Living out our faith
Ian Kirk-Smith reports on a busy bank holiday weekend
A renewed commitment to address the root causes of social and economic injustice in the world and to take action, individually and collectively, prompted by a spirit of love, was at the heart of Britain Yearly Meeting 2015.
The annual gathering of Friends was held for the first time in the refurbished Large Meeting House at Friends House with visitors enjoying comfortable seating, the benefit of natural light from the impressive central skylight, and a design that has delivered a remarkable acoustic quality.
The main theme of the event – ‘Living out our faith in the world’ – was given generous time for discernment. This decision was welcomed by many present. The space allocated in sessions allowed many thoughtful, perceptive and heartfelt contributions and, finally, a powerful minute that reflected the desire of Friends to move forward with conviction.
Friends, who were stimulated and challenged throughout the bank holiday weekend in a variety of ways, expressed a clear unity on their dissatisfaction with the present economic system.
‘We must go down to the roots’
It was one that was felt to encourage competition rather than cooperation, greed rather than unselfishness, and exploitation rather than fairness. It has also produced unacceptable levels of inequality, and hardship on the most vulnerable.
The present social and economic order, many believed, was in tension with Quaker testimonies and the values that Friends hold dear – particularly the belief in ‘that of God’ in everyone and the recognition of the uniqueness of each individual.
Chris Skidmore, clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting, ably guided Yearly Meeting with a calm, friendly, hand. He has completed his term as clerk and it was announced that next year, for the first time ever, the clerking team would be composed of three women.
A highlight for many was the performance, on Saturday evening, of an abridged version of the oratorio The Gates of Greenham, which was first performed on Easter Monday in 1985 at the Royal Festival Hall. The presence of some of the original cast members, such as Sheila Hancock, composer Tony Biggin and conductor John Hywel made it a very special occasion.
‘We are all activists and we are all worshippers’
The Swarthmore Lecture was also very well received by a packed Large Meeting House. Peace campaigner Diana Francis delivered a compelling and inspirational lecture: Faith, power and peace. Drawing from her long personal experience and referring constantly to her deep Quaker faith and its importance in her life and work, she reflected on many themes: ‘Just War’ theory, the causes of war, the nature of power and responsibility, the value of each individual, Jesus and his message, peacebuilding, nonviolent action and transformation, vulnerability, and her passionate belief that people can change.
Jude Kirton-Darling, in the Salter Lecture on Friday afternoon, raised a subject that has received little media attention: the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). She spoke with great authority, clarity and passion in explaining its importance and her concerns about it.
There was a lively programme of activities and events for children and young people during Yearly Meeting. In addition to the presence in Friends House of younger Quakers, thirty-two eleven- to fifteen-year-olds came together at the High Leigh Conference Centre and discussed the theme: ‘Understanding equality – what can we do?’ Junior Yearly Meeting (fifteen- to eighteen-year-olds) addressed the subject of ‘How do we, as Quakers, respond to injustice?’
The benefits of new technology introduced during the recent renovation of Friends House were evident in improvements to the dissemination of information via electronic bulletin boards and in a video link, located in an ‘overflow room’, which provided access to events in the Large Meeting House.
A number of epistles and testimonies to the grace of God in the lives of deceased Friends provided inspiration during the weekend.
Housing was a major concern at Yearly Meeting. It was raised often in sessions devoted to ‘how Friends live out their faith in the world’ and, on Saturday afternoon, space was given for Friends to address it specifically. Secure housing, it was stressed, was a fundamental need and housing justice essential in a just society.
Friends spoke of the complexity of the problems and of the profound affect they were having on individuals and families. The discernment, which was often passionate, informed and illuminating, prompted a minute that urged Friends not to sit on the fence: ‘we cannot avoid our spiritual loving concerns from being political. We are called to resist and challenge policies that contribute to inequality and exclusion from access to housing, whether social housing or the private sector.’
The concern also prompted a written statement from Friends House that was sent to the media during Yearly Meeting (see story page 9).
Elizabeth Allen, in her introduction to the main theme of the weekend on Saturday morning, reminded Friends that ‘we are one people, who hope to be led by the Spirit. We are all activists and we are all worshippers’.
‘We cannot avoid our spiritual loving concerns from being political’
She explained that Friends in session would test their leadings and witness to them in discernment. It was this faithful testing, she said, that ‘distinguishes authentic Quaker work from that done by the many organisations which seek to alleviate the pain and suffering in our world today.’
Friends grappled with the challenge of defining what was distinctive in a Quaker approach. A Friend described it as ‘the combination of listening within and the opening to what comes from without… reaching deep for that in each other.’ Several Friends, in developing this idea, talked of the dangers of stereotyping and of staying connected with others and one summed up this concern by quoting a proverb: ‘An Arab mystic asks: “When is a drop of water joyful?” Answer: “When it joins the great river.”’
The privileged position of Friends at Yearly Meeting, who are among the wealthiest people in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, was often mentioned, particularly in relation to pension provision and the investments required to support them. It prompted some thoughtful contributions on questions of responsibility and personal sacrifice.
‘We need to transform our understanding of power as an obligation of service and not as a right of domination’
Friends repeatedly spoke of their anger at the injustice of the present social and economic system. A Friend felt that it was rooted in a ‘totally false theory about people’ – that they are solely motivated by money, reward and greed. He disagreed and said that this ignored ‘our desire to respect on another as equals’. He said: ‘it ignores our Quaker testimonies. We can contribute to this understanding about the nature of people. We know it. We must say it. And we must live it.’
Many Friends mentioned the Foundations of a True Social Order, a document that was produced one hundred years ago. They commended its vision and aspiration and felt that a new vision was required. ‘We are now’, a Friend said, ‘more unequal than we have ever been before.’ The present world was broken and change, he urged, needs to be fundamental.
‘How can I, as one person, do anything?’ a Friend queried. This concern was often expressed over the weekend. Many contributions were made on the challenge of how faith could be put into practical action. For some the response involved individual action, others spoke of the opportunities at a Local Meeting level, and a number encouraged Quakers in Britain to support the centrally managed work being done by Quaker Peace & Social Witness.
Two of the most compelling quotes of the weekend were images – one of a dandelion and the other of power.
A Friend talked of the dandelion as a metaphor: ‘you pull the top off and it prevents it seeding – but the root has an instinct for survival. You have to go to the roots and they lie very deep. We must go to down to the roots. Pulling the head off does not solve the problem.’
‘We need,’ another Friend explained, ‘to challenge our understanding of power as domination. We live our life in the Light – as inspiration and a source… We have the answer on the stage, at the table. They are servants. They serve the Meeting and the Society. They do not run it. We need to transform our understanding of power as an obligation of service and not as a right of domination.’
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.