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.