19 June 2015 £1.80 the discover the contemporaryFriend quaker way

Hope, love Labyrinth and faith the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 173 NO 25

3 Thought for the Week: Labyrinth Andy Stoller In silence which is active, the Inner Light begins to glow – a tiny spark. For the flame 4-5 News to be kindled and to grow, subtle argument 6-7 Meaning and purpose and the clamour of our emotions must Dorothy Buglass be stilled. It is by an attention full of love that we enable the Inner Light to blaze and 8-9 Letters illuminate our dwelling and to make of our whole being a source from which this Light 10-11 Hope, love and faith may shine out. Laurie Michaelis 12 Poem: Daisy Words must be purified in a redemptive silence if they are to bear the message of Brigid Sivill (Smith) peace. The right to speak is a call to the duty 13 Cinematic adventure of listening. Speech has no meaning unless John West there are attentive minds and silent hearts. Silence is the welcoming acceptance of the 14-15 Cultivating the seeds of peace other. The word born of silence must be John Lampen received in silence. 16 q-eye: a look at the Quaker world Pierre Lacout, 1969 17 Friends & Meetings Quaker faith & practice 2.12

Cover image: The labyrinth at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Photo: Hugo Finley. See page 3.

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2 the Friend, 19 June 2015 Thought for the Week

Labyrinth

have walked the labyrinth at Woodbrooke many times: it always teaches me something about my life and myself. I have vivid memories of my first encounter with it and the panic of getting totally lost – my childhood fear. IWould I ever get out? What if I took a wrong turn? It never occurred to me that I could just walk across it and be released – I felt so trapped! Since then there have been reflections on my life’s journey, the twists and turns, never quite ending up where you think you will. What if I had taken another path? Where would that have led? My shadow follows me. That, too, can be my dark side, conscience or God. I can’t see it behind me but know it is there. Sometimes it walks alongside and at other times it leads me. How significant is that throughout the years? I move from the outside towards the centre and that feeling of achievement when you stand in the central circle in the Light, the sun shining down. Then the return journey, comforted by knowing you have been somewhere special. On the return path I am aware of the sounds around me, from the birds singing to the distant hum of traffic on the main road, reminding me that the ‘real world’ is not far away. Someone is in trouble as a siren wails by, and I hold a thought for that unknown situation. Life is always precarious and you never know what is around the corner, good or bad. It can change in seconds. The scene constantly changes as I wind my way through. The sight of the nearby lake, then a turn towards the white Woodbrooke building itself, the majestic trees at that particular season, in leaf or bare. Then the open grass and meadowland. Life, too, is forever changing and never stands still. I observe a shining dewdrop on a blade of grass, the tiniest buttercup and other wildflowers below my feet. I feel the grass cushioned under my shoes. At other times I feel the cool grass under my bare feet. The sky is sometimes blue dotted with puff-ball clouds that I watch drift by; on occasions it is grey and silver. Not for me, yet, walking in the rain – but that, too, would bring its own revelations. Time to slow down and notice and appreciate the smallest things in life. It feels as though this is my life in microcosm – a blessing to have the opportunity to reflect and learn on my journey, stepping slowly through the labyrinth in twenty minutes.

Andy Stoller Hampshire & Islands Area Meeting

the Friend, 19 June 2015 3 News From tiny acorns Peace activists in Edinburgh opponents of wars which would West Princes Street Gardens hope to commemorate conscien- henceforth provide a public focus would be ideal, he said. It is hoped tious objectors with an oak tree and for those who wish to gather that the memorial can be in place a plaque. to remember all those, past or before the early 2016 centenary of A 453-signature-strong petition present, refusing to participate in the act that introduced conscription, in favour of a memorial was taken or opposing wars.’ the Military Service Act. to the Petitions Committee of It was presented to the council The memorial project was the City of Edinburgh Council by Andrew Farrar of Central spearheaded by the Edinburgh earlier this month. Approval was Edinburgh Meeting (representing Peace and Justice Centre, unanimous. South East Scotland Area Meeting) but eleven organisations are The petition said: ‘With the and Brian Larkin, Edinburgh Peace represented on the committee. centenary of the first world war, and Justice Centre coordinator. Among them are Edinburgh there is a feeling that there should Andrew told the Friend that the Quakers, the Muslim Women’s be a memorial in Scotland’s capital next stage is to find a suitable place Association of Edinburgh and the city to conscientious objectors and for the memorial. Iona Community. Ugandan orphan inspires Leighton Park students

Ugandan Nelly Aleto recently left her home Students have raised funds for a number of projects, country for the first time to visit Leighton Park School, among them the construction of a water tank in a where she spoke to students from year seven to year school in Jinja. thirteen. Nelly grew up at Son Rise, an orphanage set up by the Jinja Educational Trust, in Jinja, eastern Uganda. She is in her twenties and now works full time with the trust, focusing on educational projects and helping teach children from surrounding villages. She spoke to Leighton Park students who were considering visiting Uganda as part of the next sixth form Africa trip. ‘You will come to the home and the school and meet the children who are very excited to meet new people. Even the little things that you may not think are important can change a child’s life,’ she said. Her visit to the Quaker school in Berkshire was part of an

ongoing commitment to Africa. School. Park Photo courtesy of Leighton Armenian welcome for the WCC The hundredth anniversary of the international community, the WCC’s member Armenian genocide has been maked by the World churches and all people of faith and good will to Council of Churches (WCC). remembrance, and to re-commit to the prevention of Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic genocide and all crimes against humanity.’ Orthodox Church, welcomed the executive committee The Religious Society of Friends is a member of the WCC to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the WCC, for whom they run the Ecumenical last week. Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel The committee met in Armenia from 7-12 June. (EAPPI). Its UK and Ireland activities are coordinated While there, they attended a public service of by Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW). remembrance in Yerevan. WCC moderator Agnes Abuom read a statement Have you or your Meeting taken part in Refugee from her group at the service. Week? If so, tell the Friend: [email protected] She said: ‘In this centenary year, we call the

4 the Friend, 19 June 2015 reported by Tara Craig [email protected] TTIP vote postponed Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) must from across the political spectrum, were extremely wait for their chance to influence the direction of disappointed to hear that today’s vote in parliament the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership was to be postponed. Our chance to present the (TTIP), after the planned 10 June vote was postponed. Commission with a mandate developed via proper A new date has yet to be announced. democratic process will not be granted to us today [10 TTIP is a proposed trade agreement between the June]’. European Union and the United States. Supporters She added that the fight is not over, and ‘more work argue that it would lead to multilateral economic must be done to achieve consensus across a broad growth. Opponents are concerned that it would bolster political spectrum’. corporate power and put the NHS at risk. Jude delivered the Salter Lecture at Yearly Meeting Jude Kirton-Darling, a Quaker and Labour MEP 2015. The subject was ‘Trade deals: realistic concerns for the North East, said: ‘We, with no doubt MEPs or rabble-rousing?’ (see the Friend, 8 May.) Quakers join Belfast rally Friends join Flashmob for peace Friends from the north and south of Ireland Quakers were among some fifty people who took part took part in a rally in support of same-sex marriage in a ‘Flashmob for Peace’ in Manchester on 4 June. held in the centre of Belfast on Saturday 13 June. The group met outside the Central Library, in St The rally was organised by The Rainbow Project, Peter’s Square. Amnesty International and the Irish Congress of The event, organised by the Manchester Buddhist Trade Unions. An estimated 20,000 people took Centre, highlighted the need to re-establish a Peace part in the event, which called for the legislation of Garden in the city centre. The original garden was marriage for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland. removed when a second city centre tram line was built. The rally was organised in the wake of the ‘The half-hour meditation attracted a lot of interest from referendum decision in the Republic of Ireland to passersby on their way home from work. legalise same-sex marriage. It was one The Northern Ireland Assembly has debated the of a series of issue of same-sex marriage four times and each events as we time it has been rejected. negotiate with the city council Mental health in Newcastle to relocate the Messenger Good mental health was on the agenda of Peace and recently in Newcastle. other statues, Eighteen Friends gathered on 13 June for a plaques and workshop where they looked at ‘how to build, create trees,’ organiser and sustain a positive mental health community’ in Steve Roman their Meeting. informed the

Friends heard personal experiences of mental Friend. Flashmob Photo courtesy of Manchester Peace. for illness from both the sufferer’s and the carer’s perspective. They discussed what they might do Birthday celebration for Faslane to build relationships and community, and how to develop the confidence needed to provide a safe and Faslane Peace Camp turned thirty-three on welcoming place to invite people into. Friday 12 June. ‘There was a real cross section of our Meeting The peace camp has continuously present, all of whom engaged in different aspects of occupied several sites alongside Faslane Naval base our discussions. There was a real desire to consider in Argyll and Bute in Scotland since 1982. The ways of further supporting Friends with mental campaigners’ priority is to interrupt work at the health issues and those in distress,’ organiser Lesley base and disrupt the road transportation of nuclear Freeman told the Friend. warheads. The workshop was led by Jane Muers, Peter Allen- Friends from across Britain and Ireland have Williams and Ruth Allen-Williams of the Quaker participated in nonviolent protest at Faslane since Life Network Mental Health in Meetings Cluster. 1982.

the Friend, 19 June 2015 5 Report

Meaning and purpose

Meaning, itself, is a word full of difficulties and nuances, often implying something hidden, which has to be sought.

Dorothy Buglass reports on the recent Quaker Universalist Group conference

ver sixty participants attended the Quaker and duty, while the Tao promotes the idea of living in Universalist Group (QUG) annual conference, harmony with the natural world. which was held at the Woodbrooke Quaker OStudy Centre in Birmingham between 15-17 May. Five Humanity is in a dark valley between speakers addressed the theme of meaning and purpose fundamentalism and secularism from different angles. Saturday brought us three speakers. The first was a Sufi. Tony Philpott, known to many of us from his book Justine Huxley spoke without a script, from the heart, From Christian to Quaker: A spiritual journey from and recounted something of her own history. Story and evangelical Christian to universalist Quaker, spoke meaning are intertwined and hers was told from a Sufi on Friday evening. Meaning, itself, is a word full of perspective. Although brought up by nonbelievers she difficulties and nuances, often implying something was always searching. Having no baggage, she sampled hidden, which has to be sought. He quoted four a variety of religions but in India she had a religious definitions from Chambers Dictionary and asked experience at a Sufi shrine and within a few months us to consider where we stood in relation to six converted to Islamic Sufism in Istanbul. Two years later polarities, including that of ‘having one worldview’ to she met another teacher and exchanged Islamic Sufism ‘accepting the multiplicity’ of the universalist position for Universalist Sufism. and the dimension of ‘a grand meaning’ to ‘no grand meaning’. For Justine, Sufism has two strands that give her life meaning. The first is the practice of silence – Tony’s own journey moved from his time as an she belongs to the ‘silent Sufis’ – and in the silence evangelical entirely sure of his God and belief in eternal undertakes an inner journey to ‘truth’ which is a realm life – a grand meaning – to his present position, in beyond the limitations of the ego. The second strand which he draws meaning from the richness of all is service. Justine works for St Ethelburga’s Centre for experience, love and companionship, music and nature. Reconciliation and Peace in London. We face huge He also told us something of the religions he had met challenges and ecological crises. We need a new global on the way. Confucianism, for example, finds meaning story, which recognises the interconnectedness of all in community, with the emphasis on relationships things and the sacredness of the earth.

6 the Friend, 19 June 2015 Daily Life is sufficient Reality is One

The next speaker, Udayan Chakrabarti, was a Buddhist The speakers gave us much food for thought to take to and a psychiatrist. Once again the importance of story our base groups. On Sunday morning our final speaker, was emphasised. All religions use stories and myths and Eleanor Nesbitt, an academic from the field of religious these are retained because they serve humanity. Udayan studies and education, had the task of telling us about told us how he had wanted to be a Zen monk and go on Hinduism and Sikhism while also drawing together retreat but his teacher pointed out that he was married the varied strands of the earlier talks. Eleanor resisted with small children. That was where his practice should the idea of an absence of meaning and looked into the be based. linguistic aspects of the word. One of the ‘meanings of meaning’ is ‘what I want my life to say’. Think, for Working with the little things can enable us to cut example, of translating the verb to mean into French the stream of thought. Although it is dangerous to be – vouloir dire – to wish to say. The Hindu tradition entrenched in any one tradition and all paths can lead equates meaning with the goals of life, passing through up the mountain, it is, nevertheless, important to find desire, material wellbeing and righteousness to eventual a suitable path and be part of a group or have a teacher. liberation. The Sikh religion emphasises the importance of balance, the worldly and the spiritual, the saint and The Buddhist practice of Mindfulness is currently the warrior. popular in therapeutic circles. However, he felt that this often omits the necessary element of humility. Common elements for all speakers were the The student should bow to his guru or to the divine. importance of community and/or having a teacher, the Service is also important. A good Buddhist forgets he is importance of story (as a guide, not as a straitjacket), a Buddhist in the service of humanity. the importance of compassion which leads to service for others and the importance of ordinary living. Christian qualities are more important than Christian dogma. Pilgrimage is a frequent theme in many religions. The core message is love. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, suggested that the pilgrimage is within. Eleanor noted that in times gone Michael Wright, our third speaker, is a Quaker and by the Earth could be taken for granted but today we currently clerk of the Nontheist Friends Network. He must consider our current environmental crisis. What said that the concepts of meaning and purpose were do religions imply about the Earth and how we should not ones on which he spent much time and he did not treat it? have a destiny to fulfil. He, too, told us something of his own religious journey from a nonreligious, but socially Does it matter who committed, family to the Anglican Church in which he turned the light on? served for many years as a priest. For many members, the QUG conference is one of the Despite the religious experiences of his early days, his highlights of the year and 2015 was both well attended understanding of God changed and he came to view and inspirational. Our thanks go to the organisers and religion as a purely human construct. We now have to Woodbrooke for the range of material and smooth natural explanations of the things that religion used to running of events. Windows were opened for us on explain. He warms to the teaching of Jesus but sees the many religions, showing colourful differences and with Bible as myth, not history. similar themes surfacing time and again. This was not just as an academic exercise but a picture of how Michael no longer accepts the personal God of his people try to live their lives. In final ministry one of the earlier days and although he would not wish to interfere participants said: ‘Does it matter who turned the light with the faith of those people who need to feel they talk on? We see things from our own angle but we respect to God this is no longer so for him. the perspectives of others.’

He does, however, practise an awareness of Awe, Dorothy is a member of South East Scotland Area Concerns, Thankfulness and Self-examination (ACTS) Meeting. that provides the basis for his pastoral care and service to others. Community is important. There is no divine All of the talks will appear in the next issue of The purpose, but compassionate living is all-important for Universalist, the journal of the Quaker Universalist a fulfilling life. Group. Available by emailing: [email protected]

the Friend, 19 June 2015 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Seeds of peace Friends try to conduct their lives. John Lampen’s article (12 June) is compelling testimony. Vocal ministry has nothing to do with assertions, He points out that conciliation ‘used to be a major imaginations, personal views or opinions about the strand in Quaker peace witness’. He shares unease that state of the world and what we must do about it. peacemaking, today, ‘has developed into a profession The spoken words in Meeting for Worship that with its own career paths’, while Friends ‘have developed strengthen me and lift me up seem to come from a other priorities’. Classic Quaker mediation, he reminds deep place in the one who speaks, arising out of the us, was grounded in ‘this odd belief in that of God experience itself and holding associations weightier in every person’. He concludes: ‘Can we happily leave than the speaker could possibly know. Such ministry is conciliation to the new experts, or is there still a unique beyond personality and may not be said to be owned contribution for Friends to make?’ by a single person. It speaks through the one who Such a burning question runs right through our ministers but, in a mysterious way, seems to speak for Religious Society. For the past eighteen years, I have us all. The hearer alone has the right to claim that such lectured on advanced military training courses, both words come from a divine source, from the Spirit, God. at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, This is the central purpose of our gatherings for Shrivenham, and elsewhere. Astonishingly, I get worship, to hear of such transforming encounters invited back year after year and have now been and to seek a similar sense of Presence in the living granted opportunities to put the case for nonviolence stillness of a deeply gathered Quaker Meeting. to an entire generation of senior military leadership, Peter D Leeming some 6,000 officers, including students from some Kendal & Sedbergh Area Meeting eighty other nations with which Britain has had military training alliances. Letters and death row I need to underscore that such odd openings of the With reference to the article by Mandy Lawrence way are not kept energised by teaching nonviolence about Human Writes (12 June), I am concerned that in a secular way, mainly as ‘a pragmatic choice’ (to there may be some confusion among Friends about quote Gene Sharp). The military can trump most of the organisations in this country that correspond with us at ‘pragmatism’! Rather, such traction comes from a prisoners on death row in the US. place that lies beyond individuality. It comes, oft-times The first such organisation was LifeLines, which I uncomfortably, from quaking and beseeching in God’s founded in 1988 with considerable Quaker support. power. The Friend, for example, ran a number of articles in The wider implications for the directions of 1989 and 1990, as a result of which many Friends Quakerism today exceed the scope of this brief missive. began corresponding. Friends played a prominent part Alastair McIntosh in getting the organisation off the ground: indeed, it Glasgow Meeting, Scotland was only because of the Quaker input that LifeLines came into being. Vocal ministry Apart from the fact that LifeLines would not It was affirming to read (12 June) that I am not alone in campaign but would concentrate solely on friendship experiencing physical sensations prior to ministering. and support through letter writing, one other principle For me, it comes as a thunderous beating of my about which we were clear from the outset was that heart, which I can ignore at my peril; if I don’t stand romantic involvement, while perhaps inevitable, was and speak, it will subside, but come back again and not to be encouraged. It was over the issue of romantic again until I do. involvement that Human Writes, a completely separate It is not quite quaking, but internally it feels like it. organisation, came to be formed in 2001. It was set I wonder how many others experience this? up by two people involved, at the time, in Lifelines. Maureen Rowcliffe-Quarry We were not informed in advance. Since then the two Gloucestershire Area Meeting organisations have gone their separate ways. While it is only to be welcomed that people Nowadays it is, indeed, unlikely that any British correspond with prisoners in such a parlous situation, Friend would assert that the words that come from through whatever channel, I am concerned that given his or her mouth are the words of Almighty God. the long-standing Quaker involvement in this area, But I have often heard Friends speak in Meeting of a Friends may find their way to Human Writes thinking powerful experience, a sense of encounter that chimes that it is, in fact, LifeLines. I know that this has with the reports of countless Quakers before them. I happened on several occasions already. have also often noted the strong connection between Jan Arriens such personal reports and the manner in which those [email protected]

8 the Friend, 19 June 2015 [email protected]

King Canute’s daughter has been running for over twenty years and, as For the story ‘King Canute’s daughter’ (12 June) I Raymond Mgadzah (30 January) pointed out, the real thank Ernest Hall. answer is to improve the energy efficiency of housing. Events passed on orally (like the early Gospels) or In her letter on taxation (29 May) Sue Holden in writing (for example, the Dead Sea Scrolls) from points out that we are each paying, on average, £81 per hundreds of years ago are often not believed. Perhaps month in taxation to pay the interest on the money this is because we see Truth as being related to just borrowed by the government to bail out the banks. chronological time – our own ‘here and now’. As Multiplying this up gives a total of £60 billion per Quakers with an experiential faith, we tend to dismiss annum for the country as a whole. what might be dogma from the early church fathers. The cost of bringing Britain’s approximately six However, as spiritual beings, listening and discerning million pre-1918 homes up to modern standards of under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can also insulation is, coincidentally, likely also to be around believe events that take place in eternal time. We receive £60 billion – one year’s interest on the bank bailout. stories about the ‘Beforelife’ or the ‘Afterlife’ from those The misery of fuel poverty is yet another example of who come back from a near death experience. Or, we the havoc wrought by our current banking system and ‘hear’ from those souls already passed-over into heaven the rip off by the banking industry. as they communicate with us via telepathy or automatic Michael Woolliscroft writing and in many other ways. Sheringham Meeting, Norfolk Some of us also ‘receive’ premonitions/precognitions. Such future events seem to be ‘sent’ so that we can Radical reformation prevent them by doing distant healing. (Friends Thank you Richard Thompson (5 June) for telling us Fellowship of Healing and the Quaker Fellowship for of your local group’s ‘creative experience.’ We, too, Afterlife Studies can give more information.) find ‘a deep friendship and a continuity’ in our regular If we deny these possibilities and opportunities, we midday Friday Meeting. We start with half an hour of miss out on a wealth of material – Truths – that the worship, then enjoy a cuppa and our own sandwiches Holy Spirit is ‘giving’ us. Our experiential faith can and follow this with a forty-five minute ‘led’ discussion. include spiritual/psychic/numinous experiences as well We began as ‘outreach’ about twelve years ago. as down-to-earth ones. As incarnations (spiritual beings About eighteen people come, mostly different from in a human body on Earth) we also need to be ‘in tune’ Sunday. They come from other churches, faiths and with our eternal heavenly home. The ‘veil is often thin’ no-faith. Some need public transport and could not for making and receiving contact. come on Sundays. We are a motley crew but over Elizabeth M Angas the years we have built up friendship, trust and lively Blackheath Meeting, London enquiring minds. One has become a member. Is this a unique idea? Grieving Jill Allum Judy Clinton wrote an article on ‘Grieving’ (5 June). Beccles Meeting, Suffolk My dear wife, Marianne, died in hospital in November 2013 after 18 months in a care home. Before that, I was her carer at home for 7 or 8 years with her In essentials unity, slowly increasing Alzheimer’s. We were a devoted in non-essentials liberty, couple, as emotionally attached as any couple you in all things charity. might know, for 44 years and never had a row. When she went into the care home, with no possibility of coming home, I wept tears two or three times, but at least I could go and visit her. Since she died, I have not The Friend welcomes your views. wept a single tear, but I find it extraordinarily difficult. Why can I see her only in photographs? Will I ever see Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). her again? I am not remotely suicidal, but I wonder Please include your full postal address, even what I am doing continuing to live without her. when sending emails, and specify whether you Tim Brown wish for your postal or email address or Meeting 33 Windsor Road, Cambridge CB4 3JJ name to be used with your name. Fuel Poverty Letters are published at the editor’s discretion One can but applaud the fuel bank scheme to mitigate and may be edited. fuel poverty (5 June), but the Right to Fuel Campaign

the Friend, 19 June 2015 9 Sustainability

Hope, love and faith Melting snow in the arctic. Photo: Stuart Yates. in the arctic. Photo: Stuart Melting snow

Laurie Michaelis reflects on a productive week at the climate negotiations in Bonn

ttending the climate negotiations in Bonn last greenhouse emissions beyond 2020 and to adapt to week reminded me a little of a residential Britain climate change. It covers financial and technological Yearly Meeting (BYM). There were a couple of support between countries for mitigation (emission Athousand people, a busy schedule of plenary sessions reduction) and adaptation. It also addresses financial and side events, surprise encounters with familiar faces, support for people and communities who have suffered chats on the grass in the summer sun and young people ‘loss and damage’ because of climate change. And it doing creative, noisy things to encourage bolder action. provides for monitoring, review and verification of It was also very different from BYM. The discussions national actions under the Convention. were highly technical and political. The ‘getting to The text contains options in square brackets for each know one another in the things that are eternal’ was of its many clauses. Each version is preferred by one mainly among allies. Quaker discipline involves sitting country, or group of countries. In one paragraph in the lightly to our own positions and reaching for the truth section on adaptation there are thirteen options. in others’ contributions as we seek unity. Climate negotiators have little flexibility. Their positions are set Global warming limits at home and hemmed in by the priorities and interests that shape any government’s policies. The UNFCCC, adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, commits its signatories to preventing ‘dangerous Lead-up to Twenty-first Conference anthropogenic interference with the climate system’. Governments have agreed that global warming must The talks in Bonn were part of the lead-up to the Twenty- not exceed 2°C, although some countries vulnerable first Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework to climate impacts are insisting on 1.5°C. In any case Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled greenhouse gas emissions must fall sharply, approaching for November in Paris. Governments have been working zero around the middle of this century. Governments towards a new agreement that is to be legally binding have been setting out their intended contributions for all Parties. In February this year they contributed towards the global goal but proposals so far would cut to a ninety-page negotiating text. This document was emissions at about half the rate that is really needed. the focus in Bonn. Further meetings are to be held in Although there is frustration at the slow pace of the August and October. negotiations, regular observers found the atmosphere The draft material addresses action to reduce global much more positive than in previous rounds. A lack of

10 the Friend, 19 June 2015 trust has permeated the process. Normally, one might adaptation and damage compensation. Industrialised- have expected the UNFCCC secretariat or negotiation country delegates want to avoid any framework that co-chairs to streamline the negotiating text, making it makes them legally responsible for the damages caused easier for the governments to make decisions together. by their historical emissions. As rich countries delay But, in the past, chairs have sometimes forced through emission reductions, developing countries – especially decisions, overruling dissenting countries. There has those with large coal and oil reserves – see global been suspicion that views will not be taken into account, emission constraints shutting off their path to economic and some countries are arguing for greater formality in growth. the UNFCCC’s decision-making rules. On current emission trends the world is heading for The co-chairs this time adopted a new approach – warming of at least 4°C this century, while evidence is assigning pairs of facilitators to hold discussions on growing that a 2°C rise would still be dangerous. The each section of the text. With hundreds of delegates 0.8°C warming that has already occurred has increased working on these sections on-screen, little progress was extreme weather, cost lives, wrecked harvests and made made. In some instances it was possible to reduce the people homeless. Climate change has been blamed for number of words – in others new material was added. political instability in the Middle East and for some of But by the end of the meeting negotiators agreed to the growth in international migration. entrust the co-chairs with producing a streamlined document for their next round of talks in August. Worse can be expected

Most important questions We can expect worse. The New Scientist (13 June 2015) reviewed studies of melting ice sheets to estimate that The talks began, and ended, with everything for Paris warming so far has committed the world to five metres still up in the air. Among the most important questions of sea level rise in the coming centuries. We will soon be are whether the new agreement will stick with a 2°C committed to twenty metres unless emission reductions warming limit or aim for 1.5°C, whether countries will are deeper and faster than current commitments. try to cut emissions fast enough and how fairness will And yet, nothing is certain. Renewable energy is be achieved in their commitments. Ideally, there would rapidly out-competing fossil fuels. People’s attitudes and be provision to achieve faster cuts if new science shows behaviour globally could transform as the impact of they are needed. There are also financial questions: climate change becomes more evident. will industrialised countries commit sufficient funds The negotiators have limited power to control world to support developing countries in their mitigation and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, politicians can show adaptation efforts? Who will pay for ‘loss and damage’… leadership and shift the framing of the debate. Outside and how? the negotiations we heard about the G7 commitment There is a huge tangle of interests. Perhaps the central to phase out fossil fuels by the end of the century. This block to real progress has been that world leaders are week’s papal encyclical promises to pose a forthright afraid to abandon fossil fuels. There are many reasons moral challenge to the way fossil fuel interests prop up for this, including the industry role in political funding, the world’s economic and political powers. the close social connection between government and I met delegates in Bonn who have been working on business elites, a belief that economic growth depends the negotiations since the 1990s. This community of on fossil fuels and a real fear that the changes will be dialogue about climate change may seem to make glacial unpopular with electorates. That fear is well-founded: progress, but it keeps channels of communication open remember the backlash in 1997 Britain when the newly and it is slowly working out some of the complex issues. elected Labour government promised a continuing It is the focal point of a conversation about transforming increase in road fuel duty? And we have a real ongoing our civilisation, so it is not surprising that conflicts are debate about home energy prices, fracking and support visible. Meanwhile, there is a growing sense of hope, for renewables and nuclear power. and even some love and compassion visible just beneath the surface. Above all, there is faith. Perhaps that is what Ultimate collective challenge we need most.

Climate change is the ultimate collective challenge. Laurie is environment correspondent of the Friend. Everyone is responsible to some degree; everyone is part of the solution. There will be further reports on the work of the Quaker Much of the tension in the negotiations relates to UN Office and other ways Friends are engaging in the the sharing of responsibility – for historical emissions, lead-up to the major climate change conference in Paris for future reductions and for the costs of mitigation, this autumn.

the Friend, 19 June 2015 11 Poetry

Daisy

Daisy comes to Meeting, greets us as she enters with a throaty wruff, lifts her big body round to nose each person, fur softer than silk, eyes wet with doggy love. We sit in our silent circle. Daisy stretches out along the floor, claws click, she harumphs down towards a kind of sleep. When looked at, or a foot moves, her scimitar shaped eyes open, bead us with their look. Sighing, she licks a paw, likes better lifting her leg and licking more, settles. Now her head with ears flattened and nose along the floor is like a mountain fox, pinpoints under whisker. We gather round her silence, her Zen breathing, in, out. Undisturbed by stress or speculation she lets go easily and we sail into the calm on the lee of her smooth body, her furry tail. With a last, gentle sigh she breathes us out of the light into the everyday.

Brigid Sivill (Smith)

This poem is about my Meeting in France. We are a tiny group of ‘house’ Meeting worshippers. Seven to nine sometimes meet fortnightly. Two new people have joined us recently. We are all ex-pats who have retired to the beauty and peace of rural Normandy. Now and then we are joined by a family from Caen who are French/Israeli. Sometimes we have had four dogs and a cat joining us for lunch but Daisy is our regular worshipper. We grew out of the Meeting in Brittany of the late George Dobinson and grow slowly. We link with France Yearly Meeting. (I previously attended both Harlow and Colombo Meetings.)

12 the Friend, 19 June 2015 Outreach Cinematic adventure

How can Friends exploit the untapped potential of Meeting houses? John West suggests a cinematic solution

uakers have been less than successful in required to pay rates for occasional entertainment growing their Meetings. Membership is steadily use. A license from the distributors to exhibit a film declining. However, modern communications is essential and costs in the region of £96 to £150 Qmay help. per screening. Exhibitors are expected to buy their When our Local Meeting in Barnt Green own Blu-ray discs, as physical ‘films’ are no longer decided that the old portable tripod screen needed supplied by the distributors. replacing thoughts moved on to whether buying a The Community Cinema movement has been a great digital projector was a good investment. The cost of success. Community halls up and down the country a good digital movie projector – one that can still offer interesting and recent films. Gone are the days show computer ‘slides’ – is anywhere between £600 when a 16mm projector whirred in the middle of a for a domestic projector to £5,000 for one capable of hall with a small wobbly screen and distorted sound showing Blu-ray pictures on a big screen. at the far end. Today presentations are expected to be We only use a projector for Area Meeting once every of cinema quality, with excellent digital pictures, 5.1 two years and for the odd lecture; so, the expenditure Dolby stereophonic sound and a big, wide screen. of over £1,000 seemed imprudent. A casual remark, Barnt Green Meeting has benefitted from however, prompted what has turned out to be a having study groups one evening a month, so we fascinating adventure. This was the suggestion that the can get to know each other and discuss our spiritual only way we could justify spending that sort of money journeys. Having a shared activity that also involves would be if we had a Community Cinema event on the the public is worth doing. Too often our Meeting premises once a month, as this would attract public houses are under used. The precedent has been set by funding of many thousands of pounds. Surprisingly, the Methodists, who had full cinema equipment in a this idea produced an enthusiastic response from church in south London in the 1930s. There are several our newer Friends and attenders. The opportunity to churches that house film and live events presently and make a Meeting house the centre of activities in a the numbers are growing. If Meetings are to survive, small town or village, it was felt, could make all the involving the local community is very important. difference in making Friends seem more approachable, Having both entertainment and educational events and contribute towards outreach. in the Meeting house is fun; it binds relationships and There seemed many benefits: having top quality shows that Quakers are not ‘narrow-minded sour- audiovisual equipment in the Meeting house would pusses’ who believe that they are ‘holier than thou’. make it more useful for hirers; having the equipment Quakers have long been involved with the arts, and to present Quaker films and those of concern to the fact that the film The Life of Brian was shown Friends would be to the advantage of our outreach at Yearly Meeting Gathering also proves that they have programme (Friends House, Euston, Bull Street a sense of humour. The Bible tells us not to hide our Meeting House, Birmingham and Cotterage Meeting light ‘under a bushel’. House all have digital projection equipment installed); and bringing the community together once a month for John is a member of Barnt Green and Redditch a screening of a film programme brings in the public, Meeting. He is also a member of the BAFTA, BFI and and helps Friends to be seen as more open and the British Film Designers Guild. Meeting house as more welcoming. We discovered that being a place of worship exempted Further information: us from needing a Cinematograph License or http://cinemaforall.org.uk; http://bit.ly/ICOfilmclub an Entertainment License and that we would not be http://bit.ly/BFINeighbourhoodCinema

the Friend, 19 June 2015 13 Peace

Cultivating the seeds of peace

In the second of two articles John Lampen asks how Friends can work to reduce

Photo courtesy of John Lampen. Photo courtesy of John a climate of violence

n 1989, as mounting disorder signalled the This asserts that political initiatives for a peaceful approaching end of the Soviet Union, the Soviet society depend on public attitudes, formed by our Peace Committee invited Quaker Peace & Service personal experiences. Children whose childhood is I(QPS) to send a team of Friends to discuss peacekeeping abusive often become violent adults, turning either to responses. Sue Williams and I made a presentation on crime or radical groups. Violence at the top of society Northern Ireland, describing how local community fosters a culture of violence in everyday life, and this in groups, unofficial peace projects, women’s groups, turn legitimises inhumane government policy. Negative churches and schools (what is now termed ‘civil society’) attitudes are revealed not only in crime rates but also all contributed to a reduction in prejudice, an increase in the violent thinking that calls for cruel treatment of of mutual understanding and a growing demand for ‘scroungers’, ‘yobs’ and ‘bogus asylum seekers’, long and peace, despite the failure of political initiatives. harsh prison sentences and the death penalty. Opposing Our hosts were incredulous: ‘Everyone knows that each of these demands has been part of our Quaker political problems need political solutions – and you witness to nonviolence. talk to us about working with women and children!’ I am involved with a community network in Kasese However, they were interested enough to send a District in Western Uganda, called Rwenzori Peace delegation to Northern Ireland which visited some of Bridge of Reconciliation (RPBR), which I visit every these programmes. In Londonderry/Derry we brought year. It links about fifty village organisations, trains together Catholic and Protestant children in a ‘peace community mediators and legal advice workers in each workshop’, which they watched with an interpreter on of them and acts as intermediary in major community closed-circuit television. They were so impressed that disputes. It liaises with police and administrators, this was one of the three approaches that they invited provides a fortnightly radio broadcast on positive Quakers to come and introduce in the Caucasus region. conflict handling, and runs the one public library in the district. It also works with young people, setting up Nonviolent change and advising school peace clubs and clubs for girls not in school. The work of ‘unofficial’ bodies in South Africa, Northern Two years ago we were concerned about rising Ireland, Guatemala, Eastern Europe and elsewhere in levels of violence in the district, and the fear that the the 1980s and 1990s in supporting nonviolent change presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 2016 led to the concept of ‘a culture of peace’ which has been would not be peaceful. So, we decided on a three-year taken up by UNESCO. programme to build our own culture of peace. We

14 the Friend, 19 June 2015 were lucky to secure enough funds from three trusts applied to join RPBR, compared to six in the previous and some individual donors for our modest budget of three years; and twenty-two cases were brought to us, around £7,000 a year, and a separate grant to have the compared to twenty-seven in the whole of the previous programme evaluated. year. When I walk up the mountains to a village, I have twice been told: ‘You are the first white person who was A culture of peace ever here – but we heard you on the radio last Sunday!’ Ugandan school students frequently strike, often I want to focus on this example to show how a culture for genuine grievances like bad food or teacher of peace can be fostered by addressing violence at every misbehaviour; but there is a bad tradition of the strikes level from the family to the state – including policing turning violent and school property being destroyed. and the electoral process. Whenever I join the RPBR The leaders, usually the most promising students, are team giving training in a village the most frequent always expelled. We train our school peace clubs in subject of concern is domestic violence. Staff-member alternative dispute resolution so they can be mediators Baluku Jimmy is in the middle of a law degree course, between the head-teacher and the rebels. so he explains the Ugandan constitution and human The success of this work was shown recently when a rights laws. If I am asked to contribute, I take a baby body of students, instead of becoming violent, walked and ask if she has rights, what they are, and who will peacefully out of the school towards the District protect them? ‘The parents, of course.’ ‘What if it is Education Office. The head-teacher hastily sent a the parents themselves who are abusing this child’s teacher after them offering to negotiate. We have also rights?’ And so we look at the relation between parental trained police on how to act as mediators if called to a authority and violence to children. I often end with the strike instead of as the head-teacher’s ‘strong arm’. African saying: ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child’. RPBR is planning a conference with the local branch of Turning the Tide Save the Children, to be held in October, on domestic violence. As the elections approach, we are working in several Long ago we trained ‘peace monitors’ (community ways. We brought a Turning the Tide team from Kenya mediators) in our village groups, so refresher trainings (originally trained by QPSW staff) to teach our village are an important part of the programme. Many of the groups how to resist intimidation. We are building cases they handle are family or marital disputes, like up relationships with the police and the Electoral the example in my previous article (12 June). We are Commission, and hope to be accredited to deliver currently experimenting with ‘peace clinics’, where voter education and become monitors on polling day. the RPBR staff team arrives in a village for a day to We are planning a local candidates’ meeting after work alongside the peace monitors, and people come the nominations close; with the support of church to share their problems. On other occasions staff and mosque leaders and two sitting MPs we plan to members may work for days as intermediaries in challenge them all to take a pledge not to use abusive larger-scale disputes that divide the whole community; language or physical violence during their campaigns. these are usually about land and have sometimes ended We shall work with a circle of local journalists called in arson or murder. Our clubs for girls not in school, ‘Umbrella for Peace’ to publicise this and name anyone who are often unmarried mothers, are an attempt to who makes a pledge and then breaks it. support the rights of a group often oppressed and Different measures are appropriate in different exploited. We have also worked with their parents, situations, but the principle is the same: to identify with some success, in persuading them to send their the different levels at which violence is occurring, and daughters back to school. find ways to address them. Though my example is an integrated programme, many different agents may Alternative dispute resolution do such work. The Quaker initiative Responding to Conflict has written: ‘South Africa, Guatemala and Since starting the programme RPBR has broadcast Northern Ireland all looked unchangeable for many to the community every fortnight on a range of years. Change did not come easily, but it did come, topics connected with peace, from conflict resolution thanks to the combined work of many organisations. to human rights. Recently, they have been urging Engagement with conflict is definitely an area of people to register as voters in time. My visit was synergy: the effect of all the initiatives is somehow just after registration closed, so we chose to discuss much greater than the sum of them.’ the corporal punishment of children, which led to a lively interchange with people phoning in. In the first six months of broadcasts twelve community groups John is a member of Central England Area Meeting.

the Friend, 19 June 2015 15 a look at the Quaker world [email protected]

Cake and the community Photos: Ian Joyce. Left: The cakewalk in action. Right: Deborah Suess encourages participants whilst dressed as a cake.

It takes over 600 cups of flour the community about the Quaker Pisano, one of the five cakewalk to make 251 six-inch round cakes, faith, the Meeting decided to go in coordinators, told Eye: ‘It was a American Friend Brittany Atkinson a more playful direction with the fun day over-all for everyone from has discovered. cakewalk. children to the adults, who were Friends, members of the local ‘It is an unfortunate truth reliving memories of cake walks community and Triad bakeries all that many people in the general they experienced as a child. We baked a plethora of sweet creations population believe the Religious had a lot of feedback from the for a Guinness World Record Society of Friends (Quakers) have community of, “I didn’t realise attempt by First Friends Meeting in died out or they wear big, black Quakers were that cool!”’ Greensboro, North Carolina – for hats and must be a dour group… She reflected on the ‘palpable the largest cakewalk in the world. We figure cakes, music and positive pulse’ in the Meeting Pastor Deborah Suess explained dancing should help spread the house: ‘Everyone was smiling and cakewalks to their local paper: message that Quakers are alive and laughing. We even had people ‘Dance, walk, hop, skip and roll well and that we even know a bit come up who had won a cake and to great music as you make your about having fun.’ chose a flavour that was a family way around the cake walk course On 2 May over 300 people took member’s favourite just so they as numbers are drawn at random part in the Meeting’s cakewalk and could share the joy. when the music is paused. Those succeeded in establishing the world ‘We felt like the positive on the winning numbers get to record. Verification is expected experience for our Meeting and the take home a delicious cake.’ from Guinness World Records by community gave the sense of peace Having previously run mid-August. and harmony with people of all ‘Quakerism 101’ classes to educate Speaking after the event, Kristina different backgrounds.’ The subject of sleuthing

Friends make an appearance in a new crime listening to a report on interchurch relations when novel set in Chipping Bonhunt, Essex. “someone stands up and denounces them as sinners Jenny and Laurie Andrews spotted a review of and fornicators for refusing to condemn same sex Richard Fisher’s The Purging in the Church Times. marriage… this sets the tone for what follows”, Eye can see why the book snagged their attention as including an arson attack on the Friends’ Meeting it ‘starts with a police inspector at a Quaker Meeting house!’

16 the Friend, 19 June 2015 19 Jun 16/6/15 15:02 Page 5

Friends&Meetings Marriages ARE YOU PLANNING TO RUN Charlotte ("Carlie") PHIPPS, daughter QUAKER QUEST IN YOUR AREA? of Michael and Liza Phipps of Jordans Meeting, married Colin HORNBY, Quaker Quest Network can offer help and support son of Ian and the late Ann Hornby, on Friday 5 June 2015 at Jordans FMH. including half day and full day workshops to motivate and inspire you and train your Quaker Quest team. Deaths “How-to-do-it” manual and pack of posters provided. Contact the Training Co-ordinators on 01372 454363 Gail CLINT (née Nichols) 6 June in Lindum House Care Home. Wife of email: [email protected] John, mother of Sarah and Simon and www.quakerquest.org daughter of Ann. Aged 67. Funeral held on 19 June. Memorial Meeting INNERKEIT: MEISTER ECKHART 2pm Saturday 4 July in Beverley Memorial meetings ON MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION Meeting House, Quaker Lane, AND CONTEMPLATION Richard Woodlands, Beverley, HU17 8BY. Diana Amy LEWIS A Memorial Woods OP, Saturday 27 June 10.30am Meeting to celebrate Diana’s life will -4.30 pm. £30 (£20 concs). Meditatio James Henry SEPHTON 21 May. be held at Winchester Friends Centre, Myddelton Sq, EC1R 1XX. Suddenly at home. Husband of Gillian. Meeting House at 2.30pm Saturday Details: www.wccmmeditatio.org Member of Rochester Meeting. 4 July, followed by refreshments. [email protected] / 020 7278 2070. Aged 82. Enquiries to : Virginia Furness 01603 860786. IS A PEACEABLE ECONOMY Shelagh WILLET 8 June, in CONCEIVABLE? With Edouard Gaborone, Botswana. Member of Dommen, economist, author, Quaker. Botswana Monthly Meeting, previously Diary Fri. 16 - Sun. 18 October, Quaker of Lesotho Worship Group. Aged 83. Centre, Congénies, France. Program Service on 19 June, burial 20 June in ANNUAL ADDERBURY GATHERING in English and French. Euro 180-220. Gabane. Information: Chris & Roy Sunday 21 June 3pm. Speaker Sheikh www.maison-quaker-congenies.org Love, 01904 758344, Dr Ramzy, Islamic scholar from [email protected] [email protected] Oxford, on “Peace, Peacemaking and Or call 00 33 4 66 71 46 41. Islam”.Followed by tea. Adderbury Meeting House OX17 3EW. SPICELAND FRIENDS celebrate Friends & Meetings notices Details/directions: Maria Huff: 01869 200 years of their recently renovated 347179, [email protected] Personal entries (births, marriages, Meeting House. All welcome on deaths, anniversaries, changes of Saturday 27 June, 11am - 4pm. Tree address, etc.) charged at £21.60 EUROPE'S BIGGEST ARMS FAIR planting; open grounds and garden; incl. vat for up to 35 words and Eurosatory, Paris, June 2016. history and wildlife walks. Bring a includes a copy of the magazine. Quakers have witnessed for peace at picnic. Accommodation possible: Meeting and charity notices (changes this event for many years. However, 01984 629347/01823 601014. of clerk, new wardens, changes to we are few in number. Would you join meeting, diary, etc.) £18 zero rated us next summer? To learn more email for vat. Max. 35 words. 3 Diary or [email protected] “...how thankful I was to Meeting up entries £43.20 (£36 if have your advice...” zero rated); 6 entries £75.60 (£63 FOLLOW-UP OF QUAKER zero rated). Notices should preferably EQUALITY WEEK and reflecting on “Thanks for an efficient, be prepaid. Cheques payable to ‘The the situation after the election. personal service” Friend.’ Deadline usually Monday am. We achieved this – what issues shall Entries are accepted at the editor’s we tackle now? How shall we carry the “Thank you for crafting such discretion in a standard house style. campaign forward? This is not just for a clear and succinct text for A gentle discipline will be exerted to people who participated in Quaker maintain a simplicity of style and Equality Week, but for any Friends and my advertisement” wording that excludes terms of attenders who care about economic endearment and words of tribute. inequality. Saturday 20 June 10.30am For friendly, helpful advice on Ask for a copy of our guidelines. for 11am, to 4pm. Central Manchester the wording, frequency or cost The Friend, 54a Main Street, FMH. Contact [email protected] of your advertisement, call George Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. Penaluna on 01535 630230 or ORGANISING AN EVENT? 01535 630230. [email protected] email [email protected] Be sure to put it in the Diary!

the Friend, 19 June 2015 17 19 Jun 16/6/15 15:02 Page 6

Classified advertisements 54a Main St, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL. T&F: 01535 630230 E: [email protected] Classified ads where to stay OVERSEAS HOLIDAYS in the Friend GUESTHOUSES, HOTELS, B&BS PERSONAL RETREATS, FRANCE. Make Standard linage 55p a word, space to reflect and be still. Beautiful old semi-display 83p a word. Rates B&B AT WOODBROOKE, BIRMINGHAM. farmhouse in rural Auvergne offers incl. vat. Min. 12 words. Series Explore Birmingham and the Midlands supportive, nurturing environment for discounts: 5% on 5 insertions, or relax in 10 acres of gardens and individual retreats. Simple daily rhythm: meditation; silence; contemplative/artistic 10% on 10 or more. Cheques woodland. Close to Bournville and public payable to The Friend. transport. Wonderful library, delicious activities. Walking. Organic vegetarian meals, Friendly welcome. Great value. food. www.retreathouseauvergne.com The Friend, 54a Main Street, Book at www.woodbrooke.org.uk or call Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL 0121 472 5171. courses 01535 630230/[email protected] EDINBURGH. City centre accommodation at Emmaus House. Tel. 0131 228 1066. CATHARS AND QUAKERS. www.emmaushouse-edinburgh.co.uk Due to a cancellation, now 2 places personal Email: [email protected] remaining on this pilgrimage tour in Scottish charity SC042957. SW France, 16 - 23 September. Contact: [email protected] THE PERCY BARTLETT TRUST TEN MINUTES DARTMOOR/CORNWALL Supporting Independence in Older Age Quaker couple offer ensuite B&B, £30pp. [email protected] 01822 614378. for sale For Members and Attenders of the Religious Society of Friends CENTRAL DERBY. Two bedroom, 2nd floor in their later years COTTAGES & SELF-CATERING flat for over 50s. Quiet position, over- Examples of grants given, for: looks brook and trees. Short walk from A WARM PEMBROKESHIRE WELCOME Derby FMH. £69,950 ono. Please contact • meeting shortfalls in local authority awaits you in 2 cosy well equipped Stephen Sandford 0115 930 9922. funding for residential care cottages each sleeps 4. Woodburners, • helping those in their own home meet sea views, coastal path 2 miles. 01348 costs of extra help 891286. [email protected] • help with certain travel costs www.stonescottages.co.uk accommodation • specialist equipment • respite for carers WANTED • physiotherapy CLAVERHAM, NORTH SOMERSET Cottage adjoining historic Meeting House MARTIN'S KIDNEY Research UK Walk Applications are made by the individual in rural area close to coast. Ideal for short Round Britain. Accommodation needed with the support of their local Overseer breaks or family holidays. Sleeps six. Suffolk/Essex coast 20-27 June 2015. Enquiries to Clerk to Trustees Website: www.claverhamtrust.org.uk [email protected], 07831 911 165. [email protected] or Enquiries: Tom Leimdorfer, telephone 07986 901787. 01934 834663. [email protected] TOURING FOR TOILETS. Friend cycling Please include a contact phone number. four corners of GB, August - October CORNWALL, 14TH CENTURY COTTAGE 2015 for Toilet Twinning charity, seeks overlooking sea. £180-210 pw. Short B&B hospitality en route. Can you help? breaks. www.wix.com/beryldestone/ Please email [email protected] or miscellaneous cornishcottage 0117 951 4384. 01680 812044.

COTSWOLDS. Spacious barn conversion PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY in Charlbury near Woodstock. Sleeps 2+. books &TAXATION SERVICE Woodburner. Lovely walking. 01608 Quaker Accountant offers friendly 811558. [email protected]. service countrywide. www.cotswoldsbarn.com ONLY A THOUGHT AWAY Self-assessment & small businesses. Richard Platt, Grainger & Platt EAST LOTHIAN. Attractive, cosy country A story of bereavement, communication beyond death, and the early years of Chartered Certified Accountants cottage, near Edinburgh, sleeps 5. 3 Fisher Street, Carlisle CA3 8RR [email protected] 07851 699162. Quaker Fellowship for Afterlife Studies (£5 + £2 p&p). Telephone 01228 521286 [email protected] PEMBROKESHIRE, NEAR TENBY. Order from and cheque to: www.grainger-platt.co.uk Golden sands, castles, Coast Path. Angela Howard, Webbs Cottage, Woolpits Rd, Saling, Braintree CM7 5DZ Two comfortable flats attached to QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, Email: [email protected] 16th Century farmhouse each sleeping 5. Partnerships, commitments, notices and Peaceful environment. 01834 845868. other calligraphy. Liz Barrow 01223 369776. [email protected] THE MIND OF CHRIST... the making of personal holiness... John, Paul and WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? Spinoza. To do as Christ would do, how- Books typeset for your family’s pleasure. Please mention the Friend ever good, is not to be as Christ would Photos and other graphics can be included. be. Read about it. Available online on Contact Trish on 01223 363435. ...whenever you reply to an Kindle, on Amazon and from the author [email protected] advertisement. Thank you! at [email protected] Other printed material also prepared.

18 the Friend, 19 June 2015 19 Jun 16/6/15 15:02 Page 7

Transition Manager

Salary: €3,500 per month. Contract: 12 months. Hours: Full time (38 hrs per week). Location: Quaker House, Brussels Annual General Meeting 4 July at Edgbaston FMH We are seeking a Transition Manager to undertake a strategic review of our programmes and methods of work, to help us become more Join us for a shared lunch at 1pm, focused and effective in our European advocacy on behalf of Friends. followed by the AGM at 2pm. Working closely with other staff and governance members, the post- A major focus this year is the holder will make recommendations for improvement; s/he will also passing of a new Leaveners share responsibility for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning constitution, and sharing plans and preparations for making of the organisation, including staff management and fundraising. Leaveners a Charitable This senior post is suitable for candidates with experience in pro- Incorporated Organisation. You can read and download gramme reviewing or planning (particularly in NGOs), effective team related constitution documents at: leadership and a collaborative approach. Analytical ability, financial skills and understanding of the values/methods of work of Quakers www.leaveners.org important. Experience of European institutions and French or Dutch (Click on ‘News’) language an advantage. Following the AGM will be a free folk music event, featuring two Full job description and application form available at local bands to kick things off! www.qcea.org or phone +32 2 230 4935. So bring your instruments, some food and join us! Closing date: Monday 13 July 2015, 9am Central European Time (8am UK time). Interviews in Brussels w/c Monday 27 July 2015. We look forward to seeing you!

“He is our cousin, Cousin” By Antony Barlow Taking a quote from Richard II that tells of the interrelatedness of his Quaker ancestors, Antony Barlow tells in this fascinating book of his Quaker family, stretching back to the very beginning of the Society over 350 years ago. Starting with George Fox’s right-hand man James Lancaster, whose Bible, stained as he dropped it in the sea fleeing persecution, is still in the family, we go on to meet Plantagenet forebears, an eccentric cousin who left half a million pounds to Queen Victoria, anti-slavery fighter, Samuel Bowly, eminent scientist Professor John Barlow, his son John Henry Barlow, George Cadbury, Jonathan Carr, founder of the biscuit firm, William Cash, of the name tape family and many other eminent Friends and relatives. Ben Dandelion writes: “This book is a treasure trove of family and wider Quaker social history and we should be very grateful for Antony Barlow’s work and the affirmation of a Quaker way of life and set of values that continue to offer so many of us strength and hope”. And Edward Milligan says: This book provides glimpses of national Quaker preoccupations and deserves a wide readership”. Available from the Quaker Centre Bookshop, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ email: [email protected] Cover picture: the author's great, great Grandmother, Also from Quacks, 7 Grape Lane, Petergate, York YO1 7HU Elizabeth Petipher Cash (née Lucas) 1796-1894 at £15 plus £2.50 p&p email: [email protected]

the Friend, 19 June 2015 19 19 Jun 16/6/15 15:02 Page 8 vol ADVERTISEMENT DEPT EDITORIAL 173 54a Main Street 173 Euston Road Cononley London NW1 2BJ Keighley BD20 8LL T 020 7663 1010 No

T 01535 630230 F 020 7663 11-82 25 E [email protected] the Friend E [email protected] Britain Yearly Meeting General Secretary – Finance & Property Salary, Managerial Scale: £54,558 - £62,608 per annum. Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full Time, 35 hrs per week (some evening and weekend work required). Location: Friends House, Euston, NW1. We are the national offices of Quakers in Britain, a radical church with a passion for peace, integrity, equality, simplicity and sustainability. We provide a range of services to Quaker meetings across Britain, and work actively in the world to bring about social change. We also run Friends House, our premises in Euston, as an ethical business, providing conferencing and catering to the third sector and others. We are looking for an imaginative and approachable leader to head the Quaker Finance & Property department. To start in late 2015, we need someone who can communicate clearly with colleagues, Trustees and Quakers about our finances, investments and properties. You’ll need solid experience in finance, good team-work skills, an eye for detail as well as the ability to see the big picture and think strategically. You’ll be good at problem-solving, and ready to listen to others’ ideas. You don’t need to be a Quaker, but we do need you to care about the things we’re passionate about. If this sounds like you, you’ll find more information about us and how to apply at www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Closing date: Monday 13 July 2015 (9am). Interviews: Monday 27 July 2015. Registered charity no. 1127633.

Britain Yearly Meeting Events & Committee Services Co-ordinator Salary: £30,797pa. Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week. Location: Friends House, Euston, NW1 We are seeking a lively and energetic individual, with knowledge of and sympathy with our values to join our team in supporting and co-ordinating a busy calendar of national Quaker events and governance committees. Taking your lead from the Events & Committee Services Team Manager, you will work as part of a team to deliver a strategic plan of events with different aims, ranging from a handful of participants up to 2,000. You will have experience of organising events (preferably residential), working with volunteers and a good understanding of the diverse needs of participants. You will also use your administrative & organisational skills to support our governance committees. You will have a high level of attention to detail and the ability to work quickly, creatively and accurately under pressure. You will need to be flexible, able to prioritise, manage diverse tasks and have good people, IT and database skills. As most of our events are held at weekends, some weekend working will be required. Closing Date: Friday 3 July 2015. Interviews: Monday 13 July 2015. For further details please visit www.quaker.org.uk/jobs Registered charity no. 1127633.