Friday 3 November 2017

Service of Remembrance for All Victims of War

Narberth Quakers will be holding their annual Service of Remembrance for All Victims of War from a multi faith viewpoint on November 11th in Narberth at the Landsker Cross, Narberth

As it falls on Armistice Day we will gather in time to start with a two minute silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. We will be offering readings, poetry, prayers, insights from a range of faiths.  

All are welcome – whether of any faith or none!  

On Friday 10th November there will be a table with white poppies in Narberth, in the car park entrance by Span Arts 10.00 Р14.00. Donations to M̩decins Sans Fronti̬res/Doctors without Borders.

Landsker Cross: crossroads where Station Road, Spring Gardens, Jesse Road (A478) and St. James Street (A478) meet





Monday 11 September 2017

September Notices from Friends House


Books of the Month September 2017 from the Quaker Centre Bookshop. LINK

Woodbrooke upcoming courses: Upcoming events and courses September 2017 LINK.

Among Friends Issue 139, Summer 2017 [I find this broader look at Quakers of Europe & Middle East interesting MH]
This issue includes: the epistle and photos of EMES Annual Meeting in Bonn; the epistle of Nordic Yearly Meeting; reports of Church & Peace AGM and Central European Gathering; news from Woodbrooke and QCEA.Paper copy available in Meeting LINK to PDF version

 
Earth and Economy Issue 10, Summer 2017 Economic Issues, Sustainability & Peace Programmes from Quaker Peace & Social Witness.
This issue includes a look at movement- building, plus updates on fossil fuel divestment, new economy work and the support available to meetings wishing to take action.Paper copy available in Meeting  LINK to PDF version

 
Swarthmoor Hall 2018 Residential Programme Preview
A handy guide to the Swarthmoor Hall programme in 2018. Courses cover early Quaker history & spirituality, vocal ministry and Quaker Theology. Swarthmoor Hall also runs retreats and Quaker pilgrimages. New for 2018 is a pilgrimage for German speakers.  LINK to PDF
There will be a copy available at Meeting, but if you would like one for yourself contact info@swarthmoorhall.co.uk

 
Engaging with Families an event for elders, overseers and other interested Friends
Saturday 11 November 2017, Friends House, London & Saturday 2 December 2017, Lancaster Meeting House
An event bringing together elders, overseers and others to explore how meetings might engage imaginatively with families and encourage them on their spiritual journeys. Each day will include short presentations with opportunities to take part in open and creative conversations in small groups. We don’t aim to provide simple answers or identify the ‘next new thing’ to do. Together we will think deeply about how our Quaker meetings might reach out to, connect with and be enriched by families. The day is free, including refreshments and lunch. Advanced booking essential: book by 30 October for London and by 20 November for Lancaster.


For booking details see https://forms.quaker.org.uk/families or contact 020 7663 1013, cypadmin@quaker.org.uk

 
God, Words and Us
A book about Quakers in conversation about religious difference is coming soon. It may help with your meeting’s spiritual preparation for Yearly Meeting 2018.
Quaker Centre Bookshop, www.quaker.org.uk/resources/bookshop 020 7663 1030/1125, quakercentre@quaker.org.uk £8

 
Sharing our treasures at Woodbrooke!
17–19 November 2017, Woodbrooke, Birmingham
How are we nourished and nurtured to live out our Quaker faith in the world? What keeps us grounded and feeds our inner lives? How do we tell our stories and share our experience with others: in our meetings and in our lives? Reflective, practical and experiential,
this weekend will be an opportunity to explore and deepen our own spiritual practice. We will experience and experiment with ways of deepening our encounters and gain some ideas to help us share our life stories and Quaker journey with others. Led by Alistair Fuller, Gill Sewell and Caro Humphries.
Bookings and details at https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/item/ something-to-be-treasured-something-to-be-shared/

 
Join the QLN Network Outreach Cluster
Are you part of the Outreach Cluster of the Quaker Life Network? We hope every meeting will have at least one Friend signed up for the outreach cluster newsletter! Get regular updates on leaflets, posters, outreach initiatives and read stories of other meetings’ activities.
These regular emails also share information, tips and opportunities for sharing outreach experience! Keep up to date with Quakers in Britain outreach, be inspired and have a chance to share your challenges and successes with other Quakers.

 
You can be a Sanctuary Meeting
The Quakers’ new national migrants’ rights programme has launched. Any local or area meeting that wants to can become a Sanctuary Meeting. If you want to become a Sanctuary Meeting, you will be supported through training, networking and retreats to help welcome newcomers to Britain, build alliances against racism and work together for political change. LINK to Q&A FLYER
Send any questions or indeed your decision to become a Sanctuary Meeting to sanctuary@quaker.org.uk

 
QPSW Relief grant and Simmons grant applications open next month
 
QPSW Relief grants of up to £4,000 per year for a maximum of three years will be available for projects both overseas and in the UK for peace-building, and addressing relief of people who are suffering as a result of social and economic deprivation, natural disasters,
climate change, war or conflict but not immediate crisis relief. Simmons grants of about £1,500 for one year will be available to aid Quakers’ support / involvement in overseas projects helping rural young people become self-sufficient, or with a similar educational purpose. The deadline for applications is the end of February. 020 7663 1053, annp@quaker.org.uk
 
 
FWCC peace calendar
Friends World Committee for Consultation and the Quaker Arts Network have created a beautiful calendar to celebrate the diverse peacemaking activities of Friends around the world, and to inspire and strengthen further witness.
We hope that calendar sales will raise funds for FWCC in support of Quaker work, and also serve as inspiration and outreach. It has been designed as a wall calendar to hang in the meeting house, office or home, and would be a lovely gift for Friends or others this Christmas
FLYER & ORDER FORM
if more than one person interested we could order together

 
A Quaker funeral (leaflet)
Quaker Life has produced a new leaflet that meetings can use when holding a funeral or memorial meeting. The leaflet has been written in plain English and is easy for non-Quakers to understand. One copy  of the leaflet in Meeting; Quaker Life is encouraging meetings to order this leaflet instead of printing the previous version. LINK to PDF VERSION
If several people would like the leaflet we can order MH

 

Sunday 20 August 2017

Epistle from Britain Yearly Meeting held in Coventry 29 July – 5 August 2017


To Friends everywhere


For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” [James 2:26]


We send loving greetings from Britain Yearly Meeting gathered in community.

 
This is the third year in which we have explored our theme of Living out our faith in the world; this time we have considered how we work with others to make a difference and build a better world. We have been delighted by the presence of Friends from other yearly meetings and visitors from other churches and faith groups. They have helped us to recognise the way bonds form between different communities for the common good, and to value the richness which comes to us when we welcome diversity in our meetings.


Since our last Yearly Meeting our nations have experienced increasing uncertainty and insecurity. Inequality has become vividly apparent. We are distressed by the trashing of our planet, and angry at the greed, ruthlessness, violence and lies which blight the lives of so many. “What do you mean, says God, that you grind the faces of my poor?” [Isaiah 3:15] In this fractured world, how can we respond? What does Love require of us?


We ourselves are part of the problem. Many are too rich. We damage the land, the sea, and all living creatures. We are stealing the future. Change is urgent. We need to recognize our own selfishness and privilege: to be changed ourselves, to live as if the Kingdom of God were already fulfilled.

 
Throughout our gathering we have heard examples of Friends’ work and involvement in the world as Meetings and as individuals. We are reminded that we all find different ways of being faithful. Inspired by the Fox Cubs (3–5-year-olds) we have worn the ribbons which they gave us to share their concern for hungry and homeless people.

 
When we engage with the brokenness of the world, one of our tools can be our willingness to listen: to the vulnerable, to each other, to those with whom we disagree, and to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. This will enable us to work alongside others powerfully, telling the truth of what is wrong in the world. Sometimes listening will lead us to stillness, at other times to practical action. In all things the Spirit will direct us.


Working with others gives us strength. Their insights may lead us to see our own shortcomings. We can also hold conversations with those in positions of authority and influence.

 
Ours may be a supporting role. We may be called to comfort and uphold, to practise small kindnesses, to admit our own weakness, and to undertake practical tasks which enable others to act. Sometimes being there is enough.


Action may demand courage. This may mean taking part in public protests or acts of disobedience. We may be led to challenge rooted injustices and to use our energy to bring about radical change. Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers in the temple. He taught that the blessed community was formed of the poor, the hungry and those suffering loss or persecution. [Luke 6:20-22]

 
When our call is clear, we need discipline to test it, and faithfulness to carry it through without counting the cost. May God give us strength and grace to be instruments of change.

 
Therefore, dear Friends, wait in the Light, that the Word of the Lord may dwell plentifully in you.” [Quaker faith & practice 29.19]

LINK to PDF DOCUMENT OF ALL MINUTES FROM THE 2017 GATHERING
lots more reading - but an interesting overview.

Friday 14 July 2017

Perhaps of interest to Narberth Quakers







































LOOKING FORWARDS – AND BACKWARDS

Pembrokeshire South East Energy Group (PSEEG) will be holding it’s final meeting on Thursday 20th July 2017.

It will be looking forward with a talk by Janet Roberts (Chair of PSEEG) on ‘Our Changing Climate’. This is the most pressing problem of our time. We continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere resulting in record high temperatures which manifests in so many different ways around our globe. The effects are seen on all the continents from the Arctic to the Antarctic.

Following the talk the Group will take ‘A Short Walk Down Memory Lane’ and look back over the nine years it’s been active and seeing what has been achieved in that time.

All members of the public are very welcome to join us whether local residents or visitors.

PSEEG meets in The Regency Hall, Saundersfoot at 7.00pm and there will be tea/coffee and biscuits and a chance to chat at the end of the evening.

Monday 3 July 2017

The Prison Phoenix Trust & Sight 2020 charity



The Summer 2017 newsletter is out. There is a copy in The Black Folder that can be borrowed, or you can get a pdf
LINK TO PDF

THEIR WEBSITE



Sight 2020 direct Charity is the charity we are currently collecting for [from July 2nd]



Our Mission Statement

We aim to fight and treat the preventable causes of blindness in the developing world. This includes cataracts, childhood blindess, refractive errors, low vision and glaucoma

 
LINK TO WEBSITE



Saturday 1 July 2017

July notices from Friend's House




 
Quakers condemn all acts of violence

In the wake of recent tragedies, Paul Parker, the Recording Clerk, has made a statement on behalf of Quakers in Britain. He refers to Quakers’ response and says, “Quakers lovingly uphold all those affected by the recent tragedies. People of all faiths should be able to live and worship in peace.”

You can read the full statement on the news page of Q website www.quaker.org.uk/news- and-events/news/quakers-condemn-all-acts-of-violence and also on Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter @BritishQuakers for news

 
Yearly Meeting Gathering – bookings still open

29 July–5 August 2017, Warwick University

Already over 1,300 Friends of all ages are coming, and we’ve got room for a few more! Come and enjoy the packed programme including a variety of talks and workshops.

Go to www.quaker.org.uk/ym for a full timetable and online bookings. Bursaries are still available. Please note that the children’s programme is now full.

For bookings enquiries contact Warwick University by email: Quakers2017@warwick.ac.uk. For other YMG enquiries, please contact ym@quaker.org.uk or phone 020 7663 1040.

 
Conferences and events

2017 Quaker Activist Gathering

10am–4pm, Saturday 14 October 2017, LIFT Islington, London

What does our Quaker faith prompt us to do in the world? Join Quaker Peace & Social Witness and US Friend and activist George Lakey for a day of sharing, workshops, networking, and movement-building.
Plus: between 6–9pm at Friends House George Lakey will give a free talk to launch his new book, Viking Economics.
Kristin Skarsholt, bymevents@quaker.org.uk www.quaker.org.uk/events/qag-2017

 

Quaker Tapestry exhibition

7–18 August 2017, Friends House, London

Delight in the detail of the Quaker Tapestry and its unique exploration of Quaker history at this free ‘on the road’ exhibition of 21 original Tapestry panels. On display Monday to Saturday 10am–4pm and Thursdays 10am–8pm. www.quaker.org.uk/events/quakertapestry

 

Quaker News

Quaker News – no summer issue
Due to staff changes we will not be publishing a summer issue of Quaker News this year. The next issue will be brought to you by a brand new editor and will reach meetings in late September, in time for Quaker Week. If you would like extra copies of this issue to use during Quaker Week, please let us know.

Leslie Bell, qn@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1019

Quaker Week and Outreach

Getting ready for Quaker Week 2017 In turbulent times: be a Quaker

30 September–8 October 2017

Free information packs – we can send your meeting six free copies of our helpful information pack for newcomers, which includes leaflets, Advices & queries and a copy of Being a Quaker by Geoffrey Durham. Send your requests to quakercentre@quaker.org.uk or phone 020 7663 1030 or 020 7663 1125.

Providing speakers – if you are holding an event during Quaker Week, we can offer speakers on a wide range of topics, from Quaker worship and spirituality, to Quaker history, to peace education, economic justice and advocacy. Email speakers@quaker.org.uk
Balloons are now available too!

Quaker Hoodies now available!

Quaker hoodies (also known as zoodies) are now available! A  brilliant tool for everyday outreach, stewarding events, activism and chaplaincy, they can be purchased at the Quaker Centre bookshop in
Friends House, on their website http://bookshop.quaker.org.uk and will be available at Yearly Meeting Gathering. They feature our outreach Twitter handle ‘Know more Quakers’ underneath the Q logo.


 
Surveys

Mental health in Quaker meetings survey

Quaker Life would like to learn how meetings respond to challenges that arise in Quaker meetings that relate to mental health or illness. Please respond as a meeting or as an individual. There is not a limit to the number of responses from each Quaker meeting and individuals are strongly encouraged to send in their own response as well as elders’ or overseers’ responding on behalf of the meeting community.

Please visit https://forms.quaker.org.uk/ql-mental-health-survey.

The form should take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete online. Oliver Waterhouse, oliverw@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1007

The Changing Face of Faith in Britain survey

As part of a research project commissioned by the Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) on the changing face of faith in Britain, a new online survey has been produced aimed at those who have first come to Meeting in the last 3 years. Please complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7NTL6KP by July 24.


The Changing Face of Faith in Britain

16–18 March 2018, Woodbrooke, Birmingham

Area meetings are asked to appoint to the Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations (QCCIR Qf&p 9.13) conference. This will cover the findings of the current QCCIR research project on ‘The Changing Face of Faith in Britain’, looking at the challenge for Friends of the growth of ‘secular society’ and changes to traditional religious expression. It will provide an opportunity to consider the results of this project and where this might lead Friends. Also see 9 below

Quakers and the Changing Face of Faith in Britain survey (PDF)

enquiries@woodbrooke.org.uk, 0121 472 5171 www.woodbrooke.org.uk

 
ALSO:



Monday 12 June 2017

Quaker UK notices June 2017





Review of Quaker appeals process


Quaker faith & practice gives Friends the right to appeal to Meeting for Sufferings about decisions of an area meeting which affect them personally (section 4.25). Meeting for Sufferings is currently reviewing the process for this and has appointed a small group. That group has come up with a number of questions to help it consider if the current process works well or how it could be changed. If you would like to assist the group, then please get in touch with me. The group will need responses by the end of June.
Michael Booth, michaelsb@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1023

Our faith in action: Quaker work in 2016


Our faith in action gives a brief taste of the range of work carried out by Britain Yearly Meeting on behalf of Quakers in Britain last year. We hope that all Friends will get a chance to read it and that they will feel proud of what has been achieved in their name
Our faith in action and the 2016 financial statements are available online at www.quaker.org.uk/annualreport. For paper copies please email resources@quaker.org.uk or phone 020 7663 1015.

Yearly Meeting Gathering places still available


29 July–5 August 2017, Warwick University
Come to Yearly Meeting Gathering (YMG) and enjoy the packed programme. There will be a variety of talks and workshops from George Lakey, Steve Whiting, Bridget Walker, Mairi Campbell-Jack, Ann Morgan and more.
Further details available at www.quaker.org.uk/ym and a full timetable will be online from 1 June.
Online bookings will open again on 1 June for remaining places. Spaces and bursaries still available.
For bookings enquiries contact University of Warwick directly email Quakers2017@warwick.ac.uk
For other YMG enquiries, please contact ym@quaker.org.uk or phone 020 7663 1040.

Getting ready for Quaker Week 2017 In turbulent times: be a Quaker

29    September–8 October
Quaker Week is coming! Well, not yet but it’s never too early to think about planning!
This Getting ready for Quaker Week letter (PDF) contains a full list of resources, support and contacts to help you plan and advertise your Quaker Week events.
It includes information about the new poster, ideas pack and postcard pack that will be sent to meetings over the summer and details resources to buy/download including our new Quaker hoodies. It also outlines our speaker offer where we can send you a speaker to talk on a range of topics such as Quakerism today, our peace work and the history of the Society.
We encourage Friends to add ‘#QuakerWeek’ on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook posts to promote their events and join the conversation!

Refugee Week

19–25 June, Friends House and across Britain
Quaker events to support Refugee Week include a Library open day at Friends House (Monday 19 June) and author events in the
Quaker Centre bookshop at 6.30pm on 19–22 June alongside all-age meetings for worship, theatre performances and discussion events in local meetings across Britain.
There is a Journeys in the Spirit resource for children’s meeting. For full listings visit quaker.org.uk/migration or refugeeweek.org.uk.
If you are organising a Refugee Week event and would like to list it on the quaker.org.uk/migration website, email timothyg@quaker.org.uk.

Membership Weeekend – finding out about Quakers

10–12 November 2017, Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Oxfordshire
This weekend is for people who have been around Quakers for a while and want to explore further. What does Quakerism mean to you? Do you need to know more? Is there any difference between being an attender at Quaker meetings and becoming a member?