buy the book of the lecture in the Quaker Centre Bookshop or online at: www.quaker.org.uk/shop The Swarthmore Lecture is part of the work of Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Registered charity 313816.
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Classified advertisements YEALAND 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. T: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] MEETING where to stay OVERSEAS RETREATS GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make The Old School hostel is under- space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old going a major refurbishment farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers which will be completed by EDINBURGH. City centre accommodation at Emmaus House. Tel. 0131 228 1066. supportive, nurturing environment for Easter 2019. We now seek to fill www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: three posts. Applicants may Email: [email protected] meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic apply for more than one post. Scottish charity SC042957. activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com FRIEND IN RESIDENCE To provide a warm welcome to THE DELL HOUSE, MALVERN. Relaxing residential and day visitors. A B&B for individuals, couples and groups for sale & to let three-bedroom house is provided. (up to twenty). Vegetarian options. Perfect Start date Jan/Feb 2019. for walking, historic houses, gardens. FRESH SEA AIR! Retreat to sunny www.thedellhouse.co.uk / 01684 564448. Lowestoft! Furnished 2-bed semi. Modest BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT rental to cover costs. Flower garden, SUPPORT to manage and COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING piano, 12 minutes walk to beach. Now develop residential and day until Easter. Quakers, Gardeners, Writers, bookings for the Old School and Musicians, Campaigners welcome! Details the Meeting House. 5–6 hours a A WARM PEMBROKESHIRE WELCOME Ruth: [email protected] awaits you in 2 cosy well equipped week, can be worked flexibly. cottages each sleeps 4. Woodburners, WELLS, SOMERSET. Spacious 4/5-bed From Feb/March 2019. sea views, coastal path 2 miles. 01348 detached house on edge of delightful, his- 891286. [email protected] HOUSEKEEPER 6–7 hours per toric city, 15-minute level walk from cen- www.stonescottages.co.uk week from Easter 2019. tre. Small garden, lovely neighbours. Email Large kitchen/diner, conservatory, 3 CORNWALL, 14TH CENTURY COTTAGE reception (1 suitable for ensuite conver- [email protected] or overlooking sea. £200-240 pw. Short sion). Under £300,000. Please ring/text call 015395 92153 for details. breaks. www.wix.com/beryldestone/ downsizing Friend on 07902 318242 or Closing date: 9 November 2018. cornishcottage 0117 951 4384. 01749 676216. Interviews: 23 November.
Quakers in Britain Head of Witness & Worship Annual salary: £59,881 rising to £68,717. Location: Friends House, London. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 35 per week, with frequent evening and weekend work. Live adventurously! When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the greatest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community? Quakers in Britain are looking for a new Head of Witness & Worship to join our national organisation, Britain Yearly Meeting, from March 2019. This key senior leadership post is responsible for delivering a coherent programme of activities supporting Quaker witness and the spiritual life of Quaker meetings in Britain. We need someone with great people skills, adept at managing change and able to see the bigger picture and think strategically. You’ll have the ability to spot connections and opportunities across a wide range of work areas locally, nationally and internationally, and a commitment to working with Quakers, as well as for them. You’ll be bold and imaginative, passionate and grounded, and have a robust appetite for rigorous challenge and impact delivery. You’ll need resilience, determination and patience. You’ll be one of a management team of five responsible for the strategic management of a £10m-a-year organisation. You’ll be able to motivate and enable 13,000 Quakers across Britain to build thriving, growing, diverse worshipping communities and to put faith into action to create a sustainable and peaceful world. If this sounds like you, you’ll find more information about us and how to apply at: www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Closing date for applications: Thursday 1 November 2018, 5pm. Interviews: w/c 12 November 2018. Britain Yearly Meeting is committed to equality in all its employment practices. Registered charity no. 1127633.
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For details of advertising contact George Penaluna, address opposite. Woodbrooke wants to hear from you! We are currently looking at what we offer, and how and where we personal offer it. We would really value hearing about your experience and what you need and want from Woodbrooke learning. HOLIDAY HOUSE-SWAP? Friend to Friend? My charming two bed/two bath house in You can find our short survey (which takes 5-10 minutes to West London suburb for your home complete) here: www.woodbrooke.org.uk/survey during 2019. Anywhere considered but needs to be accessible by train. For details Please email [email protected] call 07743 715950. or call Simon Best on 0121 415 6769 if you have any notices questions about the survey. Registered charity 313816.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE AM JOURNALS PROJECT Our programme of sending past copies of professional journals/textbooks to universities in Africa has now closed. It is proposed to send any residual funds to a UK charity working with partners in Kenya assisting young people to access a High School/University education. Please send any query by Friday 16 November 2018 to: [email protected] miscellaneous
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