Author: Mark Russ

Reflections on the 2014 Swarthmore Lecture. Part 1 – Seeking clarity on being Quaker

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Last August, whilst travelling among Friends in the US, I listened online to Ben Pink Dandelion’s Swarthmore Lecture, delivered to a crowd of Quakers at (British) Yearly Meeting Gathering. As with the previous year’s lecture by Gerald Hewitson, I felt strongly affirmed in my individual Quaker identity, and challenged in my commitment to Quakerism as… Continue reading Reflections on the 2014 Swarthmore Lecture. Part 1 – Seeking clarity on being Quaker

Arriving at Othona, Bradwell

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In the north-eastern corner of the Dengie peninsula, bordered by the Blackwater and Crouch estuaries in the county of Essex, is the village of Bradwell-on-Sea. Go a little further east from the village and you will reach Othona. This is where I’m living and working for the next seven months, the final stop of our… Continue reading Arriving at Othona, Bradwell

Guest blogger: Adrian answers a practical question

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Happy New Year blog-readers! After the busy mania of the festive season, and a wonderful holiday on the Norfolk coast (with no internet), our purposeful adventure continues. We've arrived safe and sound in Essex, and we're into our first week on the core team at Othona, Bradwell-on-sea. There's a lot to do. Once we've found… Continue reading Guest blogger: Adrian answers a practical question

A Meeting for Worship for Renewal

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This Saturday (or 7th day) past, six of us met at the Priory Rooms in central Birmingham to have a ‘Meeting for Worship for Renewal’. This occasion sprang from the Quaker Renewal UK Facebook group set up to discuss issues raised by Ben Pink Dandelion’s recent Swarthmore lecture. Prompted by my assertion that renewal must… Continue reading A Meeting for Worship for Renewal

The importance of support

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What has become clear to us through our visits to intentional communities, is that pastoral support, both individual and cooperate, is vital. Visits to personal spiritual directors and counsellors are common, and sometimes a requirement of community membership. Regular scheduled ‘check-in’ sessions, where people can share their struggles and triumphs, is a healthy rhythm to… Continue reading The importance of support

An update on our Purposeful Adventure

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We’ve been in Birmingham for a month now and it’s definitely winter. After three weeks at Carrs Lane Lived Community, we decided to leave. This was entirely our decision. We are grateful to Steph, Matt, Melissa and Sister Mary Joseph who were incredibly generous in their hospitality, welcoming us into their home, sharing of meals… Continue reading An update on our Purposeful Adventure

Arriving at Carrs Lane Lived Community

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Amidst the hustle of Birmingham city centre, there is an unusual experiment in community occurring. Carrs Lane Lived Community (CLLC) began in the summer of 2013, when married couple Stephanie and Matthew where invited to start an intentional community in an apartment at the Church at Carrs Lane. This year, they gained a new member… Continue reading Arriving at Carrs Lane Lived Community

Friends of Jesus Fellowship and Quaker Renewal UK

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The Spirit moved in mysterious ways and sent us on a 1,300 mile journey. After much indecision about whether we should go to the Friends of Jesus Fellowship (FoJF) Fall gathering in Ohio, we decided it was too far, too expensive, and just plain unworkable. Resigned to a quiet weekend on the land, we got… Continue reading Friends of Jesus Fellowship and Quaker Renewal UK