Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them in the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life.
Advices and Queries 1.02
At a Meeting for Sufferings held in London 5th June 1999
MINUTE 6 QUAKER BUSINESS METHOD
We have reflected on papers brought forward from previous meetings and minutes received earlier today. The session has been introduced by T. Michael Staynes.
We have expressed our deep desire to conduct ourselves in our Meetings for Worship for Church Affairs in a manner which allows the wide range of basic beliefs and views amongst our membership to be heard, and for us to be able to hold together as Friends. This requires each of us to attend meetings with hearts and minds prepared, not hearts and minds made up.
In practical terms, this means that each of us has responsibility to approach our business meetings with a listening spirituality. Any one of us may be called to express some dissent from the prevailing view. Let us support and encourage the expression of deeply found conviction, perhaps especially when it is different. It can be helpful for a wide range of contributions to come early in consideration of a demanding topic. We should not fear that unity may not be found after prayerful exercise, given time and sensitivity. Friends of great experience and knowledge have a responsibility not to be over-bearing, to allow for others to express what a meeting may need to hear. Such Friends can sometimes become a difficulty, and others must help them to let go of controlling behaviour.
The practice of recording the names of Friends 'standing aside' from a minute of a decision of the meeting is not part of this Yearly Meeting's discipline and we do not see it as a solution to difficulties. More important is the tender, compassionate and humble search together for the grounds of our unity. We do not equate unity with unanimity, and realise we must care for those who are in disagreement over an issue which has been decided.
We have heard of Friends past and present who have been in disagreement with decisions of Quaker business meetings and who have stayed with Friends, working quietly on themselves and on others to make room for another way to be seen. Sometimes this has led to new directions for a meeting.
In both large and small meetings, we have to bring our views and desires to the place where, as Penington said, we can give over our own willing, running and desiring, "and sink down to the seed which God sows in the heart".
Jane Chattell Clerk
QUAKER SOCIAL ACTION - TOWARDS THE 21ST CENTURY
I have now served on the management council of QSA (formerly Bedford Institute Association) since 1993. In that time the organisation has continued to grow apace and needs a considerable amount of oversight, support and love from all of us in Wanstead and throughout the Monthly Meeting. It remains for me the best example of faith in action, of specific actions carried out under Quaker auspices, within our boundaries. Over the years we have had to wrestle with a number of issues. I thought Friends might like to share some of our current concerns and interests.
QSA currently operates, as it has done for many years, from Bunhill Fields Meeting House, close to the Barbican and Moorgate. This is not within the boundaries of Ratcliff and Barking MM but the bulk of our work is. A few years ago we decided that the needs of the organisation were for more office space and this involved not replacing the wardens who had lived upstairs at the building. This decision gave that PM a considerable jolt and we had a difficult time redrawing the relationship between the PM and ourselves. It was a challenge to all of us to decide how much time and energy we needed to give to address the change for that Meeting when we were serving on the Management council to work on issues of severe deprivation and poverty in the area.
Most Friends will know the general nature of the projects with which QSA is involved. These include Homestore, a second hand furniture project; Homelink, an agency for finding affordable private sector rented property; New Life Electrics, which reconditions second hand electrical goods, especially cookers; and New Life Training, which equips unemployed people for work in the vending industry. A more recent innovation has been to work with a group called the Chalice Foundation to get use out of a large building in Bethnal Green to benefit the local community, a challenge which echoes work which QSA has done over many years.
I wanted, however to look at three particular areas which we have had to address over the years or are still addressing. The first involves funding. QSA now has an annual budget of £250K+. Some of this is met from sales, some from donations from F(f)riends, some from block grants from public grants, some from grants from charities. But to secure the work, and the future of the organisation, takes a considerable amount of time and energy which might otherwise be devoted to direct work with clients or projects. It also takes a great deal of the same out of our charismatic director, Mike Jenn. The question has arisen as to whether we could secure the organisation and save a great deal of effort by making application to the Lottery. This topic has been raised at several Council meetings over the years and it is not yet resolved. As a group, we would prefer not to use funds obtained as a result of gambling but over the years what was a clear decision has been eroded by the number of groups and causes who benefited from grants. There is now a majority feeling that we are doing something so important that we should make application. I believe I would be sorrier about this than most but we have held our decision whilst we enquire from Sufferings what the impact of an organisation with a Quaker name applying to the Lottery might be. What dost thou say?
Secondly, we are now fortunate to have moved Homestore into new premises in Maryland Road, Stratford. For years the project ran from a decaying URC building in Forest Gate. It was a considerable embarrassment to us that we expected staff to work in such awful conditions. It was infested, cold, unhygienic and cramped. The current premises are pleasant and have given the opportunity for expanding ideas. We have for many years worked with people with varying degrees of learning disability and we have now a workshop where these people are being helped to recondition furniture but also to make small items out of wood and other materials. There is now the challenge of deciding what to use the first floor of the building for (when we can afford to do it up); whether we can embark on a scheme of training drivers to obtain HGV licenses; and how to meet the cost of paying VAT on goods? As a recent, under challenge, decision has said we must.
The third area involves the setting up of a trading company to be known as Ozone Friends. We have for some time had contracts with two local authorities to collect discarded fridges, degas them, and to recondition those we can, although this is a small proportion. This has been done mainly as a fund raising venture. But it has always involved a lot of heart searching because it has had a wearing effect on staff, including volunteers. It is often filthy and back- breaking work and there have been problems in ensuring that the degassing is properly done. Currently the work is done by committed people rather than imposed on reluctant ones.
My time with QSA is coming to an end. This means there is an opportunity for someone else to volunteer to serve on Council. You need to be able to attend six meetings a year, held on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the last week of the month. There is also the offer of being involved with project committees or with interests such as Staffing or Finance. It is rewarding because it is a wonderful opportunity of faith in action and faith demonstrated on Quaker principles as well. I am happy to give further information if requested.
Melvyn Freake. 7/7/1999.
CAMPING IN THE BURIAL GROUND 9 - 10 JULY 1999
This year must be about the fourth year running that Friends have camped overnight in the burial ground at Wanstead Meeting House. There were nine of us all together and it was one of the hottest weekends of the summer. We didn't unite get round to building a bender this year it was too hot and by the time we had all our tents up (Norms took a long time but she and Kate did it in the end) we didn't feel like making the effort. Just as well really, Alan Gunthorpe had some how turned up without a tent so we improvised one for him using a length of rope that I had in the back of the car and two of the tarpaulins that we normally use to make the bender.
We cooked over an open fire in the clearing that was once a tennis court, it had been used by the menus group in May and the Sweat Lodge was still there. Norma and I had both been to the Free Range Sausage Shop in Walthamstow to stock up, so there was no shortage of Bangers. (If you fancy a treat try them out, the shop is in Hoe Street opposite the Co-op Bank). Sitting round the camp fire nattering is a really good way to spend an evening, Jay Edwards dropped over and soon got involved showing Alice and Max how to toast marsh mallows. It was all very relaxed and unorganised. I can't remember who gave in first and went to bed but I seem to think that I was happily snoring by midnight.
Heather and I cooked breakfast the next day, no sausages this time but lots of fried potatoes, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, and sweet corn. Sheila and Les had stayed the night but had to get away early as Sheila was off to Billericay Meeting. The rest of us had cleared up and were ready by 11am. I stayed by the fire just in case of accidents and because I was doing the children with Kate. Children's Meeting was mostly making toast over the fire. Maybe we should have put a spin on it and talked feeding the poor people of this world but we just had fun with the kids, and made a lot of burnt toast.
The weekend of the camp coincided with the Shared lunch and talking about our Spiritual Lives. This seemed to flow on as part of the camp too, as we all drifted down to the fire to eat lunch, drink coffee and carry on talking about our inner journeys. All in all a very relaxed weekend and if every one else enjoyed it half as much as I did it must be considered to be a successful event.
Cliff Hendon 25 July 1999
Dear Wanstead Meeting,
We had a really enjoyable time at Wanstead. The Group Weekend was for young Quakers who have had experience of participating in the planning and running of events like Junior Yearly Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting and Senior Conference. We look at issues such as group dynamics, communication and strategies for coping with difficult groups. Through discussions, exercises and games we learnt so many skills, which will not only help us with future Quaker Youth Work, but with the other groups that we belong to.
We were pleased we could join you for Meeting for Worship on Sunday morning. Many of us found it a very special experience.
Thank you so much for welcoming our group to Wanstead and for letting us use your Meeting House.
Yours in Friendship,
Susie Warden and El Field, on behalf of the Groups Weekend
MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS REPRESENTATIVES (Monthly Meeting Minute 99/153)0
We have received a minute from Walthamstow PM, which says, in part:
"...We are aware that as a Preparative Meeting, we have been very lucky in having fresh reports from our Monthly Meeting representatives to Meeting for sufferings Erica Hailstone, and from members of Friends House staff who have attended Walthamstow Meeting. We feel that the link between Meeting for Sufferings and local meetings is very important to the life of the Society. We hope that in appointing new representatives, their ability and willingness to visit local meetings (including geographical location) will be taken into account. We hope that Monthly Meeting can devote some time to considering ways of enhancing communications."
We accordingly ask that local meetings consider the points raised in the above minute and send in a minute to MM if so led. We thank Walthamstow for their minute on this matter
TESTIMONY TO THE LIFE OF MYRTLE POLLARD
Myrtle Pollard, nee Dedman, was born in Woodford in 1922. She was brought up an Anglican, but attended a Catholic school. From school she went straight to H.M. Stationery Office, where she sang in the choir and helped in a services canteen during the war. She met Philip at St. Mary's church, South Woodford, where she was a member of the Young People's Fellowship. They were married there in 1945.
Because of doubts about the Church of England liturgy she left the church. Later, feeling the lack of a spiritual home, she began attending Wanstead Meeting. She left the Stationery Office when the children came along, and combined looking after them with studying to become a teacher. In due course she went to a Teacher Training College. There she wrote a much praised treatise on William Walwyn, a pamphleteer of the Civil War period. She returned to work part-time, teaching history and economics. Later she did Learning Support work with children in year seven at a Catholic Comprehensive School. She enjoyed research and study, and as a mature student went to Essex University - in fact at the same time as her youngest daughter, Pauline ~ gaining an MA in Political Behaviour.
For over 40 years Myrtle served Wanstead Meeting conscientiously as Clerk, Elder, Clerk of Premises Committee and in many other ways. She represented Friends on the Wanstead Ministers' Meeting, and on Churches Together in Wanstead, where she took her turn in chairing the meetings, despite some initial opposition to having a Quaker in that capacity. Her year as Chair resulted in a far deeper sense of unity within Churches Together. This is still talked about and attributed to her.
Myrtle brought a wide knowledge of Quaker history and writings to her ministry, but had also the rare ability to pull from her retentive memory just the right quotation to fit the occasion or to answer someone's need. Often she quoted verse, selected from authors down the centuries, and memorised.
As a member of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, she had a hand in drafting the first agreed syllabus for religious education in Redbridge. She also arranged for parties of school children to come to the Meeting House, where she and Philip spoke to them about Quakers and provided an opportunity for them to experience a Meeting for Worship.
Myrtle gave unstintingly of herself both to people and to causes in which she believed. In addition to her service to Wanstead Friends, she was secretary of her Labour Party branch. She acted once as agent in a parliamentary election. During the Vietnam War the Gordon Barclay Fund was set up to help orphans in Vietnam. Myrtle was on the committee administering the fund and spent some time in Saigon. She was also treasurer of the local branch of the United Nations Association. During the time of protests against Cruise missiles she and Philip were at a vigil in London when they heard that members of Wanstead Meeting intended a sit-down protest in the form of a Meeting for Worship at the Guildhall. She and Philip, the oldest ones there, sat in the road with them until finally they too were arrested.
Myrtle's last ministry in Meeting quoted from a hymn "Let the Nations be flooded with rivers of Mercy and Grace." Which she found to be "two of the most beautiful words in the English language."? These words would seem to be both a prayer for the future and also qualities that were ever at her heart.
Myrtle had a passionate sense of commitment to the things she believed right. She stood firm in them, even if on occasion it caused offence, for she was one of those who sought to follow the commandment: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength.'
Phillip was moved and grateful to be sent a copy of "Fare Well" by water de la Mare with the reminder that Myrtle quoted it in Meeting.
A verse meditation inspired by the Spirit as revealed in the Apocryhal book of Sirach, Chapter 44. Dedicated to the memory of Myrtle Pollard and Marjorie Lee.
Brian Mardell
Let us praise famous womenLike she who decended to the hell of Prison
And fought the devil called "Justice-without-mercy" (Elizabeth Fry)
Or she who entered the pit that was Hospital,
Conquering that destroying demon 'Fatalism'(Florence Nightingale)
And one who interpreted musical notes,
Celloing the truth-beyond-words
Through the instrument of her being (Jacqueline du Pre)
And One whose spirit plunged into cordite-reeking trenches
Emerging with her trophy, the oracles
Fated to slay that enigmatic monster War (Pat Barker)
'But some there be who have no memorial
Who have perished as though they have not lived
And have become as though they have not been born'
But these were women of love,
Countless Marys, embracing the painful crucifixion of their kind
Who resurrection is those endless generations
Of Love-Children begat by the Holy Spirit
And nurtured in the womb of their response
'Their bodies were buried in peace,
And their name lives to all generations'
The Premises Committee have been encouraged, we have be held up by ill health but now things are moving, plans are going ahead. Friends may not as yet realise that during this work it will be necessary for us to vacate the Meeting House for several weeks, this will also affect our lettings.
The work will include both renovation and decoration with major work on the toilets including a disability toilet. It has proved quite difficult to work this all in within the existing building line. We believe this has been accomplished successfully.
The asbestos heating panels have to go, they were put in at a time when it was felt nuclear electricity was going to be a cheap power for the future. Not only is asbestos dangerous, some of the panels are not working and cannot be replaced. It has been decided to replace them with a central gas boiler system with local heat control. Notice has been taken of the Children's Committee concern about radiators being too hot and dangerous for the children and the temperature will be kept low.
The Meeting Room cork flooring is to be replaced by patterned linoleum, perhaps in two contrasting colours, opinions will be sought.
It is intended to replace fluorescent light fittings both in the Meeting Room and Social Room, as Friends are aware the noise they produce at times can be distracting. Extra cupboard space will be provided in Social and Children's room.
It is intended to bring our Kitchen up to standard with a stainless steel worktop plus a small hand basin and fittings. The tiles will be replaced and the floor will be covered with vinyl sheeting. The work will need to take note of cost.
Outside there will be a ramp at the entrance for easy access. The front gates will be replaced and the fence repaired and painted. A cycle rack will be provided.
As you know we need to raise extra money for additional work beyond that provided by Six Weeks Meeting. The stall is in the foyer every Sunday for would be buyers, please give it your support.
Kathleen and Johan Pippard had a very successful garden party. A goodly number turned up on a lovely evening. The garden was much admired and extra funds raised for the building fund.
QUAKER UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN GENEVA
My interest was aroused in the work of Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva (QUNO) when 1 offered to find sponsors for Janet Pascoe of Uxbridge PM. In order to raise money for the work of UNO Janet was planning to cycle from Basel to Geneva, 173 miles, in 5 days. She did in fact complete the ride in 4 1/2 days. Wanstead PM has been able to send £100. Thank you.
Two members of my extended family lived and worked in Geneva at the United Nations Offices with the International labour Organisation (110) for very many years before retirement and 1 began my enquiries by writing to them in California to ask if they were aware of Quaker House at 13 Avenue du Mervelet, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland. I felt it would be of equal interest if they did or did not know of its existence. I received the following reply:
The Quakers are among the long-established groups in Geneva, probably going back to the League of Nations. They have both an international dimension and function as a house of prayer. We had friends who attended Quaker meetings in Geneva, though we didn't ourselves. Ernest occasionally talks to the Quakers and found them among the most professional of the NGO's. He supported their work but not the religious part of it.
Penny Pickrell is the present Programme Assistant at QUNO and from her most recent JOURNAL LETTER dated March 99, it appears to be all happening over there! From early January she has organised the Quaker UN Group Meeting for Friends from many areas of the world.
Other matters on her agenda have been Peace & Disarmament. Small Arms & light Weapons. Ottawa Treaty on Land Mines. Trade & Development Areas. The use of Child Soldiers. And an almost complete updating of their web-site. Plus complicated office rearrangements. Penny sends regular JOURNAL LETTERS to Friends House and is also editor of GENEVA REPORTER. She says at the end of her letter that she sometimes feels disheartened by so little direct response to these reports and wonders how interested Quakers are generally. This creates doubts about how much they can achieve in Geneva without more interest and support.
So, as a local meeting, can we perhaps think about that?
We have done so recently with sponsorship money plus a £50 donation from May PM What more could we do? Ask to receive JOURNAL LETTERS & GENEVA REPORTER from Q P & S. Write a few lines of appreciation now and then to address above.
quno@mbox.unice.org http://www.quaker.org/quno Invite a returned QUNO worker to speak to us.
Think about you or someone else attending the July Summer School in Geneva for 12 days with 25 young people (20-26 yrs) from all over the world. Information leaflet available. Could we sponsor someone to attend Summer School? Encourage younger people to think about this as they grow up. Remember to send the Team at QUNO our supportive and prayerful thoughts.
A local Friend told me enthusiastically about the Summer School attended some years ago:
"The Quaker UN Office is in a beautiful, detached villa, 15 minutes by bike from the UN Palais des Nations. A homely lounge, living room and kitchen on ground floor. 1st Floor offices and staff. The top floor is a bed-sit for the Programme Assistant (this placement changes every year in July). And a large basement, opening on to a pleasant garden, is the Quaker Meeting Houseroom for worship. For almost 50 years the Summer School has given younger people from all over the world (mainly UK & USA) an insight into the work of the United Nations and a chance to meet diplomats and talk freely."
PILGRIMAGE - IAN SLATER
Earlier in the year we had a small book sent to us with the possibility of a review and place in the library.
Ian Slater is warden of Friends Meeting House, Great Yarmouth. Ian was born in Cheshire in a small country village. Moving away the memory of those youthful years remained with him, ever a part of him, over the years he wrote of that time and later was able to return and was able to re-explore the area and its links with the past.
The book consists of essays interspersed with poems and placed in the context of one day. The chapter headings give some impression of the walk. The Letter Box, The Reservoir, The Forest, The Hills, The Valley, The Village, The Fields, The Farm. All depicted with loving care and with a light and gentle touch a desire to communicate a sense of being, a belonging, as the back cover has it:
There is a magically mysterious strain which flows through the writing and although the whole is autobiographical in a spiritual as well as in a physical sense, the nature of the work has an inherently timeless and universal quality and contains much that speaks to that of the child - in everyman.
The book can be purchased from the Session of York, The Ebor Press. £7.00 + p and p £1.00.The copy sent has been given to the library.
P.S.
At a recent Sharing Meeting a comment was made implying that people in the North will greet each other in a friendly fashion without necessarily knowing each other. Questions were raised as to how you do this in a crowded and busy city. Would a friendly greeting be misunderstood and how do you feel if snubbed, Would a person in a train or bus object to having their line of thought interrupted, such thoughts put people off.
The following day I was in the Local Supermarket and took courage and addressed a lady at the vegetable counter.
"The cauliflower's are very small"
"Yes"
"Price a bit high"
"I like them to be white and fresh"
Well it was a start and I was rewarded with a nice smile and the need to note if the cauliflowers are white.
Phillip Pollard