Welcome to London Quakers

Together for Humanity is building a movement to stand against rising antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine.   The website reads:-

As a coalition of charities, community organisations and faith groups, we’ve come together to give a voice to the majority of the public who stand against hate. 

We’re here to create a space for people to grieve for all civilians killed in this war — Israeli or Palestinian — and to share a vision of hope that people of different backgrounds and faiths can live in peace alongside each other, here in the UK and around the world.
 
Together with Humanity is running a vigial opposite Downing Street on Sunday 3rd December at 1500. No flags, no placards, no hatred.

https://togetherforhumanity.co.uk/
 
 
 
 
TOGETHERFORHUMANITY.CO.UK
Together for Humanity – Envisioning a future for all
We’re hosting a major event in central London on December 3rd. Save the date and sign up to our mailing list below for updates.
 
 
 
 

We've taken the plunge!

The seven Area Meetings of London have responded to an Invitation to Commit to forming a single Area Meeting for London. All the AMs are ready to move towards creating a single AM for London, though they have varying senses of how fast this should happen. All seven are also willing to proceed towards creating a single charity, with a single trustee body, bringing together the AMs, with most also wanting to include London Quakers Property Trust and London Quakers. It is clear that there is much worship, threshing and discernment still to be done among all the Friends of London as we develop this proposal further.

The Steering Group met on 12th October to consider the responses and discuss next steps.  The PLG page now contains:-

1  The very brief summary of the decision shown above

2  A summary of the decisions by the AMs plus a summary of ‘reservations’ retrieved from the AM minutes

3 A compilation of the minutes from the seven Area Meetings giving responses to the Invitation to Commit

Keep up to date by checking the PLG page regularly.

 

We were reminded recently abot the August 2024 plenary meeting in South Africe of Friends World Committee for Consultation. These FWCC meetings bring together a group of Friends from all corners of the world.  More information at https://fwcc.world/event/world-plenary-meeting-2024/  The theme of the World Plenary Meeting is ‘Living the spirit of Ubuntu: Responding with hope to God’s call to cherish creation – and one another’.

For all you French speaking Londoners, might you be interested in an opening in Paris?

Amis-résidents bénévoles, Centre Quaker International à Paris
A Paris, les Quakers ont vendu leurs anciens locaux dans lesquels il n’y avait pas de possibilité d’hébergement.
Ils sont sur le point d'acheter un nouveau centre avec un logement afin de permettre à une personne seule ou à un couple de vivre sur place.

Les quakers en France sont dispersés à travers tout le pays, y compris à Paris. Une présence quaker est nécessaire dans les nouveaux locaux

If you think this might be for you, follow this locator  http://quakersenfrance.org/cqi

London Friends Together meetings  for worship and serious conversation on Zoom

LFT meetings in 2023 will be on Second Tuesdays and we will announce the speakers in advance. 

Next meeting is on 12th December 2023.  Our speaker will be Beth Allen, Swarthmore Lecturer 2007.  We shall hope to see you about 7 pm ready to join the worship.

Meeting ID 832 5021 1050 Password LQMFW

Zoom link:- http://bit.ly/LFTogether

Meeting open at 1845 for conversation and worship starts at 1900.  

Quakers talking over coffee

Welcome.  Are you a Quaker living in or visiting London?  Or someone who wants to find out more about Quakers, or find a meeting?

We aim to keep Quakers across London in touch with one another, and to give us a voice in addressing the wider world by organising events and helping us keep in touch with one another.

There are about forty Quaker meetings in London, grouped into seven Area Meetings.  Most meet for worship each Sunday, and sometimes at other times too.   Any of them will be glad to see you whenever you come.

Come and join us!  Most of our events are open to all, just turn up.  They are free, although some may have a collection.  But if you cannot afford it, or don’t want to contribute, please don’t.  We’d rather have you than not.  (Courses are the exception – they have a small charge and need to be booked.)

Find your nearest Quaker meeting in London using our map facility.

Visit https://quakermeeting.org for an interactive tool to locate meetings throughout Britain.

Quakers are a free-thinking faith organisation with a long tradition of challenging accepted norms, helping the disadvantaged and working for peace.

​Quakers seek to balance their inner and outer lives. We seek meaning and purpose by sitting in silence and stillness, waiting for promptings to guide our lives. For many, this leads to being actively involved in working to help others and change society for the benefit of all.

Learn more…

If you are already part of the Quaker community and would like to get involved in our initiatives or need help with your outreach, Discovering Quakers opens new insights.you can find out more here.

We aim to have Quaker internet material of interest to children, young people and their parents or carers. Read more…

Upcoming Events

Tue 5 December

Prison Reform: 200 years on from the Gaols Act

18:00-20:00

Venue: Wandsworth Meeting House 59 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PT.

A talk by a leading expert on prisoners’ rights and the Quaker Chaplain to HMP Wandsworth to be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 5th December at Wandsworth Quaker Meeting House, 59 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PT.

Wandsworth Prison was recently in the headlines following the escape of a remand prisoner accused of terror offences. The high-profile manhunt drew attention to conditions experienced by inmates, which were the subject of a recent highly critical report by its Independent Monitoring Board. In addition to highlighting ‘inhumane living conditions’ and an ‘unsafe’ environment, the report pointed to chronic staff shortages and overcrowding.

 In Prison Reform: 200 years on from the Gaols Act we will hear from Liz Bridge, Quaker Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth and founder of the Wandsworth Prison Welfare Trust, and Dr Steve Foster, a human rights specialist from Coventry University.  Liz and Steve will address the dilemmas in recognising and protecting prisoners’ rights and propose practical ways to alleviate the conditions in HMP Wandsworth.

Entry to the event is free and open to all and refreshments will be provided.

Sat 16 December

London Quakers Christmas Social

16:00-18:00

Venue: Westminster Quaker Meeting House Fry Room

Here we are again! with our Christmas Social at Westminster in the Fry Room.  

London Quakers Social with eats and drinks and company and self selected readings – bring your favourite unfamiliar unserious and not too long reading to share with others.  And bring food to share too!

Sat 16 December

London Quakers Christmas Social

16:00-18:00

Venue: Westminster Quaker Meeting House Fry Room

Here we are again! with our Christmas Social at Westminster in the Fry Room.  

London Quakers Social with eats and drinks and company and self selected readings – bring your favourite unfamiliar unserious and not too long reading to share with others.  And bring food to share too!