Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 28th March 2026

Dear Friends,

The Religious Society of Friends is organised into local meetings, each of which should be a community. It is our search for God’s way that has drawn us together. In our meeting we can each hope to find love, support, challenge, practical help and a sense of belonging. We should bring ourselves as we are, whatever our age, our strength, our weakness; and be able to share friendship and warmth.

Some of us now live away from our families; some of us move house quite often. Although surrounded by others we may be leading isolated and lonely lives. It is important that our meetings welcome newcomers warmly and that we include them in invitations to our homes.

Quaker Faith & Practice 10.03

On the whole we are aware of the need to welcome newcomers. What is more difficult is supporting Friends who have attended for a long time but who are now absent. As meeting starts we are aware of everyone who is there, but it is harder to  see who is not there. Sometimes but not always we are aware of illness, family problems and other reasons for absence. On other occasions we don’t know why they are not with us. If we know each other well enough we might enquire without being intrusive. While some Friends are appointed to PaCET (the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team) we all have an obligation to care. If it is left to someone else then perhaps no one else will do what is required.

David Hitchin

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.