A work in progress: Matthew Callow on the development of a ministry

‘I regard this work as a faith-based response to the stresses and strains experienced by working people.’

I knew of the Quaker reputation for activism long before I had any association with the Society of Friends. But when I started attending Meeting, just over a decade ago, it was not apparent that many were involved in such work. A small number spoke with little detail about causes they supported. What I did hear and read a lot about was the activism of historical Quakers, concluding that this was of the past.

Around this time I had relinquished my connections with outwardly sacramental and dogmatic religion. This left me with little focus, but much spare energy. I set about discerning a social ministry for myself under other auspices. This was an exciting process as I felt free to innovate and be driven by personal concerns.

Having recently returned to the world of secular occupation, I was reminded of how vulnerable working people are, especially the low-paid and minority groups. Recollections came from a decade earlier as an unskilled school-leaver, working for a large employer, of seeing and experiencing victimisation because of youthful naivety, disability and sexual orientation. Filled with anxiety, I took it upon myself to advocate for colleagues. This is where I found the seed of my social activism, but sadly my family did not approve. I grew up around stories of trade union ‘troublemakers’.

My first success as a union representative, working in the NHS, was getting lighting for a hospital car park, so patients and colleagues did not fall off the kerb when it was dark. Much of the work since has involved conflict resolution, supporting colleagues subject to formal processes and campaigning for workplace equality. I regard this work as a faith-based response to help alleviate the stresses and strains experienced by working people. The soul-destroying actions of discompassionate employers must be countered and good industrial relations maintained.

The essence of the worker movement can be seen in Bernard Meadow’s statue (left). Standing outside the Trades Union Congress House in London, the statue is of a strong worker offering a hand to his vulnerable comrade on the ground, with his other hand warding off the adversary. The scope of my concern widened over the years and brought me into contact with other sympathetic groups. It was within pro-NHS, Living Wage, disability affirming, interfaith and anti-racist campaign organisations that I started to see familiar faces of Friends I have gotten to know over the years.

The extent of activism among Friends was revealed to me later. The diverse causes Quakers support is inspiring. When I hear Friends speak about these causes it has an enriching effect on my relationships with them. It is good to discover an individual’s basis of compassion, and find where each other’s hearts lie.

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