QCCIR 30 Jan-1 Feb 2026

What is this committee responsible for?

QCCIR helps Quakers in Britain in their work with other religious faiths, churches, and spiritual and human values groups. It does this by reflecting deeply on Quaker insights and values. It writes publications to explain Quaker faith and decisions in theological terms. It helps Friends enter imaginatively into the life and witness of other faith groups, for example by holding webinars. It aims to create bonds of friendship and mutual understanding.

What did it do at this meeting?

Our Elder led us in an opening evening of worship where we reflected together on the situation we find ourselves in. Several Friends have had to withdraw from QCCIR for health reasons, including some induced by over-work for this committee. We shall have to reduce the amount of work we can take on, despite its importance and our interest in it, until Friends can be found through the central nominations system to join us. In future we hope to share the work more evenly, mindful of the advice: “Attend to what love requires of you, which may not be great busyness”.

In light of the worship, we updated our strategic plan for the next three years. We now have three key outward facing and five key inward facing priorities for work with Quakers. This includes celebrating our work, and there is much to be glad about!

We finalised our plans for Yearly Meeting, and heard of the completed plans for the QCCIR Woodbrooke conference for Friends (13-15 March). This still has online places but is fully booked in person. We heard about the work of the BYM ecumenical and interfaith officer.

Part of the closing minute from the weekend reads:

At the end of this dark month of January, we have come together and, through our gathered worship, faced up to the challenges and costs of our own busyness. Standing together as a faithful community of Friends, we have reminded ourselves of our presence and purpose in witnessing to our faith for Quakers in Britain. We have upheld each other in searching for and finding in holy unity the illumination of a path to deliver our work of truth and reconciliation in the coming year of continuing change.

How can I find out more?

Please read our dedicated committee webpage..

We also have a new action page to support Friends in work with other churches and faiths. This page has links to webinar recordings, to written resources and to receive occasional news by email.