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How are Quakers structured in Wales?
Quakers in Wales meet in local groups at a
local level, in the same way that Quakers in Britain meet in local
groups. Representatives from those meetings come together (less
frequently) and meet as Area Meetings. There are currently three
Area Meetings within Wales and a fourth which covers the borders or
'Marches'. Meeting of Friends in Wales is an umbrella body which is
there to serve those Area
Meetings and
Local Meetings.
The remit of Meeting of Friends in Wales given in
Quaker faith
and practice: |
Meeting of Friends in Wales has national responsibilities
on behalf of Britain Yearly Meeting, to represent and advance the life and
witness of Quakers within Wales. The meeting consists of all Friends who
live in Wales or who are members in local meetings within Wales. Provision
is made for members of other meetings and attenders to be present at
meetings as in
4.08. The
responsibilities of Meeting of Friends in Wales include:
a. promoting spiritual life and witness, facilitating
contact between Friends of all ages, and providing opportunities for
training and mutual support for those with special responsibilities, in
conjunction with associated area meetings and Quaker bodies;
b. representing Britain Yearly Meeting in Wales,
including: the appointment of Friends to serve on Cytûn (Churches Together
in Wales) and its committees (see
9.09-9.12),
communication with the National Assembly for Wales, and with other public
and voluntary organisations in Wales, especially those concerned with social
witness, peace and interfaith;
c. encouraging communication from associated area
meetings on matters which in their judgement merit interchange of views (see
4.18) including
testimonies to the life and service of deceased Friends, discerning whether
the latter be forwarded to Yearly Meeting for the benefit of the Society as
a whole (see 4.27-4.30);
d. responding to issues which relate to living in a
bilingual society, including outreach in Wales and commissioning,
translating and publishing Quaker material in the Welsh language;
e. representing Wales to Britain Yearly Meeting, liaising
with yearly meeting committees and departments where appropriate.
The Meeting of Friends in Wales will provide information
and nominations or appointed representatives to Quaker and other bodies when
required. The meeting may communicate by minute with Yearly Meeting through
its agenda committee (6.18)
and Meeting for Sufferings (7.04),
as well as with area meetings which include parts of Wales. It also has the
obligation to receive minutes from these bodies.
This
information can also be found on the Quakers in Britain website
MFW Appointments to posts
2010
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