BloG
Sutton Meeting thoughts, ideas, learning and journal .... to inform, educate and entertain.
What drew me to Quakers?
With a scientific education, I was used to questioning ideas, theories and assumptions. I knew that I sensed there was more than the apparent facts that we humans teach each other at any point in history—doubt and uncertainty have always existed and many of the...
What is Sutton Quaker Meeting Like?
When I visit different Quaker Meetings around Britain, I find they all seem alike in some ways, but they also all have their own distinct characters.
My Life As A Quaker
I’m a lifelong Quaker and I spent most of my working life in paid roles in Quaker organisations – pretty unusual in a faith group with no ordained priests/ministers. My work involved helping Quakers across Britain to live out their faith in their lives, expressing our commitment to peace, sustainability, equality, truth and community.
My Life As A Quaker
“You’ve made it,” my husband said as I reached 90 years of age. He meant 83 years as a Quaker, 75 in Sutton Meeting. If you’ve done your sums you will know that I became a Quaker at the age of seven.
My Life As A Quaker
I was sent to Sunday School as a child and became a choirboy. It was at University that I came across Quakers. A Friend there questioned me about my beliefs and I realized that I did not in fact believe some of the things that Anglicans state in their creeds. Fortunately there was a very active Young Friends Group there as well as a number of experienced older Quakers.
My Life As A Quaker
I became aware of Quakers about 20 years ago, through friends. They mentioned that they went to a Quaker meeting sometimes in Swindon. It took about 10 years for me to act on it, and eventually I looked around the Quakers in Britain website, saw things on there that ‘spoke to my condition’ and turned up for a Sunday morning meeting at Sutton Quakers.
My Life As A Quaker
I first encountered the Quakers seeing the Meeting House sign in Croydon going around the roundabout on the way back from family. I always thought that seems interesting and a bit peculiar but never really looked into it more than that!
PLASTIC OR ELASTIC?
Some substances are prized for their ability to stretch, twist, give, returning to their original shape when the forces that distort them have gone. They are pliant, responsive, when under pressure. Then afterwards they ‘relax’.
THE LEGACY OF EDWARD COLSTON
When my husband called me over to watch the video of Colston’s statue being pulled down and unceremoniously tipped into the river, I felt what I can best describe as shocked delight. It’s very personal for me.
What drew me to Quakers?
With a scientific education, I was used to questioning ideas, theories and assumptions. I knew that I sensed there was more than the apparent facts that we humans teach each other at any point in history—doubt and uncertainty have always existed and many of the...