'We are so lucky that we can attend Yearly Meeting and have the opportunity to have our voices and concerns heard.' Photo: Creative Commons.
‘We have a common understanding of our spiritual life.’
Ireland Yearly Meeting took place last month in Dublin. Bronwen Haire was there
The stimulation and variety of challenges presented at Ireland Yearly Meeting is balanced by the pleasure of meeting Friends old and new. We return to our own Meetings feeling blessed by the experience and wanting to share and encourage others to attend next year in Belfast.
We are so lucky that we can attend Yearly Meeting and have the opportunity to have our voices and concerns heard. While we are diverse in the expression of our faith, we have a common understanding of our spiritual life and heritage. I always get a sense of thankfulness for my spiritual home and renewal at Yearly Meeting.
The visitors and representatives came from Australia, India, the USA, Slovenia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Britain and Switzerland. They contributed to and enhanced our connections to the world family of Friends.
Some programme highlights
Niamh Hardiman presented the many parables of Jesus from unusual angles, which challenged us. As Niamh said: ‘Parables provoke you to think, like a Quaker query.’ Niamh also reminded us of the ‘boundless love and generosity’ of Jesus as seen in the parables.
The Middle East was referenced in a number of sessions. Peadar King, an Irish filmmaker who aims to highlight the humanitarian crises in different parts of the world, spoke to us and presented a film about Syria. The public lecturer Noah Merrill had also worked with families in Syria, and Will Haire spoke about Friends’ involvement and funding of young people attending Brummana and Ramallah Friends’ Schools in Lebanon and the West Bank. Will explained how important the influence of the Quaker ethos is in these schools, in promoting understanding among the variety of people in the Middle East. Many of the pupils go on to become very influential in their societies. Friends believe it is of great value and importance to support these schools; their pupils sometimes finish their education in precarious financial situations.
About 170 people attended the public lecture given by Noah Merrill from the USA. Noah encouraged us to cherish our communities of deep hope, and to renew our appreciation of the ocean of light in a world which is fracturing and where people, despite modern tools of communication, feel increasingly isolated.
Small groups
The real encounter and challenge of engaging with each other often takes place in the special interest groups, spiritual reflection, and worship groups.
I attended special interest groups on climate change, and ‘Being a Community’. The session on climate change was packed, and many practical issues were aired to answer the questions ‘What can I do myself?’ and ‘What can we do as a society?’ Useful suggestions which resonated with me included:
- lead by example, work with others, get involved locally
- bring your own boxes for buying salads at shops
- lobby for a CO2 label on food we buy
- a self-imposed carbon tax
- countercultural affirmation of contentment
- continuous trees, not cutting down after thirty years
- every city in Ireland can have a forest.
Further developments in the vision for Ireland as a ‘peace island’
Helen Haughton raised this idea at Yearly Meeting last year and has had a meeting with a government minister about it. Helen presented the basic principles on which Ireland as an island of peace could be based:
- no manufacture of, or holding of fairs selling, arms
- limit defence forces and train them in peacekeeping
- train the police in peacekeeping, along the lines of restorative justice and mediation
- education from primary to tertiary levels in peacekeeping
- increase training in mediation and in the number of mediation centres in Ireland.
Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)
Loretta O’Brien was quick to jump into a spare few minutes in the programme and update us on the successes at QCEA. The Building Peace Together report has been used by the European Commission and the military. Funding of QCEA is a major issue and Friends and Meetings are encouraged to support QCEA as much as possible.
Younger Friends
Stephen Browne reported on his year as an intern at the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in Geneva. He was thrilled to represent Quakers at the UN there and to be able to ask a question which was answered by Mary Robinson, who was the first female president of Ireland. Listening to Stephen’s presentation, I had the distinct impression that this year of opportunity had been life changing for him.
Young Friends also reported on an amazing experience working with refugees in Greece. Junior Yearly Meeting took place in Waterford over Easter weekend; the theme was forgiveness. Susie Harty presented the epistle, and young Friends were delighted to have a second opportunity to meet up by coming to Ireland Yearly Meeting. The life affirming and positive effect of these events on the young people is evident in their enthusiasm to attend Quaker events.
Work in South India
Arun Massey from south India told us of his work rescuing young girls who have been ‘sacrificed’ by their families to Hindu goddesses. Sadly this practice leads these children to be pushed into prostitution. Arun and his wife provide a loving and safe environment for these children, and have been able to give them all the basis for a new life. Friends were delighted to collect over €1,000 to give Arun for his work.
Safeguarding children and young people
Sheilagh Reaper Reynolds launched the new child safeguarding policy, which covers both jurisdictions in Ireland. The work on this document has taken five years and we are very appreciative of the work involved. It also includes an anti-bullying policy. All Preparative Meetings, Allowed and Worship groups must have the policy in place.
Farewells
We said goodbye to Rosemary Castagner who is retiring from her post as recording clerk at Quaker House Dublin after fifteen years. Rosie’s successor in Quaker House will be Mary McNeilly, along with Valerie Howard, whom Friends already know. We also said goodbye to Carolyn Ritchie, the youth coordinator, who has given nine years of her life to cherish and nurture our young people. We wish Carolyn every happiness and success in the next part of her journey through life.
Finally, dear Friends, research has shown that dancing is one of the very best things to keep you young and fit in mind and body. Friends young and old tripped the light fantastic, with Larry and Ita Southard keeping us in step. There was not one wallflower around the room – everyone danced. What a wonderful uniting event! My ‘concern’ is for more dancing next year.
