Reflections on service
Stuart Yates looks back at his time on Meeting for Sufferings
If my Local Meeting is my immediate family, my Area Meeting my extended family, then Meeting for Sufferings has comprised my more distant cousins whom I meet occasionally. This is due partly to my attendance at Meeting for Sufferings being almost continuous: over twenty ‘appearances’ with just one gap. That degree of continuity felt like an indulgent bonus. Like cousins, there is a sense of picking up where we left off.
This service has been a gift extending over more than four years, providing insight into how Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) works, especially bodies like BYM trustees, the Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) and Quaker Stewardship Committee, as well as the well known ones like Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) and Quaker Life. As always, greater knowledge results in greater understanding and respect. Central bodies, staff and trustees do an incredible amount of work on our behalf, and participation in considering their thoughts and proposals has deepened my gratitude for their service.
This gift of serving on Meeting for Sufferings has three aspects. One is the structure and ways of conducting the Meeting. I revere the Quaker business method and Meeting for Sufferings is able to be conducted in ways not always possible in Local and Area Meetings. First, the opening worship of around half an hour provides time for the breath of the Spirit’s presence to permeate the gathering. All external issues (such as journey difficulties) can be put aside, which facilitates a deep spiritual base for the discernment process. Second, because Friends are aware in advance of the potential significance of some issues, due preparation has been made. This results in some deeply considered ministry, which is immensely nurturing. Hearts and minds are prepared. Third, the maintenance of silence during the sometimes lengthy preparation of minutes, and in the breaks, honours the sacred nature of our business method.
The clerks’ role is crucial and their calm, authoritative conduct of business facilitates an efficient and effective way of progressing issues. Being first to your feet does not guarantee being called; you wait patiently until the clerk is ready to call for more ministry. Further ministry on the issue will politely be declined once the minute is being considered. Formal in nature, respectful of the process of waiting on the Spirit, and yet still carried out gently and with good humour. The Spirit provides occasions for laughter in the discernment process.
There are thoughts in some quarters that the name ‘Meeting for Sufferings’ is outdated and confusing for newcomers. I believe it is still an appropriate name. It provides an excellent opportunity to outline Quaker history (see Quaker faith & practice 7.01) and other aspects of Quakerism to new attenders. BYM’s faith in action is based on love. Love includes compassion, which is integral to our testimonies.
Whilst Friends now suffer less for their faith, we act from compassion on behalf of those suffering from inequality and violence. Our concerns are for others’ sufferings: the name of the body charged with acting in our name between Yearly Meetings is still relevant.
I have learned much by serving on Meeting for Sufferings; one piece of ministry especially stays with me and is relevant to all Meetings for Worship. When considering acting from our faith, the question ‘What is the spiritual basis for acting?’ can easily be forgotten in the emotional pull of the issue. A basic Quaker principle it may be, but it is one that is central to our discernment process.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to my Area Meeting for putting my name forward and to all those I served with. It has nurtured my faith immeasurably and I advise all Friends who are approached to serve on Meetings for Sufferings to jump at the chance if it is at all possible.
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