monthly notices 02/2020 hysbysiadau misol BYM & yearly gathering

Listings

February 2020 editions of Books of the Month LINK TO PDF and Children & Young Adults Books of the Month  LINK TO PDF from the Quaker Centre Bookshop.

Woodbrooke Upcoming Courses February 2020 LINK TO PDF

Swarthmoor Hall 2020 Programme Guide including residential retreats, courses and pilgrimages LINK TO PDF and In Fox’s Footsteps: Planning 1652 Country Quaker Pilgrimages LINK TO PDF

Conferences

QPSW Spring Conference 2020 – Journeys of Witness

20–22 March 2020, The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire

Quaker Peace and Social Witness works with and on behalf of Quakers in Britain to turn our faith into action. This is an inspiring and inspiriting weekend and you will meet Friends from across Britain and hear about a range of QPSW work, including climate justice, learning from peace activists in East Africa and work in Israel and Palestine.

Keynote speakers will be Esther Leighton and Sam Donaldson.

Please forward names of Friends who may benefit from this conference to your Area Meeting or consider supporting their attendance as a Local Meeting.

bymevents@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1142 www.quaker.org.uk/events/2020-qpsw-spring-conference

Invitation to Sustainability Online Conference with Friends worldwide

Saturday 22 February 2020, 8am–11am

Join Friends around the world in FWCC’s Online Sustainability Conference in order to gather the collective Quaker voice on sustainability. There will be time for worship sharing.

Register on the eventbrite link fwcc.world/sustainability/conference2020

For further information: Faith Biddle, sustainability@fwcc.world, 020 7663 1198

LINK TO PDF FLYER/POSTER

Outreach

Finding out about Quakers 2020

April, October and November 2020

Quaker Quest runs events each spring and autumn for those wanting to find out more about Quakers. Some are for those new to Quakers, others are for those considering membership or deeper involvement. These reflective, informative, guided weekends take place at Charney Manor in Oxfordshire and Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria.

LINK TO PDF FLYER with dates

Non Violence & Peacemaking

Inspiring Nonviolence – Online Course 2020

24 Feb – 5 April 2020

Turning the Tide GB and Woodbrooke Quaker Learning Centre are working in partnership to facilitate an online course called ‘Inspiring Nonviolence’. Whether you are an experienced activist wanting some space to reflect or you’re wondering about how to make a difference – you are very welcome to participate. For information and to book go to www.woodbrooke.org.uk/inspiring-nonviolence

turningtide.org.uk/inspiring-nonviolence

LINK TO PDF FLYER

Major conference on Christian and spiritual peacemaking

Saturday 25 April 2020, Maria Fidelis Catholic School, London

The Network of Christian Peace Organisations, of which Quaker Peace and Social Witness is an active member, is holding a major conference on Christian and spiritual peacemaking. The conference, whose provisional title is “Prophets and Reconcilers”, will take place on Saturday 25 April at the Maria Fidelis Catholic School in London. We are encouraging local and area meetings to send delegations to the conference to take part and help make it a success.

Daniel Jakopovich, danielj@quaker.org.uk

Grants

Adult Education grants for 2020–2021 academic year

Adult Education grants for 2020–2021 are available for members and attenders taking a further or higher education course to equip themselves to serve society and/or Quakers in Britain. To apply you should be a mature student or graduate, either in membership of

Britain Yearly Meeting or an attender of at least five years. You should be in need of financial support to take the course and the course should be offered at a reputable institution within the UK.

Applications close 30 April 2020. www.quaker.org.uk/adult-education-grants Contact: grants@quaker.org.uk

Families 

Philosophy for Communities Family Weekend

21–23 February 2020, Woodbrooke

Philosophy for Communities Family weekend, all ages discussing life’s big questions together and having fun.

judea@quaker.org,uk, 020 7663 1160 www.woodbrooke.org.uk/P4C-Family

LINK TO PDF FLYER

Yearly Meeting Gathering

At University of Bath 1 – 7 August LINK TO WEBSITE

Booklets with lots of information will be on leaflet table

Nominations for Junior Yearly Meeting 2020

Deadline for nominations 10 March, 2020

Please continue to consider whether there are young people who might benefit from attending JYM at Yearly Meeting Gathering. They do not need to be in regular attendance or consider themselves Quakers to be eligible. This is because it is an important opportunity that is often a formative event for their relationship with Quakerism.

Aleks Zawadzka, cypadmin@quaker.org.uk, 0207 663 1013

CROESO I BAWB WELCOME TO ALL: OUR MEETING WHEN & WHERE LINK

monthly notices 07/2019 hysbysiadau misol BYM

Listings, newsletter and more

from the Quaker Centre Bookshop:

Books of the Month July 2019 LINK TO PDF

Children & Young Adults Books of the Month 2019 LINK TO PDF

Woodbrooke Upcoming Courses July 2019 LINK TO PDF

CIRcular, Issue 37, Yearly Meeting 2019 a digest of activities undertaken both by the Quaker Committee for Christian & Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) and Friends in interfaith and interchurch work across the yearly meeting. LINK TO PDF

The Young Quaker, Issue 21: May 2019 – The Literary Issue The Young Friends General Meeting magazine. LINK TO PDF

Seeking Routes Art Exhibition, 20 July–8 September, Swarthmoor Hall An exhibition by Quaker artists supported by Quaker Arts Network on the theme of Quaker witness to sustainability – including a programme of workshops, lectures, poetry and performances.

Support for meetings LINK TO PDF

BYM and Woodbrooke Trustees decision

On 7 June Trustees of Woodbrooke and Britain Yearly Meeting met to discuss next steps, after the evaluation of the Vibrancy in Meetings pilot showed it helped Friends in these areas feel more connected, confident and supported. The aim is to have a Local Development Worker within reach of each Quaker community within five years.

LINK TO PDF More information is available at www.quaker.org.uk/blog

Quaker Week

Quaker Week 2019

Saturday 28 September to Sunday 6 October 2019

Quaker Week is all about Quaker stories. Do you know each other’s stories? Can you share your meeting’s story with the world? LINK TO PDF FLYERS

If you are on social media, use the hashtag

#QuakerStories to find examples and share your stories.

outreach@quaker.org.uk

Mental Health forum

Quaker Mental Health Forum – Mental health in community

Saturday, 19 October 2019, The Priory Rooms, Birmingham, B4 6AF

Quaker Life would like to encourage meetings to attend the Quaker mental health forum. This year’s forum will explore the impact of community on mental health, consider what makes a healthy community and reflect on Quaker witness in creating spiritual connections within the community. LINK TO PDF FLYER

Alison Mitchell, 07483 028 490, mhdo@retreatyorkbfund.com www.retreatyorkbfund.com

Book online at http://bit.ly/QMH-forum-2019

Witness against the arms trade

Stop the Arms Fair this September

September 2019, mainly London & some events across Britain

The international arms fair, DSEI, is setting up shop in London in September 2019, to export war and conflict around the world.

When we play host to one of the world’s largest arms fairs, war, repression and injustice start here. Let’s stop it here.

Friends interested in opposing the arms fair can see the flyer on activities by Roots of Resistance (printed copy included) and an additional flyer on the monthly mailing web page about the vigil.

ROOTS OF RESISTANCE FLYER

STOP THE ARMS FAIR & SILENT VIGIL FLYER

Daniel Jakopovich, danielj@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1090

Asylum and migration conference

Envisioning a world that is open to all: let us see what love can do

27–29 September 2019, Woodbrooke

A weekend conference learning about asylum and migration, hearing from those who have felt its impact, and working together to create the change that we need. Speakers, workshops, performances and panel discussions will explore the interplay between race, privilege and migration.

LINK TO PDF FLYER Register at www.woodbrooke.org.uk/envisioning

Hardship grants for individuals

Hope grants for individuals

Grants of up to £750 are available to improve the quality of life for Quaker members and attenders who are unemployed or unable to make a living wage. Past grants have funded: equipment for a new or developing hobby; help with the cost of attending evening classes    or lessons; help with cost of participating fully in the life of the Society of Friends; help with travel costs, like visiting an aged relative.

Applications must be supported by an overseer. For details see:

www.quaker.org.uk/hopegrants

grants@quaker.org.uk

Pollard & Dickson Trust has grants of up to £1,500 available for Friends & attenders in Britain to help those unable to meet daily living expenses and to support Friends to attend activities, courses or events that will have benefits for the wider Quaker community

LINK TO PDF FLYER  

Contact Augene Nanning, Pollard & Dickson Trust Administrator

pollardanddickson@gmail.com

William Gunn’s Charity

This Charity exists to assist individual Members who are in personal financial need by making grants of money to them or by paying for services and / or items needed by them.

Grants Secretary: Val Brittin 01905 25472 Clerk to Trustees: Jackie Fowler 01952 253378

LINK TO PDF FLYER Email: williamgunnscharity@gmail.com

Children and young people

Facilitation and Leadership

Friday 18 – Sunday 20 October 2019, Woodbrooke

An energetic and interesting event for 16 to 21 year olds, helping them understand groups and try out skills. It is for those new to facilitation and for those with previous experience – developing confidence, understanding and skills alongside considering how to engage with Quaker aspects of facilitation. LINK TO PDF FLYER

Cat Waithaka, catw@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1011

www.yqspace.org.uk/FL2019

Living as a Quaker

18–21 October 2019, The Sustainability Centre, Hampshire

Exciting opportunity for 12 to 15 year olds – residential event exploring personal beliefs alongside outdoor skills and activities organised by the Children and Young People’s Team and Youth Work project.

Book at https://forms.quaker.org.uk/laaq-2019 or ring 020 7663 1013

Deadline 21 September

How young Quakers can witness for peace at the arms fair

Monday 9 September, 2019 from 6pm to 8pm.

Meet Tidal Basin Road, outside Royal Victoria DLR at 6pm

Come and meet other young Quakers and attend the silent vigil

held the evening before the September DSEi arms fair. There will be Friends House staff and people who campaign for peace at this event. Young people attend this event independently. Friends House staff will support young people joining the vigil and parents/guardians should be happy that the young people attending the event are of an age where they can take responsibility for themselves.

LINK TO PDF LEAFLET

Cat Waithaka, catw@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1011

February 2018 notices from British Yearly Meeting / Quakers in Britain

Books of the month link to PDF

Woodbrooke Upcoming Courses February 2018 link to pdf

Swarthmoor Hall 2018 Programme Guide link to pdf

Young Quakers Calendar link to pdf  

 

Gatherings & conferences

Yearly Meeting 2018

All Friends (whether in membership or not) are invited to participate in Yearly Meeting

to be held at Friends House, London from 4–7 May 2018. Enclosed in this mailing is the calling letter with registration details. Please circulate this letter to as many Friends in your meeting as possible.

Link to calling letter PDF

 

Keynote speaker at QPSW Spring Conference announced

23–25 March, The Hayes conference centre, Derbyshire

The keynote speaker at the QPSW Spring Conference will be Elsie Whittington. Her keynote title is “Awkwardness as activism: embracing vulnerability in love, activism and witness”. The Spring Conference theme is ‘Journeys of Witness’.

Link to information flyer PDF

Booking deadline extended to 11 February!

Kristin Skarsholt, bymevents@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1121

 

 

Sign up to new e-newsletter

Get the best of Britain Yearly Meeting’s digital content

Quake! is the new monthly email update on the work of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) and Quakers in Britain. It will include discussion

and exploration of Quaker life and worship, insights into faith-based activism, and links to new publications as well as the latest news, events and public statements from BYM. This newsletter replaces the Quaker Life Network monthly email and aims to provide an essential monthly digest of the best of our digital content.

Sign up to Quake! HERE

 

 

Meetings and mental health

Friends Quarterly – Quakers and mental health

The theme of the current Friends Quarterly. is mental health with articles written by Quakers from a range of perspectives. A complimentary copy has been sent to us.

Oliver Waterhouse, oliverw@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1007

 

New leaflet: Mental health in our meetings

Quaker Life has just published this new leaflet on mental health in

our meetings. It offers advice and guidance to help meetings respond when mental distress is present. It is a helpful resource for those with responsibility for eldership and oversight and useful for all Quakers to be aware of. A copy is available in Meeting and we can order more.

Link to PDF copy

 

Spiritual life of the meeting

Experiment with Light

Quaker Life recognises that for some Friends, Experiment with Light can be a powerful way of deepening their spiritual life. Experience has shown that the practice contributes best to the life of the meeting when it is undertaken in a group that is in the care of the meeting and supported by elders. In 2018 Experiment with Light Network offers opportunities for people with a range of experience of the practice.

Friends can find out about the practice from a very basic level of understanding or, as a practitioner, might wish to be immersed in a 24-hour retreat, or local meetings might request a workshop.

Link to PDF information leaflet

Angie Dunhill, experimentwithlight@gmail.com

www.experiment-with-light.org.uk

 

Outreach

Quaker Week 2018

29 September – 7 October 2018

Have you started planning your outreach for Quaker Week 2018?

We hope even more meetings will get involved this year. Details of the theme, ideas for activities and a range of resources will be shared over the next few months. There will be regular updates in the clerks mailing and information on the Quaker Week web page. Remember for outreach to be most effective you may need to go out into your local community rather that expecting people to cross the threshold of the meeting house.

outreach@quaker.org.uk, www.quaker.org.uk/quakerweek

 

Children and young people

Growing as an all age community?

There are opportunities for meetings to be helped and supported in developing as all age communities. These are: hosting one of a range of workshops, considering how the new ‘All are welcome’ resource can be used and inviting a facilitator to an area / local meeting event. These are offered by the volunteer Children and Young People’s Work Training Team, supported by Quaker Life staff.

Link to PDF information leaflet

CYP administrator, cypadmin@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1013

 

 

Grants

Adult Education grants available

Grants are available for Quaker members and attenders continuing their education as mature students within the post-compulsory education sector, including vocational, further or higher education or continuing professional development. The grants are particularly

aimed at those studying to equip themselves to serve society and/or Quakers in Britain. Applicants should be in need of financial support to take the course and the course should be offered at a reputable institution within the UK. Please see the grant-making page of the Quakers in Britain website HERE

Closing date 30 April.

Ann Pfeiffer annp@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1053

 

Quaker witness

Quakers challenging torture

With this new leaflet Quaker Concern for the Abolition of Torture

(Q-CAT) hopes to raise awareness of the continuing scourge that is torture in the world today, what Quakers can do about this problem and how to find out more and get involved. (Erratum: the word ‘use’ is missing at the end of ‘Quakers and Torture’ section in printed copy that we have.)

Link to PDF version of leaflet

 

February notices

Books of the Month February 2017 (PDF)

Woodbrooke upcoming events and courses February 2017 (PDF)

Young Quaker Calendar 2017 (PDF) provides information about events and resources available for young Quakers aged 11 and above. The calendar can also be viewed online at www.yqspace.org.uk/find-event. For further copies to give to young Quakers, please contact the CYP Administrator on 020 7663 1013 or email cypadmin@quaker.org.uk.

New economy booklet Quaker Peace & Social Witness’ new economy booklets explore what an economy in tune with Quaker testimony might look like. The latest booklet, Money, banks and finance in the new economy, is now available. Read it online at www.quaker.org.uk/neweconomy or order it by emailing neweconomy@quaker.org.uk or writing to QPSW at Friends House.

Making Waves Spring 2017 (PDF) Newly revamped annual journal of Quaker Peace & Social Witness’ Turning the Tide programme, containing a digest of articles and blogs, mainly from Turning the Tide’s website: LINK covering many aspects of nonviolence and social change. Join the mailing list by contacting: turningtide@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1064/1

Swarthmoor Hall Programme 2017 (PDF) Including courses and retreats in the Woodbrooke at Swarthmoor Hall programme; non-residential performances and special events; activities for the Quaker community – from meetings for worship to 1652 pilgrimagesDocuments relating to the numbered items in the local and area meetings letters (numbered as per the items in the letter):

Yearly Meeting Gathering 2017 leaflet (PDF)

Spirituality and End of Life Conference 2017 flyer and booking form (PDF)

4 March 2017, York Friargate Meeting House, York
Any interested Friends are now invited to attend this one day conference to hear from Christian and other faiths about spiritual approaches to end of life issues. Further details on the day’s agenda and speakers are on the enclosed flyer along with a booking form. If you would like to attend see link above or contact Graham Spackman, grahams@quaker.org.uk

 Journeys into the Spirit: This free resource to aid work with children, young people and even adults has over 1,100 subscribers. Current issues offer approaches to encourage the reading of Quaker faith & practice in line with the BYM initiative. Links to an updated catalogue and a leaflet with a subscription form. All issues are available on the Being Friends Together website http://together.woodbrooke.org.uk/resources.php.

cypadmin@quaker.org.uk
Journeys in the Spirit 2017 leaflet (PDF)
Journeys in the Spirit 2017 catalogue (PDF)

 

For young people who are interested in international affairs and the United Nations that the Geneva Summer School 2017 is being advertised and the closing date for applications is 15 March 2017.
Geneva Summer School 2017 flyer (PDF)
Helen Bradford, 020 7663 1071, helenb@quaker.org.uk

Young Friends General Meeting

24–26 February, Edinburgh Meeting House
Young Friends General Meeting (YFGM) is a national community of young adult Quakers aged 18–30ish. We meet several times a year to spend time together, explore our faith, and have fun! Our next meeting will be north of the border, in Edinburgh from 24–26 February.
We encourage meetings to consider funding representatives who could report back on the activities of this vibrant community.
To find out more or to register, go to the YFGM website at yfgm.quaker.org.uk or contact the YFGM Office: 020 7663 1050; yfgm@quaker.org.uk; Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

Quaker chaplaincy – support is available

We need more Quaker chaplains!
A talk or workshop on Quaker chaplaincy may help with the recruitment of Quaker chaplains. We can also help you organise a visit to the chaplaincy team in your local prison, university, hospital or other workplace where possible, to help raise awareness within your meeting about this important Quaker work/role. There is a pool of existing Quaker chaplains to support you with this, so please do get in touch.
Marleen Schepers, 020 7663 1143, chaplainsupport@quaker.org.uk www.quaker.org.uk/chaplaincy

FWCC hiring Organisational Assistant

Friends World Committee for Consultation: the World Office and the Europe and Middle East Section are sharing a full time Organisational Assistant and are seeking applications.
Application deadline: 28 February
For further information, contact Kim at kimb@friendsworldoffice.org
FWCC job advert 2017 (PDF)

Experiment with Light

Quaker Life recognises that for some Friends, Experiment with Light can be a powerful way of deepening their spiritual life. Experience has shown that the practice contributes best to the life of the meeting when it is undertaken in a group that is in the care of the meeting and supported by elders. Below  are enclosing details of opportunities in 2017 for learning more about the practice.
Susie Tombs, 07967 111338 experimentwithlight@gmail.com, www.experiment-with-light.org.uk
Experiment with Light 2017 flyer (PDF)

Joint Libraries Development Project

A Joint Libraries Development Project is being undertaken by Britain Yearly Meeting and Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. The libraries  at Friends House and at Woodbrooke are working together to increase use of their collections. They are exploring the possibility of an online digital library and wish to hear your views. Whether currently a library user or not, all input is helpful.
Action: Please encourage individual Friends to contribute to plans for the joint library service by completing the survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JLDP1 Survey open until the end of February 2017
Any queries contact project manager Adrienne Speake: Adrienne.speake@woodbrooke.org.uk