‘Quakers: The Spiritual Journey of Earthcare’ – a film by EcoQuakers Ireland – premiered during Yearly Meeting at the Millennium Theatre, Limerick, on 19th July 2018.
The film features a number of Irish Quakers talking about the spiritual challenges around sustainability, where they find joy in the sustainability journey and what their one wish for change in Ireland would be in relation to sustainability >>
You can find out more about EcoQuakers Ireland here.
A very inspiring EcoQuaker Gathering on the theme Love and Despair: Actions and Responses to Climate Breakdown, took place at South Belfast Quaker Meeting House on Saturday 19th October 2019. The gathering opened with a period of quiet reflection and worship, which afforded an opportunity to reflect on ‘where we are’. During this quiet time 16 attendees spoke briefly about their environmental story. Their varied and sincere contributions set the tone for an informative gathering, which endeavoured to identify positive ways forward.
Thought-provoking presentations were delivered by three excellent speakers.
Lindsey Fielder-Cook, Quaker United Nations Office Representative for Climate Change, had a background in human rights and peace-building before becoming firmly convinced that climate change is a human rights issue. She communicates with, and is inspired by, faith organisations worldwide. Courage not despair is needed. We should look back to see where we came from and, for Quakers, there is the encouragement that Quakers took a stance against the slave trade, a stance which ended in the abolition of slavery. Guilt trips or shaming should be avoided. Instead, in the words of George Fox, we should “walk cheerfully over the world answering that of God in everyone”.
Both Lyndsey and John Barry, the second speaker, spoke about their empathy with scientists who need to be heard by governments. John Barry, Professor of Green Political Economy, Queens University Belfast spoke of colleagues who are depressed by the serious situation of climate breakdown. He also spoke about the need for courage, hope and activism, which are often preceded by denial, anger, depression and despair. Personal change should not be encumbered by a blame culture. We need to radically come to the realisation that we do not need any more technology. Instead we need to lower our consumption. The concept of GDP should be challenged. A bizarre scenario is a car crash which results in damage to the vehicle. The outcome of this scenario would show a positive GDP when vehicle repair, litigation costs and other related costs are calculated. However, there is no GDP measure for unpaid work of women or the work of volunteers, which add considerably to the well-being of a community. We need to re-think and remake society.
Lynn Finnegan, Writer for ‘UN Earth Negotiations Bulletin’ and Member of EcoQuakers Committee spoke of compassion and insight. When you are not afraid of the world’s pain you can go in. Go radically, not violently. Let there be no more conflict like US and THEM. Goodness runs through every human heart. Lynn spoke of the Great Turning which involves the transition from a doomed economy of industrial growth to a life-sustaining society committed to the recovery of our world.
The attainment of this Great Turning can involve a mix of outrage and optimism.
We are witnessing outrage and optimism now in our young schoolchildren who are trying to educate adults. Outrage is the fuel. Optimism is the direction which transforms the outrage into ethical responses and positive actions.
Britain Yearly Meeting’s Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations met for the first time in Ireland in June.
The committee was hosted by Friends from Limerick Meeting and two of the main topics considered were sustainability and peace, including the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.
Read this report published in ‘The Friend’, which outlines how British Friends listened to Irish Friends describe 20 years of change.
We were delighted to be joined by more than 20 Friends from other countries for Ireland Yearly Meeting 2019, which took place in The High School, Dublin, from 25th – 28th April. The theme was ‘Education’.
You can read the epistle here and a report here.
“Education means the right training of the body as well as of the mind, it also means
caring for the spirit. Quaker Life and Practice 6.3″
Noah Merrill of Putney Friends Meeting in Vermont delivered a fascinating and thought-provoking public lecture at Ireland Yearly Meeting in The High School, Dublin, on 26 April.
He spoke about the transformative love of God and challenged Friends and other audience members to bear witness to the infinite love of God. “Can we open a space for people who have been wounded to take refuge and offer them a deeper hope?” he asked.
“We are never alone, we are called by the Spirit into a community of deep hope. The story of our journey doesn’t end in a grave, but an empty tomb … Our journey ends in joy.”
A full transcript of Noah’s talk will be posted here soon.
Noah seeks to be faithful in the Quaker tradition of gospel ministry—the practical spiritual work of encouraging faithfulness and awakening hearts. His service is under the care of Putney Friends Meeting in Vermont, which has recognised his call to ministry for the renewal of the Quaker movement. Noah has served with the cross-branch Quaker ministry organisation Good News Associates, with the American Friends Service Committee, and as a founding board member of Quaker Voluntary Service. In 2009, for work supporting refugees from violent conflict in the Middle East, Utne Reader Magazine recognized him as one of “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.” In April 2012, Noah offered the plenary worship address on behalf of North American Friends at the Sixth World Conference of Friends in Kenya.
In 2013, he gave the Michener Lecture at Southeastern Yearly Meeting of Friends in the United States, with the title, “Prophets, Midwives, and Thieves: Reclaiming the Ministry of the Whole.” Noah’s writing on Quaker ministry, prophetic service and institutional renewal has been published in Friends Journal, Western Friend magazine, Quaker Life, and other Friends publications. He serves as Secretary of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends.
EcoQuakers Ireland have written to political leaders both sides of the border urging them to take immediate action on the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.
You can read here the letter sent to Minister Richard Bruton, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in the Republic.
A similar letter has been sent to all the political parties in Northern Ireland.
Temple Hill Burial Ground – a book by Seán McCrum about the Quaker burial ground in Blackrock, Co Dublin – was launched in Blackrock Library on Saturday 15th December.
The book, which is accompanied by two CDs, explores the unique environment and history of Temple Hill Burial Ground through text, colour photography and sound recording.
It features essays and related articles by Seán McCrum. These include an interview with Christopher Nuzum who has worked on revitalising the burial ground over many years.
Doreen Kennedy, photographer, has contributed a series of atmospheric images, reproduced in full colour.
Artist Anthony Kelly visited the burial ground over a three year period exploring its rich sensory environment through sound recording.
The first CD features a detailed conversation between Christopher Nuzum and Seán McCrum. The second features a composition interweaving voices (including stonemason Michael Roe and Christopher Nuzum) with an evocative series of nature recordings made by Anthony Kelly over three years in Temple Hill.
The book and CDs cost €15 altogether and may be purchased from www.fapointrecordings.com
Temple Hill Burial Ground is in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Many local people know where it is, but very few know anything about it – whose burial ground it is, its history or its appearance.
Many people are very curious to know more – hence this publication. This is a Quaker burial ground, which has been used since the mid-nineteenth century. It has been continuously landscaped. There are many mature trees. It is a safe place for wildlife. It is a peaceable place to visit.
We hope that this publication gives you a sense of the place. If you are able, you can visit it during Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s annual Summer Heritage Festival.
More than 200 members of the public joined Dublin Quakers making white poppies and creating an art installation in Merrion Square, Dublin, on 11 November 2018.
This was to commemorate not only the 9.7 million soldiers and 10 million civilians who died during World War 1, but all who have died as a result of military violence at all times.
A short period of silent commemoration was held at 11am followed by a variety of readings of poetry and prose written by people who were involved in combat as well as by civilians.
The Dublin Quaker Peace Committee, which organised the event, found the response of passers-by “extraordinary”.
“We decided to make white poppies because we wanted our focus to be on individuals, not governments or politicians or generals,” said Seán McCrum, convenor of the Dublin Quaker Peace Committee.
“We felt that we should come up with an event that would commemorate Armistice Day 1918 in a way that would make it very clear we are commemorating all of the individuals who suffered, whether they were military or civilians. And it was very important civilians be remembered because they are totally forgotten about,” he said. “The white poppy is a statement of peace as opposed to the red poppy which has become embroiled in UK politics.”
You can read an excellent article about the event in The Irish Times here.
It was the second time for the Dublin Quaker Peace Committee to host such an event. In 2016 they held a similar event in Merrion Square to commemorate the last day of the Somme when many Irish people were also lost.
The following statement was made in 1661 by early Quakers and we believe it is as valid now as it was then: ‘We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons, for any end or any pretence whatsoever.’
You can see more photos on our Facebook page here.
The Clerk of Ireland Yearly Meeting, Heather Bewley, represented the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland at the Presidential Inauguration in Dublin Castle on 11 November 2018.
Heather read the following prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We ask you to bless all those in public office. We give thanks for these men and women who take on such responsibility, and who serve the community with integrity and respect for all. May they seek your guidance in their work and know the support of those they represent.
With rapid changes taking place world-wide, we pray that our politicians are aware their decisions may effect both our environment, and the sustainability of the whole world.
We remember today the ending of World War One, but cannot forget the many countries where there is still fighting.
We pray that oireachtas members will continually strive to make Ireland a country of inclusion, equality, justice and peace, and be proactive in promoting these goals at European and International level.
Dublin Quakers invite members of the public to an event on 11th November from 9am to 3.30pm in Merrion Square – readings and silence around 11am.
quakers-in-ireland.ie 
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