Occasionally Warwick Quakers contribute to the 'I Believe' column in the Leamington Courier. Examples of our contributions are below.
I Believe July 2025
In ministry this morning about the situation in Gaza, we were reminded of one of the 'Advices and Queries' which sit at the core of Quaker belief. It begins:
'Do you respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern?'
It's a wonderful safeguard against spiritual dogmatism but it can also tempt us to imagine, when faced with appalling behaviour by our fellow humans, that what we have to do is dig deep to find the 'nice' Godly bit - surely it must be there somewhere?
If there is a God at all, however, it is a God who is responsible for a creation which includes violence, suffering and the utterly disgusting. Including people - whom we are called to love. Not just the 'nice' Godly bit, but the whole package.
In the Christian story, this is also a God who becomes human and, in the face of the most disgusting violence and suffering that humans can inflict, refuses to retaliate. Peter is not allowed to sever a soldier's ear. Jesus doesn't argue with Pilate. Whatever we believe about an actual physical resurrection, this is a story of non-violence and hope. The Creator God allows their created beings to do their worst with their created potential (not only torture by enemies but betrayal and desertion by friends). 'I love you anyway,' is the message of this God. 'I could blast you all to smithereens but instead I'm roasting you some fish for breakfast.' (John 21:7)
It's tough to accept a God, a creation and a humanity which, in their very nature, include aspects that make us recoil - even from ourselves. It's even tougher to respond with respect and love, rather than retaliation. But that is our calling and our challenge. Always.
Meg Harper
Warwick Quakers
I Believe July 2026
In February a demonstration by the far right was planned in the town and Warwick Quaker Meeting, to which I belong, was asked to take part in a counter demonstration, so we decided to hold a silent vigil with the other groups opposing the far right.
It was a good decision to remain quiet as some of the anti fascist chants were not something we would join in with. “Refugees are welcome here” was fair enough, although I’m sure most refugees would prefer to stay in their own countries if war, violence and poverty had not made life there impossible.
Although we may disagree with the views of the far right, I think it is important to understand where they come from. In our country where young people can find it difficult to get work and owning their own home is a remote possibility, where prices are rising fast, communities are dissipated and many men feel their status is threatened, it is easy to look for something to blame, and encouraged by social media, that thing has become immigration.
George Fox, one of the founders of Quakerism, tells us to “walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one”. It is difficult, both to be cheerful in the face of so much war, pain and insecurity in the world, and to see that of God, (or goodness) in some of its leaders. But the alternative is despair, and that is no good to anyone.
There is no easy answer but to each try to leave the world in a better place because of our existence, to support each other and live with hope and kindness.
Let us try our best to do so.