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Quaker Life Network for Community, Learning and Spirituality
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Winter Update

Dear <<First Name>>,

Welcome to the Winter Quaker Life Network update email. We wanted to inform you about lots of events and opportunities for the new year.

We really need your help in spreading the word about two opportunities for Young Adult Quakers, we're seeking expressions of interest.

There are also two short surveys, one about conflict and one about diversity, which it would be great if you can respond to and share with other people. There are a couple of blogs to read and for those who find themselves with some time, a podcast to listen to over the winter break. Don't miss A Quaker Take on Christmas!

Thanks as ever for supporting the work of Quaker Life and Quakers in Britain. We wish you a wonderful turn of the year and a hope-filled 2019.

Opportunities

Events

Audio

Topical Blogs
As ever we hope you enjoy this email and share it, or relevant content, with your Quaker community! If this email was forwarded onto you by a friend you can subscribe by clicking here!
If you are aged 18-35, or know of someone who is, we need your help! We're looking for young adult Friends to serve on Meeting for Sufferings and to add to the Engaging Young Adult Quakers Steering Group. Please read and share the flier in the link below and encourage Friends to apply. 
Click here for Young Adult Quaker Opportunities Flier
Quakers in Britain’s main decision-making body, Meeting for Sufferings (MfS), is looking to increase its diversity by creating four new places for Friends aged 18-35. MfS is held five times a year, and the minimum commitment for this opportunity is to attend two meetings, within a year... read more...

We celebrate the many forms of young adult Quaker community and that young adults connect to Quakerism in diverse ways. You might be involved in a local young adult group, in YFGM, in your local meeting, or in supporting children and young people's events, or in some other way. Whatever your connection, we encourage you to contact the Quaker Life Network to express your interest and to find out more about this important opportunity.
Get involved in the Engaging Young Adult Quakers (EYAQ) Project!

We are looking for people to join the EYAQ Steering Group. The group works strategically with the Project Officer to support and empower young adults within the yearly meeting. We are looking for ways to increase age diversity on the group, in order to hear from those across the young adult age range (18-35) and to ensure the project considers the needs of all young adult Quakers. We especially welcome those with children and can provide support to enable them to serve.

If you are aged 18-23, or 30-35, or know of Friends of this age who might keen to be involved, please contact the Quaker Life Network to find out more, and to express interest!
Picture of Engaging Young Adult Quakers steering group. Email QLNetwork@Quaker.org.uk to find out more, and to express interest!
Topical Blog:
Are Sundays more sacred?
Jon Martin explores the faith basis for meeting for worship and challenges the notion that Quakers should always meet for an hour on Sundays.

http://www.quaker.org.uk/blog/are-sundays-sacred 
chalkboard with a community drawn on post-it notes

Supporting Quaker communities in conflict: a survey to aid a review

Quaker Life offers support and guidance to Quaker communities in conflict. This is currently given by Friends who are part of the Conflict in Meetings Cluster of the Quaker Life Network. In the past this would have been the responsibility of the Committee for Eldership & Oversight or another committee of central Quaker work.

This work is about to be reviewed and we are asking individual Quakers and meetings to complete a short survey of Quaker conflict support to help us understand how best Quaker Life can shape the support that it offers. The survey could take 10-30 minutes depending upon one’s experience. Please take the time to share your knowledge with us.
Click here to take the conflict survey

Britain Yearly Meeting is exploring inclusion and diversity within the Religious Society of Friends. The aim is to remove barriers to participation within the Society. This is a very short survey, which will help to give a much clearer picture of where we are currently. Please fill out the form to give your feedback.
Click here to take the diversity survey
An abstract diagram with text overlaid saying: All Age Outreach Conference 15-17 February 2019, High Leigh, Hertforshire
A chance to share experience, ideas and new ways of sharing our Quaker stories and connecting with the communities around us. We will be a community of all ages and will be looking at ways to make everyone welcome. More information see
https://www.quaker.org.uk/events/outreachconference2019
or join the Outreach Conference facebook event, please share.
Book your place at the Outreach Conference 2019
image of two men talking from the Patterns and Examples flier

Patterns and examples: deep roots for strong communities
Quaker Life and Woodbrooke are holding three gatherings around the country for anyone who holds a Quaker role in their local or area meeting. Join us for a day of inspiration, support, and refreshment with plenty of opportunities to share ideas and worship together.

There is a charge of £20 for the workshop. The Engaging Young Adult Quakers project is offering bursary support for the cost of the event and expenses to attend. Choose that payment option when booking.

Book using the patterns and examples online booking form.
Book your place at your nearest Patterns and Examples day

The Quaker United Nations Summer School will be held in Geneva from 7-19 July. The event is for 20 to 26 year olds who have a keen interest in the United Nations, with a focus on Peace, Disarmament, Human Rights, Migration and Climate Change. Application forms are available from www.quno.org/quaker-un-summer-school-2019. Deadline for applications is 2 January 2019.

Open Places are available for JYM 2019 at the Frontier Centre, Northampton 12- 15 April, exploring Diversity and inclusivity,

Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) is a welcoming, exciting and thought provoking event for young people born between 1.9.2000 and 31.8.2003. Whether you have recently discovered Quakerism or have been a Quaker all your life, JYM offers everyone the opportunity to meet new people, make friends through social activities and engage with spiritual practices and ideas.

Booking is at bit.ly/JYM2019! 

A national gathering on diversity and inclusion is being held at Woodbrooke, 18 - 20 January 2019. A diverse and inclusive community where all are welcomed has been an ever-present aspiration for Quakers. This conference aims to equip Friends to make it a reality.
To find out more and book your place visit quaker.org.uk/events/diversity-and-inclusion-national-gathering 
Topical Blog:
Migrant rights are human rights
Cassidy McKenna explains how Quakers can use a new UN agreement to push for a more welcoming and humane environment for migrants to Britain.​

www.quaker.org.uk/blog/migrants-rights-are-human-rights-2
A Quaker take on Christmas

Do Quakers celebrate Christmas? This episode we hear about different Quaker takes on the festive season, discuss why Quakers don't traditionally celebrate Christmas (and how they sometimes do now), and explore ways to approach difficult conversations with family and friends.

Read the Quaker blog - Times and seasons: A Quaker reflection on Christmas
In friendship

Jon Martin & Oliver Waterhouse
Ministry and Outreach Team

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