Thursday, 24 March 2022

A Relational Approach | Building Peace in Schools from Quakers in Britain

 "Carr Manor Community School is committed to a relational approach to a child’s education and building resource and capacity to develop their character and skills for life." Simon Flowers, Executive Principal.

In the film, we witness the school’s investment in interpersonal relationship-building through regular coaching circles and restorative practice. OFSTED calls the coaching programme a “major strength of the school”, and a pupil said “I’ll always have a family, one member of staff I can go to if I have a problem”. Another pupil told us “It does help with all round being peaceful, even if you’re not in school. Even if you’re not in school being watched by teachers, you can still stay in that mindset” 

The pupils also looked at global issues through the Creative Arts Study School, which focused on diversity and studied stories of peacebuilding from around the world. Pupils not only learnt about issues like diversity, Palestine & Israel, deportation flights, but made creative responses through art, drama, dance and music. These are complex issues, but the Study School let the children develop their responses over weeks. "The confidence that the children have... Normally that’s a skill that you acquire later in life, but because they’re empowered and they know that the adults around them really care about not only their academics but how they develop as a person, you can see that in how confident they are..." Bena Asomaning, English Teacher. Learn more about the Stansted 15 at www.amnesty.org.uk/stansted-15-tell-their-story-through-film and Combatants for Peace https://cfpeace.org/ With special thanks to pupils and staff at Carr Manor Community School, Phil Merchant of Breaking Waves Pictures at https://breakingwavesfilms.com/ and The Network for Social Change.

Website: www.quaker.org.uk/peace-education-case

Friday, 22 January 2021

Friday, 6 March 2020

monthly notices 03/2020 hysbysiadau misol BYM

Listings
March 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 March 2020 LINK TO PDF
Charney Manor weekend event: Finding out about Quakers LINK TO PDF

Reminder: ‘Prophets and Reconcilers’ conference
10–4pm, Saturday 25 April 2020, Maria Fidelis Catholic School, London
The Network of Christian Peace Organisations, of which Quaker Peace & Social Witness is an active member, is holding a major conference on Christian and spiritual peacemaking this year. Local and area meetings are encouraged to send delegations.
For information and to register: https://prophetsandreconcilers.eventbrite.co.uk Daniel Jakopovich, danielj@quaker.org.uk

Call for trustees
Become a Quaker Social Action (QSA) trustee
Are you looking for a small, influential organisation that will make the most of your time, energy and skills? With 6% of the UK population trapped in deep poverty, earning at least 50% below the poverty line, there has never been a greater need for organisations like QSA.
See: https://quakersocialaction.org.uk/taking-social-action/news/become-qsa-trustee

Climate justice

Taking action on COP26

This year, the UK will host the COP26 UN summit on climate change in Glasgow in November. A massive show of force is needed by the UK and global climate movements to spur our governments to meet bolder targets and to place justice at the heart of their response to climate change. Quaker Peace & Social Witness will be working alongside Quakers across the country to push for bold leadership on climate justice and to support the climate movement.
Have you got plans or ideas for climate justice for 2020? Let us know
we’d like to work with you!
Oonagh Ryder, oonaghr@quaker.org.uk, 0207 663 1046
See the blog ‘Learning and leading: Quaker climate action in 2020’ at:


Climate justice – a Quaker view
QPSW are excited to announce that a new leaflet, ‘Climate justice
a Quaker view’ is now available both online and in print. The new leaflet explores what climate justice means in practice and how QPSW supports Quaker climate action. LINK TO PDF LEAFLET
Rebecca Woo, rebeccaw@quaker.org.uk, 0207 663 1107




Peacebuilding and human rights

Seeking human rights monitors
We are seeking human rights monitors to serve in Palestine and Israel for 3 months in 2021, with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. You would be providing protection by presence, monitoring human rights abuses, supporting Israeli
and Palestinian peace activists and working for an end to the military occupation of Palestine. See www.quaker.org.uk/applyeappi LINK TO PDF LEAFLET

Invitation to launch of book about Quaker international conciliation work.
6.30pm Thursday 12 March 2020, live stream & at Friends House Quaker Centre Bookshop.
We invite you to the launch of: ‘Dining with diplomats, praying with gunmen; experiences of international conciliation for a new generation of peacemakers’, a vital and fascinating record of a little-known area of Quaker work. See flyer for full details of booking and live stream.
The book costs £10 from the Quaker Bookshop for individuals and meetings. www.quaker.org.uk/bookshop LINK TO PDF FLYER

Grants
QPSW Relief grants and Simmons grants
QPSW Relief grant applications (up to £4,000) open in April for peacebuilding work, or for relief of people who are suffering as a result of natural disasters, climate change, war, conflict or social and economic deprivation, but not for immediate crisis relief. Simmons grants (up to £1,500) open in May for projects that work to enable rural young people overseas to live self-sufficiently.
Ann Pfeiffer, annp@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1053

William Gunn’s Charity
A letter is enclosed with information for overseers about 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 LINK TO PDF COVERING LETTER
(Application forms with Jill, Maura or Lucien and applications can remain confidential via just  2 of these people if required)
Clerk to Trustees: Jackie Fowler 01952 253378 williamgunnscharity@gmail.com

Community building and outreach
A Quaker Life catalogue of support and resources
A catalogue offering a rich range of resources, ideas, publications and
people to help build thriving, intergenerational Quaker communities. Please share with elders, overseers, Quaker chaplains and those involved in working with children and young people. LINK TO PDF

Patterns and examples events in 2020
Saturday, 2 May at Lampeter University | Saturday, 30 May at Norwich Quaker Meeting House | Saturday, 27 June at Lancaster Quaker Meeting House
Patterns and examples are role holder (we do not have role holders explicitly for our Shared Eldership & Oversight so if someone has a particular interest please consider going) gatherings for all Quakers but not aimed at those Friends very new to Quakerism. Come to make friends with others wishing to learn and explore together.
Rhiannon Grant: rhiannon.grant@woodbrooke.org.uk, 0121 4156 770
Oliver Waterhouse: oliverw@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1007
Mel Cook: melaniec@quaker.org.uk, 020 7663 1014




Tuesday, 28 January 2020

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.

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

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.

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

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




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

Friday, 15 November 2019

monthly notices 11/2019 hysbysiadau misol BYM


Listings
November 2019 editions of Books of the Month LINK TO PDF
and Children & Young Adults Books of the Month LINK TO PDF
The Young Quaker, Issue 22, October 2019 covering the themes of identity and values. LINK TO PDF
*The YQ is always looking for contributions from young Friends, e.g. a photo of activism work, an idea for an article, a drawing or poem. Contact: theyoungquaker@gmail.com


Events
QPSW Spring Conference 2020 – Journeys of Witness
20–22 March 2020, The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire
Updated information about the conference is enclosed. Keynote speakers will be Esther Leighton and Sam Donaldson. We will also hear about QPSW work on Climate justice, learning from peace activists in East Africa and work in Israel/Palestine.
Please forward names of Friends who may benefit from this conference to your Area Meeting or consider supporting their attendance as a Local Meeting.


Support for meetings
Mental Health Conversations
This is a new report, based on conversations with Friends who have lived experience of mental health problems. It offers insights into the experience and into how meetings respond and what helps or doesn’t. It asks the question: what is our Quaker ministry on mental health?
Share with Friends interested in mental health and ask them to help the meeting to reflect – and to take action. LINK TO PDF VERSION booklet available in meeting




Economic justice
New publication from Land Value Tax group
The Quaker Land Value Tax Group has produced the enclosed publication ‘Towards equality: the hidden role of land’, with help from a QPSW grant. The group came out of Friends’ discussions and training around the new economy, and is open to anyone who would like to help take this work forward. LINK TO PDF
For more information, or to get involved with the group’s work, please contact Jocelyn Gaskell, quakerlvtgroup@gmail.com

Workshop
Singing Workshop
10am–4pm, 25 January 2020, Friends House, London
Singing is a wonderful way of bringing your Quaker community together.
Join Leonora Davies and Elena Browne for a day at Friends House as we explore how to use singing in children’s meeting, all age worship and beyond.
This is an event for all ages. Those under 18 will need to come with an adult who will be responsible for them during the day. The cost is £10 for adults and £5 for under 18s. A packed lunch will be provided.
For more information please contact

Friday, 1 November 2019

Cynghorion a holiadau // Advices & queries 20/10/2019

22) Perchwch yr amrywiaeth eang sydd yn ein mysg yn ein bywydau a’n cysylltiadau. Gochelwch rhag ffurfio barn ragfarnllyd am deithiau bywyd pobl eraill. A ydych yn meithrin yr ysbryd o gyd-ddyheu ac o faddeuant a fynnir gennym, a ninnau’n ddisgyblion? Cofiwch fod pob un ohonom yn unigryw, yn werthfawr, yn blentyn i Dduw.




22) Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our discipleship asks of us? Remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God.

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