World Quaker Day 2017 in the Europe and Middle East
Section
Africa Section Asia-West Pacific Section of the Americas
Coventry Quaker Meeting, Britain Yearly MeetingCoventry Friends (part of Central England Area Meeting of Britain Yearly Meeting) put aside our usual silent un-programmed meeting and heard five readings from around the world and also two pieces of recorded music:1 Cuba Yearly Meeting, 2017 Epistle: Vivimos tiempos en que el planeta Tierra se debilita, todos estamos en esta superficie, unos al norte, otros al sur, pero somos la especie humana creada, crecida y transformada por el amor del Padre de todos. Desde nuestras comunidades, busquemos la bendita presencia, sólo esta podrá conducirnos a responder a las necesidades que padecemos. We are living in times in which the planet Earth is deteriorating, we are all on that planet’s surface, some to the north and others to the south, but we are created as the human species, developed and transformed by the love of the Father for everyone. From our communities we seek the blessed presence; only that can lead us to respond to the necessities we suffer. 2 Friends Church Nairobi: “Our primary and overall objective is to preach the Gospel of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ to all mankind. We are Jesus’ friends through our trust and obedience in what he commands us to do. In the scriptures, Jesus says, “you are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). We believe in the trinity(God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior.” 3 Pacific Yearly Meeting, Advices and Queries: Do I live in thankful awareness of God's constant presence in my life? Am I sensitive and obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit? When do I take time for contemplation and spiritual refreshment? What steps am I taking to center my life and to stay open to continuing revelation? 4 Evangelical Friends Church Southwest, (USA) Congregation Accountability Questions: Have we honored the counsel of our elders and pastors? When we were not in unity, did we find the mind of Christ through discussion and prayer rather than through politicking and voting? 5 Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting, Advices and Queries: A caring Meeting can bring healing at times of difficulty or despair. Listen sensitively to what, although not clearly expressed, may be a cry for help. Are you available to help others, even at some cost to yourself? Are you willing to be helped, both practically and spiritually? The music was from Timeless Quaker Wisdom in Plainsong by Paulette Meier Track 18: "Be patterns, be examples, in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them ye may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you." George Fox, 1656 Track 10: "They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies, nor can spirits ever be divided that love and live in the same Divine Principle, the root and reward of their friendship." William Penn, 1660 You can see Paulette perform another of the tracks here. |
Gothenburg Meeting, Sweden
We met for Meeting for Worship Sunday morning Oct
1st and both during Meeting and afterwards we
acknowledged that we are happy to be part of the
World Family of Friends. Stories were shared from
Meetings with other traditions than ours and
Friendship across borders, continents and oceans.
A reminder also that in reality all days are
Quaker days. |
Long Sutton Quaker Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting Long Sutton (Somerset,
England) Quaker Meeting sends love and
greetings. We have just celebrated the 300th
birthday of our Meeting House, created in
other turbulent times. We ask you to pray for
peace and justice and thought you might like
to do this while meditating on the wall
hanging we made to commemorate our beautiful
place of worship.
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Milton Keynes Meeting, Britain
Yearly Meeting
We received prepared ministry during the Meeting
for Worship. This ministry gave us the context for
the day. We heard examples of the work of the
Religious Society of Friends in different parts of
the world. We acknowledged that Quakers world wide
share in common an understanding that there is
something of God/ the Divine/ the Light in each
person, and from that core understanding comes the
values of speaking truth, treating others and the
environment with respect, living simply, working
with others, resolving conflict through peaceful
means. The words of Gretchen Castle, the General
Secretary of Friends World Committee for
Consultation were read, “If we can love our Quaker
family who look very different from us, who
worship very differently from how we worship, then
we can learn to bring love to the world”.
The prepared ministry gave rise to spoken ministry
which included appreciating our diversity, justice
and vegetarianism. |
Minehead Quaker Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting Ministry in Meeting had included awareness of the the witness for peace and justice going on amongst Quakers around the world and Friends wished to pass on their good wishes and prayers. |
Rathfarnam Meeting, Dublin
Ireland
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Rochester Meeting, Britain
Yearly Meeting
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Svartbäcken, Sweden
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Tampere, Finland |
Troon Scotland, Britain Yearly
Meeting
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Winchmore Hill Meeting London,
Britain Yearly Meeting
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