Play: Post Modern | Electric Theatre, Tue 27 March 2012 7.45pm

Gareth's 'absurdist' play, Post Modern, will be performed as a rehearsed reading at the Electric Theatre in Guildford on Tuesday 27th March at 7.45pm. The play is presented by Scrip Tease.

"Beckett, Behn, Brecht, Checkov, Ibsen, Pinter and Shakespeare all in a small post office sorting letters waiting to be delevered."

13 March 2012     Frank

The Quaker ship Sirius

For those interested in Quaker history, the Jack Phillips (of the Titanic) memorial exhibition in Godalming museum has a display of tiny and exquisite models of various ships to the same scale as a drawing of the Titanic. One of these is the little Quaker ship Sirius, the first to cross the Atlantic entirely under steam. (Brunel's huge 'Great Western' arrived a few days later, and - because bigger ships needed prortionately less fuel - was more sucessful.) The Sirius ran out of coal and had to burn her masts and spars to make port!

The Titanic disaster 74 years later, incidentally, occurred because the captain was pressured by the White Star Line into steaming at full speed at night despite many warnings into an area rtiddled with icebergs when all other ships had stopped. The White Star director on board took at least one warning message from Phillips but 'forgot' to give it to the Captain! The surviving crews pay was stopped from the day of the sinking, and Ruth Martin tells me that none were ever re-employed by White Star.

13 March 2012 Len

The Brooke

Our charity collection during February is for The Brooke, an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world's poorest communities.

The photo shows two brothers blinded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, who now rely on their donkey to be their eyes to guide them to work. I think The Brooke advised them how to treat their donkey properly, benefiting not only the donkey, but also themselves.

7 February 2012     Frank

WAVE Trust

Woking Quakers has just received a newletter from WAVE Trust (Worldwide Alternatives to ViolencE). This charity is dedicated to reducing the key root causes of interpersonal violence: child neglect and maltreatment.

WAVE asserts that extensive research highlights the crucial nature of experience from conception to age 3 in the formation of seriously violent personalities, largely because of the sensitive nature of the infant brain during these formative years. The newsletter talks about the Roots of Empathy programme, which teaches empathic parenting to school children in order to prepare them for their future as parents.

9 January 2012     Frank

Cape Town Quaker Peace Centre Committee's banner

The colourful banner shown here is displayed on Cape Town Quaker Peace Centre Committee's Newsletter Number 45, recently received by Woking Friends. Its mission is "to work actively toward a society in which the energy generated by conflict is harnessed to engage with social problems in a creative and constructive way."

2 January 2012     Frank

Crises of Capitalism

RSA's Crises of Capitalism video is a link recommended by a Friend during this morning's "Any Afterthoughts?" period.

"The RSA: an enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today’s social challenges. Through its ideas, research and 27,000-strong Fellowship it seeks to understand and enhance human capability so we can close the gap between today’s reality and people’s hopes for a better world. "

6 November 2011     Frank

Strengthening the Bonds Between Us | 13 March 2012

Ian and Sally from Farnham Meeting came to Woking FMH and gave an engaging talk about some of the features of an innovative learning project called Becoming Friends: Living and Learning with Quakers. This aims to nurture and support those who are new to Friends. It provides a flexible, interactive course and a range of ways for Quaker meetings to support newcomers as they learn. The material is available both online and in paper format.

13 March 2012     Frank

Ockenden Venture Lecture | 1 March 2012

The lecture took place at Oxford University, celebrating the rich history of the refugee charity Ockenden Venture. Keith, a supporter of the charity, is at the back, third from the left. Click on the picture to enlarge.

3 March 2012     Frank

Writing the Spirit| Woking FMH, Sat 25 Feb 2012 10am-4.30pm

A few months ago I had the pleasure of spending a wonderful day at a workshop called "Writing the Spirit". It was at Friends Meeting House in Reading and excellently facilitated by Judy Clinton and Holly Cole.

It was a delightfully enriching and supportive day which gently enabled me to express myself in writing, from my heart, with ease whilst in a comfortable and safe space.

It was with added joy to then have had the pleasure of speaking those writings out loud and listening to the sharing of others in the group.

So I was very excited when Judy and Holly agreed to facilitate a similar event here at Woking FMH.

26 January 2012     Patricia

DVD of the 2011 Swarthmore Lecture on Sustainability|
Woking FMH, Monday 5 December 2011 7.30pm

The DVD, entitled 'Costing nothing less than Everything' was shown by Margaret at the Woking Meeting House, followed by a frank exchange of views. The Swarthmore lecture was given by Pamela Lunn (photo), and started with the concept that we have one Earth / one Home. It encouraged all of us to be involved in Sustainability (we are all 'Crew' on our planetary vehicle, not just passengers).

Its theme was that sustainability practice does not arise from guilt but from our spirit-led way of being and from the fact that 'we can do no other'. A commitment to a low carbon community requires discipline and mutual accountability, as well as imagination and co-operation.

A copy of the DVD and the book that accompanies it are available for loan from the Meeting House library.

6 December 2011     Frank

Discussion with Tom Miller: Ambition and Integrity in Politics|
Woking FMH, Monday 14 November 2011 7.30pm

Tom Miller is a law graduate of the University of Manchester who works in PR, marketing and new media. He has been a Labour Party member since his late teens, and has been part of Labour's local campaigning team for some time.
Tom, who is in his mid-20s, was one of Labour's youngest candidates at the last election. His main priorities in relation to his local community are more and better jobs, fairness in the economy, responsive and democratic public services, and greening the local environment.

A lively and wide-ranging discussion took place during the course of the evening. Tom talked about his own evolving take on the relevance of politics to our lives today and how he ended up on the social democrat side of the Labour Party. He mentioned how important it is to address feelings of alienation and disempowerment amongst voters by engaging them much more and giving them the power to make their voices heard. He also spoke, inter alia, about how he felt that the UK's political system and ethos could learn a lot from the Swedish model. 12 people were present at the talk, which was very much appreciated by all attending.

14 November 2011     Frank

The Woking Poltergeist, Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking|
Saturday, 22nd October 2011 2pm & 7pm

Woking Community Play Association presented an original theatrical production. A genuine story from Woking’s past was brought to life on its 100th anniversary. In 1911, the town was gripped by reports of curious screeches, wails and tapping in a local house. The occupiers were besieged by animal experts, scientists and ghost hunters all trying to solve the mystery. Was there a rational explanation or were supernatural forces at work in the house?

4 October 2011     Keith S

Yearly Meeting Gathering Experiences | Sunday 28 August 2011, 1-4pm
Godalming Meeting House

25 people from the Area attended an afternoon to experience some of what occurred at YMG and for the purpose of coming up with some actions that we can implement as an Area Meeting, and track our progress with relation to sustainability.

Proposed Actions that came out of this event, in no particular order:

1. Be mindful of Creation (have some silence everyday to focus specifically on this e.g before a meal)
2. Plant indigenous trees in barren places (or fruit trees in housing estates)
3. Make each Quaker meeting aware of practices for eco -friendly funeral services
4. Environmental Audit and action plan for all meeting houses
5. Explore, as a meeting, the use of solar panels
6. Change electricity supplier to one that supports green energy
7. Plant a tree as a symbol that you care for the environment, and ask a friend to do so as well
8. Donate money for a beehive - and use the beehive as a symbol
9. Take opportunities to stand up and say 'I am a Quaker and I support sustainability'
10. Keep sustainability current by it always being on the PM / AM agenda
11. Talk about sustainability every week in meeting
12. Launch a fully integrated education programme into schools in all subjects
13. Grants from BYM for sustainability LM & AM projects such as solar panels, garden sharing initiatives.
14. Trying to use our meeting houses for communities facilitating sustainability projects, such as garden sharing.

We'd like feedback about what we could do as a meeting to be more environmentally friendly.

5 October 2011  Margaret R

Quaker Quest | May-June 2011

Quaker Quest at Woking was held on four Mondays during May and June with the themes of Quaker Worship, Quaker Faith in action, Quakers & Peace, and Quakers & Christianity.

12 June 2011     Keith S

Jesus and the Buddha: the common ground. Workshop by Prof Geoff & Rev Bev Hunt | 26 March 2011

This Saturday workshop was attended by about 20 people. A selection of about five different short extracts (comprising one or two sentences) from the Gospels, paired with corresponding extracts from the Buddhist scriptures that said pretty much the same thing in different words, were discussed - first with people split into pairs and then as a whole group. The workshop was very productive. Geoff and Beverley both said they enjoyed the session and we were delighted when they indicated they would be willing to do a further event with Woking Friends else some other time.

Early in 2010 Geoff Hunt gave an equally very well-received evening talk entitled: "The Significance of Silence in the Buddha's Teachings ".

Geoff is, amongst other things, a Buddhist Chaplain and a professor of philosophy. He is also the principal facilitator of New Buddha Way.

11 May 2011     Frank

Spiritual care at end of life: a sharing by Trish
Monday 7 March 2011 7.30 pm | Woking FMH

Patricia will be sharing with us her conclusions about the conference, 'Spiritual care at end of life', she attended on our behalf. This will be followed by a period of silence and a discussion.

31 January 2011     Frank

A backpacker in Shangri-La: talk by Len
Monday 21 February 2011 7.30pm | Woking FMH

Len went to the Nepal Himalayas simply for a colourful adventure, but was bowled over by the spirituality of the Hindu peasants, who see God as incarnate in everybody. The Sherpa people, who are cheerful people - cheerful but devout Buddhists - were equally impressive. Len's colour slides provide the background to this adventure.

14 February 2011     Frank

"Shine": children's event
Sunday 20 February 2011 2.30 - 4.30 pm | Woking FMH

This event was organised by Susan, Margaret, Patricia and Irene. It was great fun and lived up to its name with all participants "Shining" with joy and confidence.

The afternoon was highly interactive and consisted of a story led by Patricia, but created by the 3 boys and 4 girls who attended. This was followed by craft activities, then a few precious moments of quiet visualisation.

The session ended with all (children and adults) playing musical instruments and singing along to 'Love Shine a Light' by Katrina and the Waves. Thanks go to all that helped, and especially to all the children who made the day a wonderful success. See PHOTOS.

23 February 2011     Margaret R

Poury & Richard's letter| 14 January 2011

Poury & Richard emailed Woking Friends a letter describing their move to Shoreham-on-Sea. Apparently they are still unboxing their possessions and, in lieu of a mainline telephone, have been making do with a mobile which "is on its last legs". We shall miss their company at and contribution to our meeting. We wish them much happiness in their new home and the fortitude to invest in a decent mobile.

18 January 2011     Frank

On Human Folly: John Woolman play | Sunday 21 November 2010 2 pm

This two-man play is presented at Woking FMH, after a shared lunch, by Plain Quakers theatre company. It was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008 and then toured the country. It has also been seen in Ireland, France and the Netherlands.

On Human Folly raises difficult questions and provides a quizzical sideways look at token environmentalism. The play moves easily between the past and the present, and recounts the 1772 journey to England of John Woolman, the 18th century American Quaker, and his death in York that year. Woolman's story is told from the perspective of two historical Quakers who might have observed his progress, Caleb Marsden a Yorkshire tradesman and Samuel Galton, an important Birmingham arms manufacturer whose family was subsequently disowned by the Quakers. Woolman worked tirelessly to abolish slavery: three generations of Galtons sold weapons to slave traders. [ more ... ]

15 September 2010     Keith

'Quakers in the World' portal

I have added a new link in the sidebar menu to the right to the Quakers in the World 'Portal', which was launched in May 2010. The intention of that website is to provide access to high quality information and resources for everyone who wants to know more about what Quakers have done and are doing in the world - and why they are doing it.

03 October 2010     Frank

Woking Action for Peace meeting| Tuesday 23 November 2010 7.30 pm

Speaker Keith Scott will tell of his recent travels to Ramallah in Palestine.
More info: mary.holdstock©ntlworld•com

Venue: Friends Meeting House, Park Road, Woking.

14 November 2010     Keith

WORKSHOP - Stillness Speaks| 27 September 2010

Based on the book by Eckart Tolle and led by Rosalee & Margaret

This will be the first of a planned regular continuation of the workshop held on 13th September (see below).

20 September 2010     Frank

Kaj Monk's Play: 'The Word'  | 5 October 2010

'The Word' asks friends searching questions about the nature of their faith. The play lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a discussion. The play is unsuitable for the under sixteens. Tickets cost £8.

The Quaker Theatre Company is financed soley by donations and ticket sales.

Location: Kingston Upon Thames FMH, tel 020 8942 1361.

(There is also a performance, amongst other venues, at Sutton FMH on the following day, same time: tel 020 8642 5876.

Quaker Theatre Company: 01751 474043

20 September 2010     Irene

WORKSHOP: Nonviolence for Change | 8 Oct 2010

As part of national Quaker Week, Godalming Quakers are hosting an evening workshop exploring nonviolent tools for radical change. If you are someone who would like to be able to bring about change in your life peacefully and effectively, this is for you!

Questions tackled will include: What is nonviolence? Nonviolence - a spiritual vocation to justice and compassion. How can nonviolence transform relationships and challenge injustice?

Aims: Exploring active nonviolence, thinking about own contribution to social change, introducing a tool for action and feeling empowered. Developing contacts and networks to work together effectively.

Agenda
• Introduction & Agenda Check
• Nonviolence Quotes [ Provided with nonviolence quotes from TTT resource, each pick and share one that resonates. Introduction to the concept of active non-violence ]
• What have you done for Social Change? [ Talk in pairs or plenary, sharing your experience ]
• Nonviolence Spectrum [ Exploring what Nonviolence is or what is not ]
• Working for change effectively [ In small groups - choose an issue the group cares about to work with. Exercise with a tool (Social Speedmeter ) to map out people or groups who are supportive or unsupportive to the issues of your concern. Useful to identify people or groups to focus and approach in your action. (Small group) ]
• Plenary Feedback (where next?) and Wrap up (Evaluation?)

Location: Godalming Quaker Meeting House     Fee: Voluntary donation

Booking: Anna Seifert 01483 414 767 or Chris Meeks 01483 422 774

1 September 2010     Irene

TALK: Some Forgotten Friends, Tutor - John Lampen | 10.30 am - 4 pm September 2010

Quaker history contains many inspiring people whose lives illuminate our testimonies and show us what it can mean to be a Friend. During this study day, we will meet a few of them, and you will have the opportunity, in a small group, to do some research of your own. We believe that a wider knowledge of our past can enrich our practice today.

John Lampen is engaged in peace work and community development in Uganda and former Yugoslavia. He wrote Wait in the Light and The Worship Kit for Children.

10.30 Arrangements Committee; 11.15 Regional Meeting Business;
11.30 Morning Session; 1.00 Bring & Share Lunch 2.00 Afternoon Session;
3.15 Meeting for Worship; 3.30 Tea.

5 September 2010     Frank

WORKSHOP: Stillness Speaks | 13 September 2010

The title of this event is the same as that of a book by Eckart Tolle, and the workshop was led by Rosalee & Margaret. 13 people were present. Two 'paragraphs' from the book were read out, and we split into pairs each time to consider what these words meant to us. The words seemed to strike a deep chord in most of us present. The response was such that Rosalee and Margaret mooted the idea of continuing with the theme every two weeks on Mondays at Woking FMH. So the first 'repeat' will be on 27th September, and we'll see how that goes.

Eckhart Tolle is a German-born writer, public speaker, and spiritual teacher. In 2008, an article in the New York Times referred to him as "the most popular spiritual author in the nation". Tolle had an unhappy childhood in Germany and Spain, and was depressed as an adult in England until he underwent what he calls an "inner transformation". He then spent several years as a vagrant, "in a state of deep bliss", before becoming a spiritual teacher. Later, he moved to North America where he began writing his first book, The Power of Now, which was published in 1997 and reached the New York Times Best Seller lists in 2000.

13 September 2010     Frank

Rex Ambler books

I have just purchased two books by Rex Ambler: Light to Live By and End of Words - Creed and the Search for Unity. They are intended as a donation for the Woking LM library.

4 September 2010     Frank

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Remembrance | 9 August

Keith attended an event last week to commemorate the only time that nuclear bombs have been used in war - 1945 when a quarter of a million people were killed and the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki wiped out.

The event was organised by Woking Action for Peace, one of hundreds of groups worldwide campaigning to make the world a safer place by persuading the nuclear powers to eliminate their arsenals.

As the sun was setting, candle-lit grapefruit skins were floated on the river Wey at Send.

15 August 2010     Irene

Retreat: The Root Delusion | 6-8 August

At the beginning of August I attended New Buddha Way’s Summer retreat at St Columba’s House, Woking, attended by nine participants. There was sitting meditation, walking meditation among the trees, a Dharma discussion on ‘the root delusion’ in relation to compassion, and a period of classical text study.

The topic is one which is very difficult to grasp, concerning such questions as "To what extent are the objects we experience 'out there' really there?" and "To what extent is it true to say that 'I' exist?".

The retreat was led by NBW's founder Geoff Hunt, who came to give a popular talk at Woking FMH in February 2010. Bearing in mind Geoff's experience as a Buddhist Chaplain & Professor of Philosophy, he was able to present the topic in a unique way. It was a wonderful weekend: peaceful, profound, amiable and amusing all at the same time. I came away feeling tranquil and inspired. The next retreat will be the Winter Retreat in December 2010.

14 August 2010     Frank

Explore Chanting | Monday 21 June 2010 7.30pm

Hello Everyone. On Sunday I said I would add a little more information about our forthcoming chanting session on Monday evening - which I am very much looking forward to.

My intention is to share simple chants from different faiths which, when all sung together, can create a sense of powerful connection and a wonderful sound. As a result we create a beautiful sacred space in which to be still. All voices are welcome - especially if you think you cannot sing.

Chanting has been used in many spiritual traditions and practices throughout time to help us connect to the true nature of 'Being'; to find stillness and peace within; and to celebrate the gift of life with others in a sacred space by singing sacred text and sounds!   [ Patricia's website ]

Location: Friends Meeting House, Woking

16 June 2010     Patricia

The Shawamreh family speak out | Monday 21 June 2010 7.30pm

Since 1967, Israel has demolished more than 24,000 Palestinian homes in the Occupied Territories and Gaza. The Israeli government asserts that these houses are illegal because they have been constructed without building permits. But at the same time, the Israeli authorities refuse to grant building permits to Palestinians.

Salim and Arabiya Shawamreh have land in Anata and a home they cannot live in. To date, their home has been demolished four times and ICAHD Jerusalem has helped to rebuild it each time. In 2003 they dedicated their home as a peace centre which is used for community projects, international meetings and events. A fifth demolition order was placed on Beit Arabiya in June 2009. This talk in Guildford is part of a June tour being made by Salim and Arabiya so that they can tell their story.

Another couple, Youssef Hamdan and his wife Ouda, have four children. Their home is just in front of the Wall in Anata. It has been demolished twice, the last time being in 2008. This tour will also help raise funds towards rebuilding the Hamdan family’s home this summer.

ICAHD (the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions) is a peace and human rights organisation dedicated to ending the Occupation and achieving a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This tour is supported by Friends of Al Aqsa.

Every year ICAHD hosts an international camp for people from around the world to join together and help rebuild Palestinian homes that have been demolished in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Location of talk: St Nicholas Church hall, High St, Guildford, 7.30-9.30pm. for more information contact hilary878©btinternet_·com

31 May 2010     Irene

Demonstration for electoral reform | 15 May 2010

Here is a selection of photos taken on the electoral reform demo I attended with Nigel and Verity on Saturday. It was very strange to find myself on my first demonstration at the age of 54!

It was all very well organised and very well behaved; the most the police had to do was help us cross some busy main roads as we made our way from Parliament Square to Downing Street to deliver a petition. It felt very good to be amongst several hundred people who felt as strongly as I do that something urgently needs to be done to make our elections more democratic. I'm hoping I can persuade more than two people to come with me next time!

17 May 2010     Irene

Experiment with Light | 29 March 2010

Anna Seifert from Godalming Meeting came and talked about the Experiment with Light. This is a movement within the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) that aims at putting our lives under the guidance of the Light.

The Experiment started off in 1996 as a guided meditation based on early Friends' writings that takes us step by step through a process of self-discovery which goes beyond our own preconceptions of self.

Since then a number of different meditations have been developed by various people, and there are now approximately 100 Light Groups that use one or more of these meditations with participants sharing their experience with each other afterwards. The Experiment with Light remains a grass-roots movement with very little organisation, and the Experiment with Light web site is an attempt to facilitate communication between groups and individuals as well as to present the Experiment to those unfamiliar with it.

The talk was well received and helpful. One of the suggested texts to meditate on:

"The seed grows when it is exposed to Light.  As the Light opens and exercises your conscience it will let you see invisible things, which are seen by that which is invisible in you.  Therefore all now awake from sleep and see where you are.  The first step to peace is to stand still in the Light; it will teach you all that you need to know."  George Fox

Audio recording: You can download a recording of a talk given by Rex Ambler, entitled Early Friends and the Light, at a workshop at Charney Manor. Other resources are also downloadable.
Books: Living in the Light and Hearts and Minds Prepared, both by Rex Ambler;
Wait in the Light: Spirituality of George Fox edited by John Lampen

31 March 2010     Irene & Frank