Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 6th August 2023

Dear Friends,

A few of us from Lewes Meeting joined others in Herstmonceux last Sunday to hear from Alec Davison and Tony Biggin in words and music about some of the major achievements of the creative Quaker arts group, The Leaveners, in which they had been central from 1973 onwards. Their collaboration had created many songs and musical dramas as well as filling the Festival Hall for ‘The Gates of Greenham’ in 1985. They were strong advocates of the arts being a proper part of Quaker spiritual explorations. I have great memories of helping organise their 1973 event, a creative weekend for Young Friends in Woodbrooke, and so was very glad to be at Herstmonceux.

Alec Davison writes lyrics using words that I find often evocative and providing fresh insights. “Truth’s a seed” uses two words that were central to the beliefs of early Friends. Their conviction that they could sense God’s presence directly in the simplicity of a meeting for worship, given to them undeservedly and leading to knowing what was required of them in their lives, was the Truth. “Seed” implied something with potential; it could grow, flourish and show in their lives. They were involved in a Divine process. Alec picks up these thoughts in this lyric:

Truth’s a seed but not a pearl
Truth is a way, not a destination;
Longs to be free, to grow, unfurl,
Breaking from creed to new creation.
Truth is a seed – Speaks to our need.

Truth’s in leaven not in laws,
Truth is the change to new perceiving –
Journey through seven secret doors,
Found in the strange and pain of grieving,
Truth is a seed – Speaks to our need.

Truth’s awakening from sleep,
Freed from the fact of seeing blindness;
Truth’s when we take the hidden leap,
Found in the act of love and kindness.
Truth is a seed – Speaks to our need.
 
Chris

On behalf of the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (David Hitchin, Chris Lawson, Tim Pitt-Payne, Caroline Pybus, Theresa Samms and Nancy Wall)