Sun, fun, sand and spirituality
Development workers across Britain have had a busy summer, facilitating events, running Quaker all-age camps and supporting Friends at festivals and Pride celebrations.
In Yorkshire, 115 Friends of all ages, including 34 children, gathered for Quaker Camp. It's the second year the event has been supported by development workers, Craig Barnett and Jo Baynham with the vision of building an all-age Quaker community that is joyful, spiritually grounded and inclusive.
This summer the event was held at Thornthwaite Activity Centre near Harrogate and included a fully catered long weekend packed with activities from circus skills to singing and philosophy.
One of the attendees commented afterwards that, "I found it stimulating, moving, fun, humbling and at times challenging. A really good spiritual growth opportunity. I have some wonderful memories of being taught to spin plates and make peace cranes by young people and children."
Over in Lancashire, Friends met during the summer for Worship @ The Beach – an opportunity to meet on the pier in St Annes On The Sea (near to Blackpool) for sun, sea, sand and spirituality. Friends from across the North West met with LDW Alison to enjoy worship together on the beach, in the Peace and Happiness Gardens and under cover when it was blowing a gale! Worship was followed by picnics and lunches in local cafes.
In East Anglia, LDW Jenny Gant has been working closely with Friends addressing challenging issues around the future of our meeting houses. Jenny was asked to help arrange a reflective day in Norwich exploring relationship, place and discernment.
"Rather than seeking immediate decisions, the day offered Friends space to step back, listen beyond fixed positions and consider how questions about the building connect with the wider life of the Meeting," explained Jenny.
Through worship, silent reflection, storytelling and creative activities, Friends explored their relationship with the meeting house and the memories, experiences and emotions it holds. In the afternoon, attention turned more fully to the community itself: what sustains it, where it feels strong or tired, and what may need care or nourishment.
"Feedback from the day was encouraging," added Jenny. "Friends particularly valued hearing one another's experiences, deepening relationships and having conversations that do not always arise in the ordinary course of meeting life. The day was a valuable reminder that discernment is not only about reaching conclusions, but also about creating breathing space, trust and understanding from which faithful next steps can emerge."
Friends in London got together over the summer for an event organised by development worker Josh Selfe. He invited author Lamorna Ash to talk about her latest book 'Don't Forget We're Here Forever.'
The book explores why so many of Lamorna's young adult friends have turned to religion and in writing it the author also 'found herself coming to faith' with Quaker meetings playing a big role in that journey.
Lamorna was interviewed by Friends from Bethnal Green meeting, who also shared their meeting's own story of growth, mostly among young adults.
This is just a snapshot of some of the events development workers have led or supported over the summer. In collaboration with Friends in their patches, they're now planning and facilitating autumn events including regional gathers, facilitating workshops, supporting meetings in difficulty and overall, helping our communities to thrive and grow! Your development worker would be delighted to hear from you so do feel free to get in touch.