Newsletter February 2017

Transcription

1 Newsletter February 2017 Inequality: Swarthmore Lecture 2017 by Catherine West MP Woodbrooke confirms that the 2017 Swarthmore Lecture will be given by Catherine West MP. It will focus on addressing inequality, tackling poverty and promoting social justice, and examine how we can effect change through politics both participatory and representative whilst living out our faith in the world. Catherine West MP (pic: Daily Mirror) Catherine says For me, actively advancing the cause of equality is both a political imperative and a spiritual vocation. Our friendly Bath Treasurer Sally adds: If you want to go to YMG at University of Warwick this summer but are hesitating because of the cost, then please hesitate no longer! Area Meeting can offer you (and your family) a bursary to make it affordable please have a word with one of the Overseers who will be able to help arrange this. Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 1

2 More on inequality: British Quakers get Pay Compare Mark Quakers in Britain have become the first major religious body to be awarded the Pay Compare Mark. The mark is awarded to employers who disclose the gap between their highest and lower paid workers on the website. Quakers in Britain have a maximum of 1:4 ratio between the highest and lowest paid member of staff (allowing for London weighting). In the UK private sector the ratio is now reported as 1:129. Our vision of equality springs from our profound sense of the worth of every human being, said Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain. Every person s life is sacred and in this we are all equal. Neither money nor status can serve as a true measure of the value of any individual or group. Publishing our pay ratio is an important part of our faith-led commitment to work for a more equal Britain. Bath Friends enjoy epic New Year s talent show As well as music and poems Friends were treated to natural life impersonations. Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 2

3 Untangling Friends more complicated than it looks On Friday 13 Jan Bath Friends got together for a New Year talent show and fun evening of music, games and activities. Friends played what was no doubt the biggest - and most peaceful - version of wink murder they ve ever experienced, tied themselves up in group knots and tested out their musical skills. Props to Meredith for pulling it all together. Bath Stop War: Rethinking Security event 22 Feb Judith writes: Bath Stop War is continuing its discussion on Rethinking Security bringing in writers and politicians to add their views. On Wednesday 22nd February it is the turn of the Green Party to share its ideas on what security means and how it can best be achieved. We have invited Natalie Bennett - the 'unashamed radical', as she describes herself - to speak at this public meeting at 7:30 pm on Wednesday 22 February at our Meeting House. The Green Party is the only UK party that has already made a new approach to international relations; Natalie Bennett wants to develop this alternative line of thinking and will be an excellent speaker. We hope Friends will come and will encourage others to come so that there is a good audience and a lively discussion. Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 3

4 Friendly faces of the Bath Stop War! Coalition on the steps of the Abbey (as they and their predecessors have been every day for 40 years). Meanwhile Christine points to the excellent Educate & disarm resources on the British Quakers web site. More available at A simple practice: sharing the best of the day Brenda Claxton took to heart a suggestion from a friend of thinking of three good things experienced every day. She writes: Each evening before going to bed Ted and I sit and describe three things that have uplifted us during the day. I then write them down, one column for each of us. I find writing things down gives them more substance, and it is helpful to be able to look back later and remind myself. They turn out to be simple things like seeing the birds feeding on the nuts outside the kitchen window; the sparrows squabbling. Walking my dog on the cold frosty ground, watching as he chases around full of energy and enthusiasm. Or the glorious sunsets which have recently lit up the evening sky. For each of us what we find good each day will be different. I find I have also included practical and creative things such as the delicious mushroom soup I made for lunch. It may be that remembering the uplifting things which have happened is a form of prayer, of thanksgiving and gratitude. I am enriched and lighter this Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 4

5 morning, though my life in all other respects is exactly the same as it was yesterday. Bath Friends prepare new web site We ve started a new web site for Bath Quakers. It s currently at the development address It s intended to convey faith in action, with outward-looking resources for enquirers and photo news stories including history, crime, fundraising and fashion. A snapshot of Bath Quakers new web site taken in mid-january: for now see Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 5

6 Unlike the newsletter the web site knows no deadlines (or rather like Quaker Christmas - every day is the deadline). So if you have news or photos to share please it any time to the editor wmheath+bathqn@gmail.com. Meanwhile there s a move now supported by the Outreach group at Friends House - to create optional shared web site resources for local meetings across the country, to improve quality of form and content and save costs on development. We ll make sure we stay in close touch. Diary dates Mayor of Bath s MultiFaith Gathering Sunday 5 February 2017, 14:45 Guildhall, Bath Maison Quaker: Music Week May; Artist Retreats 28 Apr-8 May; 22 Sept- 2 October. Green Markets, Sustainable Business: CEME green economy & investment event 2 March, One Great George Street, London. Contact office@theceme.org (via Liz Redfern, Quakers & Business Group qandb.org) Area Meetings (start time 1300) 5th March: Bradford on Avon 4th June: Devizes 1st October: Bath 3rd December: Frome Friends are encouraged to attend Meeting for Worship at the host venue, if possible. It is good for everyone in AM to experience worshipping together, getting to "know each other in the things that are eternal". It also builds an understanding of difference, which Bath meeting is exploring as a concern. Further ahead: BYM 2017: 29 July 5 August 2017, University of Warwick. BYM 2018: 4-7 May 2018, London. BYM 2019: May 2019, London. Worship Sunday 11:00-12:00 FMH York St Tuesday 19:00-19:30 FMH York St Wednesday 10:30-11:00 FMH York St Regular Events Every Sunday 11:00-12:00 Children s Meeting FMH York St 1 st Sunday of Feb, Apr, 13:00 Meeting for Worship for Business FMH York St May, July, Sept, & Nov (Preparative Meeting) Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 6

7 1 st Sunday 10:00-10:30 Friends Fellowship of Healing FMH 2 nd Sun even months 13:00 Favourite Passages from the Bible FMH York St and Quaker Faith & Practice 2 nd Sun odd months 13:00 Poetry Group FMH York St 4 th Sunday 13:00 Shared lunch FMH York St Editors William Heath & Sophia Heath; wmheath+bathqn@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is Tue 21 Feb. Bath Quaker News February 2017 Page 7