Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 24th May 2026

Dear Friends,

Most religions have foundation documents, some of them very old.

Hindus have the Rig Veda (1,500 – 1,000 BCE).

Confucians have the Analects (475 – 220 BCE).

Jews have the Torah (450 – 350 BCE).

Buddhists have the Pali (100 BCE).

Christians have the Gospels (60 – 100 CE) and the Apostles’ Creed (300-400 CE).

Muslims have the Koran (C.620 CE).

The Baha’is have the Kitáb-i-Íqán (1861).

All are fixed and unchangeable and have authority.

Quakers in the UK have Quaker Faith and Practice 1(1652 – 2013). This is not a final authority on anything, it is just a book of guidance, exploration and inspiration. Soon it will be replaced. As times change it will evolve to meet the needs of the future. It will not be perfect, but it will be good enough for our time.

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.