Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 28th September 2025

Dear Friends,

A Kaleidoscope of Love

Our experiences and understanding of love may vary quite widely, and I would like to share with Friends something of my understanding. I used to think it was all to do with feelings, and then someone coined the phrase ‘I can’t like him (or her) but I can love him’. It sounded rather virtuous, almost too good to be true, but it meant that my personal understanding grew a bit wider than before and it seemed a good step towards co-operation and peacefulness at least in day-to-day living.

A little before I came to Quakers and quite a lot since, I have been thinking about Paul the Apostle’s ‘harvest of the Spirit’ which he mentions in Galatians 5 v 22. These are listed as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control. All these, and a few others like courage and hope, seem to broaden the whole concept. The ‘harvest’ itself feels rather like the many colours in a great kaleidoscope of love.

All through my life I have been on the receiving end of these gifts, and I imagine most Friends would say the same. Some have come to me at a cost to the giver, but have provided me with important experiential learning. I am grateful for all of this and should be adding gratitude to the kaleidescope.

Caroline Pybus

Quakers value diversity. We share this Friend’s message in the hope it will speak to others.

Pastoral Care and Eldership Team: Patricia Cockrell, David Hitchin, Sharon Krummel, Tim Pitt-Payne, Theresa Samms, Emily Slater.