Meeting for Sufferings: Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales
‘It feels exciting to be working in a UK country that is forward-looking and supporting human rights and sustainability.’
Over 6-8 October, Meeting for Sufferings met at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, for a residential weekend. The Friend joined online, but heard from Friends who attended in-person that it ‘really was a joyful experience to be together for an extended time with all the opportunities for conversation and fellowship. It really was uplifting’.
The first main item was a report from Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales (CCQW). Jane Harries, co-clerk, and Frances Voelcker, assistant clerk, spoke to the report, describing how the Welsh government has devolved powers over many areas of life, and passed ‘some quite radical legislation’. This includes the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015) which means that all public bodies in Wales are legally bound to take into consideration the long-term effects of any policies or initiatives. With a new flexible Welsh curriculum and plans to become a ‘Nation of Sanctuary,’ prioritising anti-racism and welcome for asylum-seekers, peace has gained a more prominent role, particlary with Academi Heddwch Cymru – the UK’s first Peace Institute, part-funded by the Welsh government.
Frances then outlined CCQW’s sustainability work, describing ‘a fruitful affiliation’ with Climate Cymru, which brings together more than 200 organisations. South Wales has kept its sustainability and climate justice work going, she said, including monthly vigils at the Senedd throughout 2022, and a presence at several events, including Climate Cymru’s Big Green Week in 2022. Cardiff Meeting House has already achieved Bronze level eco church, while Ludlow Meeting ran the Quaker Arts Network ‘Loving Earth’ exhibition for ‘Earth Day.
‘It’s an exciting time to be a peacemaker in Wales,’ said Jane, outlining several projects, including the return to Wales of the women’s peace petition. ‘This is an extraordinary piece of campaigning’, she said, where women linked to the Welsh League of Nations Union organised a petition for world peace, collecting 390,296 signatures. Meanwhile, a cross party group on peace and reconciliation has been created in the Senedd.
Jane spoke also about CCQW’s antiracism work, having held sessions in February 2023 with Edwina Peart, who led them to examine how the development of nation states in Europe was linked to slavery. The following June, CCQW heard from Meredith Freeman and Kate McNally, Eva Koch scholars. Jane said the sessions led them to consider how ‘racism is a lens through which we see the world in a complex picture which includes intersectionality about characteristics which individuals can use to see a person as an “other”.’
CCQW also links to other organisations to act on antiracism, such as the Urdd. Meanwhile the newly-formed Advocacy and Support Circle will consider how to network individual Friends.
Frances then spoke about the process of amalgamating the five charities (the four Area Meetings (AMs) and CCQW) into a single charity, which was agreed earlier this year, and has been overseen by the Symud Ymlaen (Moving Forward) group, clerked by Lesley Richards of Worcestershire and Shropshire AM to make sure no Welsh AM dominates. The new single Charitable Incorporated Organisation will be registered later this year.
Jane said that, despite limitations, Friends in Wales are in ‘good heart’. ‘It feels exciting to be working in a UK country that is forward-looking and supporting human rights and sustainability.’
Quakers welcomed the report. ‘It’s just amazingly inspiring,’ said one, noting that while it ‘obviously helps that the Welsh government seems a lot more in accord with Quaker values’, perhaps it can inspire those in England to take similar inspired action.
Another Friend described how, after two Quakers were turned away by the British Royal Legion for laying white poppy wreaths at a remembrance event, the local council took over the event the following year and laid their own white poppy wreath. ‘You need to take risks now and again and go against the grain,’ he said.
The minute noted that: ‘Our faith in the future looks to a future where Quakers work collaboratively and we can see how much of the important activity in Wales is amplified through working in partnership with others.’
Comments
Please login to add a comment
