Meeting for Sufferings: ‘Are we ready be transformed?’ BYM trustees ask Meeting for Sufferings
Ingrid Greenhow spoke to the minutes of the June meeting of Britain Yearly Meeting trustees
There was an upbeat feel to the words of Ingrid Greenhow when she spoke to the minutes of the meeting of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees held in the beautiful location of Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria on 1-3 June.
She said it was ‘an exciting time’ to be on Meeting for Sufferings and referred to the forthcoming revision of the Book of Discipline, the desire to create ‘simpler Meetings’, and issues such as gender diversity and inclusion.
There was a need, she explained, to address a concern that the Society was ‘over-governed’ and she was prompted to ask Friends: ‘Are we ready to be transformed?’
At the heart of her words was the requirement, when it came to the expenditure of money and the allocation of resources, to constantly look at what Friends are doing and why they are doing it. Friends, she said, should always think about what is ‘specifically Quaker’ in the work being done.
Ingrid Greenhow mentioned the strategic plans of two central committees – the Quaker Peace & Social Witness Central Committee and the Quaker Life Central Committee. She also stressed the ‘urgent need for simpler ways of doing things’ and explained this may lead to difficult decisions having to be made. She said: ‘We were led to a vision of a simpler church supported by a simpler charity.’
The Friends House restaurant, which is losing some £60,000 a year, was the focus of discussion and changes will have to be made to address this. She explained that plans are in place, for example, to introduce vegan/vegetarian menus and open up ‘flexible spaces’ in the future.
A Friend urged Sufferings to remember that while some newcomers to Meetings were ‘not used to Quaker ways’ they brought ‘a lot of enthusiasm’ with them and this was a positive asset for the Society. Another Friend asked if Sufferings was going ‘to be part of the drive to simplicity?’
Ingrid Greenhow replied by welcoming ideas and suggestions and urged Friends to talk to BYM trustees. The draft minute referred to a ‘pruning’ of work done and that this might lead to difficult decisions.
Helen Drewery, head of witness and worship for Britain Yearly Meeting, explained to Sufferings: ‘If we’re pruning it’s to enable new growth.’
In the draft minute a reference was made to the ‘profit’ that the Hospitality Company had made of some £900,000.
A Friend objected to the word ‘profit’ being used in the minute. She explained that, in her opinion, the Hospitality Company existed to be ‘an exemplar of being an ethical business’ with the ‘highest standards’ and that it reflected the Quaker ‘witness to truth’. It should be sending a message out to the Society as a whole.
The revised minute stated: ‘We have heard that the Hospitality Company, whilst being [an] exemplar of Quaker business, treating everyone with dignity, has achieved a record result in 2017, contributing £965,000 to the Quaker work of Britain Yearly Meeting.’
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