CCQW October 2025: Impressions of a happy meeting

It’s one of my favourite things about zooming with Friends; all their faces lighting up the screen like stars in the sky. On Saturday there were a lot of stars. If you want to know exactly how many, read the minutes Friends, because this isn’t a summary of the meeting, just my impressions.

The fun came first on Saturday, not that I’m saying our busy-ness isn’t fun, would I say that to you Friends? Surely not, but it can get a bit serious at times. First we had a viewing of the video made by young Friends with the help of the money left by Lynne Moseley in her will. I didn’t know Lynne, but I think the result would have pleased her as it pleased and moved us. More details, including a link to the video which is on YouTube and Vimeo, can be found, guess where? The minutes!

I loved the format; a young person having a conversation with an older Friend about their shared ideas of Quakerism and learning from each other. How we all wish we could see more of this in our meetings, a sharing of the wisdom of all ages. It’s hoped that all our Local Meetings can show the video and spread the word about it. There are subtitles on the video which is an excellent addition to enable inclusivity. It’s hoped that a teaching pack can be developed by Friends so that the video can be offered to schools, in particular to Religious Studies teachers. Wouldn’t that be wonderful.

This was followed by an exploration of 2 aspects of the huge topic, The Future of Quakerism in Wales, outreach and support for smaller Meetings. An introduction was given by Carina telling us of the ongoing work by Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales. Read all about it in ... altogether, THE MINUTES! There’s a lot going on. I’m excited by the news that Crynwr Cymru/Quakers in Wales are cooking up more events throughout the year for us to join in; Wales-wide events for language, learning and fun. What an enjoyable way to build our wider community. The first one will be the annual Noson Lawen or evening of entertainment on December 11th so get your party pieces ready now Friends and give us an evening full of joy in the depths of not just bleak mid-winter, but the bleak world-view we’re being given at the moment. Let’s celebrate hope and love and F/friendship on December 11th.

Finally we were all magicked away to breakout rooms to discuss either outreach or support for smaller meetings. I can only say that mine was a lovely group and I always like to connect with Friends old and new. As ever there was much food for thought and ideas flowed. Keep them flowing Friends and send them to Carina or the Clerks of Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales so that they can be added ingredients to the Future of Quakerism in Wales soup.

Notice I haven’t used a single acronym here Friends? No AM, LM, CC/QW etc, etc ad infinitum. Let’s start a new trend and help new Friends understand our mysterious ways. Say the words. That came up in the Meeting too and thank you to the Friends who raised it. There was more Friends, but this report is getting a little longer than intended so, for any thing I’ve missed, you know where to look... The Minutes, coming soon to a computer near you!

Ruth Moore Williams, North Wales Online Local Meeting