2004 YM Minutes [PDF: 132k - opens in new window] - Quakers

Minute 10: Epistle from Ireland Yearly Meeting
The Epistle from the Yearly Meeting of Friends in Ireland, held at Newtown School, Waterford
from 13 to18 April 2004, has been read as follows:
To Friends Everywhere,
We send warm greetings from Ireland Yearly Meeting gathered in Newtown School,
Waterford from 13 th -18 th April 2004.
It is 350 years since the first Quaker settlement in Ireland. William Edmondson held the
first Quaker meeting in his home in Lurgan in 1654. The importance of our origins was
highlighted by Martin Lynn, from South Belfast Meeting, in his public lecture ‘Children
of Light’. The light within comes from God and, as expressed by William Edmondson, is
‘God's witness in our hearts’. The desire to encounter God was at the heart of the
Quaker spiritual experience 350 years ago and this is still true today. God can be
experienced in every second of our lives. We have been blessed by a large number of
visitors from Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and North America, including the
Friendly Folk Dancers. The Quaker youth theatre group, The Leaveners, worked with our
young people to tell the story of William Edmondson's life. An innovative performance
was given in a public theatre, which was previously Waterford's Quaker Meeting House.
We have been inspired to hear about the Friends World Committee for Consultation
Triennial held in New Zealand and look forward to hosting the next triennial in 2007. Liz
Scurfield, a Quaker Council for European Affairs representative, spoke encouragingly
about their work. The readiness of the men and women working in the institutions of the
European Union to listen to the Quaker voice is very encouraging. We have been upheld
by letters of greeting received from Friends around the world.
At a civic ceremony in Waterford City Hall the mayor presented an illuminated scroll to
the Yearly Meeting in recognition of Quakers' contribution to life in Ireland and
especially in Waterford.
In this 350 th year our Young Friends intend to complete 350 hours of voluntary service.
There has been great demand for the colourful booklet ‘The Friendly Guide to
Quakerism’ which was produced by Young Friends in Ireland last year. Ten thousand
more copies will be printed this year.
In a session on Ministry and Oversight David Brindle, of Wilmington Yearly Meeting,
reminded us that God's gifts are not for ourselves, but for the community. We should
have an expectation of God's presence among us both in our lives and in our meetings
for worship. Miriam Logan, of Cork Meeting, spoke on the subject ‘Fear of Difference is
at the Core of Conflict’. We learn more from our differences than our similarities and it
is important that we stay with our differences on our spiritual journeys.
Friends in Ireland have been greatly challenged while working to revise our book of
Christian Experience. We have come to accept that there are differing theological
perspectives within our membership. We have not yet discerned whether the Yearly
Meeting wishes these different experiences and perspectives to be reflected within a
book of Christian Experience. It is hoped that Friends can discuss their ideals and deeply
held beliefs in a way which will help, encourage and challenge others. ‘Always, my dear
Friends, dwell in the life and love and power, and wisdom of God, in unity with one
another, and with God.’
Signed in and on behalf of Ireland Yearly Meeting,
T. David Kingston, Clerk
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