Meeting for Sufferings: Review of YM and MfS
'In October, representatives had asked for more detail on the idea of MfS becoming a continuing year-round Yearly Meeting, which all Friends could attend.'
After a shuffle break, representatives heard from the group reviewing Yearly Meeting. This group was becoming known as ‘GRYM’ said Sarah Donaldson, the group’s convener, which prompted some non-straightforward laughter in the room.
Sarah said that Friends had made it clear that YM was ‘really important’ to them. It was a place for ‘brave, important discussion’ in a place where they felt safe. It created real community. So the group’s proposals were intended to bring those Friends more YM, with more chances to come together.
In October, representatives had asked for more detail on the idea of MfS becoming a continuing year-round Yearly Meeting, which all Friends could attend. Sarah likened it to a piece of music played by an orchestra. The more accessible the orchestra was, the more likely all instruments would feature, and the better the music would be. ‘Discernment is better when it has access to wider experience’, she added.
One representative wanted to hear more on how a continuing YM could improve community, while another welcomed the inclusivity. MfS was ‘a seventeenth-century solution to a seventeenth-century problem’, he said. Another Friend liked the direction but was just worried that the term Yearly Meeting ‘already means at least three different things’, so it might need a different name.
One representative had more serious concerns, however. ‘What is the problem to which this is the solution?’, she asked. There was a problem with Friends being involved in decision making, with a lot of local burnout, but she felt that the review group’s plans would not solve this. A continuing YM would meet less often than MfS, she said, resulting in fewer opportunities for decision making. This would mean even more having to be done by BYM trustees, who were already doing work that could be done by MfS or YM. Mutual responsibility for decision making was ‘one of our special charisms’, she said. ‘I think we’re blowing it. Friends’.
Another Friend worried that the plans would give less weight to discernment held at Area Meeting level. He was also concerned about the role of trustees, and the tension that had existed between them and MfS.
A member of the review group said they had spoken to trustees and MfS clerks about this tension. It was actually a question of accountability, she said. She hoped that proposals for a merger had been mooted as a way of addressing that.
The Meeting then heard ministry from Marisa Johnson, incoming clerk to BYM trustees. She was willing to undertake the service because she was nominated for it in due process, she said. She was ‘absolutely accountable’, and so was feeling hurt by the suggestion of some ‘dark plot’. These hunches Friends had were always ‘vague’, she said. ‘If you don’t want trustees, bring a proposal to YM… If you do have them, respect them. I only serve you as long as you want me.’
This ministry landed, but one Friend was worried about the speed of change. Friends hadn’t done enough to improve the communication necessary for fruitful consideration.
The discussion showed how difficult it was going to be to bring a final document for discernment in March, said Sarah Donaldson. The minute understood this too: more work was needed before unity could be reached.
More next week. Minutes are available at www.quaker.org.uk/mfspapers.
Comments
“The more accessible the orchestra was, the more likely all instruments would feature, and the better the music would be. ‘Discernment is better when it has access to wider experience’, she added.” Not so, I think if the proposal for a YM taking place frequently instead of yearly went ahead it would result in a poorer Discernment. At yearly YM at least a thousand take part. Far less would participate in a frequent meeting.
By ERIC WALKER on 7th December 2023 - 21:54
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