2024 marks 50 years of Quakers at 16 Colebrook Street, better known as the Winchester Quaker Meeting House.
Celebrations included bite-sized music festival Quaker Jam, a tea-party for friends old and new, and craft workshops inspired by the textile panels of the Loving Earth Project.
There were a lot of parties because there was a lot to celebrate!
Over the past half-century, the Meeting House has provided hundreds of people, at risk of homelessness, with a place to call home.
The large Meeting Room and garden has provided Friends (another word for Quakers) with a place to meet in stillness, listening together and sensing a connection with the divine.
Therapeutic self-help group work and one-to-one counselling has happened at the Meeting House for decades too.
People supporting each other through grief, loss, separation, mental health problems and addiction recovery.
For 50 years, Quakers in Winchester have created a safe space for the local community, or, in the words of one group member, "a home from home".
Looking ahead, Winchester Quakers plan to continue this work, sometimes in partnership with other faith and non-faith groups, and with the support of the local community, living out testimonies of Simplicity, Truth, Equality and Peace.
For more on how Winchester Quakers celebrated 50 years at 16 Colebrook Street, search "Quakers" on the Hampshire Chronicle website.
To learn about job opportunities at the Meeting House, visit winchesterquakers.org.uk/jobs
Peace Poppies
Quakers in Winchester held a vigil at the Buttercross last Saturday, to remember all victims of war. Many wore the white poppy, as a symbol of remembrance.
Local Quaker Irene said: “In the run up to Remembrance Day - and while military conflict rages in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, some Quakers and many others, will be wearing white poppies.
Those who choose to wear the poppy range from people in their nineties who were conscientious objectors, to young people at school. ‘White Poppies are needed now more than ever, as a non-militaristic way to remember,’ said one young Quaker.
Irene added: “We want to help prompt conversations around war, peace, remembrance and hope. The white poppy says “No more wars. No more killing. Let’s work for peace."
White poppies are not a Quaker initiative, and have been produced by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU) since 1935, but most Quakers agree with the pledge:
"War is a crime against humanity. I renounce war, and am therefore determined not to support any kind of war. I am also determined to work for the removal of all causes of war."
Where can I find a white poppy?
The Peace Pledge Union makes and distributes white poppies in the UK.
Peace in this House
Are you a parent needing some peace and quiet on a Sunday morning?
It’s blissful! An hour of sitting in meditative peace with others, while your children enjoy activities with other children.
“Everyone is so friendly and open to talk” – a young participant.
"One of the few places where I feel like I can be myself, because no one judges me and stuff like that, and I have friends there" – a child participant.
Friends Meeting House in central Winchester has a Children’s Room in the delightful garden, where indoor and outdoor activities for all ages take place. Some of the flowering plants and shrubs were planted by the children.
“One of the best projects was nurturing trees from seeds. We arranged to have them planted in places around the city and beyond. Now we can watch them grow” – an adult volunteer.
They are offered choices, and can bring their own ideas. They have fun, and also explore deeper subject matter, such as care for the planet and each other.
“The Children's Meeting covers some very interesting topics - sometimes I choose to join in with their Meeting” – a parent.
For more information, use this link https://winchesterquakers.org.uk/youngquakers/ or email winchesterquakerwarden@gmail.com
or call 01962 864184
Winchester Meeting House - Assistant Warden
The Meeting House is a Grade II listed building with lovely gardens, in central Winchester, with rooms for hire, and it is home to seven tenants, as well as Quaker activities. See: https://winchesterquakers.org.uk
The role involves being a warm and welcoming presence for visitors, also managing room-hire and building maintenance, plus security duties, and some gardening.
30 hours/week, normally to be worked Tue-Sat, including evening work. Remuneration is £13/hour. For an application pack email: winchesterquakerwarden@gmail.com.
Application deadline: 5pm Sat 30 Nov 2024
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