Meeting for Sufferings: Vibrancy in Meetings
'Vibrancy in Meetings' project discussed
Jonathan Fox, who has been a model of calmness and lucidity over the years, gave his last Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees report. Was there a hint of sadness in his voice?
Or was it suppressed excitement in revealing that BYM, in partner-ship with Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, were passionate about the subject of ‘Vibrancy in Meetings’ and were prepared to ‘throw quite a lot of money at it if you are keen on it’?
The project, he explained, had a lot of commitment behind it but, for the work to move forward, new resources, in the form of a project manager, would be needed.
Seed money for this project is being requested so that Friends can find out whether it is appropriate to put in place support systems for Meetings that reflect the world we live in now (ageing membership, single Quakers in families, new members with little knowledge of ‘Quaker practices’).
BYM trustees, Jonathan said, were also concerned about the fact that there were fewer Friends with a Quaker background in the Society.
A key question to address is: How do we teach these people?
Jonathan reflected some suggestions that were being discussed, such as encouraging a revival of ‘travelling ministers’, and the need for a programme of practical support. He admitted that presenting initiatives and suggestions can sometimes be perceived as a ‘top down approach’ from the centre – but stressed that this was not the case.
Some Friends welcomed the ‘Vibrancy in Meetings’ initiative as an antidote to the concern about buildings and money and the general decline that plagues so many Meetings.
