Identity, community and renewal
Bob Lovett discusses the merits of regional gatherings
The first ever Devon and Cornwall Residential Gathering was held at the beginning of June and proved to be a great success. It was a chance for different generations to spend time together; an opportunity for disparate groups of rural Quaker activists to network, encourage and support each other; a space to restore one’s sanity in peace and quiet; a place for Young Friends to grow together; and a chance for enquirers, especially families, to be welcomed and learn about Quakerism in a relaxing environment.
The Local Meeting is the bedrock of our witness as Quakers. But while Local Meetings are all guided by the same Book of Discipline, what happens in those Meetings may vary considerably. In some ways, this may be seen as a ‘good’ thing, allowing experimentation and the tailoring of practices to the characteristics and needs of a particular Meeting. However, when some Friends do not have experience of Quaker practices in other situations it is easy for local procedures and individual thinking to develop in ways that may no longer reflect the tested and disciplined processes that have served Friends for a long time.
In an attempt to improve communications between Local Meetings and representatives to Meeting for Sufferings, Friends in Devon have been asked to consider a number of questions and suggest ways in which information about and understanding of the workings of the Society can be improved. While the responses are still being collated, it is evident that many Friends have little or no experience beyond their own Local Meeting. Many have never attended an Area Meeting. Many have never attended Yearly Meeting, or been to Friends House in London. Many have never visited Woodbrooke, and never experienced the joy, fun, sense of community and communion generated at Yearly Meeting Gatherings. Is it any wonder that many have little understanding of, or interest, in how the wider Society works?
Regional gatherings could be a way of bringing together some of the elements of Quaker life that are missing for many Friends. Already, as a result of one such gathering, Friends are offering to serve on the recently reestablished arrangements committee, offering activities for the next residential event, or topics for one-day discussions. Several Area Meetings already hold annual residential gatherings, and there are still some formally constituted regional groups, With encouragement and support there could be more.
While this gathering was confined to Devon and Cornwall Area Meetings there is no reason why similar gatherings in future could not take Friends from a wider regional area and provide an affordable, less environmentally damaging, mini Yearly Meeting Gathering type experience.
The impetus for this revival in Devon and Cornwall came from Pip Harris, south west region Vibrancy in Meetings local development worker. Her commitment has been enormous. Much has been learned and planning the next gathering will be much easier. Local Friends now appear motivated and confident enough to be able to take this forward on their own.
The brief was to keep things simple, make content informative and fun for all ages, allow spaces for organic development and participants the freedom to opt in or out of activities as the Spirit moved them. While activities were loosely connected to the theme ‘Letting Our Lives Speak - Action in Time of Need’, we discovered there are many ways in which that may happen - not all of which demand ‘great busyness’.
Yes, all this required much work from the principal organiser, advice and guidance on matters of safeguarding, insurance, and health and safety. It needed much work and goodwill on the part of participants. All this was delivered.
To be able to explore one’s identity within a community of like-minded Friends, share ideas, and revitalise one’s spiritual being are the very lifeblood of the Society.
