Spirit as a hang glider!
Last weekend at the Future of British Quakerism Conference, we joined together to explore ways to support our communities and our spiritual lives in the face of change. Over 250 people in both Yarnfield and online joined together in worship to receive information, work together to discern threads and make connections. The conference explored ways to support our communities and our spiritual lives in the face of change.
What’s that got to do with hang gliding? Read on!
Heading for a cliff edge
Friday night we heard preliminary results from last year’s British Quakers survey and along with data from the Tabular Statement there were comments about an aging population.
Ministry was heard from concerned Friends who thought we were heading for a cliff edge or should be preparing for catastrophic collapse. But that isn’t where we ended up.
We dedicate ourselves to let the living waters flow through us – where we live, regionally and in wider world fellowship. We dedicate ourselves to building the ‘peace that passeth all understanding’, to the repair of the world, opening our lives to the Light to guide us in each small step’.
Facing the Cliff
By Saturday night and heading into our fourth session I think everyone was tired! I managed a walk with friends and some quiet time, but was still slightly daunted to head into the ‘Looking for Leadings’ plenary.
Rhiannon Grant had read through all of the words and documents sent through from the workshops. She had notes from the presentations and surveys… she’d received over 150 bits of paper with thoughts and points. Rhiannon pointed out all she hadn’t heard from those not at the conference. Then she ran through all the negative and worse case scenarios floated and then said…
That’s the cliff…. frightening and dire
Moving forward in spirit
Rhiannon paused and then mused about an experience of standing at the edge of a cliff with the wind pushing you to and fro. Explaining that on one occasion she heard someone behind her and presumed they were also standing and admiring the view. Then suddenly, they went past her and over the cliff!
Remembering this led to the metaphor. Perhaps we should have faith in the wind / breath / spirit who will lead us forward one step (or swoop!) at a time.
Cliff tops give a great view of the hang gliders or paragliders float. The pilot is suspended and dangles underneath, controlling the wind with ropes and a bar.
The challenge is…will we trust and have faith in where we are led, and will those around us offer us advice and a safety net?
There was more, I have pages of notes and thoughts which I hope to share.
I valued the informal conversations, the themed workshops, and the experience. As Ben PD put it ‘as sitting with others in worship listening to them breathe’.
It is always wonderful to get to see friends and catch up. But also to join new conversations and discussions in corridors, and over meals.
MBS specialises in working with small UK charities, especially those with buildings owned by faith groups who want to hire out their building to create income. As we’re a Quaker company that’s where we started, but we are now a group of people from various backgrounds and beliefs, and have worked with an equally diverse range of charities, non-profits, and community groups.
Wendrie Heywood
MBS Founder
