The issue begins with the section Quaker Search For Peace In A Divided World, especially for peace in Gaza which is currently experiencing the horror of imposed starvation.

The first article ‘Bridge of Kindness’, is a vivid account of the Sydney Harbour Bridge March for Palestine on August 3^rd 2025, by two long-time Wahroonga Friends, Rae Litting  and David Swain (previous editor of the AF). Our cover photograph features David on his scooter ‘Neddy’ and Rae holding back the rain which ‘snaked between the umbrellas and emerged in unexpected spurts’. While the conditions were challenging, David and Ray remind us that ‘sometimes, even without much hope, one must act.’  Their article describes the amazingly peaceful atmosphere of the march, despite the rain and the more than 100,000 participants: ‘It was as though we all knew that violence was not getting us anywhere, and it was time to give kindness a try.  A hundred thousand Quakers could not have behaved better!’

This is followed by Moira Darling’s article ‘My Engagement with the Palestinian Rallies’ which describes her growing awareness of what has been taking place in Gaza since October 7^th 2023. She has become deeply knowledgeable of the region and has formed important relationships with other Quakers who have been working in this field for some time. Importantly, Moira recognizes how participation in these events also provides a real opportunity for what she describes as ‘inner work’. It is not just social action that calls her, but also the opportunity to practice those values that she sees as essential for true change: ‘How do I stay grounded and centred when it all feels chaotic around me?’

Kaye Wright’s experience of the Yearly Meeting Peace Vigil shares something of Moira’s inwardness, both ‘Sink Down To The Seed’. This is a beautifully sensitive account of what it was like to be part of the event, and how she was called to act, inwardly as well as outwardly. Kaye reports the surprising response by the police and the variety of reactions, some favourable, others not, by passersby. She has turned this event into one of real significance both for herself and for her readers.

Last in this section is Jessica Morrison’s article ‘Vietnam War Protests and the Friends’ School. Jessica Morrison is the Quaker Peaceworker who last year spent a week in residence at Friends’ School. She tells the story of two heroic students who, during the Vietnam war years dared to challenge the somewhat conservative pro war culture of the school at that time. Both have survived to tell the tale.

By way of contrast, we have set this article next to the Friends’ School current peace statement ‘Building a Culture of Peace’ which is a  strong encouragement for peace both within the school community and against the influence of arms manufacturers in education.

Poetry

Against such descriptions of darkness we have included three poets whose work presents the interplay between light and dark in human experience. All are members of the Australian Quaker (on-line) Poetry Group[2].  Jo Gardiner is a prize-winning published poet whose poem, presented here, was short-listed in the 2024 ACU Poetry Competition. The theme for this competition was Helen Keller’s quote ‘Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.’ The poems by Andrew Brion and Rose Griffith also express the effort to open to a wider sense of our experience through alternating images of darkness and light.

Strong Women

This issue also has segments on women who have the strength and energy to confront and manage huge obstacles. Dorothy Scott shares her experience of Sister Joan Healy, who has dedicated her life to including the excluded, especially children from over 22 countries, including indigenous children.  Joan turns 90 this year.  Her life work is the Testimony of Community made manifest. Again, this is a profound example of sinking ‘Down to the Seed’.

Dorothy’s double review of two books continues this heroic theme, exploring the traumatic experiences of women in Haiti, Guatemala, Washington DC and Afghanistan. The hope that endures in both stories despite suffering, gives these works a quality of spirit that shines through the darkness.

The Inwardness Of Quaker Practice

This issue also has two contributions that reflect on the uniqueness of Quaker practice in the world today. Reg Naulty in his article ‘The Future of Global North Churches’ picks up a theme that was alluded to in Tim Gee’s 2025 Backhouse Lecture: where can we find an inner strength to ail a flagging religious interest in the West? Reg finds that the Quakers provide an important, active alternative to religions that have lost connection with the deeper elements of religious experience. Most importantly he describes how we need to turn inward to reach ‘a state of harmony and peace’. This is the prelude to ‘the gifts of the spirit’ that can create openness, joy and a ‘new vision of reality’. Reg here celebrates the mystical side of Quakerism which can provide ‘a way forward for Religion in the West’.

Wilma Davidson’s book review of Speaking In Quaker Meeting For Worship: What, When, How, And Why  brings some of the best aspects of current Quaker practice into focus, enhancing our sense of how Quaker meetings can be deepened.

Yearly Meeting

This issue concludes with a wonderful line up of reflections on this year’s Yearly Meeting which was held at Melbourne University. Sue Parritt shares her thoughts on the differences between Online and Face-to-Face Experiences. She focuses especially on the optimism of the Backhouse Lecture The seed is in all: A journey through the Quaker world, given by Tim Gee, General Secretary of FWCC. Sue foundthe lecture inspiring, thought-provoking and spiritually energising.

This section also includes a vivid account, by a parent, Doug Amar Amarfio, of the rich time spent at Yearly Meeting with two of his children.

The edition closes with the Quakers Australia Yearly Meeting 2025 Children’s Epistle and Final Epistle. It was wonderful to hear that some of the children had participated in the vigil at the American Consulate for Peace.

There is also a short final article from Quaker Service Australia.

In conclusion I would like to take our readers back to the ‘Bridge of Kindness’ in which Rae Litting and David Swain had such an elevated moment as, in the crowd of thousands, he and his heavy electric horse Neddy were joyfully lifted over the  road barrier by four sturdy police.

Thank you to all the contributors and to The Australian Friend Committee, especially Margaret Clark who has refined the editing of everything in this edition.

Michael Griffith (Editor) Caustfriend@quakersaustralia.info

[1] https://www.fgcquaker.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sink-Down-to-the-Seed-Douglas-Gwyn.pdf

[2] This Group is open to all, for details please contact the group secretary Rose Griffith at rosegriffith@bigpond.com.