25 August 2017 £1.90

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Seeds of peace in Korea the Friend Independent Quaker Journalism Since 1843

Contents VOL 175 NO 34

3 Thought for the Week: A Quaker alphabet Ruth Chick 4 News 5 Friends and Charlottesville Harry Albright 6 A fond goodbye Celia James 7 Seeds of peace George Penaluna 8-9 Letters 10-11 Letter to Josie Richard Thompson 12-13 Reflections on the ‘Red Book’: A Korean peace monument. Photo: George Penaluna. Conducting our Quaker business See page 7. Linda Murgatroyd 14-15 From the archive: Letters to the editor Compiled by Janet Scott 16 Naming the animals R V Bailey Correction: 17 Friends & Meetings In ‘Standing at God’s right hand’ (18 August) the location of Jacob Cover image: Epstein’s sculpture in Llandaff Rice paddies in the Korean Demilitarised Zone. Cathedral was initially, incorrectly, Photo: George Penaluna. See page 7 given as Coventry Cathedral.

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2 the Friend, 25 August 2017 Thought for the Week

A Quaker alphabet

A. Agreement B. Beautiful, belonging C. Companionship, caring D. Do-able E. Exciting, energy F. Fun, friendship, fellowship G. Goodwill H. Hugs I. Interesting, inventive J. Joy K. Kinship, kindness L. Laughter, love, Light M. Motivation, Meeting N. Newcomers O. Openings P. Plenty, prayerfulness Q. Quakers R. Rowdy S. Smiles, singing, silence, sharing, Spirit T. Thoughtfulness, togetherness, trust U. Understanding, unity V. Vulnerability W. Welcome, Worship X. Experimentally (yes, this is a bit of a cheat) Y. Youth Z: Zzzzz (Meeting for Worship can be restful)

Ruth Chick Horsham Meeting

the Friend, 25 August 2017 3 News reported by Harry Albright Hunger crisis in East Africa Christian Aid is issuing a renewed plea for urgent, the population severely short of food. comprehensive global action to help the twenty ‘In terms of scale and intensity, this is the worst million people affected by food shortages caused by disaster that I have seen in my twenty years as a severe drought and conflict in East Africa. humanitarian worker, and the worst in our generation. Speaking from Nairobi, Kenya, Christian Aid’s It is certainly the most severe crisis that Christian Aid regional humanitarian adviser Mbaraka Fazal said: and our partners here in East Africa have dealt with,’ ‘In 2017 it is a scandal that anyone should starve to said Mbaraka Fazal. death. Yet that is the reality facing millions of people Christian Aid’s emergency fundraising drive for East – from babies to the most elderly. As an international Africa’s hunger crisis has raised more than £2.1 million community, we cannot just sit by and watch from the in six months, with the agency and its local partners sidelines. We can, and we must, do more. We need helping nearly 75,000 people across Ethiopia, Kenya extra funding to help women, children and men not and South Sudan since February. only survive, but also rebuild their lives.’ ‘However, over sixteen million people are affected by In Kenya and Ethiopia persistent drought and poor this catastrophe,’ said Mbaraka Fazal. rains have driven people to their limit: harvests have He added: ‘Together with other national and failed, water sources have dried up, and cattle – the international aid agencies, we are only touching the tip life-source for many – have died in their thousands. of the iceberg. We can’t sit by and watch a generation In South Sudan violent conflict has forced millions to of children die before they have had a chance to live. abandon their homes and land, with more than half of We need to act now.’

Hertford Friends host concert on testimonies

Hertford meeting house Quartet with Richard Simpson and the Quintet for oboe & string will be hosting a concert in early (principal oboe, BBC Symphony quartet by Arnold Bax. There will October entitled ‘Walk Cheerfully Orchestra) and Lottie Greenhow also be music by Purcell, Vivaldi, over the World: Quaker testimonies (soprano). The programme will Webern and Vaughan-Williams. in music and song’. feature six songs by Peter Webb The concert is at 3pm on 8 It will feature the Aylwin String reflecting Quaker testimonies October. Quaker schools celebrate exam success ‘This Evil Thing’ on tour

A-Level students at The Reading over twenty per cent of A play about conscientious objectors Mount School in York achieved the A-Level cohort achieved A in world war one written by a London a 100 per cent pass rate, with or A* in three or more subjects. Friend is on tour this autumn. seventy-nine achieving A*-B ‘I am delighted that so many of The play is entitled This Evil Thing grades. our students achieved the highest and was written by Michael Mears of Adrienne Richmond, principal grades,’ said head Nigel Williams. Wandsworth Meeting. of The Mount, said: ‘I am At Bootham School in York It deals with ‘the men who said no to delighted with this year’s A-Level over seventy-one per cent war’ and had its world premiere at the results.’ She added: ‘Girls do achieved between A* and B Edinburgh Fringe in 2016. better, academically, in an all- grade, and nearly a quarter of The tour will take in a variety of girls environment for a number students secured at least three A venues, including four Quaker schools of reasons: our teaching is geared grades. (the Mount, Bootham, Ackworth and to girls’ learning styles, career Headmaster Chris Jeffery Leighton Park) and three Meeting aspirations are not limited, girls said: ‘We are very proud of the houses. It will be performed in Ipswich are more confident about making achievements of our young Meeting on 3 November, in Huddersfield decisions and learning from their people, who have coped so well on 30 November and in Wandsworth a mistakes, and there are fewer with the challenge and chaos few days later. distractions, leaving them free to inherent in the ridiculously The tour begins in Cardiff in late pursue academic excellence.’ phased introduction of Michael September and finishes in Cambridge in At Leighton Park School in Gove’s new A-Level system. early December.

4 the Friend, 25 August 2017 News

Quakers and Charlottesville Photo: Frances Racette. Photo: Frances Harry Albright describes Friends’ responses to the violence in Virginia Friends in the USA have reacted strongly to the belief in that of God in every person. Through our events in Charlottesville, Virginia on 11 and 12 August, actions, words and prayers we must work to stand for when white supremacist groups staged rallies which justice and love, promoting the free exercise of religion resulted in the death of one person, Heather Heyer, and equality for all.’ and many injuries. Friends also condemned president The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Donald Trump’s comments in the following days. said: ‘There is no “both sides” when it comes to racist Before and during the rallies, Charlottesville Friends hate and violence. The president’s failure to genuinely and clergy from other faiths held vigils calling for calm condemn white supremacy and vociferous attack on and peace. The movement ‘Congregate Charlottesville’ counter protesters – who stood against hate at risk of gathered pastors in a direct, nonviolent action. safety and life – is completely unacceptable. His words The Friends Committee on National Legislation and actions deny the humanity of people of colour, (FCNL) said that ‘the president encourages white who are increasingly under siege as the presidential supremacy, which denies equality of races and administration gives quarter to hate.’ freedom of religion and promotes hate and violent The Friends Council on Education said: ‘Quaker acts. He insists on a false moral equivalency between education is directly opposed to the violent white supremacy and protest. His failure of leadership expressions of hatred, racism, white supremacy and condones hate, sows division among people, demeans anti-Semitism in Charlottesville, Virginia. Quaker our country, and diminishes hope. schools are committed to teaching [to students] habits ‘The violence directed at people of colour, Jewish of heart and mind that insist upon a disposition people, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and their allies of openness and respect for every member of our in Charlottesville this weekend is reprehensible. We community regardless of race, creed, religion, sex, all have a responsibility to stand up and speak out sexual orientation, place of national origin, gender against expressions of hatred in its many evil forms identity or gender expression.’ – especially because of the president’s failure to name Gretchen Castle, general secretary of Friends that violence as unequivocally wrong. World Committee for Consultation and a member FCNL’s statement added: ‘As Friends, we believe of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, told the Friend: that every person contains the light of God, regardless ‘FWCC and Quakers around the world join Friends of their identity, background, or beliefs. This in Charlottesville and in the USA in unity and fundamental truth that all life is precious and valuable compassion. The aggressive actions, loss of life, and is a foundation of FCNL’s advocacy. The violence and the resulting lack of denunciation for such hatred are hatred that broke to the surface in Charlottesville is truly unacceptable. May our faith keep us strong. May a call for us all – individually and corporately – to our Quaker family give us hope. And may God bless rededicate ourselves to action stemming from our the whole world.’

the Friend, 25 August 2017 5 Report

A fond goodbye

Celia James writes about Walden School

ince 10 May, when governors announced the to themselves, into their new lives. She commented proposed closure of Walden School in Saffron on the depth of her experience of working alongside Walden, Essex, staff, parents, pupils and her staff, through several years and many ups and Sgovernors have all endured much stress and upheaval, downs, thanking them and wishing them well in their and on the last day of the summer term the school’s future careers. future was still not clear. From within the gathered silence, in dappled During May and June governors had negotiated with sunlight and soft breeze, some pupils and members several external parties to try to ensure continuation of of staff gave profound ministry. After the shaking education on the site. However, during July it became of hands, everyone flowed like rivulets, embracing, clear it was not going to be possible to conclude a saying thank you and bidding goodbye: with a medley contract with either of the two remaining parties and of tears and smiles, the occasion, like the school itself, governors decided that the right action was to go into was unforgettable. administration. On Monday 17 July administrators from Grant Thornton were appointed. Earlier in the morning the preparatory school head had led the children and her staff in their own Yet the last day at Walden School, on Friday 7 July, Meeting for Worship. Everyone had gathered in their was a positive and deeply fulfilling experience. This cherished Forest School, sheltered by the trees and was made possible by the forward planning of the amongst the birdsong: a place full of memories of sensitive and caring staff. adventures and fun.

The atmosphere throughout the day was easy- While the Meeting for Worship was taking place for going and relaxed. In the mid morning, the catering the senior school, preparatory school staff mingled staff created a party atmosphere in the dining hall, with the children as they played together in the open producing brunch, with egg and bacon ‘butties’, which and as their parents came to collect them, taking their was accompanied by some pupils and members of farewells in a carefree atmosphere. staff playing impromptu music together. In the bustling dining room, in dappled light under All pupils and staff in the senior school then the trees and in sunshine out on the field, the school gathered for a final Meeting for Worship, making on the hill said its own goodbyes. their way to the circles of chairs laid out by the maintenance team under the lime trees of the avenue. It was a privilege to have been part of such a special Meeting for Worship was everyone’s valediction to day. Walden School: Friends’ School.

The head of school read from the Book of Isaiah Celia is a member of Hartington Grove Meeting and encouraged each and every pupil to celebrate and clerk of the governors’ Search and Governance their own very special qualities, going forward, true Committee at Walden School.

6 the Friend, 25 August 2017 Korea

Seeds of peace

George Penaluna reflects on the situation in North and South Korea atching the news in April, with North Korea nearby Soie Mountain, to meditate for peace and the test-firing missiles and Donald Trump reunification of the Korean peninsula. It is the site of sending ‘an armada’ towards the Korean some of the fiercest battles during the Korean war and Wpeninsula, it was not a great way to prepare for my trip until 2011 was still a military installation. A winding to Seoul in May. I was travelling to see friends, having track is now adorned with peace sculptures and offers a visited South Korea several times since a year-long panoramic view of North Korea. internship in the early 1980s. Laid out before you, the first four miles or so of the When I attended my friend’s community church I DMZ is a controlled access area. The land is largely flat met Il Yung Lee, chair of ‘Seeds of Peace’, which runs and consists of extensive rice paddies and small villages. the Border Peace School. As its name suggests, it is The farmers have donated their surplus rice to North right on the border between South and North Korea. Korea in an act of solidarity and humanitarian aid, as When we told him we were thinking of visiting the North Korea often has severe food shortages. school he said: ‘Don’t think, just come, come!’ The paddy fields contain battle scarred ruins and Despite several visits to Korea, I’d never felt the old train stations. (Another peace project involves inclination to go on one of the typical tours of the rebuilding and reopening a train line between South Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the intensely fortified and North Korea: the Peace Train.) On reaching the border area between the two Koreas just thirty-five edge of the prohibited area, where no civilians are miles north of Seoul, which tend to go to places like allowed to enter, you find a new Peace Plaza and Panmunjom to witness the stand-off between North Cultural Centre. The Cultural Centre also houses a and South Korean soldiers, and revolve around stories classroom for the Border Peace School, where they of the atrocities committed during the 1950-53 Korean run classes and seminars on peace and reunification, war. The emphasis is on division. literally just a stone’s throw from the fortified barbed Cheorwon District, north-east of Seoul, is pretty wire defences. much the geographical centre of the Korean peninsula Beside the Cultural Centre is a three- or four-storey and has great historical significance. The border now former military outlook post. It has now been converted cuts the district in half and it is here that the Border from military use to become a bird and wildlife Peace School is situated. Its director, Ji Seok Jung, observation tower. The no-access area of the DMZ, free established the school with a variety of objectives, but of human intervention for over sixty years, is now home foremost among them was to educate and empower to a wide variety of flora and fauna. ordinary people to become peacemakers, sowing the It was heartening to learn of these small steps towards seeds of peace. Ji Seok, whose nickname is ‘Peace peace and, equally, to learn that Il Yung Lee, a retired farmer’, did his PhD at Woodbrooke (Sunderland professor of psychiatry, had previously helped organise University). an annual seminar of North and South Korean medics The division of Cheorwon is a metaphor for the in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. Blocked by division of families, of communities and the whole the South Korean government for the last four years, he country. It is worth remembering that in Korean the was hopeful that the new Democratic Party government name of the country is Hanguk, one interpretation of would allow the seminar to take place this year. which is ‘one country’. For Korea to be cut in two at the Building these links between ordinary people, sowing behest of the allies at the end of the second world war, the seeds of peace, is a wonderful antidote to the and to be still separated over seventy years later, is akin ‘brouhaha’ of Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. to twin siblings being forcibly kept apart. The school offers a variety of short and longer course George is a member of Skipton Meeting and programmes, and leads a daily Peace Pilgrimage up advertisement manager of the Friend.

the Friend, 25 August 2017 7 Letters All views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Friend

Christian beginnings such abstract terminology (which blanks out all the I understand Noël Staples’ (14 July) hope that richness within our community) suggests misleading Christian churches should become more Quakerly, and muddled thinking and shows a deep lack of and I am heartened by reading the words of Richard respect towards those of us who value distinctiveness Rohr, a committed Roman Catholic and Franciscan. and difference. He says: ‘Religion usually focuses on imputing May I invite the RPG, who represent our living and and then forgiving guilt. This is more about “sin breathing community, to dump this clumsy labelling management” than it is about proclaiming a larger- and choose a title that, rather than obscuring, may than-life vision for humanity… We too often settle for illuminate the indisputable challenges we all face. problem solving. It really is the best way to keep the Geoffrey Johnson laity coming back, strangely enough. “Carrot on the Eastbourne Meeting, East Sussex stick” theology keeps us clergy in business. I wish it did not work so well. Walden School ‘Christianity must first teach people how to Like Paul Honigmann (30 June), I spent much of the really pray so they can relate to God as adults. This war at Friends’ School Saffron Walden (1941-1951), creates spiritual interdependence instead of infantile and am very sad to hear of the laying down of the codependency, which people eventually react against. school. Brighton was in the invasion area and it was I say this coming from a church that put most of its a case of ‘go or be sent’, especially with conscientious resources into training children in rote prayers. We objectors as parents who did not know what the can do so much better.’ future might hold! It would have been impossible for an influential Many present-day Friends appear to undervalue the Catholic to print these words twenty years ago. I way in which a safe home was given to children who think that it is indicative of the greater understanding had escaped from the continent. At school we did and maturity amongst many Christians of various not notice much beyond their unusual names but it denominations, encouraged, as well, by the humility cannot have been easy for them living in a country at of pope Francis, who can be seen to live the teachings war with the country of their birth. of Jesus, rather than just talk about them. Times change and activities need to change to Maggie Jeays address new issues but we should not forget the work Stafford Area Meeting and successes of those who worked and witnessed before us. A double-negative too far Barry Barber It came as a surprise to read that the Book of Malvern Meeting, Worcestershire Discipline Revision Preparation Group (RPG) is investigating issues of well-aired concern which The greatest injustice ever have been labelled the ‘nontheist’ and ‘not-nontheist’ Anyone interested in what Harvey Gillman has to tension (4 August). say in ‘Friends with Jewish connections’ (28 July) are I must admit that I have never accepted a ‘theist’ urged to read his book Words. In it Harvey writes: ‘I categorisation for my Bible-based and Trinitarian faith was taught as a child not to trust non-Jews; Christians position as acceptable or helpful. I always describe believed that Jews were Christ killers and were out for myself as a Christian Quaker – and in that order. To revenge.’ Medieval Jews were slaughtered for the same discover that the majority of Quakers are now labelled reason, particularly in 1096 as part of the German in a double-negative in relation to nontheism only crusades. Friends should read accounts like these to adds injury to insult. see the appalling way Christians have treated Jews. With this in mind, at Meeting for Worship I What is the basis for this? Who was to blame for reflected on the question: ‘Do you welcome the the crucifixion of Jesus? Was it the whole Jewish diversity of culture, language and expressions of faith nation, as some seem to believe, or can we join in our Yearly Meeting…?’ (Advices & queries 16). My biblical scholars in laying the blame at the door of prayerful response was ‘sometimes yes and sometimes the temple high priest, a Roman puppet, and some no’. It certainly can produce tensions that can be of his Sadducee supporters, who were enraged by the painful and might still lead to destabilising divisions. overturning of their money-exchanging tables? Yet, I remain open to our diversity and am able to We should be fully aware that Jesus was a practising genuinely celebrate new insights emerging, where Jew; also that the Christian religion comes directly difference is honestly confronted. from Judaism. So, to find our diversity anodized in this way Aramaic scholar Neil Douglas-Klotz, in Prayers and that these tensions have been shovelled into of the Cosmos, writes: ‘The word usually translated

8 the Friend, 25 August 2017 [email protected]

“Jew” in the Gospel of John and elsewhere is a Some in my Local Meeting have been uneasy about mistranslation of both the Aramaic and Greek the Society’s charitable status. We feel that having to words that should read “Judean”, that is a person comply with un-Quakerly strictures (like having to living in the geographical region of Judea. The tragic field trustees) is destructive. mistranslation puts in perspective 1,500 years of Some years ago a weighty Friend spoke to us about blaming all Jewish people for the crucifixion of Jesus.’ trustee matters. I think, even then, the notion that We should be aware that the Bible is a translation trustees would actually be liberating – by taking from the Latin, itself a translation from the Greek away the distracting daily tedium – had worn thin. from Hebrew or Aramaic. He said that the Society could not meet its present Peter Boyce commitments without its charitable status (+25p/£1 in Winchmore Hill Meeting, London Gift Aid), and that, actually, becoming un-charitable is not really possible: to whom would its charitably- Quakers and the EU referendum gained assets be disbursed? The absurdity rather left I am undertaking research this summer into Quakers me speechless. and the EU referendum – what it was like to be I have not seen the Friends House leaflet that has involved in campaigning and discerning in 2016. so troubled Stephen Feltham. I have a feeling that I I have received support from the Eva Koch don’t need to. My village hall committee has resisted Scholarship programme at Woodbrooke and was the pressures out there to become a charity. The fact enabled to take some activities relating to this research that we manage without the proffered corporate shield to the Yearly Meeting Gathering (YMG) at Warwick. gives us a good deal of satisfaction. We remain faithful A link to an online survey can be found at: to our founding principles; and we do not suffer from www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QuakerEURef2016 Roger Wilson’s ‘cognitive dissonance’. The survey is politically neutral, but not many John Lethbridge Friends who were on the Leave side have taken part, Dumfries Meeting, West Scotland even though many of them at YMG came to talk to me about their beliefs and experiences. Prophet and reconciler I am writing to appeal to Friends who voted Leave Reading the Church Times this week, I came on words to either do the survey online, or, if they prefer, to written by Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of write to me at Woodbrooke. Indianapolis, after the events at Charlottesville. I I would welcome, and treat in confidence, any would like to share them with Friends: descriptions of what it was like to decide or to ‘We must be vigilant in naming both the evil and the campaign last year, how the issues involved impacted love that defeats it.’ your testimonies and whether the nature of the Is this where the prophet and the reconciler meet? campaigns made it easier or more difficult for Harvey Gillman Quakers to discern and participate in the referendum Rye Meeting, East Sussex event. I hope to publish a report on all this in the autumn, with a view to encouraging conversations across this political divide and support for those Friends In essentials unity, adversely affected by Brexit, on all sides of the in non-essentials liberty, argument. Sarah Dodgson in all things charity. Woodbrooke, 1046 Bristol Road, Birmingham B29 6LJ The Friend welcomes your views. Charitable status I thank T Roger S Wilson (30 June) for his moderate Do keep letters short (maximum 250 words). and cogent presentation of what is a seismic matter affecting Quakerism. I thank, also, Stephen Feltham Please include your full postal address, even (30 June) for revealing some of the practical fallout when sending emails, and specify whether you from the same thing. wish for your postal or email address or Meeting name to be used with your name. I am not surprised to hear these concerns: indeed it seems to me an inevitable consequence of the Letters are published at the editor’s discretion ‘corporatisation’ of Quaker life. The charitable tail is and may be edited. bound to wag the spiritual dog.

the Friend, 25 August 2017 9 Reflection

Letter to Josie Photo: Chris-Håvard Berge / flickr CC. / flickr Berge Photo: Chris-Håvard

Richard Thompson sends a letter to his granddaughter osie, our granddaughter, is in her second year at I have known what it is to be closed up tight Manchester University, really enjoying her course To be lost in myself and alone, in Biology with an option in Philosophy. In her first Jyear I sent an email to her about the nature of incessant I have known what it is to be growing glad change in life and the huge whirl of energies influencing To be living a life that is real. us. I asked: ‘Why is there so much change?’ She replied one minute later with: ‘That’s easy! Random mutation ‘This reminded me that valuing our inner states is to do with DNA.’ That shut me up… until now! not a strong point in our culture. They are impossible to measure and go through profound changes. It is Recently I began to glimpse an underlying order important to value them and realise that we can learn allowing me to take a step forward through this from every moment in our lives. We can, of course, apparent chaos. I wrote her the following letter: be mistaken, but valuing our inner experiences opens us to insights about life and meaning. What does the ‘Hi Josie! author mean, feeling “to be living a life that is real”?

‘Just as we each have the physical attributes to ‘The second insight was a poem by Rumi, which I read continuing the human race, I believe we each also have coming back on the bus from Wednesday Meeting. a core of being that can contribute to its evolution. I The story is about an army captain from Mosul who have recently come across four insights that took me had to bring back a beautiful woman for the Caliph: from the apparent meaninglessness of life to something more fascinating. When the captain sees her, he falls in love like the Caliph. Don’t laugh at this. ‘The first was about valuing our insights. On the This loving is also part of infinite Love, back of a list of photographic titles, which an old without which the world does not evolve. Friend in Oxford Meeting gave us fifteen years ago, she Objects move from inorganic to vegetation, had copied a poem called ‘Openings’ with no author’s to selves endowed with spirit through the urgency name. It included the words: of every love that wants to come to perfection.

10 the Friend, 25 August 2017 ‘I saw that what counts is the urgency, or the There is something that can only be found in one commitment, to come through to pure love, to place. It is a great treasure, which may be called the transform our self-centred love.’ fulfilment of existence. The place where this treasure can be found is the place on which one stands. Working inwardly Most of us achieve only at rare moments a clear realisation of the fact that they have never tasted ‘The third “prompting” I received was when I came the fulfilment of existence, that their life does not across an old exercise book in the loft going back to participate in true fulfilled existence, that, as it 1973 about… yoga: were, it passes true existence by. We nevertheless feel the deficiency at every moment, and in some If I want to enter wholly into joy, I must do the measure strive to find – somewhere – what we are work inwardly, out of my own substance. I must seeking. Somewhere, in some province of the world contain myself and draw my own outlines, bring or of the mind, except where we stand, where we the different parts of myself into harmony, unite my have been set – but it is there and nowhere else that contradictions, blend my tones, know that I myself the treasure can be found, the environment which am a living symbol of the One; I can be the beauty of I feel to be the natural one, the situation which my own work. One knows only what one has made. has been assigned to me as my fate, the things that I can know myself by making myself. happen to me day after day, the things that claim me day after day – these contain my essential task, ‘For me, this means beginning each day by starting and such fulfilment of existence as is open to me. again, free from our conditioning. On a personal level, I can value each “seeing” moment and learn from every ‘The fourth and last insight is a reappraisal of a event. Every circumstance, every person, becomes my statement by the Quaker and philosopher John teacher. There is a freshness and aliveness in my life. Macmurray: “All meaningful knowledge is for the sake of action, and all meaningful action for the sake of friendship.” I would like to rephrase this with an We can, of course, be evolutionary slant: “All evolutionary knowledge works through action, and all evolutionary action works mistaken,but valuing our through friendship.” inner experiences ‘In other words, knowledge about evolution is great, but doesn’t count unless it leads to some form of opens us to insights action. The action that will save our species is that which develops friendship across the world. Not an about life and meaning. “airy-fairy” friendship, but a tough friendship that takes on the difficulties of human relationships.

‘What can we learn from these insights? ‘But now I come to a point that will be difficult for someone brought up in orthodox science: it is to see 1. We can trust our feelings of meaning by sharing that this energy is active. them with others. 2. We can have confidence in a new understanding ‘Quakers say that we can be open to those “promptings of selfless love. of love and truth” that are part of this energy, which 3. We can try each day to be open to the calm ancient wisdom sensed, which we in our culture have place where we see life more clearly. forgotten, but which is the only thing which can save 4. We can try to make one conscious act of life on earth. Humans have experienced this presence friendship each day. in different cultures for centuries. ‘See you soon! Seeing the possibility ‘Love from Papie and Grandma.’ ‘To support this third “prompting”, yesterday I came across a passage of The Way of Man by Martin Buber. In this he sees the possibility of being in the “Here and Richard is from Mid-Thames Area Meeting and Now” as “the fulfilment of existence”: Languedoc Group, France Yearly Meeting.

the Friend, 25 August 2017 11 Reflections on the ‘Red Book’

Conducting our Quaker business

The right conduct of our meetings for church affairs depends upon all coming to them in an active, seeking spirit, not with minds already made up on a particular course of action… But open minds are not empty minds, nor uncritically receptive: the service of the meeting calls for knowledge of facts, often painstakingly acquired, and the ability to estimate their relevance and importance. This demands that we shall be ready to listen to others carefully… trying always to discern the truth in what they have to offer.’

Quaker faith & practice 3.05

uccessful spirit-led organisations seem to have However, experience suggests that in practice it three factors in common: they all have a clear doesn’t always work like this. Do we always prepare purpose that everyone understands and supports; well enough for Business Meetings? Do we sometimes Sshared values, which are a criterion for joining the rush through too much business in our Meetings organisation; and the decision-making process always without letting the Meeting settle regularly? Are we includes a point of ‘not knowing’ and the opportunity always open to new Light and willing to allow the for everyone to contribute. Spirit to guide us rather than a persuasive speaker? Do our committees take time to build the kind of This enables decisions to be weighed against the spiritual fellowship that allows difficult questions to purpose and values of the organisation, and helps be addressed and deep discernment to take place? everyone get behind them. Sometimes the way we present matters and use jargon makes it hard for newcomers to understand, let alone According to Quaker faith & practice, our processes play their proper part. in Britain Yearly Meeting seem to fit this mould well. We have a clear purpose: seeking to follow ‘the promptings of love and truth in [our] hearts’ It is good practice for a meeting to have a clear individually and collectively. We also have carefully view of the tasks that need to be accomplished on designed structures in which we can all play our part, its behalf… so that both the meeting and the Friend and decisions are based on letting go of our personal appointed understand the commitment. will and waiting for the leadings of the Spirit together in worship. Quaker faith & practice 3.23

Gil George, an American Friend, contrasts Quaker decision-making (at its best) with hierarchy, in that it To work well together in our Quaker organisations brings people together rather than dividing them in we need to have the right information and we need to many ways. How we do things is more important than know what our part to play is. Just as in a building, the what we actually decide. materials for each part of the structure (bricks, beams,

12 the Friend, 25 August 2017 pipes) needs to have the right qualities for its particular From time to time nominations committees may role (strength, flexibility, weight), so we need to need to go back to their parent body (for example, the understand what the role of each Quaker appointment Area Meeting) to clarify what needs doing, or if they or committee is, what qualities are needed and where cannot find anyone to do a job. This can open up a it fits in the whole. useful consideration of overall priorities; our time may indeed be a greater constraint than money. If we can’t find Friends to do a particular role, perhaps it should It is a responsibility of a Christian community to not be done? Alternatively, the Meeting might decide enable its members to discover what their gifts are that something else should cease or be simplified and to develop and exercise them to the glory of instead. God. Across the Society we hear of difficulties in filling Quaker faith & practice 3.22 key roles such as clerks, treasurers and trustees. We usually find a way around this, but it’s often at the expense of some over-burdened Friends. Are we The general advice on nominations in Quaker faith failing in our duty to one another? & practice paragraphs 3.22 to 3.25 is excellent. Regular reference to it can be really helpful to remind Looking at the wider picture, the number of Quakers nominations committees of the considerations that has fallen by nearly a quarter in the last twenty years, need to be borne in mind. Not only do they need to but the numbers of Local and Area Meetings have only find Friends to run the various parts of the Society, but fallen by about four per cent. So, a greater proportion also to try to help Friends grow through service. of members must now be treasurers or clerks, and on top of that we have introduced a new tier of Area Having clear job descriptions that set out the Meeting trustees. role and demands of the work, and also the skills and experience sought, are particularly helpful for In contrast, we have reduced the size of Meeting for nominations committees which are trying to be bold Sufferings and some central committees. These have a and inclusive or when seeking advice about Friends key role in connecting local Friends with our central who are not known personally to the committee. work and with each other, in building understanding of Quaker processes and structures. Are we making All too often, though, we are vague or inconsistent right use of the carefully balanced machinery set out about what we are asking people to do. This can lead in Quaker faith & practice? Are we spending enough to many different kinds of problems further down the time and effort to make decisions in right ordering, or line. It is well worth investing the time in being clear at are secular values of speed and efficiency undermining the outset. This is only fair on those taking on the task. our religious practice and sometimes preventing us from coming into unity?

Be bold; welcome the chance to give opportunities to Perhaps we should think further about some of younger Friends and to those more recently arrived, these matters. As a community, are we trying to do and encourage those who underestimate their own too much, or spending our time appropriately? For potential for service. example, we could substantially reduce the number of Area Meetings or combine some of their functions if Quaker faith & practice 3.25 we wanted. We could also try to be more ready to lay down groups or projects that have run out of steam, and let go of burdensome properties. There is sometimes a tension between finding people with the necessary experience and time to fill Perhaps from time to time we should pause from new particular roles and using the nominations process to initiatives, and instead prioritise reflection, learning, draw in newer or younger Friends, to help them grow and spiritual nourishment? We might find it difficult through the role. We need to allow for the fact that to come off our busy treadmill, but we might emerge some committee members will not be able to do as clearer about how Love and Truth are leading us. much as others, and that inexperienced Friends may have a steep learning curve. This may be an argument to make some committees larger than might otherwise Linda Murgatroyd be needed, or for sharing the work in other ways. Kingston and Wandsworth Area Meeting

the Friend, 25 August 2017 13 From the archive

Letters to the editor

Janet Scott continues her series on the Friend and the first world war and tells of Friends’ concerns in the summer of 1917 ome of the matters on the minds of Friends in the total abstinence, for thrift, for wholesome literature, summer of 1917 were revealed through letters to for strenuous opposition to any form of gambling, for the Friend. The following selection was published friendship, for service, for gentleness, for the Christ Son 3 August. One Friend was particularly concerned ideal’. Our membership in Bristol is nearly 400 after about the Friends Provident Institution and the War eighteen months’ work, and we fill a gap no other Loan: organisation attempts to fill. Yours truly, Ruth C. Shipway, Bristol. I was shocked and grieved to learn in the current issue of the Friend that the Directors of The Friends’ There was also an appeal for temporary hospitality for Provident Institution had invested £750,000 of air-raid sufferers: its funds in the War Loan. This action I cannot but conceive is most unjust to the large majority Air raids and the great explosion have left behind of Friends who have insured in this well-known them an aftermath of ill-effects of which those of us institution, and would, I am sure, have distressed its who live in more fortunate districts have not had founders. It places pacifist Friends, who are largely any conception. Apart from actual illness, of which in the majority, in a false position, as their capital is there is all too much, there are shattered nerves, invested in a loan of which they strongly disapprove. sleeplessness, and a state of tension which must be How so well-known and respected an institution felt to be realised. My object in writing is to ask could have taken such a course of action I fail to Friends who live beyond the raided districts to offer understand. or provide partial hospitality to some of the women, Your friend sincerely, Joseph J. Green, Hastings. first and children of Poplar. We are apt to look upon a summer holiday as a natural right; not so the Another Friend was keen to draw attention to the mothers in Poplar on whom the heaviest burdens of ‘White Ribbon Band’, a ‘social and educative’ the war have fallen, and most of whom have had no initiative for young working women: respite of any kind. There is at the moment a unique opportunity for relieving the congestion of city life. … Here we are getting in touch chiefly with ‘the The terror instilled by raids, combined with the old girls’ of elementary school, with the hearty comparative independence of soldiers’ and sailors’ cooperation of head teachers. During the winter families, have loosened the ties of neighbourhood we hold regular meetings with each band, the very considerably, and there are signs that the tide programme varying as to the first part which is is setting towards country life. I should be most social, but the last half-hour includes a short talk grateful for any suggestions that would lead to the on some practical subject with the aim of helping permanent removal of families to country towns the girls form a high ideal of womanhood. In the and district. summer we have rambles with each Band and two Yours sincerely, Marion E. Wakefield, Poplar united garden parties. The badge – a white ribbon row – is a valuable asset, and stands for ‘purity of The message which the Yearly Meeting sent to all life, and for modesty in dress and in behaviour, for followers of Christ was criticised by Juliet M Godlee

14 the Friend, 25 August 2017 because it did not make clear that it did not represent Hobhouse and mother of Stephen. The Friend in an the views of all Friends. She went on to write: editorial on 17 August described the book as presenting the ‘Case of the Conscientious Objector’: There is something tragic in the attitude of the Society as it is represented at this moment: the As one of a family strongly in favour of prosecuting straining after some divinely appointed ‘mission’ to the war and as the mother of three sons in the army lead the rest of mankind; the claim to be on a higher (one of them twice wounded), and of another son in moral platform than other churches; to be specially prison, the author says she feels less distress at the ‘chosen’ for some great work apart, according to a fate of the former, ‘fighting as they are their country’s ‘vision’ which others do not see: it is all terribly like battles, with the approval of their fellows, that for the illusion of the German superman that we cannot that other son undergoing for his faith a disgraceful wonder if it excites the pity or the anger of our fellow- sentence in a felon’s cell, truly “rejected and despised” men… Men are giving their lives for what Friends of men’. are only praying for; poor human flesh at grip with such a horror has almost more than it can bear; and What was happening to Stephen Hobhouse was if Friends go about their ill-timed mission of peace described in a lecture by Gilbert Murray, reported in ‘like little glad children’ at such a time as this… they the Friend on 23 November: cannot wonder if thinking men and women are not willing to trust them with the destiny of the world. …he was sent into the army. He was sentenced to 112 days’ hard labour. Upon coming out he was returned This letter led to further correspondence including to the army, and sentenced to a further period of a letter from William Cadbury on 31 August. He imprisonment. The effect of renewed sentences was questioned whether a meeting as large as the Yearly to make conditions more severe than in the case of a Meeting could actually take decisions: single continuous sentence. Two of the worse features of our prison system of today were the eternal silence After the war, all desire that Yearly Meeting shall and the solitary confinement imposed on prisoners. meet as a truly representative body and record its It was not to be wondered at that prisoners manage deepest convictions after earnestly seeking divine to snatch a few words with each other, in spite of guidance… But may one question if in practice this the prison rules. Stephen Hobhouse was so smitten plan is suited to very large gatherings… with shame at the thought of concealment, that he …are we satisfied that our present business confessed to the Governor that he had broken the methods are fair to all? The number of speeches rule as to silence, and that he did not feel that it that can be delivered on any one subject would be right to promise to keep it. As a result it was cannot in practice increase according to the number understood that he was now to be kept continuously of well-concerned Friends present, and the plan in solitary confinement. well adapted to a small assembly often proves a millstone about the neck of our very large annual Mrs Hobhouse appealed to her readers: gatherings… I asked a Friend at home, why he did not go up If you think that what is going on is barbarous and to Yearly Meeting. He said that at a time when the should be put a stop to… if you feel with me that country was threatened with a grave food famine, what is happening will act like an ulcer on the public he felt he was doing truer service by working in his conscience and do our beloved country harm, then for spare time on his allotment, rather than attending the sake of the good fame of Great Britain and what she meetings in which he had no voice, unless by sheer stands for in the world’s history, for the credit of brave insistence he crowded out some probably better army, for the sake of an even greater cause, the cause speaker. of our common humanity; do not hide your opinions, do not rest until… the men suffering for their faith are William Cadbury even suggested that there might be set free. times when it was right to vote in the meeting and this too provoked further correspondence. Stephen Hobhouse’s health was damaged and in January 1918 he was released from prison on health grounds. In August a book was published entitled I appeal unto Caesar. It was to receive considerable notice in ‘From the archive’ is complied by Janet Scott. the press and the public sphere. The author was Mrs Henry Hobhouse, wife of the Right Honourable Henry Janet is a member of Cambridgeshire Area Meeting.

the Friend, 25 August 2017 15 Books

Naming the animals

R V Bailey welcomes a new look at some Bible stories ven if you couldn’t read it, in previous centuries In the story of Noah and the flood, he (clearly a the Bible was thought important. It had a kind of conservationist) worries about the possible extinction magic power. It might even be useful: being able of some species during all that time at sea – ‘One Eto quote a verse of Psalm 51 might save you from the hopes they’d bred in the ark…’ Indeed, they might well gallows. Nowadays the Bible, for many people, would not have bred, for tempers had frayed. It needed Mrs be handier as a doorstop. Like the tins at the back of Noah to rule the roost. the larder, it’s out-of-date. This dry, sometimes ironic voice is one of the The Bible’s stories seem rather like fairy stories that most engaging features of the stories, refusing the parents might tell their children – if, indeed, they can prevailing narrative, asking what are, after all, some find the stories in such a sea of unreadable small print pretty obvious questions. He worries about the way double-columns. Balaam treats the donkey (‘the only female among’ Though much was hoped of them, modern the characters in the story, he notes). After all, in translations have never much caught on. The Bible telling Balaam to go to Balak, the angel was just lives in the imagination as a Big Black Book and the obeying ‘divine instructions’ – which the anonymous fact that the Victorians revered it seals its fate. No, commentator dismisses as ‘(Never a wholly thank you. It’s not our thing. satisfactory explanation)…’ Robert Maxwell’s book Naming the Animals offers a different approach. Here are twenty stories, told in Furthermore, the angel: poems, about humans in a variety of predicaments encountering God. The stories do involve people – …was prepared to see the donkey people like us, and often, like us, pretty stupid. Maltreated… But far more interesting and important are the animals. And animals are never old-fashioned, How can that be reconciled never out-of-date. You can trust them: they have With the most elementary guidelines personalities. Of the DSPCA? Animals can almost talk, and in this book they certainly have opinions. Creatures of all sorts are here The stories are good ones. They remain intrinsically – donkeys and asses, owls and raven, pigs and cocks interesting, and they remain useful to us – children and whales and lions – even spiders (though they hold and grown-ups alike. The volume itself is in every their tongues) play a part. way – cover, typography, layout and illustrations – a Nobody talks down to the young reader, either. visual delight. I can think of no other collection quite ‘This is an account of an armaments race,’ is the like this, in its gentle lyricism, its open-mindedness, brisk opening line of the poem about Moses and the and the practicality of its vision. It introduces serious plagues of Egypt. Importantly, there’s also a footloose questions into a world of surprising possibilities. And unidentified commentator, who chips in from time it’s amazingly modestly priced. to time, offering his own views. ‘Why did God tell a porky?’ he ponders, thinking of the serpent and Eve: R V Bailey is from Wotton-under-Edge Meeting.

Was it for Adam’s good? Naming the Animals by Robert Maxwell is available for Or had he mixed the labels £10 (+ £2.50 p&p) from the author at Pitt Court Manor, Where the deadly nightshade stood? North Nibley, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 6EL.

16 the Friend, 25 August 2017