Light work: David Harries reports from CCQW

‘I was impressed by the volume and variety of work we got through.’

Around thirty-five Friends attended this Zoom Meeting, with contributions in both Welsh and English (with translation available).

Our clerks were Frances Voelcker and Jane Harries. They introduced our new co-coordinator, Carina Mundle-Garratt.

I was impressed by the volume and variety of work we got through, smoothly, via written and oral reports and discussion.

The indefatigable Lesley Richards, who has helped pilot our ‘Symud Ymlaen/Moving Forwards’ process, reflected on three years of work. She reported that we are ‘inching’ towards registration of the new charity, ‘Cymar’, with the Charity Commission, on behalf of Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales (CCQW) and our four Area Meetings. ‘Cymar’ means ‘companion’, but it can also be seen as ‘Cymru+Marches’. Lesley pointed out that similar processes are taking place across Scotland and England.

We also covered items such as: communications among ourselves; outreach (including at the National Eisteddfod); relationships with Churches in Wales; our reporting to Meeting for Sufferings (MfS); and our cooperation with other bodies on peace and sustainability. With regard to the latter, our Advocacy and Support Circle has been set up to enable the Quaker voice to be heard. We are signed up to Climate Cymru, and we have a Sustainability Panel. All our Meetings are encouraged to sign up to Climate Cymru, too.

In response to the Yearly Meeting’s consultation on membership, our clerks sent a minute from our CYFAN network (Children, Youth and Families All-age Network) to MfS urging that: ‘in considering changes in membership arrangements, BYM should be mindful of the need to celebrate and recognise the sense of belonging, connection and commitment to Quakerism of young children and young people.’

We have asked our children and young people for their ideas on sustainability issues. Helen Oldridge, our local development worker, has suggested that we think of this like an online scrapbook, with text, pictures, film and source material both spiritual and physical, in both languages, reflective of Wales’ values and concerns. This would be easily accessible and inspirational, and could be added to by Friends, young and old, from across Wales. Helen has produced a mock-up of what such a scrapbook, or ‘padlet’, could look like: https://tinyurl.com/ccqwpadlet.

In the afternoon, we had an illuminating update by Catherine James and Stevie Krayer on the work of the Book of Discipline Revision Committee. Much attention is being paid to ensuring that the language is accessible. The wording of quotations will not be altered. Catherine and Stevie appealed to us to suggest Welsh passages.

I give thanks for the scope of the work undertaken, too much to cover here, on the day and between Meetings.

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