Tuesday

Morning Session- I learn so much in these Meetings, looking at the way Clerks Clerk in particular. So I try to 'listen' to the Meeting as if I was Clerk, maybe that is what we should all be doing all the time: but discernment is hard work. Was it me or did I hear the Gathered Meeting clearly say 'We are concerned te Yearly Meeting in general, and this session in particular, is missing the Central issues we need to address which are 'Concern for the environment and the recession.' Mention was made that this is likely to come up later (i.e. Friday as led I presume). 'How fares the Truth' it fareth poorly hid behind great busyness' ? Maybe that is unkind but it is how I thought the Meeting was minded.

Environment and recession-

We have not really looked at the link between these two. The hard fact is that we need to recede-it seems that there is great concern that our economy is shrinking. But this is one of the ways in which we can achieve a lower carbon footprint. Are we then addressing actively the management of contraction. If we no longer have so much work what do we do with the time. It is my contention that Ffriends have much to offer here. The answer lies in Simplicity and the fact that less is more. Simplicity is fun, or at least it can be. Id we approach lower wages and lower employment with a creative and open mind this raising of quality of life whilst having a drop in our 'standard of living' is achievable and we know how to do this: it is something we are good at. Equality- more than ever we need equity, contraction in the economy creates 'winners and losers': how do we address this balance. Simplicity is more fun when others are playing the same game.

Well time is up and I must get ready for a walk come rain or shine Wednesday is upon us.