Quaker Learning and Spiritual Development

As the phosphorescent beauty of the sea is visible only on dark nights, so in the darkness of adversity we can experience most strongly the unceasing and redeeming love of the Spirit.         - Prayer Support Group theme for April 2005

The Quaker Learning and Spiritual Development Committee promotes Quaker learning and spiritual development within the Yearly Meeting.  Its activities include:

  • planning the year’s Settlement seminars (with the Seminar Committee)
  • Assisting Friends with Travelling in the Ministry.
  • Assisting Monthly Meetings with the Spiritual Nurture programme,
  • supporting Yearly Meeting in session,
  • and working with other Yearly Meeting Committees, Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups to facilitate engagement with spiritual nurture and education resources. 

Educational & Spiritual Needs

A key document that informs the work of QLSD is a Report completed in 2013 after consultation with Meetings throughout Aotearoa on spiritual and educational needs.  

The Report identified five key themes: 

  • the importance of connecting and building community
  • Skills and knowledge on how to live the Quaker Way
  • Challenging ourselves, to contribute to positive social change
  • Spiritual deepening through community, our beliefs, Quaker activities, and spiritual practices
  • and making full use of technology and opportunities for online learning. 
     

You can read the report here:

Report on Friend's consultation on our future educational and spiritual needs

Resources:

Quaker Faith and Practice 

Our ANZ Quaker Faith and Practice contains writings from New Zealand Friends. The Quaker Faith and Practice from Britain, covers writings from Quakers since the 1650s. 

 

Woodbrooke (UK) Online Education Courses

Pendle Hill (USA) Online Courses, Lectures, Pamphlets, Books, and Podcasts

Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Courses (Australia)

Backhouse Lectures (Quakers Australia)

Swarthmore Lectures (Woodbrooke, UK)

Friends Journals (various YMs globally)

New and Recent Quaker Book Reviews (QUIP, USA)

Quaker Quicks (Books)

Prayer Support Themes

Selected Prayer Support Themes

Experiment with Light - a simple meditation practice

Experiment with Light is a simple meditation practice in which we develop the capacity to sense what Spirit is wanting to convey to us. This relationship with the ‘Inward Light' is the foundation of the Quaker way.

If you are interested in exploring this you are welcome to join one of our groups:

Alternate Tuesday afternoons
A well established group, open to others to join.
Contact Ann: annbanks@friend.quakers.nz

Alternate Tuesday evenings
A ling standing group, open to others to join.
Contact Val: valbone@friend.quakers.nz 

Monthly on the full moon
A new Light Group meeting in the Quiet Room of the Quaker Settlement.
Contact Ann or Val. Some groups meet by Zoom or are hybrid, so distance is no obstacle to joining in!

Meditations to do on your own

There is a web application for Android or Apple providing guided meditations on either the individual or the world. 
For a free download go to your App store and search for Experiment with Light.

For further information:
Visit www.experiment-with-light.org.uk          
Browse the Experiment with Light Journal (UK) 
Contact Ann Banks at annbanks@friend.quakers.nz

light shining through leaves

Books of interest

Books about the Experiment with Light process are available to buy from Quaker Books Sales:

  • Rex Ambler, Light to live by, 2nd edition 2009
  • John Lampen, Seeing, Hearing, Knowing, 2008
  • Klaus Huber, Mind the Light, 2018
  • Rex Ambler, Truth of the Heart, 2nd edition 2007