Friends – 

I send greetings to you in your home from all of us in our home nearby Quaker House in Brussels. Our family is all together, since Frieda and Esther came home from their studies abroad. After two months together, I’m happy to say that “All’s well.” This is new for all of us, but we’re coping. My wife has full time tele-work every week day at her desk in our family room. Ben, 13, has had full-time school from the first day of “Corona Time.” His school arranged that all teachers have contact with all students on the same schedule they had in “real school.” We are grateful that we have the space, computers, and many other resources to help us get by.

Being closed in by four walls I’ve also had to face challenges to my physical and mental health and well-being. While no one I know has had COVID19, it’s not far away. And the consequences of confinement are impacting all of us.  There were two deaths in our children’s social circles and no one knew what to do to comfort the grieving. 

The confinement was really affecting my mood. I started paying more attention to how I was feeling, and noticing that I had some “good days” and some “bad days”. 

So when it was clear that confinement would continue for some time, I worked out a programme that includes daily walks or bike rides, usually with a family member, checking on friends & neighbours, keeping to a schedule, doing something, especially things that “only I can do” as a parent, neighbor, residents’ group member, etc.

Doing this helps me appreciate each day, or feel useful, and social. Get out, breathe fresh air. See the sunshine, sunset, moonrise. Venus was very bright. With family, walking gives us some quality time, and a chance to talk one-to-one. At neighbours’ doorsteps I’ve learned that there’s almost no COVID19 in our area. That’s reassuring. Some like parts of the confinement, and want to see them continue, such as the reduced work stress, working from home, the reduced traffic and safer streets…

I’ve also paid attention to all of the work that people are doing, to help others and themselves cope with the situation. Many Friends have been working hard to adjust to Corona times: for example, the many Quaker Zoom Meetings, for worship, reading & study groups, group videos, and worship sharing. New initiatives like Quaker Meals on Wheels were set up to deal with specific needs. Other adaptations were made to allow work to continue as much as possible. BLYM ‘officers’ have been working hard on every part of our Meeting: clerks, elders, finance, oversight, residential planning, and more. I see this kind of action, good will and cooperation also happening at many other levels: neighbourhood, community, city, country and even international level.

While some leaders get attention for bad behavior, I prefer to focus on the ones who are working for the common good, like the EU head who organized pledges of billions of euros for the development of vaccines to be available for every country. While there are so many uncertainties and good reasons to worry, I try to focus on facts, scientific, political and social. That includes the fact that researchers are sharing their information widely and scientific publishers have dropped paywalls. Experts have said “We’ve never learned so much so fast about any disease in human history”. I see that the responses to Corona show that governments CAN take ‘radical’ action and people WILL follow new rules when it’s clear that it’s needed. These things give me hope for the future. Even while my daughters don’t know if they can go back to university in September, I’m asking the City for permission to close our street for our annual Charles Quint Street Party. In September. Maybe we won’t be able to do it. Maybe very few will want to come. But I’m hopeful and planning for better days. I hope you are too.

Go well friends

Randy Rzewnicki, 13 May 2020

Some months ago, a Friend said in Meeting in Brussels, ‘I am praying to a God I’m not sure I believe in.’ Nobody developed this further in the ministry that followed; for me this period of confinement has thrown some light on this question.

I read the other day that according to opinion surveys in the USA, about 65% of the population say that they are praying again and approximately the same percentage think that the corona virus has been sent as a warning or punishment from God. Most people say that they are praying for the pandemic to end. In Europe, the percentage is a little lower, but in general many people seem to be praying again and for the same outcome as our American friends. An elderly Italian lady interviewed on the TV news last week, had what I would say was a ‘medieval’ attitude to the situation when she insisted that God had sent the virus as a punishment for our wickedness. What are we to make of this?

Prayer of course means asking, even if many now realise that it should be something deeper, more an act of contemplation, and for most people that is still what it is, asking … Please God, don’t let this happen to me … Please God let me get that new job … A number of footballers now cross themselves or point to the sky when they score a goal, as if God had been enlisted in their efforts to defeat the other team. Unfortunately, God is also the God of the opposing side, but perhaps he allows himself a degree of partisanship on Saturday afternoons? But at a deeper level, is God a being that will take away scourges when we ask or bribe him (yes, him, because that sort of God is the male God of old) and give us presents or favours when we do what he approves of. Is that the nature of God, in fact? 

For myself, I can say that the god I believe in is not a god. In fact, I’m not even sure that believe is the right word to use. We humans so often get ourselves confused about the reality that we try to grasp because we use words loosely but imagine that they are definitive, clear and can be grasped by everyone else. The way I see it is that we humans certainly experience transcendence, divinity and that is a real experience, but we go wrong when we try to label it. The great theologians of the Middle Ages, Christian, Jewish and Moslem all said that God is best described as Nothing, because it is impossible for us to make any meaningful comparison or description, we should rather point to the experience than try to capture it in words. An experience that awes us and carries us beyond words; an experience that surrounds us but cannot be grasped. 

The images that arise in my mind are from Exodos. Moses goes into the desert and sees a burning bush that burns without ceasing and realises that he is in the divine presence; when he asks, ‘Who are you?’, the answer is ‘I am that I am’ – nothing more, nothing less. When he later climbs Mount Sinai again, this time as he leaves Egypt leading the now free Israelites, he meets this presence again and receives the Law, which he is instructed to take down to the people of Israel waiting below. However, when he arrives at the foot of the mountain, he finds the people worshipping a Golden Calf that they have made for themselves. Perhaps this is the god that people are praying to today, but is it the Presence, the ground of our existence, is it the ‘I am’ that is shrouded in mystery?

I finish by repeating that Quaker ministry from the 17^th century that I am so very fond of, and which describes the only theology that I know by experience in the process of centring down in our silent meetings, ‘In stillness is fullness, in fullness is nothingness, in nothingness are all things.’ Can we say more than that?

Phil Gaskell

22.05.2020

Originele versie: Nederlands

We are going through a difficult period in our lives. For a few months now, a single theme has dominated the world today.  An invisible creature, the corona virus haunts our society with serious consequences. In my circle of acquaintances, several people have had to deal with the disease. The father of my neighbour has succumbed after almost 3 weeks of artificial respiration and has been silently buried. The father-in-law of my daughter also entered intensive care, but was cured. The husband of a colleague of my wife also ended up in the clinic, but after a painful period he is better off. The daughter of a friend of mine also had the disease, but had fewer symptoms and has been cured. Corona is very close to us. I admire the courage and dedication of my neighbour, who works as a nurse in the corona ward of the hospital in Lier and has been literally looking death in the eye for several weeks now and has to be very careful not to get infected herself. My wife Anita also continues to work in the healthcare sector, albeit in a less risky environment and of course with a face mask, gloves, disinfectant gel and a protective hood. We notice that in such periods people
rise above themselves and continue to do what is necessary. They are shining examples of love for one’s fellow man.

The measures taken by the public authorities on the advice of virologists came not a moment too soon. We all realize that they are necessary. Previously, the recommendation in our Meeting not to give each other hands at the end of the silence was a wise decision. Fortunately, in my opinion, no Friends have contracted the disease. 

Initially, the number of infections increased rapidly, but the strict regulations made it possible to limit the spread of the disease. For some people the lockdown started a difficult period. Day in and day out between 4 walls can be depressing and can bring tension and stress. I can speak of it from my time in prison as a conscientious objector. For a lot of people in a small apartment it almost seems as if they are also in a prison. However, knowing that isolation will pass by gives hope and perspective to people in prison. Being able to wait patiently is a gift in such situations, I also learned that in my cell measuring 2.5 x 4 meters. Also the “corona storm” will blow over. A little necessary confinement and solitude can deepen our lives and teach us the essence of existence. Simplicity and peace are ultimately positive qualities that so many people lack and rediscover in these circumstances. In the gospel we read that Jesus repeatedly went to isolated places to seek the Light in silence. Reflection is part of the search for the meaning of life. 

Also with Friends, the corona- crisis can leave its marks. Quakers are not immune to corona, nor to the consequences and frustrations of a long period of social and economic stagnation and isolation. Those who fall out of work can end up in a tight financial situation. The lack of social daily contact with family, (grand)children, (grand)parents and friends will be hard on many others. Nevertheless, we can treat ourselves and possible housemates with upbeat activities, e.g. a walk or bike ride. There are so many interesting books to read. We might be able to refine our cooking skills by preparing new and healthy recipes. With a phone call, card, message or letter we can also surprise each other, because not everyone is familiar with the internet.  We might learn to feel ourselves and others a little more “at home” in our own ‘kot’.

We can pull ourselves up to the resilience that our world is showing.  People are inventively working to prevent the transmission of the virus in the next steps to restore normality in public life. Plexi dividers, face masks, disinfectants and keeping our distance will help us to do this. People are feverishly searching for vaccines and effective medication, they are already testing them out and the expectation is that there will be results in the near future.

 The electronic options are now being more widely used in order to keep in touch with each other. I myself learned new ways of communicating such as ‘Zoom’. In this way we are wrestling through these confined times. In this way we can learn and use positive solutions.  We are continuing our Meetings, more intensively than before. Via Zoom we are able to attend a silent meeting four times a week. Some Friends can now attend a Meeting with just a few mouse clicks and no travel time is lost.  It is great to feel connected and to be able to see and speak to each other after the meeting. I can only encourage each of us as a member or connected person to attend digital meetings. 

This can be done every Sunday from 10:30 am to 11:15 am, with the opportunity to stay a little longer.  The midweek meeting takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 19:30 to 20:00, with the opportunity to have a chat afterwards. 

Maybe some of you would like to share your experience and dealings with corona. we would welcome your contributions. 

6 May 2020, Jan Peeters, BLYM Elder, translated with https://www.deepl.com/ and edited by R Rzewnicki

English version
We beleven een moeilijke periode in ons leven. Sinds enkele maanden beheerst één enkel thema de aktualiteit. Een onzichtbaar wezentje, het coronavirus waart met ernstige gevolgen rond in onze maatschappij. In mijn kennissenkring hebben meerdere mensen met de ziekte te maken gehad. De vader van mijn buurvrouw is na bijna 3 weken beademing bezweken en in stilte begraven. De schoonvader van mijn dochter kwam ook op intensieve verzorging terecht, maar is genezen. De man van een kollega van mijn vrouw belande ook in de kliniek, maar is na een pijnlijke periode aan de beterhand. De dochter van een vriend van me heeft de ziekte ook doorgemaakt, maar had minder klachten en is genezen. Corona is echt geen ver van ons bed show. Ik bewonder de moed en inzet van mijn buurvrouw, die als verpleegster werkt in de
corona-afdeling van het ziekenhuis te Lier en nu al meerdere weken letterlijk de dood in de ogen kijkt en erg moet opletten om zelf niet besmet te worden. Ook mijn vrouw Anita werkt gewoon verder in de zorgsektor, zij het in een minder risikovolle omgeving en uiteraard met mondmasker, handschoenen, ontsmettende gel en een hoofdkap. We merken dat in zulke perioden mensen boven zichzelf uitstijgen en onversaagd blijven doen wat noodzakelijk is. Ze zijn lichtende voorbeelden van liefde voor de medemens.

De maatregelen die de overheden namen op advies van virologen kwamen niets te vroeg. We beseffen allen dat deze noodzakelijk zijn. Eerder was de aanbeveling om in onze meeting elkaar geen handen meer te geven bij het einde van de stilte een wijze beslissing. Gelukkig heeft mijn inziens geen van de Vrienden de ziekte opgelopen.

Aanvankelijk steeg het aantal besmettingen snel, maar door de strenge voorschriften kon de verspreiding van de ziekte gekeerd worden. Voor sommige mensen brak met de lock-out een zware periode aan. Dag in dag uit tussen 4 muren vertoeven kan deprimerend zijn en spanningen en stress meebrengen. Ik kan er van meespreken uit de tijd toen ik als dienstweigeraar in de gevangenis verbleef. Voor veel mensen in een klein appartementje lijkt het wel alsof ze ook in een gevangenis vertoeven. De wetenschap dat eenzame afzondering voorbij gaat geeft echter hoop en perspektief bij mensen in de gevangenis. Geduldig kunnen wachten is een mooie gave in zulke situaties, dat heb ik in mijn cel van 2,5 x 4 meter ook geleerd. Ook de coronastorm zal overwaaien. Een beetje noodgedwongen afzondering en eenzaamheid kan ons leven verdiepen en leert ons de essentie kennen van het bestaan. Eenvoud en rust zijn uiteindelijk positieve eigenschappen die veel mensen ontberen en herontdekken in deze omstandigheden. In het evangelie lezen we dat Jezus meermaals naar eenzame plaatsen trok om in stilte het Licht te zoeken. Bezinning hoort bij de zoektocht naar de zin van leven.

Ook bij Vrienden kan de coronakrisis sporen nalaten. Quakers zijn niet immuun voor corona, en evenmin voor de gevolgen en de frustraties die een lange periode van sociale en ekonomische stilstand en isolatie meebrengen. Wie zonder werk valt kan in een krappe financiële toestand belanden. Het gemis aan sociale dagelijkse omgang met familie, (klein)kinderen, (groot)ouders en vrienden zal anderen dan weer zwaar vallen. Toch kunnen we onszelf en eventuele huisgenoten trakteren met opmonterende bezigheden, b.v. een wandeling of fietstochtje. Er zijn nog zoveel boeiende boeken te lezen. We kunnen misschien onze kookkunsten aanscherpen door nieuwe en gezonde recepten te bereiden. Met een telefoontje, kaartje, berichtje of brief kunnen we elkaar ook verrassen, want niet iedereen is vertrouwd met het internet. We leren hierdoor misschien wel onszelf en anderen een beetje meer “thuis” te voelen in ons ‘kot’.

We kunnen ons optrekken aan de veerkracht die onze maatschappij laat zien. Men is inventief bezig om bij komende stappen tot normalisering van het openbaar leven de overdracht van het virus te beletten. Plexi-schotten, mondmaskers, ontsmettingmiddelen en afstand houden zullen ons hierbij helpen. Koortsachtig wordt gezocht naar vaccins en doeltreffende medicatie, men test deze nu al uit en de verwachting is dat er binnen afzienbare tijd resultaat zal zijn.

De digitale mogelijkheden worden nu meer omarmd om toch kontakt te houden met elkaar. Zelf leerde ik nieuwe manieren van kommuniceren kennen zoals ‘Zoom’. Op die manierworstelen we ons doorheen deze beperkende tijden. We kunnen zo positieve oplossingen aanleren en gebruiken. Onze meetings gaan dus door, intensiever dan voorheen. Via Zoom zijn we vier maal per week in de mogelijkheid om een stille meeting te bezoeken. Sommigen Vrienden kunnen nu met enkele muisklikken een meeting bijwonen zonder verlies van reistijd. Het doet deugd om ons verbonden te voelen en elkaar te kunnen zien en spreken na de meeting. Ik kan ieder van ons als lid of verbondene alleen maar aanmoedigen om digitale meetings bij te wonen. Dat kan elke zondag van 10:30 tot 11:15 uur, met gelegenheid nog wat langer na te blijven. De midweekse meeting gaan door op maandag, woensdag en vrijdag, telkens van 19:30 tot 20:00 uur, met elegenheid tot een babbeltje achteraf.

Misschien willen sommigen onder ons ook hun ervaring en omgang met corona meedelen, we verwelkomen graag hun bijdragen.
6 mei 2020, Jan Peeters, BLYM Ouderling

Dear Friends,

Given the current situation, you may well be wondering about the plans for the Residential Yearly Meeting.

Despite the uncertainty, we are continuing our work. The topic that we have discerned for this year is “Letting our lives speak: linking Quaker theology, spirituality and social engagement”. In our discussions we’d like to explore how these three are related to each other and how one follows from another. We would also like to ask Friends to share the work that they are currently doing in the context of a ‘fair’.

Our speaker will be Craig Barnett, author of The Guided Life. (available in the BLYM library) Craig is a Quaker from Sheffield in the UK, where he works for a local refugee charity. He was one of the founders of the City of Sanctuary movement, and has also worked as Director of a Quaker agricultural training centre in Zimbabwe. Craig is a regular speaker at Quaker events, is a member of the revision committee for Quaker Faith & Practice, and has contributed to national Quaker work on spirituality, theology and refugee issues. He has also trained as an organic farmer and brings a concern for sustainable agriculture and skilled, practical work to his explorations of Quaker spirituality.

As you know, we had booked Chant d’Oiseau for our RYM this year. As with other public gathering places, they are currently closed. We were informed this past week that will not open this year. We know from our earlier research that there are not other options available, especially in the current situation. 

We have met with the Clerks and the Elders, and have agreed that we will gather as a YM in one form or another, on the planned weekend of October 9/10/11, at Quaker House Brussels. Planning will continue for a face-to-face meeting, with possible participation by Zoom for those who may not be able to attend in person. In the case that restrictions on gatherings continue into the autumn, we will have our meeting entirely on Zoom.

In Friendship,

Caroll Ewen

Kornee Van Der Haven

Kate McNally

2020 RYM planning committee

Craig has a blog called Transition Quaker he has also written and contributed to a number of Quaker books.

Northwest Border Meeting 2021 – Germany
Northwest Border Meeting 2022 – Belgium