‘Due to the nature of the rooms available, challenges of “playing in the Light” tended to be ones of a practical, rather than theological, nature.' Photo: courtesy of Andy Beck
‘Due to the nature of the rooms available, challenges of “playing in the Light” tended to be ones of a practical, rather than theological, nature.' Photo: courtesy of Andy Beck
Another Quaker tale
After reading a tale told by Beth Allen (10 February), Jonathan Silvey, of Beeston Meeting, wrote to share another ‘unQuakerly reaction’ with trusty Eye readers.
‘I am reminded, a good Quaker phrase, of a somewhat similar incident at a General Meeting of Friends from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire Area Meetings.
‘We had gathered for the weekend in a large house previously owned by the Rowntree family in Scarborough.
‘Our evening entertainment included a playlet on the life of Margaret Fell, put on by the children.
‘When they got to the point at which George Fox married Margaret Fell, another child called out loudly, “It won’t last!”’
Friends of the Light
In February Friends tuned their instruments and shuffled their scores as the Quaker Music Network met at High Leigh Conference Centre for ‘a very enjoyable weekend of music-making, fellowship and worship’.
Andy Beck, of Leeds Area Meeting, got in touch with Eye to share one ticklish slice of the weekend: ‘Due to the nature of the rooms available, challenges of “playing in the Light” tended to be ones of a practical, rather than theological, nature. The four fiddling Friends pictured here lit up their string quartet with a handy standard lamp.’
The Quaker Music Network works to keep the tradition of choral and chamber music weekends alive after the laying down of The Leaveners. These events enable musicians and singers to play together in a Quaker atmosphere.
For the love of limericks
Rosemary Mathew, of Jesus Lane Meeting in Cambridge, was inspired to share lyrical offerings she has penned with Eye’s readers.
She writes: ‘Thanks to Roy Payne for enlivening us with his thoughts about limericks. It’s not so very tricky once you’ve tried a few. Some years ago there was a suggestion in the press that many young people had no idea who St George was, and choosing a new patron saint was mooted as an idea that would be more “of our time”. Lenny Henry’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate I distinctly recall. I sent the following to my local newspaper.
Now old George as a patron’s too quaint,
We Brits want of religion no taint.
Goodbye Andy, Dave, Pat,
Give us somebody that
We’ve all seen on the telly – no saint!
‘I’m sure readers of the Friend will know at once who Andy, Dave and Pat are, though I felt it necessary to add a footnote at that time. Another was inspired by a colleague who wanted a birthday rhyme for a friend who worked as an astronomer. His surname was Catchpole…’
In Cambridge there works a stargazer
With telescope, eyeglass and laser.
There’s no distant black hole
Escapes Mr Catchpole
His eyes are as sharp as a razor
Back to basics
A missive from David Fish, of Rugby Meeting, appeared in Eye’s mailbag to share a new development.
‘Rugby Meeting held a single special Meeting for Worship in Lutterworth, halfway between Leicester and Rugby Meetings, in October.’
This was intended as a one-off, however, Friends felt moved to do more: ‘This spring we are holding a Meeting for Worship every forth Thursday at 6.30pm for thirty minutes.
‘David Harries wrote (Letters, 26 February 2021) of the importance of “time for spiritual nurture” – and in afterword the eleven of us agreed that extra Meeting for Worship has benefits just by itself, in addition to outreach. In afterword we also said “our readings for example from Quaker Advices & queries (dating from 1738 or earlier) – ‘might help your thoughts’ and more seriously ‘silence opens up a door’, ‘spirit grows from beyond words’, ‘silence is very comforting’”... it was good to have this Meeting for Worship and good to get back to Quaker spiritual basics.’
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