Category Archives: Members

Quarterly Meetings

Ulster Quarterly Meeting – February 2013

Ulster Quarterly Meeting

16th February 2013

 The annual report to UQM of Friends School Lisburn (2011-2012) was in the main extremely encouraging. Academic Achievement had been exceptional within the school and relative to Northern Ireland averages. But the amazing variety of ‘Community Relations’ projects, events and challenges was impressive and their value for  pupils and the community should not be underestimated. Serious concern with the recent effects of budget cuts and the possible new state involvement in governance was expressed by Meeting. The Archives Committee report was brief but with the expected tidbits that make it one of my favourites. The hours of work put in by its members on certain projects was emphasised.

 The afternoon session ‘Enough is Plenty’ was organised by the Testimonies and Witness Committee. The speaker was Anne B Ryan, author of the book of that title. She began by asking ‘what is enough’ and enlarged by suggesting that this involved not simply practical needs but ideas of resilience/sustainability, ecosystems, morality, spirituality, peace of mind, aesthetics and more. She then introduced the economic concept of ‘Universal Basic Income’  which was new to many. Discussion groups were formed to be guided by three questions: What is your immediate response; What is your deeper response; What are the challenges/opportunities ie personal, family, community, society? When we reassembled, brief summaries were read. Thoughts of  the Idealists and the Realists among us were represented. Basic human greed emerged as A or The stumbling block. The afternoon session was thought-provoking and fuel for further discussion.

 Lynn Benson

News and Events, Notices to Members

Dublin Quakers podcast

On Christmas Day Dublin South FM presented an hour-long broadcast entitled Our friends in Dublin.  Their presenter Mary Lavin had spotted the poster announcing the 150th anniversary of Churchtown Meeting and decided to investigate Dublin Quakersand their faith and practice.  During the previous summer she had interviewed a number of Dublin Friends  and this was the result.  To hear the podcast click on
www.dublinsouthfm.ie and scroll down to Our Friends in Dublin.

Events, News and Events, Notices to Members

The Palestinian/Israeli situation: talk by Ian Bell

Seeking Peace in a Difficult Place –
A hard task to follow

 Saturday 20th October, 2012
At Churchtown Meeting House
10.30am- 1.00pm

 Last May, Ireland Yearly Meeting Peace Committee co-operated with Dublin Monthly Meeting Peace Committee and Churchtown Meeting to arrange a seminar at Churchtown Meeting House.  We discussed the situation in Palestine and Israel.

 The four speakers there gave quite differing views on the subject.  It was important that this breadth of thinking was equally shared and respected. These talks were followed by a general discussion, followed by lively discussions in groups.

 Friends there made it clear that they would like to see this followed up by other meetings. To help us to address an often contentious and emotive subject, we all felt that the input of qualified information and experience was vital.

 With this in mind, we are arranging a further meeting, again in Churchtown Meeting House, for 20th October, 2012.

 Ian Bell, a non-resident-in-Ireland Friend of Lisburn Meeting, with wide experience of the Palestininian/Israeli situation and other international problem areas, has been asked to speak to us.  Ian has spoken widely on the subject to many people in many places throughout the British Isles and beyond. 

 He was an ecumenical accompanier in EAPPI [The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel].

 As well as talking about his own experiences, he will put them in the context of what EAPPI seeks to achieve, why, the rationale of its methods and their effectiveness and its selection process. He has wide international experience in his career. Why did EAPPI seem a good project for him to become involved in?

 Yourquestions and your part in the open discussion are absolutely central to this event. So please put Saturday 20th October into your diary.

 The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace.

The World Council of Churches set up this programme in 2002 in response to requests from Palestinian Christians to people of goodwill around the world who wish to see the realities of occupation for themselves.

It is managed by the Religious Society of Friends from Friends House in London.

10.30-11.00am – coffee
11.00 a.m. – Ian Bell
12.00 – open discussion and questions. Finishing at approximately 1.00 p.m.

Tea and Coffee will be provided.  Please bring your own lunch.

News and Events, Notices to Members

Quaker vigil at Eurosatory Arms Fair in Paris on 9th June 2012

Join European Quakers in Paris at the International Arms Trade Exhibition on June 11-15, 2012

Europes Largest Defence and Security Industry Trade Show

Europe’s largest Defence & Security industry trade show “Eurosatory” takes place in Paris every two years.  In protest of this event, for many years Quakers have maintained a vigil.

The Quaker Vigil

Simon M. (16 year of age) writes: “The 2010 vigil was awesome. We came together from Germany Switzerland, France, and England.  During the day of the opening of the exhibition, we stood in front of the Metro stop completely dressed in white to greet the visitors, most of whom were wearing black or were in uniform.  We had prepared banners with slogans such as ‘If war is the answer, we need a new question.‘ and signs of weapons crossed through, and postcards to hand out. Quakers from Paris prepared meals for us. And there was plenty of time for sightseeing.”

Photos of the 2010 vigil are on the FWCCEMES website.

Information about the Eurosatory Arms Fair can be found on their website.

How Can I Join the Quaker Vigil?

Participants must be over 18 (younger participants must be accompanied by adults who are legal guardians).

Accommodation: €30-50 triple/double/single room.

Programme :

Saturday, June 9th 2012 – Travel by train to Paris

Sunday, June 10th 2012 – Sightseeing in Paris

Monday, June 11th 2012 – International Quaker Vigil at the Eurosatory Arms Fair

Tuesday, June 12th 2012 –   Return home by train.

Anyone wishing to stay longer is more than welcome to do so.

For more information contact:

Bernhard Klinghammer
Kaliweg 31,
 30952 Ronnenberg,
 Germany

 Email: b.klinghammer@gmx.de

News and Events, Notices to Members

Magdalene Laundries – Public Meeting, Limerick, Wednesday 9th November

A Conversation on Experiences in the Magdelene Laundries

This public meeting will be held in the Quaker Meeting House, Limerick at 8pm on Wednesday 9th November 2011.

Speakers include

Pauline Goggin who has recently been speaking to survivors of institutional abuse, including some survivors of the Magdalene Laundries living in London

Evelyn McGlynn who has completed her degree and master’s theses in Limerick College of Art and Design on the Magdelene Laundries.

A former resident of the Good Shepherd Laundry now living in England

This meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome.

Further Information: Magdalene Conversations Information Leaflet.

 

News and Events, Notices to Members

RTÉ Broadcast from Ballitore Meeting 30th October

The Religious Service on RTÉ Long Wave 252 on Sunday 30th October 2011 at 10.45am will be conducted by Quakers and will feature a discussion by Friends at Ballitore Meeting House, County Kildare.

The silence of a Quaker meeting for worship is not appropriate for radio.  But an essential part is vocal ministry and on this occasion the voices of Friends rather than silence will take over.

The service will be available on RTÉ Radio long wave 252 in Ireland and Europe.  The programme will also be available worldwide through the internet via Radio 1 Extra Stream and on Radio 1 Extra on DAB digital radio in the greater Dublin area, Cork and Limerick.

We will provide details of the downloadable podcast as soon as these are available.

News and Events, Notices to Members

Leinster Quarterly Meeting 20th November 2011

Leinster Quarterly Meeting will be held at Churchtown Meeting House on Sunday 20th November 2011.

The discussion at this Leinster Quarterly Meeting will be ‘Learning from Young Friends’.  The speakers are Carolyn McMullan (Youth Coordinator), Orla Reaper-Reynolds (Youth Committee), Ciara Harrison (Youth Committee).

Families are encouraged to attend.  There will be activities for children, both in the morning and afternoon.  Please email the clerk of Leinster Quarterly Meeting Catriona Phelan  if your children hope to attend.

Those not in membership and wishing to attend the business session please notify the clerk on the day.

The programme for the day is as follows:

11.00am Meeting for Worship

12.00pm Leinster Quarterly Business Meeting

1.30pm  Lunch (Bring a packed lunch – Tea/Coffee provided)

2.30pm  ‘Learning from Young Friends’

4.30pm Tea (by kind invitation of Churchtown Friends)