Reflections From the Facing Bench; Quakering In Ridgewood

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Getting curious about the Resident Student program coming in the spring? Join leaders and facilitators for this free, online info session Sept 19 to learn more about this immersive program for those seeking space to settle into daily rhythms of work, study, and worship in shared community. https://pendlehill.org/programs/335/resident-student-program-info-session/

09/06/2026

This year’s One Pamphlet, One Yearly Meeting selection is Pendle Hill Pamphlet 495, Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities, by Lauren Brownlee (she/her) and Zenaida Peterson (they/them).

Together, the authors invite Friends to consider how racial harm can occur within Quaker communities and what accountability, repair, and more loving relationships can ask of us.

The discussion is online on Thursday, October 29, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm and Friends can register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/PYMEvents/event/onepamphletoneyearlymeeting2026/

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

This morning our newsletter community received the Zoom link for our AGM with guest speaker Jennifer Kavanagh, along with the agenda and papers. But don't worry if you haven't subscribed to our newsletter yet - there's still time to get your invitation! Just enter your email address here: https://qva.org.uk/subscribe/

The AGM is on Saturday 12 September at 14.00 BST. As well as hearing Jennifer speak, come along if you'd like to:

1. Find out more about QVA and how to get involved.

2. Help shape the future of the only Quaker organisation working specifically on volunteering in the Europe and Middle East Section of Friends World Committee for Consultation.

3. Get a feel for charity governance – perfect if you’re thinking about offering service as a Trustee.

We look forward to welcoming you!

The QVA team

09/06/2026

*A view from the Peace Pledge Union Archive*

Happy Birthday Dick Sheppard - a day in history worth remembering.

Born as Hugh Richard Lawrie Sheppard, he was the much loved vicar of St-Martin-in-the-Fields. In October 1934 he published a letter in the national press asking men to send him a postcard with a simple promise - to renounce war, and never support one again.

Within two days, 2,500 people replied. Weeks later, tens of thousands more responded and the Peace Pledge Union was formed.

Sheppard had first served as an army chaplain in the First World War and what he witnessed shaped him. By the 1930s, he and others watched Europe edge closer again to warfare. He came to believe that if Government's wouldn't stop war, ordinary people could refuse to take part.

When he died suddenly in 1937, an estimated 100,000 people filed past his coffin over two days. Nearly 90 years on, the pledge he started is still going.

If you want to become a member of the Peace Pledge Union visit https://shop.ppu.org.uk/products/membership-join-the-peace-pledge-union

Join Us and build a more peaceful world

09/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that Jennifer Kavanagh will be the guest speaker at our AGM on Saturday 12 September at 14.00 BST via Zoom. Jennifer will speak on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace and everyone is welcome to come to our AGM.

Please subscribe to our newsletter as we'll send the Zoom link, agenda and papers by email: https://qva.org.uk/subscribe/

We extend this AGM invitation to all Friends, Meetings, and other Quaker groups, as well as volunteering and faith charities, and anyone interested in our retreat programme.

We also warmly welcome all current and former QVA retreat participants, staff, Facilitators and Trustees, and indeed anyone connect to QVA’s forerunners, Quaker International Social Projects and Quaker Workcamps.

Please share this post with anyone you know who may be interested

The QVA team.

09/06/2026

NYYM weekly update — news & events for Friends - https://mailchi.mp/nyym.org/weekly-update-13485270

09/06/2026

On conscientious objection to a world of violence.