As in previous years, we are planning to host Special Interest Groups (SIGs) online on the days leading up to our Yearly Meeting, which will be held in Cork from 17-21 July 2024. These online sessions give Friends the opportunity to discuss issues of interest, explore concerns and topics of interest to them.

IYM Programme Committee wishes to put together a varied and interesting selection of SIGs with a variety of topics, activities and concerns from individuals or groups, young and not so young. These will be run online in the evenings from Sunday 7th to Wednesday 10 July.

SIGs run for between 75-90 minutes and can be facilitated by one or more people, having two or three facilitators often works well.

If you have a topic that you would like to propose, or an idea that F/friends might usefully explore, please send an email containing the title and a short description of the session, together with the proposed facilitators to Siobhan Walshe at charley1siobhan@gmail.com by 22 May 2024 at the latest.

Máire Ní Mheibhric, Human Rights Monitor, will talk about her recent first-hand experience in the Occupied West Bank at the Waterford Quaker Meeting House on Sunday April 28 at 2.30pm.

More information is given in this flyer.

Monkstown Friends invite you to an afternoon gathering on the theme Spirituality and Ecology: How are they linked? How can we make a difference?

The gathering will take place on Saturday 27 April during 1.00-4.30 at Monkstown Meeting House.

You’ll find more information in this leaflet. To register for the gathering, email monkstownpm@gmail.com by 24 April. Please do register by this date, as this is very important for planning purposes!

Quakers for Peace in Palestine and Israel invites Friends to join them in a day of fasting in solidarity with Gaza, on Monday, April 8. Together we will bear witness to the starvation that is being inflicted on the people of Gaza. We hope the experience will connect us to the Light and Power that take away the occasion of war.

Further information is given on this poster about the event.

If you have questions, email quakersforpeace@gmail.com.

Wayfaring: a Guide to Guidance is a book recently published by Cork Friend Larry Southard. A quote from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Quaker Faith and Practice says “If you truly want to be led, you must put yourself in a position that allows following”; this book provides advice about how to do this.

Larry will speak about this work at the Churchtown Coffee Morning on Wednesday 3 April. More information can be found in this Coffee Morning flyer.

This is now available, and can be accessed here.

Woodbrooke is partnering with the Europe and Middle East Section (EMES) to offer this online session on Quaker contributions to permaculture, which will run on 10 April 18.30-20.30 and will be facilitated by. EMES Communication and Networking Coordinator Evan Welkin.

‘Permaculture’ is a design framework modelled on ecosystems, addressing holistic needs through cooperative relationships in a living system. This session will explore Quaker contributions to the permaculture movement with examples and activities. More information can be found at https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/resilient-communities-quaker- permaculture-design

Quaker Council of European Affairs (QCEA) in collaboration with the Quaker Asylum Refugee Network (QARN) and Woodbrooke is excited to offer a new online course: “Migration and Peace in Europe“.

This four-week course starting on 11 June, led by Saskia Basa, QCEA’s Migration and Peace Coordinator, will explore the critical connections between migration and peace in Europe. We will delve into the challenges faced by migrants and refugees on the continent, examine how different countries approach these issues, and most importantly, equip ourselves with tools for promoting peaceful and just solutions.

This course is a valuable opportunity to learn, share perspectives, and connect with fellow Quakers passionate about building a more just and peaceful Europe.

For full details and registration, please visit:

https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/migration-and- peace-in-europe/

The Ireland Yearly Meeting Peace Committee is organising an online session on “Exploring our Relationship with Conflict: How we Experience, Contribute to and React to Conflict”, to be held on April 24 7.00-8.30pm. The session will be facilitated by two British Friends, Ellis Brooks and Rebecca Bellamy. Further information and the Eventbrite link for registration are given in this leaflet.

Encouraged by the experience of Rathfarnham Friends, Cork Meeting has decided to hold a Silent Vigil for Peace in Cork Meeting House, Summerhill South, from 2-4pm on March 30.

As was the case with the Rathfarnham Silent Peace Vigil in February, it is requested that no political symbols or political statements be displayed.

Please feel free to spread the word among family and friends in the Cork area who may be interested in stopping by for any length of time during the vigil. Here is a leaflet about the vigil that can be distributed to those who may be interested.