‘The first French Quakers were led by the Spirit to confront violence.’ Photo: Excercise on the beach, courtesy of the author.
French connection: Richard Thompson on France Yearly Meeting
‘The town hall was absolutely packed as people from the locality joined us.’
The annual assembly of France Yearly Meeting this year was unusual: two days at Le Lazaret, a Protestant centre next to the beach at Sète; and two days at Congénies to celebrate the bicentennial of its Meeting House. Our theme was ‘How does the Spirit guide me? How am I open to the guidance of the inner voice?’ Most of the Meeting took place, of course, in French.
After the initial business Meeting, we enjoyed a session in which we were encouraged to be conscious of our breathing as we walked outside in the evening light. This was followed by a listening workshop, with a recording of a violin concerto by Max Bruch. On Saturday, we began the day on the beach with paneurhythmy exercises led by David Lorimer, who, after breakfast, gave a talk on ‘How to know the Spirit’, which was inspired by the work of the Bulgarian spiritual leader Peter Duenov. On Saturday afternoon we shared in small groups our own experience of inner work. In the evening, the theme was ‘Peace in Europe’.
On Sunday, after our General Assembly, we transferred to Congénies, the only purpose-built Quaker Meeting House in France. The town hall was absolutely packed as people from the locality joined us. We were greeted by the mayor then addressed by Patrick Cabanel, a professor of history, about the religious persecutions at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Amy and Chamba Cooke, the resident Friends, had perfectly organised these three days. They had hired a huge tent for the meal; the garden, welcomed us with its last autumn flowers.
Monday was devoted to the origins of French Quakers. Edouard Dommen made a presentation of his book on the subject. This, along with a presentation by Jean Paul Chabrol, made clear the spirit of resistance and resilience demonstrated by these seventeenth-century Protestants. The first French Quakers were led by the Spirit to confront violence with nonviolence.
A local speaker then took us through the remarkable story of Christine Majolier, who married an English Quaker and became close to Victoria, the queen, and travelled to the courts of Paris and Württemberg to speak of the Quaker way. A panel discussion brought together Friends from France and one from Quebec. It made clear the necessity of creating more French-language content, and of strengthening ties among Francophone Quaker communities around the world.
The French version of Quaker faith & practice is Expérience et Pratique. These four days were a valuable opportunity to share our own experience and practice of trying to be open to a profound reality. Can you try to be open to this as you read these words? ‘I can try’ shows confidence in our human potential.
Richard is clerk to Groupe Languedoc, France Yearly Meeting.
Comments
Please login to add a comment
