Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 14th June 2026

Dear Friends,

Western Christianity has just been celebrating Whitsun/Pentecost, i.e. the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is described in a very lively way in Acts Chapter 2 vv 1-13, and seems to suggest that the Holy Spirit is for all people not exclusively for the followers of Jesus. The Spirit was already believed to exist in the days of the Hebrew Bible too, but seems to ‘come alive in a most dynamic way’ in this New Testament passage.

Quakers follow a religion which is Spirit-led. So hopefully we are all trying to live in a spiritual way, because it isn’t just about whether the Spirit is calling on us to speak at Meeting for Worship on a Sunday, but to live a Spirit-led life for all the other days of the week. I know I’m no great shakes at doing this. It seems to me that it is both easier and more difficult if you live on your own. Easier because I can choose whether and how long to spend on any reading which might enlighten my thinking or prayerfulness. More difficult because there is no one at home except myself to practise on.

Personally, in recent years, I have found that St Paul’s gifts of the Spirit, which he mentions in Galatians Chapter 5 v 22, float around in my mind like much-loved paintings. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, fidelity, and self-control.

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.