Polmont Quakers

At meeting today the children created a visual interpretation of 21.24 from Quaker Faith & Practice:

All our senses are given to us to enjoy, and to praise God. The smell of the sea, of the blossom borne on the wind, of the soft flesh of a little baby; the taste of a ripe plum or bread fresh from the oven, the feel of warm cat’s fur, or the body of a lover – these are all forms of thanksgiving prayer. I am sure that it is as wrong to fail to delight in our bodies as it is to misuse them through excess. Not to be a glutton does not mean that we may not delight in good food: not to be ruled by lust does not mean that we must not enjoy the exquisite pleasures of s*x: not to be slothful does not mean that we must never lie in the sun, not doing, just being. When Jesus said, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’, I do not think He was speaking only of spiritual life – I think He meant us to have positive delight in all the good things in this wonderful world which his Father created.

Bella Bown, c.1980

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Vacancies | Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House Room Hire Staff needed for Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace EH1 2JL30 September 2022We are seeking a reliable, responsible person to be our Resident Assistant Warden, to start as soon as possible. In return for being on call on agreed weekends, you would have rent-free occupancy of a 1-bed fla...

For Quakers, faith is about their direct and inward experience of what is most real and true for them. It is also about how this experience transforms the way they live. They believe that the deepest expe- rience is best found through stillness and waiting rather than liturgy or ceremony; that it is something to be lived out rather than described or defined by creeds.

Quakers speak out against forced removals to Rwanda Quakers say that all people are precious, unique, a child of God. Today we must speak out against the UK government's plans to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

At Meeting today the children read a story together called Malala’s Magic Pencil, by Malala Yousafzai. It’s about Malala growing up in Pakistan and wishing for a magic pencil to solve her problems. She discovers she can make change, like advancing rights to female education, without one. The children also presented their artwork to everyone, an abstract piece called ‘Mud’, and a lovely train.

The slide to authoritarianism: what's next in parliament? As one parliamentary session comes to an end and another begins, Grace Da Costa reflects on what we've learned and what lies ahead.

People arriving in the UK to seek asylum have fled unimaginable situations, and they deserve our compassion and kindness.

But the UK government wants to fly them 4,000 miles away for processing and resettling in Rwanda. This is a cruel and expensive policy that will only put people at risk!

🖊 Rainbow Migration started a petition to help stop this. Sign now to support them 👉 https://allout.lgbt/lgbtpeopleseekingasylumenfbo

Quakers have added their voice to calls on the government to uphold the values of the British people by treating refugees with humanity ​Paul Parker, Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain, joined senior Christian leaders this week in writing to all MPs ahead of Wednesday's vote on the Nationality and Borders Bill, urging them to use their influence to make changes to the Bill.

The UK Government must reject the Jackdaw gas field proposal in the North Sea.

This one field would create pollution equal to half of Scotland's annual total climate emissions.

✍️Sign to help

Demand the UK Government Stop Jackdaw Gas Field Sign the petition to Boris Johnson today.

At meeting yesterday we heard a beautiful story about a young lad who met an old woman in the forest who gave him a ball of golden string. “This is your life,” she told him. “If things are difficult you can choose to move the string through your fingers faster and get past the difficulties more quickly.” The boy chose to do this on many occasions and when he became old he realised that he had lived a very uneventful life which had passed very quickly and he really regretted this. As an old man he walked back into the forest and met the old woman again. He was able to give back the ball of string and relive his life with all it’s difficulties.

Thoughts from today’s meeting for worship…

No Nuclear War over Ukraine The war in Ukraine is causing death, destruction, unfolding chaos and a wave of desperate refugees. The danger is all the greater because of Ukraine's 15 nuclear power reactors which are attempting to operate safely in a war zone. A meltdown at any one of them could cause a disastrous release of rad...

Quakers in Britain condemn attack on Ukraine and call for end to fighting ​Quakers in Britain strongly condemn the attack on Ukraine. It is a grave development for humanity, and a violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.

At Meeting today we heard Advices & Queries 31: We are called to live ‘in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars’. Do you faithfully maintain our testimony that war and the preparation for war are inconsistent with the spirit of Christ? Search out whatever in your own way of life may contain the seeds of war. Stand firm in our testimony, even when others commit or prepare to commit acts of violence, yet always remember that they too are children of God.

The children had a good time talking about what ‘kind’ dragons would do in different situations, including in a meeting for worship.

It was back to blended meeting this morning, most (including children) in-person, plus a few more adults online. Using a rented space with no Wi-Fi or equipment means the tech can be a challenge, nevertheless we ‘live adventurously’ and continue to experiment.

At meeting yesterday we heard ministry in the form of a quote from ‘God’s Grandeur’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Here is a link to the full poem.

God's Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins | Poetry Foundation The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

5 reasons to be a Quaker in 2022 ​As a new year begins, Paul Parker finds five good reasons to be a Quaker in 2022.

Sunday’s meeting (on Zoom) began with the children and families making Christingles together, then a story of the birth of Jesus as if it was this year, with mobile phones, the internet and many other modern features. It sounds weird, but it was a great story! Merry Christmas! 🎄

Quakers appalled by Human Rights Act overhaul Quakers in Britain believe the proposals are unnecessary and will undermine all our rights.

Some photos from the beautiful Festival of Christmas Trees at St Michaels Church in nearby Linlithgow 🎄

Ministry today included a reading of the ‘spiritual’ section of Emma Beddington’s piece in The Guardian. “I turn up, get a warm, no-fuss welcome, sit down, and enjoy the silence. Sometimes I examine my thoughts; sometimes I look at people’s jumpers”

The seven types of rest: I spent a week trying them all. Could they help end my exhaustion? When we feel fatigued most of us focus on sleep problems. But proper relaxation takes many forms. I spent a week exploring what really works

Quakers in Britain statement on COP26 outcomes As COP26 concluded, Quakers in Britain made this statement. “COP26 has delivered tiny steps forward when giant leaps are needed. “This is particularly unjust for people in the Global South who are feeling the first and worst impacts of the climate crisis, despite being least responsible for caus...

At today's Meeting for Worship we heard read Advices & Queries 42: We do not own the world, and its riches are not ours to dispose of at will. Show a loving consideration for all creatures, and seek to maintain the beauty and variety of the world. Work to ensure that our increasing power over nature is used responsibly, with reverence for life. Rejoice in the splendour of God’s continuing creation.

Polmont Friend Cath tells us "the march of pilgrims through Glasgow yesterday was wonderful and, as we walked this beautiful double rainbow appeared. The children’s quilts were at the head of our section"

Challenges with tech and an absence of IT wizards meant we had two Meetings for Worship last Sunday - one in-person and one online! Didn't stop the children present having fun though, with a game about sky and space and asking themselves "Would you like to go on a space flight?"