ARTICLE FOR MONKSTOWN VOICE FROM MONKSTOWN QUAKER MEETING – June 2022

One Quakers Take on Courage 

There’s a well-known story in Matthews Gospel about how frightened the disciples became when they saw Jesus walk across the sea. We’re told that Jesus spoke to them, telling them not to be afraid. At this point I like to imagine that Peter’s curiosity got a hold of him because then we’re told that he called out to Jesus: 

Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (KJB: Matthew 14, 28)

Jesus responded by inviting Peter to get out of the boat but as he did so the wind blew up and he began to sink. It’s no wonder that he became frightened once more and begged Jesus to save him:

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (KJB: Matthew 14, 31)

I have to admit I have some sympathy with Peter. It’s never easy to be the one that breaks from the crowd. It takes courage. It’s my belief that being courageous is accepting an invitation to be vulnerable, following a passion not knowing where it might lead and persisting despite one’s doubts.

When I went to my first Quaker Meeting in Monkstown over twenty years ago, I was driven by curiosity, not courage. It was easy to cross the threshold of the Meeting House that first day. Everyone I met there was so welcoming. You could say that I was happy to dip my toe in the water. 

Over the past two decades I’ve had plenty of doubts about that decision to rejoin a religious community, particularly in a world that has become increasingly unequal, violent and secular. And yet, had it not been for our Meeting for Worship in Monkstown I think I would have long since succumbed to my doubts and sunk beneath the waves. 

At Meeting for Worship, I can feel vulnerable and know I won’t be judged, I can seek compassion for others and know I will be listened to and I can be full of doubts and not feel that I’ve to get back into the boat.  

Adam Grennan

ARTICLE FOR MONKSTOWN VOICE FROM MONKSTOWN QUAKER MEETING – MAY 2022

SIMPLICTY – Live simply that others may simply live.

Quakers do not have a dogma or creed but we do have testimonies.  A testimony is an outward expression of an inward leading of the spirit, a guide to try and live by.  Our most well known testimony is the Peace Testimony however there are other testimonies that are also very important to us.  One of these being SIMPLICITY.

SIMPLICITY:  Extract from the Friendly Guide to Quakerism

Friends believe that simplicity should be a way of life.  It allows them to concentrate attention on seeking the Truth and to avoid being distracted by worldly materialism.  They advocate simplicity in language, dress and behaviour.  Early Friends believed that self-indulgence and love of luxury hindered a person’s spiritual life.  They also warned against living beyond your means.  Today Friends would also advocate living a life which respects God’s creation thus having a concern for environmental matters and the responsible use of the world’s resources.  In a society which is becoming increasingly materialistic, Friends are challenged to watch against conformity to commonly accepted worldly standards and to seek to live simply.

Friends try to find ways to meet the challenge of living simply and in moderation. It’s a different experience for all of us as our priorities and concerns may vary greatly. But mostly we have choice when so many do not.  Of course it may not be possible to make the preferred choice because of economics or location.  The simple solution of getting from A to B may be to walk or cycle but the reality is that public transport or personal transport is the only option due to distance or access.  Similarly with buying food and other goods.  The preference may be for locally grown, organic and cruelty free products but these are not always readily available or may be too costly. 

Meeting for Worship is a very simple format as we gather in silence seeking to discover a deeper sense of the Spirit.  Some may be led to speak but whether vocalised or silent the Meeting centres down to a deep unified energy.

Our Quaker Meeting Houses are usually very simple, unadorned buildings.  Monkstown Meeting House is a good example.  A plain building with lovely big windows that allow lots of light in the Meeting Room.  However, it is also graced with a beautiful ceiling.  Headstones in our Burial Grounds conform in size and shape and the wording is standardised.  This is to ensure simplicity and equality.  Flowers are not encouraged on graves.  At Temple Hill Burial Ground in Blackrock trees and flowering shrubs create an oasis of nature in an urban area.

If there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now, let me not deter or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.  Stephen Grellet c 1800

Susanna Murdoch

Peace Gathering

A Silent Peace Gathering takes place on certain Sundays of each month,

in Monkstown Meeting House Pakenham Rd,

from 6pm to 7pm Sunday evenings.

The October Silent Gathering will be on

Sunday 13th, Sunday 20th and Sunday 27th October, 6pm to 7pm.

'All we are saying is give Peace a chance'

All very welcome. Tea/coffee afterwards.

Thank You from the SVP

The Society of St Vincent de Paul recently thanked Monkstown Quakers for our donation of the proceeds from the autumn sale - they wrote:

Dear Sue,
The Saint Patrick's Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul would like to express a very sincere thank you to all the Monkstown Friends for your recent extremely generous donation of €550.
Please pass on our gratitude for such a considerate and tangible demonstration of true Christian charity. Such a gesture is very much appreciated in these trying times.
As we are all aware, life has become a struggle for many, including some who would never have needed help a few years ago.
A lot of our aid includes helping weekly household costs through the distribution of supermarket vouchers. Heating and utility bills are another area where our help has been increasingly needed in recent times.
Education is an area in which the conference is determined to make a difference. School expenses are one of those seasonal and significant expenses which we are able to help with. In recent years, as well as providing grinds we have been able, through financial assistance, to advance the educational prospects of several young people from a less advantaged background.
The above areas represent our "core" areas of financial assistance, but of course other unforeseen needs can streatch the household budget of many at times of illness, bereavement, and unemployment.
In addition to financial help we hope to provide moral support through our house visitations. This can be a great relief to those without any other emotional support. Also, we are in a position to respond promptly to any requests for help.
I hope the above very brief outline sheds some light on our work.
Despite all the financial tribulations facing the country, all of us at the Saint Patrick's Conference are greatly heartened by the great generosity of the people of Monkstown. Once again, many thanks for your very kind and substantial contribution. Please be assured of our efforts to make the best use of your help.
Apologies for the delay in writing. Please pass on to all the Monkstown Friends, our gratitude and very best wishes for a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Yours sincerely,
Treasurer.

Visit the Saint Vincent de Paul website by clicking HERE

Ancient History Group

Who were the God-Fearers in the time of Peter and Paul?

 

(image: Paul Hart at http://www.flickr.com/photos/hartville/28647592/sizes/m/in/photostream/) 

Our next meeting will take place a week from this Wednesday, on 21 September at 7.30pm in Monkstown Meeting House. The topic, is "Who were the God-Fearers in the time of Peter and Paul? " Accordingly, I attach a few primary source excerpts below and also direct you to the following website to read an article about them.
A.T. Kraabel, “The Disappearance of the God-Fearers,” Numen 28 (1981) 113-26 at
http://www.religion.ucsb.edu/faculty/thomas/classes/rgst116c/Kraabel.pdf


Primary Sources:

1. Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, 14.110
But no one need wonder that there was so much wealth in our temple, for all the Jews throughout the habitable world, and fearers of God, even those from Asia and Europe, had been contributing to it for a very long time.

2. NT: Acts
a. 10:1-2 and 21-22:
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. (Cornelius has a vision which commands him to send men to Joppa to fetch Peter) ... And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”

b. 13:16-26:
(Paul has travelled to Antioch at Pisidia (Asia Minor) where he addresses the congregation in a synagogue as follows): “Men of Israel and you that fear god, listen... Of this man’s (David’s) posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised..... Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.”

Meeting for Worship 11.09.11

Today's reading:
11th: James ch 3 v 13-18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

A Few Notes:
Monthly Meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th September in Rathfarnham

Eustace Street Meeting House in Temple Bar will be open to visitors on 23rd September 5.0 – 11.0 pm - with two performances of the play The Chocolate Paradox, as part of Dublin Culture Night.

Our Collection this Month:
Was presented by Hilary, and was in aid of the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund. (Click on link for more details).

This is organised by Zimbabweans and their friends who are currently living  in South Africa. Six or seven times a year they set off with trucks across the border into Zimbabwe to deliver food to about 28 homes and soup kitchens. In doing so they reach about 1650 individuals who would otherwise be at risk of starvation.
The food and goods are bought in South Africa and are also donated by South African companies. All contributions made will be spent directly on food, €10 is the equivalent of about R100 South African Rand and this can provide food and supplies for 3 people for 3 days.

Next week's reading:
Celtic Spirituality

The recent re-awakening of interest in Celtic spirituality (with its appealing inclusive essence), among many Irish Friends and others, links in with the concern for Ireland’s natural heritage. Celtic Ireland had an ancient literature which shows a spiritual respect for creation which Christianity embraced and absorbed.
The universe is the great Sacrament, designed by the Creator to bless and succour human beings. The following extract from “The Deer’s Cry” attributed to St. Patrick, gives a sense of this all-pervading divine presence:


I arise today
Through the strength of heaven
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

Meeting for Worship 4.09.11

Reading: The 8th Query
 Are you concerned with the Preparative, Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings during which the business of our Society is conducted? Are these meetings held in a spirit of worship and dependence upon the guidance of God? Do you take your right share in the service of these meetings, realising they are essential for the support and development of our corporate concerns? Do you carry out discipline, when advisable, in a sensitive and Christian manner?

Notes from today's Preparative meeting:

• Last month's collection for Irish Quaker Faith in Action (IQFA) raised €520. There's a new page over on the Quakers in Ireland site which lists and gives details about the concerns which this group have supported during the last year. Click HERE to take a look.

• Monkstown is taking part in a Tri-Lateral Conversation Group, an initiative launched by canon Patrick Lawrence of Monkstown Church of Ireland. The group encourages dialogue and shared activities between the Catholic, Church of Ireland and Quaker traditions represented in Monkstown. Eleanor, Padraic and Neville are our representatives in this new venture. The group has launched a Wednesday hour of shared silent reflection  - I'll post more details about this when I have them - and are planning an open evening which will be co-hosted between all three locations.
•  On September 25th there will be a hymn celebration in the Church of Ireland, for which Monkstown Meeting have suggested "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind", by the American Quaker and anti-slavery campaigner John Greenleaf-Whittier, (pictured below), which includes the verses:

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

Forgive our foolish ways;

Reclothe us in our rightful mind,

In purer lives Thy service find,

In deeper reverence, praise.

...

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire

Thy coolness and Thy balm;

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,

O still, small voice of calm.

• Our annual after-meeting produce sale is now up and running and will continue throughout September and into early October, (by which time I might have achieved at least one fully ripened tomato). Monies raised will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul - if you are bringing items, please add a price to them as this will be a great  help to Sue and Ray who are organising this.
• Congratulations to Philip Jacob who has celebrated his 80th birthday, a copy of his recently published  memoirs has now been donated to our library.

Next Week's Reading:
11th: James ch 3 v 13-18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.