Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales: Huw Meredydd Owen reports from the recent Meeting in Aberystwyth

‘These processes always work best from the bottom up.’

The phrase ‘adding coals to the embers’ arose in our ministry, from Deborah Rowlands, who remembered a period twenty-five years ago when a sense of constructive renewal was needed. It seemed to fit well with the range of matters being raised at this Meeting.

A new trustee body, CYMAR, has been established in Wales and the Marches, aimed at reducing duplication of trustees’ duties. It may be what Deborah had in mind. Lesley Richards, clerk of the Symud Ymlaen (Moving Forward) group, reported that the functions of the old trustee bodies are being transferred, and asked that the group be laid down. These processes always work best from the bottom up. 

The business agenda indicated a growing emphasis on outreach. Gyda’n Gilydd (together) is a new group created to promote and develop such activities, including our website. One of its activities is promoting a questionnaire called ‘Hybu’. It asks, essentially, ‘How well do we engage with the community in which we live?’. Other actions include the making of a video promoting climate justice to families and young people.

Quakers have played a prominent role in Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales), which has a new general secretary, Cynan Llwyd. We heard of representation at a memorial meeting for LGBT+ individuals excluded by churches, at Llandaff Cathedral.

A significant event this year is the centenary of the Churches Peace Appeal, the first international ecumenical activity by Welsh churches. 

In 1923, a petition signed by 390,296 women from all over Wales was sent to Washington DC to persuade the USA to join the League of Nations. Crynwyr Cymru agreed to donate to the costs of promoting the centenary – bringing more coals to the embers of peacebuilding.

In the afternoon, continuing witness, and considerable passion, was brought to us by Gerald Hewitson, on behalf of the Quaker Truth & Integrity Group (QTIG). QTIG is a Quaker Recognised Body, which declares: ‘we seek a world transformed, where compassion, equality, truth and integrity are guiding principles… we wish our children and grandchildren to enjoy the benefits of a mature democracy where truth prospers – governing with truth and integrity is essential.’ QTIG is committed to upholding integrity in public life; to constitutional reform, accountability and higher standards of truth in the media. The group’s first award was given to Carole Cadwalladr.

Group members work as ‘reconcilers’, nourishing nuggets of truth and integrity in public life, moving public discourse to ‘kinder ground’. They also work as ‘prophets’, speaking at public events, about poor public discourse but upholding those who genuinely wish to serve. 

We are reminded to be ‘patterns and examples in all countries… answering that of God in everyone’. Unashamedly political in the broadest sense; continually ‘adding coals to the embers’, you might say. 

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