Good as new: Deborah Rowlands is at October’s CCQW

‘It is a time of transition for us.’

We met online, via Zoom. After routine business, we had an inspiring presentation from our coordinator, Carina Mundle Garratt, who had attended the conference on the Future of British Quakerism. In small groups we discussed: what gives us joy in our Quaker communities? What kind of organisation and infrastructure do we need to sustain our spiritual lives and witness? Given the context in which we live – ecological crisis, conflict and trauma across the world – how can we look for joy? How can we acknowledge our own pain and grief while trying to move forward with positive change, one step at a time?

It is a time of transition for us, with the establishment of a new trustee body: Cymar. Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales (CCQW) has been adjusting its structures to ensure that its role can be sustained effectively, building a light scaffolding of committee structure that should enable the communication, and advocacy, for which it was established. Deep joy can be found as we work together. 

The themes Carina raised were echoed in the nominations, appointments, terms of reference, and reports we considered. We discovered that, on the issues we care about, we work most effectively with others: other faith groups on racial justice, peace and climate – and new vibrant groups that bring together like-minded organisations such as Climate Cymru and Heddwch ar Waith/Peace Action Wales. 

There are exciting new initiatives within CCQW, including a video project involving young people, a song competition at a future Eisteddfod, and a residential gathering where we will aim to nurture peacebuilding.

Change requires energy, spiritual depth and patience; listening for the unity to be found in our gathered Meetings, rather than waiting for unanimity. One of the messages that Carina brought back from the conference was that we need to be willing to transform, without allowing the slowest or most hesitant voices in the room to hold everyone back.

We concluded that Quakers still have something precious to share, and that each of us can play our part, through bringing someone new to Quaker worship and by offering spiritual hospitality to those who come among us. We were reminded of the pioneering work carried out in this field by Quakers in Wales twenty years ago, which may still have important lessons to be shared. 

So with the advantage of a relatively new and flexible organisation, we are ready to try new things, and looking for fresh ways to practise our Quakerism, from online worship groups (including Welsh language opportunities), to partnerships with Woodbrooke. Working from firm foundations in the Quaker way, we can gain in joy and confidence as we nurture the unconventional but vibrant.

The reading shared in our opening worship was fitting: ‘True faith is not assurance, but the readiness to go forward experimentally’ (Quaker faith & practice 26.39).

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