QUAKER UNIVERSALIST GROUP NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025
Dear QUG supporter
QUG Annual Conference – Friday 17th April to Sunday 19th April 2026 – Launde Abbey, Launde Road, Launde, Leicestershire,
LE7 9XB and online
SOUND AND SPIRIT – How music and sound connect us to the soul of the universe.
We are delighted that we already have 20 people who have paid their deposit to secure a place in this conference. So, if you are considering coming, do apply before Christmas or early in the New Year.
Launde Abbey is set in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside. It is a peaceful historic building surrounded by gardens and parkland.
Our speakers will share recordings of how sound and music are used in places of worship of different religions, and explore the effect of music in our lives, including listening and playing/singing. We will invite participants to reflect on their own responses to pieces of music.
An application form is at the end of this newsletter or you can go online at https://qug.org.uk/conference-2026-sound-and-spirit/ and open one of the attachments (in Word or PDF). Please fill in the form completely (though some questions are not relevant to those participating by Zoom).
Please either send the form by email (e.g. as an attachment) to contact@qug.org.uk or by post to QUG Conference, 2 Willow Rise, Haddenham, Aylesbury, HP17 8JR.
Some people have come to our conferences with their fees paid, in part or in full, by their area or local meetings. Do ask your Quaker meetings for help if necessary. It is useful to us too if you report back to your meetings: this makes QUG better known to Quakers in general.
We will accept bookings with a deposit of £60 per person. But please note that this is non-returnable and that the full amount must be paid 8 weeks before the conference starts, i.e. full payment by Friday 20th February 2026.
Anyone can come to our conference. You do not have to be a Quaker or a member of QUG to attend.
We also hope to have a good attendance by Zoom: here we ask for £40.00 payment (non-returnable) to secure your place.
Our two main speakers are Christine Richards and Jennifer Kavanagh. Christine will speak on the Saturday morning about How sounds are used in religions across the world. Jennifer will speak on the Sunday under the title of Being the music – sound and silence.
In addition to our two speakers we will have a wide range of practical activities. Participants will talk about how music has affected their lives – both in listening and playing/singing. We will invite participants to reflect on their own responses to particular pieces of music. We will have opportunities to play music, sing and chant together (for example a theory and practice session of Om chanting). As usual, there will be breakout groups, time for worship together, and time to explore the wonderful and peaceful grounds of the Abbey.
Our Wednesday evening meetings for worship and sharing
These are our next two meetings:
December 17th – Daniel Flynn will lead a session entitled What is the Meaning of this time of year for you?
January 21st – David Jenkins will be talking about his spiritual journey.
The meetings start at 7.00 p.m. The Zoom will open at 6.45 p.m. We send out reminders two or three days beforehand to everyone who has registered. If you do not have the joining instructions and would like them please send an email to contact@qug.org.uk
Contacting us, questions and unsubscribing
If you have any questions or wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter please reply directly or send an email to contact@qug.org.uk
CONFERENCE BOOKING FORM FOLLOWS BELOW
QUG Annual Conference Booking Form – 2026
SOUND AND SPIRIT
Friday 17th April at 6.00 pm to Sunday 19th April 2026 at 2.00 pm
Launde Abbey, Launde Road, Launde, Leicestershire, LE7 9XB
Please indicate one participation option below by writing YES against your preference. If residential, you can pay a deposit now to secure your place, or pay in full.
Option 1- Residential: Single bedroom: £310. Deposit £60 (non-returnable)
Option 2- *Residential: Two Peoplesharing a double/twin bedroom: £500. Deposit £120 (non-returnable)
*please provide the second person’s name and special requirements on a second form and submit both forms together.
Option 3- Zoom Participation only: £40 (Please make full payment)
Special Note: If you are unable to attend the conference, having paid, we regret that we will not refund your money. If you have any concerns, e.g. due to health issues, please make your own insurance arrangements.
Attendee Name: ___
Address: ___
Post code: ____
Tel no: ___
E-mail: ___
Do you need an accessible room? YES / NO
Do you require a lift or wheelchair access? YES / NO
Please state any specific dietary requirements (e.g. food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant, or any other dietary requirements):
Please indicate one payment option below by writing YES against your preference:
A) Bank transfer to: TSB. The Quaker Universalist Group. Sort Code: 30-97-35. Account No: 00016421. Please use Reference ‘QUG26-Your Surname‘ (e.g. QUG26-SMITH) to ease payment tracking.
B) PayPal – Please ensure you provide full contact details so collection by PayPal can be arranged with you.
C) Cheque (payable to The Quaker Universalist Group) and post to 2 Willow Rise, Haddenham, Aylesbury, HP17 8JR.
NB. The balance of conference payments must be received by Friday 20th February 2026
Please send this booking form by email to contact@qug.org.uk
or by post to: QUG Conference, 2 Willow Rise, Haddenham, Aylesbury, HP17 8JR
Please Book Early – to secure your place
If you do not receive an acknowledgement within three weeks please contact us