Welsh connections
Jules Montgomery reports on a recent Meeting of Friends in Wales
Ystyriwch, Gyfeillion annwyl, gymhellion cariad a gwirionedd yn eich calonnau.
Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts.
Friends in Wales hold three Meetings annually and Quakers are welcomed from across the country to come together at a national level and keep abreast of concerns with a specifically Welsh or all-Wales feel to them.
Our recent October meeting was held at Llanwrtyd. It allowed us the opportunity to review the role and practicalities of providing a Quaker presence at both the National Eisteddfod and the Royal Welsh show. The former, this year, successfully hosted the first of a series of stimulating Quaker talks. There are some very interesting Welsh Quakers and Welsh connections with Quakerism. The series provides opportunities to hear tales about those now past, directly from lively and entertaining historians, and are celebrated and enjoyed.
There is something sacred in all people.
Mae rhywbeth sanctaidd ynom i gyd.
Our main speaker for the day, Carolyn Sansom, shared how both her identity as a mental health nurse and her identity as a Quaker have become integral influences on each other.
She explained that the diagnostic categories employed in mental health often have the effect of diminishing the sense of a person, as the diagnosis, such as ‘Person-ality Disorder’ or ‘Schizophrenia’, focuses attention on the aspect of the person’s being, which is problematic for them or for others, rather than on the person’s intrinsic worth and positive potential: ‘“Seeing that of God in everyone” seemed to me to be a perfect short-hand to remind me of the foundation on which my interactions with others should be built and also of the need to challenge the damaging perceptions of psychiatry in my work.’
Experiencing silence as a resource in therapeutic practice, Carolyn has applied her Quakerism to her professional life: ‘People often use words to put up a barrier between themselves and others when they fear what might be said if a space is left for silence.’ Insights have come into that silence that may not otherwise have been reached. There have been times when, in the silence, she has found it a powerful experience to hold the person she is with, and herself, in the Light. At times this has seemed similar to a ‘Meeting for Clearness’.
Over her career Carolyn has challenged unacceptable behaviour. She also illustrated how the importance of speaking truth to power and having this Quaker tenet as a reference point has been invaluable in helping her.
She explained that the range of ‘normal’ perceptions and behaviours is wider than we assume and that we need, therefore, to be ‘tender’ with each other in our day-to-day interactions. She explored with us some of the issues faced when welcoming people with mental health issues at Meeting, and recommended the words of Advices & queries: ‘Bear the burden of each others’ failings and pray for one another…’
In addition to the richness of Carolyn’s personal reflections, the Meeting was also host to the meet-and-greet for our new ‘vibrancy in Meetings’ officers, Helen Oldridge and Rachel Matthews, who bravely conducted most of their presentations through the medium of Welsh, which both are learning. This particular Meeting was especially full of treats as we also had the company and presence of Paul Parker, old friend to some and new to others. I would very much like to have heard more about his travels to America with Deborah Rowlands, but our agenda was already packed!
Paul Parker said: ‘Friends, as individuals and as a community, we can talk about ministry as being what’s on one’s soul and not necessarily what’s on one’s mind, it has been described as “what God unexpectedly drops into your lap”. I’ve been really struck in this Meeting, in this community today, both by the examples of individual ministry and Carolyn’s example, which will stick with me as an articulation of what being a Quaker can do to your work life. But there’s also corporate ministry. Here is a body, which, I think, knows what it is to have a calling. I am grateful to have the time here with you today.’
Comments
Please login to add a comment
