Bolton Quakers

https://www.discoveringquakers.org.uk/blog/1652

"The year 1652 is etched in the minds of Quakers. It is generally considered to be the year Quakers began, but the reality is not quite that straightforward. We ask Geoffrey Durham to tell us more. This is what he said .... "

1652 — Discovering Quakers The year 1652 is etched in the minds of Quakers. We ask Geoffrey Durham why.

https://www.quaker.org.uk/blog/straight-not-narrow-john-lampen-addresses-some-misconceptions-over-the-peace-testimony

Straight, not narrow: John Lampen addresses some misconceptions over the Peace Testimony Average read time: 7 minutes Straight, not narrow: John Lampen addresses some misconceptions over the Peace Testimony "It's not part of our tradition to say we must always be silent or neutral in the face of evil." "Our prophets look for that of God in the oppressors, but they hope to engage with it...

"We are learning to expand our compassion for who we are, just as we find ourselves in all our brokenness and our beauty."

Quakers from around the world gathered in South Africa and online in the first ever blended World Plenary meeting. Held in English, Spanish and KiSwahili, the gathering explored the theme of 'Living the Spirit of Ubuntu'

Read the Epistle (letter) to all Friends everywhere at: https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/we-are-still-here-quakers-from-around-the-world-gather-in-south-africa

In 1652, George Fox was traveling with a small group across northwest England, “preaching repentance to the people” as he wrote in his Journal, when “we came near a very great hill, called Pendle-hill, and I was moved of the Lord to go up to the top of it; which I did with difficulty, it was so very steep and high.”

Centuries later, individual Friends may feel an urge to visit Pendle Hill for themselves, but the Religious Society as a whole doesn’t consider it sacred ground—or, at least, no more sacred than the rest of God’s creation.
https://quaker.org/2024/08/05/let-us-not-set-up-three-tents/

Quakers respond to the violence in Bolton town centre
Wednesday 7 August
Bolton Quakers are distressed by the violent demonstrations in the town centre on Sunday. We are concerned that the shocking murders of three children in Southport a week ago should have been exploited to make such an angry response in our town as well as across the country. We are committed to equality and recognise the sacred in everyone whatever their faith, background or belief. We wish to stand alongside and support those who are living in fear because they are targets of hate.
We wish to live in a society where our differences can be discussed openly, without fear or favour, and believe that violence has no place in civic life.
Building such a society, where people of all faiths and none can live peacefully together, takes time and patience. There are no quick and easy solutions and so we have renewed our commitment to working alongside all those who seek a kinder, more just and equal society. We are committed to resisting racism and to keeping each other safe from harm.

https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/quakers-call-for-peacebuilding-in-violent-times

Quakers call for peacebuilding in violent times Quakers are offering solidarity and support to those affected by recent violence

Heard of Quakers, but not really sure who it's for or what it's all about? Our weekly Quaker Lives session is here to answer your questions and give you a flavour of the way Quakers sit in silence together. At each session, which is held on Zoom, you will;

Learn a little about the background of Quakers and why we sit in silence

Hear from a guest speaker about how being a Quaker has enriched their life

Have an opportunity to ask questions, and

Try Quaker silence with a short 'Meeting for Worship'

The sessions are every Tuesday evening at 7pm and last for an hour. To register, visit info.discoveringquakers.org.uk/quaker-lives/

still time to apply - 4th August deadline

We're extending the deadline to 4th August. Please share and get in touch - see the full ad at https://bolton.quakermeeting.org/ - to ask for the application pack.

A number of Bolton Quakers participated last weekend and in preparatory events earlier in July of the annual meeting of Quakers in Britain - Yearly Meeting. At the end of Yearly Meeting reflections and some central themes from the event are put together in a short document - the Epistle. Here's a link to this year's.

www.quaker.org.uk

An interesting job in lovely surroundings

The wonderful people Bolton Quakers are looking for a new lettings manager as Pete is moving on. Please see details in the picture of this job opportunity.

We are excited about this event in September - see below for details and do share widely!

What is the Quaker Way?
What is the Quaker Way? is a monthly series [from Aug-Dec 2024] of informal sessions for newcomers to meet online and discuss different aspects of Quaker practice and community. Each session involves small group sharing and listening, and we end with a short period of silent worship. They are led by staff from Quakers in Britain.

All sessions are on Thursdays from 7.30pm-8.30pm on Zoom. You are welcome to attend as many of these sessions as you like, on any dates that work for you. You can join at any point in the series.

The dates for 2024 are:
8th August
12th September
17th October
14th November
12th December

You can sign up to receive a Zoom link for the sessions by completing the short form below.

Fill | What is the Quaker Way? What is the Quaker Way? is a monthly series of informal sessions for newcomers to meet online and discuss different aspects of Quaker practice and community. Each session involves small group sharing and listening, and we end with a short period of silent worship. They are led by staff from Qua...

BYM welcomes all Quaker MPs Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) welcomed six Quaker MPs to parliament, after a dramatic general election in which Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide...

https://youtu.be/Weu2xDsryR8?feature=shared

George Fox, Margaret Fell and Swarthmoor Hall This film explores the early Quakers at Swarthmoor Hall and what it still means today.With thanks toStaff at Swarthmoor HallSwarthmoor Meeting MembersBrainBl...

https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/quakers-call-on-new-government-to-stand-by-promise-to-clean-up-public-life

Quakers call on new government to stand by promise to clean up public life Quakers in Britain has pledged to work with the new government and opposition parties to restore trust in our democracy.

George Fox: The Quaker Peace Testimony - Woodbrooke George Fox is regarded as the principal leader of the early Quaker movement during the 17th century. What part did he play in the development of the

We're extending the deadline to 4th August. Please share and get in touch - see the full ad at https://bolton.quakermeeting.org/ - to ask for the application pack.

Job Opportunity - Lettings Manager
At Bolton Quaker Meeting House, starting 1st September 2024
Job Outline:
We’re looking for a self-motivated person to be the welcoming, friendly face of our organisation. Flexibility and the ability to manage working on a wide range of different tasks independently will be important. For further details: https://bolton.quakermeeting.org/

A gentle reminder - applications due in by midnight, 7th July (this coming Sunday) ...

Job Opportunity - Lettings Manager
At Bolton Quaker Meeting House, starting 1st September 2024
Job Outline:
We’re looking for a self-motivated person to be the welcoming, friendly face of our organisation. Flexibility and the ability to manage working on a wide range of different tasks independently will be important. For further details: https://bolton.quakermeeting.org/

Blackburn Quakers are marking 200 years of worship at our meeting house this year.
Planning on holding celebratory open day on Saturday 14th September 10.30 to 15.30.

Fox Hunt A trek to the semi-forgotten gravesite of George Fox.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j2ftc3

Pause For Thought - Rhiannon Grant: "A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of strength" - BBC Sounds Rhiannon Grant on this week's theme 'Sacrifice'.

Pause For Thought - Rhiannon Grant: "The silence of our worship" - BBC Sounds Rhiannon Grant on this week's theme 'My Favourite Time and Place'.