This week Delyth Liddell explores the Quaker movement in Wales; their act of worship is spent together mostly in silence – a concept that isn’t necessarily easy to portray on radio. They’re also known as the Society of Friends or Crynwyr in Welsh. We find out more about the Quaker movement and witness at first hand how meeting in silence actually works.
Quakers are a Christian movement but what are their beliefs? This week is the 40th anniversary of the ending of the Falklands War. Conflicts in Iraq and Syria, and so many other places, including most recently, of course, Ukraine, continue to ravage our world. Quakers are known to err on the side of peace, but what about their beliefs in justice? How do Quaker’s respond to matters of war and peace?
During the programme we eavesdrop on a Meeting for Worship with Quakers in Bridgend, and also visit the Dolgellau Quaker Trail to learn about the persecution that took place in Wales in the 17th Century which led to an exodus of Quakers to settle in America. We also hear readings from two Quaker publications which are a guide to daily living.
Our guests: Pete Thompson, Ann Owen, Jane Harries, David Harries, Deana Owen, Christine Trevett, Deborah Rowlands and Catherine James.
Readings taken from two Quaker publications: Advices & Queries / Cynghorion a holiadau and Towards the Source – an anthology of poetry and prose written by Quakers throughout Wales.
For more information about the Quakers in Wales
www.quakers.wales
www.crynwyr.cymru
Quakers in Bridgend
www.bridgendquakers.org.uk
Friends of Monze
www.friendsofmonze.org
The Dolgellau Quaker Trail
https://www.dwsoga.org.uk/en/quaker-walk-around-dolgellau
This programme was first broadcast in June 2022.