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Link to Stuart Masters' Blog post on his presentation at IYM 2023.

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Link to Stuart Masters' Blog post on his presentation at IYM 2023.

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A presentation made to Ireland Yearly Meeting on Friday 14th April 2023.

Building Quaker Community: The Experience of Early Friends
A. The Inspiration 1. A community united in one Spirit
Early Friends felt that their community was being gathered and held together by the living presence of Christ, active in Spirit within and among his people. This seems to have engendered a very strong sense of cohesion and unity that went beyond the usual limitations of human community. Because of this, the members of the early Quaker community might say, "we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20) and so, "we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

Thus, is the living God purifying his Temples, and he is making a Glorious situation, a Heavenly Habitation, and an Everlasting dwelling place in the sons and daughters of men; for God is now come to dwell in his people.
2. A community that knows one another in the Eternal things
George Fox encouraged early Friends to know one another 'in that which is eternal'. This points to the way Christ in Spirit forms and shapes the relationships between people (see John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him..."). Again, this a way of being a community that reaches beyond the normal limits of human experience.

And Friends meet together, and know one another in that which is eternal, which was before the world was... And here the love of God is shed abroad in the heart; and dwelling in love ye dwell in God, and from the life the eternal love doth flow, which life comes from the Father of life, whose love doth not change.
3. A community of deep love and forgiveness
The earliest Friends identified strongly with the New Testament Johannine community, and in particular, the conviction that the true people of God live in a way that reveals a deep sense of love and forgiveness. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). When the world is full of hatred, conflict and injustice, God's people are called to reveal a very different way, a taste of the kingdom yet to come:

Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand.
4. A community that values a diversity of gifts
The apostle Paul's description of the community as a body (1 Corinthians 12) was an inspiration for the early Quaker community. In recognising the diversity of gifts and ministry, all people can feel included and valued, and have an important role to play:

And Friends, have a Care in your Meetings, to give due Honour unto every Member in the Body, remembering none are useless, but stir up one another to their proper Service in the House of God; and let not the Foot be troubled that it is not a hand, nor the Hand that it is not an Eye; but everyone give Thanks that by the Grace of God you are what you are; and be Faithful in your Place and Service, that he may witness Growth.
Steven Crisp - Epistle to the Women's Meeting in Ipswich (1674) 4. A community of mutual support and sharing
Early Friends raised funds and established systems to support travelling ministers, their families and those in prison. How do we support those exercising ministry and suffering persecution today?

5.-That collections be timely made for the poor, (that are so indeed,) as they are moved, according to order, -for relief of prisoners, and other necessary uses, as need shall require... 6.-That care be taken for the families and goods of such as are called forth into the ministry, or who are imprisoned for the truth's sake; that no creatures be lost for want of the creatures.

Epistle from the Elders at Balby (1656)
5. A community that is spiritually nurtured and inspired
It seems that, in early Quaker communities, spiritual development and inspiration was encouraged by both elders and travelling ministers. Elder were based in the community and acted as 'midwives of the Spirit'. Travelling ministers acted as the circulating life-blood of Quaker communities, bringing fresh challenge and inspiration.
B. The Challenges 1. A community that finds itself in conflict
Early Friends felt that the Spirit, if properly discerned, would avoid conflict and maintain unity and cohesion in their community. However, conflict was common, particularly around the issues of who had authority and the group's relationship with the 'World'. Conflict in community seems to be inevitable.
2. The tension between spiritual inspiration and communal order
A key challenge for the early Quaker community was how to establish structures and processes that enabled Friends to be an ordered people led by the free movement of the Spirit. They didn't always succeed in this and the Spirit was easily quenched by a legalistic and authoritarian corporate discipline (what Margaret Fell called "a silly poor gospel"):

Dearly beloved Friends, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or form to walk by, but that all, with the measure of light which is pure and holy, may be guided; and so in the light walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the Spirit, not from the letter, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
3. Messages of challenge and warning - How do we treat our prophets?
The early Quaker movement had a powerful prophetic dimension to it. Quaker preachers and writers were known for their impassioned and assertive messages. They challenged the religious, political, and economic injustices of their time in a clear and forceful way. Here, for example, is James Nayler in full prophetic mode:

God is against you, you covetous cruel oppressors who grind the faces of the poor and needy, taking your advantage of the necessities of the poor, falsifying the measures and using deceitful weights...and so deceiving the simple, and hereby getting great estates in the world, laying house to house and land to land till there be no place for the poor; and when they are become poor through your deceits then you despise them and exalt yourselves above them....

However, although this reflected the approach of the Hebrew prophets, the community tended to react very differently when the prophetic challenge was directed inwards. For example, those who challenged Quaker involvement in slavery were often ostracised and sometimes disowned.
4. The tension between the Quaker community and the wider social world
Early Friends defined themselves very much in opposition to 'the world' around them (human culture) which often persecuted them. Hence, theirs was a community that was tightly knit together in circumstances of conflict and adversity.

The God of heaven and earth...is risen in this nation in power & in life & light & in glory in his saints, in a people despised & hated of all or the most of men, not for any evil deeds nor any transgressions but for their separation from the rest of the people of the nations, & for living unto God in righteousness & true holiness, & so the scripture is fulfilled, they that depart from iniquity become a prey, & Christ's words is fulfilled who said, They should be persecuted & hated for his names sake & for no other cause.

Later, however, Friends presented themselves as a respectable and peaceable people who were no threat to 'the world'. This enabled them to survive, but it also led to an active involvement in the injustices of the British Empire's slave-based economy.
C. The Queries

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A presentation made to Ireland Yearly Meeting on Friday 14th April 2023. Building Quaker Community: The Experience of Early Friends A. The Inspiration 1. A community united in one Spirit Early Friends felt that their community was being gathered and held together by the living presence of Christ, active in Spirit within and among his people.

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Public Lecture Pre-Talk Text - Harvey Gillman

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Public Lecture Pre-Talk Text - Harvey Gillman

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Hospitality and the Pilgrim Harvey Gillman pre talk text

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Welcome to The Friendly Podcast - a collection of Quaker voices!

The Friendly Podcast is an Ireland Yearly Meeting production featuring Quakers of all ages and backgrounds, at home and abroad, sharing their experiences and views as 21st century Friends/Quakers.

The Friendly Podcast is available on a number of platforms, including Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts and Apple Podcasts as well as our YouTube channel. Or you can access it at the links below.
In Episode 10 Hugh O'Farrell-Walsh interviews:

Charles Lamb, Roscrea Meeting, Ireland Yearly Meeting

Mason George, Illinois Yearly Meeting, USA

Danica Buchanan-Wollaston, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, USA

Episode 9:
Liberty Britton, New York Yearly Meeting, USA

Jonny Wigham, Churchtown Meeting, Ireland Yearly Meeting

Joan Johnson, Waterford Meeting

This is the first series of the podcast. We would love to hear your feedback! Feel free to email your comments to Quaker House at office@quakers.ie

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The Friendly Podcast - a collection of Quaker voices

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Welcome to The Friendly Podcast - a collection of Quaker voices! The Friendly Podcast is an Ireland Yearly Meeting production featuring Quakers of all ages and backgrounds, at home and abroad, sharing their experiences and views as 21st century Friends/Quakers. The Friendly Podcast is available on a number of platforms, including Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket...

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British JYM Attendance Report to IYM 2023

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British JYM Attendance Report to IYM 2023

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Hugh O'Farrell-Walsh The Friendly Podcasts - (with audio embedded)

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Hugh O'Farrell-Walsh The Friendly Podcasts - (with audio embedded)

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Supporting Community through Social Media - Fiona Murdoch

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Supporting Community through Social Media - Fiona Murdoch

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Early Quaker Community - The Queries - Stuart Masters

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Early Quaker Community - The Queries - Stuart Masters

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Building Quaker Community - The Experience of Early Friends - Stuart Masters

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Building Quaker Community - The Experience of Early Friends - Stuart Masters

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Building Quaker Community - The Experience of Early Friends

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IYM Treasurer's Presentation to IYM 2023

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IYM Treasurer's Presentation to IYM 2023

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Tracey Martin QCEA presentation to IYM 2023

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Letter of Greeting from Finland Yearly Meeting

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Letter of Greeting from Finland Yearly Meeting

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Elderly Friends Bursary Fund Report for 2022 to IYM 2023

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Elderly Friends Bursary Fund Report for 2022 to IYM 2023

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Brought to IYM 2023

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Elderly Friends Bursary Fund Report for 2022 to IYM 2023

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Brought to IYM 2023

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Online link to all Epistles received byFWCC EMES.

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Arrivals Information for IYM 2023, Dominican Retreat Centre.

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Arrivals Information for IYM 2023, Dominican Retreat Centre.

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Friend to Write an Account for The Friend and the IYM Website

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Friend to Write an Account for The Friend and the IYM Website

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This Friend will be appointed at this Yearly Meeting.

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Rachel Cave was appointed to work with the two Assistant Clerks in writing the Epistle to be sent out from this Yearly Meeting at the March 2023 meeting of Yearly Meeting's Committee.

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A Nominations Committee is appointed for the duration of Yearly Meeting, to bring forward any nominations that may be required. The following Friends were appointed to serve on this Nominations Committee at the March 2023 meeting of Yearly Meeting's Committee: Gillian Armstrong, Bronwen Haire, Loretta O'Brien

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Yearly Meeting's Committee 2022 report to IYM 2023

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Yearly Meeting's Committee 2022 report to IYM 2023

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Accepted at YMC January 2023

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IYM Website & Social Media Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023

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IYM Website & Social Media Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023

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Brought to Ireland Yearly Meeting 2023

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IYM Website and Social Media report 2023

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Letter of Greeting from Britain Yearly Meeting

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Letter of Greeting from Britain Yearly Meeting

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Office and Yearly Meeting Finance Cttee (OYMFC) 2022-23 Report to IYM 2023.

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Office and Yearly Meeting Finance Cttee (OYMFC) 2022-23 Report to IYM 2023.

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Ireland Yearly Meeting Annual Accounts 31.12.2022

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Ireland Yearly Meeting Annual Accounts 31.12.2022

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Irish Quaker Faith in Action 2022 Report to IYM

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Irish Quaker Faith in Action 2022 Report to IYM

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Accepted by YMC March 2023

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Report on Loyal Address by Privileged Bodies at Buckingham Palace, March 2023

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Report on Loyal Address by Privileged Bodies at Buckingham Palace, March 2023

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Report by Pleasaunce Perry.

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Report on recent Loyal Address by Privileged Bodies

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Summary of Epistles March 2022-March 2023

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Summary of Epistles March 2022-March 2023

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Compiled by Leinster QM Friends.

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Accepted by YMC March 2023

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2022 IYM Historical Committee Library Accounts

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EcoQuakers Ireland Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023

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EcoQuakers Ireland Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC March 2023

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EcoQuakers Ireland Committee – Report to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC March 2023

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Quaker House Dublin Mgmt Cttee report to IYM 2023

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Quaker House Dublin Mgmt Cttee report to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC January 2023

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Quaker Hse Dub Mgmt Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023 

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IYM Education Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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IYM Education Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC January 2023

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IYM Education Cttee 2022 Report to IYM 2023

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IYM Historical Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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IYM Historical Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC January 2023

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IYM Historical Committee 2022 Report to IYM

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Accepted by YMC January 2023

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Overseas Conference Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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Overseas Conference Cttee Report 2022 to IYM 2023

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Accepted by YMC January 2023

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German Yearly Meeting Report October 2022

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German Yearly Meeting Report October 2022

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Shared at YMC January 2023

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Young Friends Holiday School attendance report

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Young Friends Holiday School attendance report

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Shared with YMC January 2023

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Shared at YMC Oct 2022

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Brigid Quinn’s Trip to Borgo Basino Rpt OCC

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Anyone interested in attending the Life Reflections Special Interest Group online on Monday 10th April 2023 should download the Life Reflections document below

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Anyone interested in attending the Life Reflections Special Interest Group online on Monday 10th April 2023 should download the Life Reflections document below

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Irish Quaker Faith in Action (IQFA) website:

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Irish Quaker Faith in Action (IQFA) website:

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is a committee appointed by Ireland Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland, to further the charitable concerns of Quakers whether at home or abroad.

Most projects we fund are known personally to Irish Quakers or have a long-standing relationship with IQFA. We tend to help small developmental charities where we feel we can have an immediate and long-lasting effect. We also sometimes give funds to specific larger charities that are able to fund large-scale projects.

IQFA is an endeavour we can all feel good about. Our collective donations make a great difference to the lives of many who might have been missed by larger charities. Our committee works hard to ensure that the stewardship and guidance the IQFA committee provides, means that all funds donated are used in an efficient manner.

"We can never do enough, but we should do something".

Please share this site and encourage your friends to help IQFA

Please help, give a little, it will help a lot.

We are also encouraging Meetings to help with the ongoing task of fundraising. Please consider holding a collection or fundraising event to support IQFA! We hope individual Meetings will tell us of their local events and we hope to help to publicise it and report on it. If you hear of a good way to collect money please let us know.

As you are probably aware, all charities are facing challenging times raising funds at the moment, and the need grows everywhere. Many of our traditional methods of gathering funds are unavailable to us because of Covid 19 Social Distancing requirements. We have been unable to use many of our traditional methods of raising funds, such as Christmas Fairs, Collections after Meeting for Worship. So we need to be creative and remind ourselves how well off we are and how much of an impact we can make on those less advantaged than ourselves.

Contact

IQFA.net website - iqfawebmaster@gmail.com
Irish QuakerFaith in Action,
Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20019822
Care of
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
Quaker House, Stocking Lane, Dublin D16 V3F8
Phone - 01 4998003
www.quakers.ie

Email the convenor: - iqfacon@gmail.com

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is a committee appointed by Ireland Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Ireland, to further the charitable concerns of Quakers whether at home or abroad. Most projects we fund are known personally to Irish Quakers or have a long-standing relationship with IQFA.

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Friends meet together in silence believing that the Holy Spirit, however perceived, will lead us to worship. Any person who feels moved to do so may speak at the meeting. We believe that God exists in everyone, so that anyone can experience divine love and guidance.

Quakers have great diversity of belief, and while words can divide us, the shared experience of silent worship, seeking to practice Christ's message of love and compassion unites us. We know ours is not the only path to God, but believe it is the right one for us.

Quakerism is rooted in Christianity. We are formally known as the Religious Society of Friends. Currently, there are just over 1,500 members in Ireland.

The centre of Quaker spiritual life is the Sunday Meeting for Worship . Click on one of the 28 Meetings throughout Ireland for details of the nearest one to you. The best way of finding out about Quakers is to go to a Meeting for Worship. You may be sure of a warm welcome.
Since their foundation in the 17th century, Quakers have been encouraged to walk cheerfully over the world, answering to that of God in everyone.

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Friends meet together in silence believing that the Holy Spirit, however perceived, will lead us to worship. Any person who feels moved to do so may speak at the meeting. We believe that God exists in everyone, so that anyone can experience divine love and guidance.

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#IYM2023
#FaithInAction
#QuakersIreland
#Quakers

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If anything you have experienced during IYM has distressed or concerned you, you can speak with one of the Friends who have been appointed as Elders for the duration  of IYM 2023: Will Haire, David Kingston, Marjorie Lamb, Baibre NicAongusa. They can be identified from the "E" on their badges.

An alternative is to call or text David Kingston at 087 221 4438; David will then help you get in touch with one of the Elders.