Close-up of the phrase for colouring in (see full story for complete image. Photo: The Friend.
Eye - 18 October 2024
Q-Eye hears from Quaker songwriter, Carrie Newcomer, on The Next Right Thing podcast; drawing Friends in with books for newcomers; and colouring in well-loved phrases
Practice, not perfection
Eye is always on the lookout for Quakers popping up in podcasts, so was delighted when Wendrie Heywood, of Ashford & Folkestone Meeting, shared an episode of The Next Right Thing by Emily P Freeman.
In episode 366 Emily interviews Carrie Newcomer (https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/336). Carrie is an Emmy-winning songwriter, singer, activist and poet, whose work centres ‘around finding beauty in a world that often feels broken’. She is also a Quaker.
Carrie attends silent worship and shares that: ‘People will ask me… “Carrie, you make your life in sound. You’re a musician… What is that about?” And it’s true that often some of my best language has emerged out of taking time to listen, listen to my heart, listen to something wider and maybe deeper than I’ve been encountering on the surface of things.’
She described Friends’ role as a peace church, which first drew her to the Society, along with the equality that women have had within the community.
‘I wasn’t raised Quaker, but I love some of the phrases, particularly that the old ones use. Centring down, as a way opens, holding something in the Light for discernment. But in those communal spaces, there is a powerful recognition that happens, soul to soul and often quite wordless.’
The interview explores busyness, vocation, the importance of listening, and focussing on practice rather than perfection. Carrie also delves into the role of silence in her music: ‘I’ve never written a song because I had an answer. I’ve always written songs because I have a question. And good questions generally return what matters most deeply and truly.’
Drawing Friends
Eye’s chat with Geoffrey Durham (27 September) prompted Meg Hill, of Kendal & Sedbergh Area Meeting, to get in touch.
She writes: ‘His book Being a Quaker: A guide for newcomers has served as the basis for a course I’ve been involved with for many years which we call “Curious about Quakers”.
‘It began in Exeter with Richard Hilken when we used Harvey Gillman’s book [A Light That is Shining: Introduction to the Quakers], but for the past fifteen years in Kendal & Sedbergh Area Meeting we have based it on Geoffrey’s.
‘Dozens of people have been through the course, and several have joined the Society, or it has been a part of their spiritual journey.
‘We have also started to run it as a residential weekend at Rookhow Quaker Centre, and I was interested that many of the attendees were young men.
‘Anyway, I’m very grateful to Geoffrey for his books which have done so much to draw people to the Society of Friends.’
This made Eye wonder – what drew you to Quakerism, Friends?
Whether you have been part of the Quaker community since you were wee, or you came to Meeting as an adult, Eye would love to hear your stories!
Well-loved phrases
Eye invites you to contemplate well-loved phrases from Quaker texts by picking up a pen or pencil and colouring, doodling… whatever moves you! This week, the phrase is from Advices & queries 17.
