Strong Loving Communities

From our experience of working with a range of Quaker communities, we are aware that many meetings struggle to deal with alternative points of view in a positive and loving way. We know too that by building expertise in dealing with these situations, the risk of damaged relationships, conflict and fractured communities can be lessened.

We would like to work with you and with others who have skills and experience in this area to look at what support we might offer Friends. In March, we plan to hold two ‘day conferences’, where we will explore the practical steps we might take to develop deeper relationships and acquire the essential skills that strengthen our communities to become more resilient and to better hold differences without division.

 We're hoping to connect with groups and individuals who may be involved in this work.  Our aim is to build a network of Friends and groups who can respond to and support meetings experiencing conflict and to work with communities to build resilience and understanding to help mitigate the impact conflict so often has.

We are calling the conferences ‘Strong Loving Communities’, and we hope a range of Friends from across the region will join us. We are asking for a contribution of £20 which will also cover lunch and we are expecting Area Meetings to be able to fund this fee and to help with travel expenses if needed:

•  7/3/2026 at Central Bristol Meeting House
• 28/3/2026 at Friargate Meeting House in York

Arrivals on both days from 10am, for prompt start at 10:30am, the day will close by 4:30pm

There will also be an optional pre-conference preparation online meeting to which participants who have booked will be invited: 23/2/2026 7-8:30pm on Zoom