General Meeting for Scotland: Robin Waterston attends

‘We gathered for a day of listening, learning and discerning.’

From across Scotland, we gathered for a day of listening, learning and discerning. Some travelled to Edinburgh Meeting House in the heart of the old city; others joined from their homes with the assistance of modern technology. We were here for General Meeting for Scotland, whose task is to oversee the work of Quakers in Scotland.

We were capably guided through a full agenda by our clerk, Michael Hutchinson. We received a report from the Parliamentary Engagement Working Group about liaising with MSPs, and about the excellent work of the new parliamentary engagement officer, Sarah Komashko. Sarah is employed by BYM and has regular contact with staff in Friends House. Areas of current activity include: the climate crisis and its links with health; funding for arms manufacturers; how carbon emissions from the military are assessed; and responding to relevant public consultations. Sarah works closely with ally groups such as Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and Christian Aid.

So it felt appropriate to hear in the afternoon from Lucy le Roux of Christian Aid, about how the charity carries out its advocacy and support activities. Lucy works to increase understanding of the need for climate justice including links with indebtedness. She described the significance of the UN’s Loss and Damage fund. Some of the remedial project work being done by Christian Aid with its local partners in southern Ethiopia is funded from a grant from the Scottish government, from its Climate Justice Fund. But the overall amounts from governments are not sufficient, and Christian Aid and Quakers are joining with others to call on polluters to pay for their damage. We were encouraged to engage with our elected representatives regarding the next phase of the Scottish Government’s climate change plan.

Lucy works closely with Sarah Komashko. They pointed us to resources we could use as we make contact with prospective MPs ahead of the general election.

In other business we heard a report on the work of our trustees. We also briefly considered ecocide, and we were updated on the work of our representatives on interfaith and ecumenical work. And we heard from our representative on Meeting for Sufferings.

The clerk reported that he had signed, on our behalf: an open letter on tax reform; an appeal to the UK government on a ceasefire in Gaza; and a letter to UN states to stop them fuelling the crisis in Gaza by supplying arms. He also signed a letter asking insurers to stop insuring fossil fuel projects like the East African pipeline.

One important topic not discussed was the issue of simplifying Quaker structures in Scotland. Much work and time has been spent on this. In order to give the subject more discernment, a special meeting is being called on it, in April.

We dispersed enriched by our shared reflections, and with a renewed commitment to our processes, values and witness.

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