THE GIFTS AND CHALLENGES OF SPIRITUAL DIVERSITY "THE WHOLE BANANA"

MANCHESTER & WARRINGTON AREA MEETING WOODBROOKE ON THE ROAD TRAINING DAY

(arranged by Area Meeting Elders)

THE GIFTS AND CHALLENGES OF SPIRITUAL DIVERSITY  "THE WHOLE BANANA"

A one day workshop will be held on Saturday, 14th November, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Mount Street Meeting House.

The workshop will be run by Timothy Peat Ashworth and Alex Wildwood . Timothy is the Biblical Studies Tutor at Woodbrooke and Alex Wildwood gave the 1999 Swarthmore Lecture.    The purpose of the day will be to encourage an honest, open dialogue between the diverse faith positions which Quakers hold today.

'We now count amongst our number self-proclaimed Buddhist Quakers, Jewish Quakers, non-theist Quakers, pagan Quakers and even humanist Quakers.    We no longer share a common religious language, nor can we assume a shared familiarity with scripture.  Two responses to our diversity are common - either it's seen as problematic (a symptom of our loss of a cohesive, overtly Christian identity) or it's seen as one of our greatest strengths, a sign of our openness and inclusivity.  There is a polarisation between those who fear the Society is losing its Christian soul and those who are 'glad to have left all that Christian stuff behind'.

The image of the whole banana came about through an attempt to visually portray Pluralist Quakerism today, Christian tradition and contemporary spirituality bridged and held together by the Quaker way, which spans these diverse world views.

....faithfulness requires us to live the creative tension of honouring the whole spectrum of the diversity into which we seem to have been led.  As we do this vital work together we will discover true 'unity in diversity', and may well find spiritual renewal and perhaps discover fresh resources for our witness in a conflict-ridden, plural world'     (Alex Wildwood)

The tutors wish to make a prompt start at 10 a.m., so anyone wishing to have a coffee before we begin should aim to arrive by 9.30 a.m.       Tea and coffee will be available, but participants are asked to bring their own lunch.

This day has been arranged by AM Elders and it is hoped that many Friends and Attenders will wish to attend.    Although no limit has been put on the number of people who can attend, we need some idea of how many intend to come in order to make final arrangements.

Please let us know as soon as you can.   

THE DATE FOR YOUR DIARY IS 14th NOVEMBER!!