Meeting for Sufferings: Friends hear from Quaker chaplains

'Sometimes, I just sit by a patient so they can have a peaceful death… we can all provide pastoral care. We can all provide space to listen.’

by Rebecca Hardy 17th March 2023

The day ended with Friends hearing from three Quaker chaplains. Robin Fishwick, a Quaker chaplain at the University of Leeds, said he is often asked how many Friends are at the university (‘a few’), but ‘this is not particularly relevant’. Aside from a few ‘Quaker-specific things’ – for example, a weekly Meeting for Worship – most of his work is serving the whole community as a Quaker. ‘Being a Quaker does mean it’s a lot easier to work alongside people of other faiths’, he said, or those not particularly religious. ‘I think that’s sometimes underestimated by universities.’