Weekly progress

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven
Young Friends weekend | Tapestry workshop

Week Two

Minute of Record - Meeting for Discursive Reflection (held on Thursday)

1. The Silent Day. Everyone appreciated this and some found it energising. The Active Silence period helped us to bond. It was helpful to have Spiritual Direction available.

2. The staff. It is important to make sure that the staff are getting enough 'goodies': they work very hard and much of it is invisible to course participants. The silent day helped with that. With all her responsibilities, Helen Bayes needs our prayers. We have already weathered crises, and discovered our resilience, miraculous really. Helen has decided not to go to courses: her role here is to look after the whole place: token attendance at courses would not be good, and would also disrupt her focus. We felt that in addition to her practical work on our behalf, she holds us in a prayerful presence that greatly contributes to our well-being and the deep spiritual grounding of us all, that happens here. The extent of help and prayerful holding us in the light, from the wider Quaker community, has also been wonderful.

3. The courses. Dale’s and Sheila’s courses were excellent. We have cut out evening sessions and course sessions during the silent day, and this has benefitted us. There is not time to do all the things we would like, such as music.

4. Anxiety about whether it will pay its way. It’s important that when participants return to their meetings, we advocate for the centre. One participant knows several from her RM who could have come next year but could not organise the money/ time etc at such short notice. And although the cost is very reasonable (thanks in part to the exceptional generosity of the Catholic church), it is still beyond many Friends. The cost of attending is likely to increase over time. Could we perhaps work in with like-minded churches/ organisations, such as the other historic peace churches?

5. Those who had also been present in week 1, felt that we were getting into a good rhythm. Being here for 2 weeks is very different from, and much more beneficial, than being here for one week. Many of the problems of week 1 have been solved. And we have grown closer. One person said that the rhythm of the day is beautiful, breakfast is relaxed and there is time to do something before breakfast. The one-hour Meeting for Worship is appreciated, as is epilogue. While two of us would prefer for Meeting for Worship to precede breakfast, one is opposed: she favours gentle nurture over the more ascetic approach of early morning worship. Perhaps we could try the more ascetic approach when Helen Gould and David Johnson are giving their courses.

6. Meals and simplicity. Brigit is concerned that having Meeting after breakfast followed by a staff meeting, results in her not getting into the kitchen before 11 which is too late; also timing help in the kitchen for 2.30 does not work well, she tries to be out of the kitchen by then; and sometimes people do not turn up. Brigit no longer does breakfast, and this works well. Sometimes the washing up seems to go on forever. Are we expecting too much quantity and variety with meals? A couple of us felt we were over-eating and would be happy with simpler meals, which would also cut down the workload. There was a suggestion that the main meal be in the middle of the day, with a simple supper of a hearty soup, bread, fruit and cheese. Brigit is concerned about the workload when the YFs are here. We are considering whether to make meals vegetarian except for twice or three times a week, & using goats from the property is accepted. And at the same time, sharing beautifully prepared nutritious food is a celebration of life. We value praying with each other before each meal.

7. Other. Various people enjoyed doing the gardening, walking & bicycling, climbing the mountain. 'It seems like perfection.' 'I needed to come here.' The land and the setting are wonderful. Being at the end of the road makes for a very peaceful place; and being quite close to a major city is also a bonus; for example, it enabled Wilma to offer us her very welcome gift of massage. Two people found the cold here hard to bear.

Questions & reminders

  1. Is there a way, during the silent day, of asking practical questions? Suggestion: That someone be designated as 'household manager' to be approached on practical questions that can’t wait (eg a snake in your room? Need medicine? A dietary problem?)
  2. Let’s cover the food set out for meals (flies).
  3. Let’s indicate which light switch works which light.
  4. Let’s be mindful of re-using, recycling etc, see sheet on Waste Management. Meditate before you throw it in the bin.
  5. Sorbolene for hands drying out from washing up.