Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 19th October 2025

Dear Friends,

It is impossible as I settle to contribute to our Weekly Messages to escape thinking about the momentous events taking place in the Middle East. Is peace about to break out? It’s probably too soon to know. Some will argue they have been engaged in a “just war”. Is there such a thing?  Its counterpart might be a “just peace”. Indeed can there be any other kind?

I scoured Qf&P looking for a passage which might speak to all; mindful too of all the terrible unresolved conflicts going on elsewhere.  That’s quite tricky as Friends have such diverse backgrounds, responsibilities, capabilities and personal challenges. So I offer this rather broad statement from London Yearly Meeting in 1986

People matter. In the end human rights are about people being treated and feeling like people who matter. We are reminded graphically of violations of human rights far away and near at hand. In ignorance or knowingly we all violate human rights. We are all involved in the exercise of power and the abuse of power.

The multitude and complexity of the problems of oppression and injustice often seem to overwhelm us. We can do something. Friends are already working in a variety of ways: through international bodies, through voluntary organisations and by personal witness. Those who can give something of their lives to human rights require our support and we can look for opportunities to help those in need around us.

At the international level we affirm our support of Friends World Committee for Consultation and other bodies in ensuring that the standards and ideals of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights are attained, that the world does not slip backwards.

Above all we must take risks for God: look around us to the people who need help; listen to those who experience oppression; engage in the mutual process of liberation.

Quaker Faith and Practice 24.49

Bob Harwood

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.