Quakers in Central England marked Quaker Week with a series of climate vigils.
A regular silent vigil is held by Quakers every Wednesday 1.30 – 1.45pm outside St Phillips Cathedral (aka Pidgeon Park), central Birmingham. It is timed so that you can join the midweek Meeting for Worship at Bull St beforehand (12:45 – 1:15pm). Friends from across the area meeting are invited to join.
In addition to this, vigils were held each weekday afternoon of Quaker Week Mon 25 Sep to Fri 29 Sep outside Bournville Meeting House. There was interest from passers-by, and on Friday visitors on a Bournville Village Trust guided tour joined us.
The week culminated with World Quaker Day on Sunday 1st October when Friends from Selly Oak, Cotteridge and Bull St joined Bournville. Over 20 Quakers joined the vigil on Bournville Green, which incorporated a short period of silent worship, whilst holding banners which gained some interest from people nearby. A leaflet was distributed to members of the public who took an interest.
The vigils were just some of many held across the country. The theme of this year’s Quaker week is “Simple. Radical. Spiritual.” and these vigils illustrate how Quakers’ simple spirituality helps us work for radical change. On World Quaker Day, the links between different Quaker communities help us to recognise our interdependence and take action together, from peacebuilding in East Africa to work in the UK on climate justice.
Read more about World Quaker Day, and this year’s theme: “Living the spirit of ubuntu: responding with hope to God’s call to cherish creation and one-another.”
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