Devon and Cornwall Quakers
 For the location of the St Austell Friends Meeting House, click here.
The news release below was issued on 5 August last year, and in December 2011 the main policy committee of Quakers in Britain (called Meeting for Sufferings for historical reasons), started the long haul - of turning the commitment below into practical reality.....
Low carbon future for Quakers
A plan is being drawn up to turn this commitment into action and members have agreed to support each other and hold each other to account to achieve it. “We can no longer ignore the fact that our planet is finite,” say Quakers. “We have not only inherited the earth from our ancestors: we have borrowed it from our children and from their children.”
More than 1,500 Quakers made the decision while gathered at the University of Kent in Canterbury for their annual Yearly Meeting to discern the way ahead for Quakers in Britain. The eight-day programme for all ages, from 30 July to 6 August, was an inspiring mix of worship, business, spiritual growth and fun. The decision is rooted in Quakers’ longstanding work for a peaceful and more equal world. Quakers understand that many global problems are connected: speakers during the week highlighted the fact that the environmental crisis is inextricably linked with global economic injustice. The meeting also decided to challenge the values of consumer capitalism and engage with politicians and other decision makers to develop policies to safeguard people and planet. “We believe this corporate action will enable us to speak truth to power more confidently,” says the minute recording the decision. The same theme of sustainability and spirituality in challenging times was explored by Pam Lunn, of Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, in the Swarthmore Lecture, traditionally delivered during Quakers’ Yearly Meeting. She said: “We need to take with utter seriousness the place of theology, religion and spirituality as necessary to our human response to the challenges now facing us. People of all faiths have a crucial role to play.” She spoke about Quakers’ practice of spirituality and about the “absolute need for serious and sustained spiritual discipline if we’re to develop the inner resilience to meet the challenges and demands that face us.”
Israel and Palestine Pete Squire and his family have recently brought back from Israel some photos of The Wall (below). This link goes to the BYM website page giving advice on boycotting illegal settlement products On 5 April 2011 Meeting for Sufferings - 'the Quaker church in session' - agreed to boycott products from the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law. Quakers consider that this boycott is a non-violent move for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. The decision made it clear that Quakers are not boycotting Israel. Feedback from Quaker Meetings throughout the UK has supported the decision but suggestions have been made for other actions, eg: place a positive message on the Quaker website; explain our actions clearly; encourage industries to locate themselves in the Palestinian Occupied Territories; teach English in Palestinian Schools; source Palestinian products; twin with Palestinian towns; use the email link with a church in Gaza; enter into dialogue with Jewish groups; reiterate our aim to seek reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Wall - A Mother weeps
The Wall, on the left, in front, and across the horizon The Wall, at the bottom of a Palestinian garden: Photos - Pete Squire & family
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It helps newcomers to understand more about Quakerism, while exploring their own spiritual journey, through the use of flexible learning materials, on-line discussion groups and support from a network of ‘companions’ in local meetings. It is however only an option, to use or not! The Becoming Friends course is available both online and on paper. The book (paper pack) 'Becoming Friends: Living and Learning with Quakers' costs £10 from the Quaker Bookshop. Or, sign up for the online course, cost £5, by following the instructions at www.woodbrooke.org.uk/becomingfriends. A free demonstration of the online Becoming Friends course is also available at http://moodle.woodbrooke.org.uk (use guest login). Meetings can support newcomers who are using the Becoming Friends materials, or want to do so, by sending a couple of Friends on a course for 'Becoming Friends Companions' at Woodbrooke or Swarthmore; or by sending newcomers to a 'Becoming Friends' course at Woodbrooke or Swarthmore; or by obtaining 'Becoming Friends:Preparing to be a Companion Handbook', which is available from the Quaker Bookshop, price £5. At least two Friends from Devon have been on a Becoming Friends Companions course: contact Alan Ray-Jones for further information. |
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"You must be the change you want to see in the world" Mahatma Ghandi. |
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The website is maintained by a working group, see Members Pages - Site support. |
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An innovative learning project which is available to all who are new to Friends - both individuals and groups, whether familiar with computers or not - who want to know more about Quakers.