gathered in stillness

gathered in stillness
Originally uploaded by jez s

As I write, on Monday morning, it is pouring with rain in London. I am quite glad that we held our Quaker meeting outside yesterday and not today!

We had our usual meeting in Westminster on Sunday morning. It was the first meeting that I had participated in for a few weeks, as I had been greeting people at the door a few times recently.

It was still, really still, at least where I was sitting. I sat with my back to the clock and had forgotten to wear my watch, so I had no temptation during the meeting to see how long was left. It seems to help with my concentration, as does focusing on my hands and keeping them open with my palms face up.

There was a long and winding ministry about a man from our meeting who had died recently. He had, apparently, completely accepted his death. Other ministry focused on God's will and the need to live in the present day.

Later, we headed off to Hyde Park, specifically Speakers Corner, where we were planning to hold our first outdoor Quaker meeting. As our Advices & Queries, or 42 suggestions (as described in an article in a national newspaper) say, live adventurously.

It might not seem like much, especially if you've attended silent peace vigils, but taking your faith and way of meeting into the open, offering it up for view and possibly ridicule is a big step.

Someone asked me to lead the Quakers from our meeting near Leicester Square, to the park. I had looked earlier and found that the quickest way was by tube. By the time we got to Leicester Square station, I had already lost two-thirds of my charges. Some were going by bus, others on foot.

It is like shepherding cats, I was told.

On the central line, two Quakers sat on seats which were below an Advices & Queries quote - a simple life chosen is a source of strength, or something.

Eventually we were there, early. One Friend had printed A2 boards which welcome people to a Quaker meeting and use simple language to explain what we were doing. There were also A4 handouts with the same material and invites to our events and Quaker meetings this week.

Other Quakers came from Wandsworth and there were also a couple of other former Quakers. People who were with us on their journey, but went a different way.

And others came from different places, people who have an affinity with Quakers and many who joined in with our Meeting, whether for the whole period or just for a minute or two.

I was on the periphery of this meeting, taking photographs while trying to stay out of the way, but one friend told me that he found it remarkably good, even better than the meeting we had had that morning at Westminster.

I look forward to Thursday night's meeting at Speakers Corner, 6-7pm and pray for no rain!