QUAKER UNIVERSALIST GROUP NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2026
Dear QUG supporter
Spring Conference – 2027 – April 16th to 18th
High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
Meditation
We are still in the planning stage of this conference, but we know that it will centre on the theme of meditation. Aspects of this topic which are likely to be included are: what role meditation plays in the religions of the world; how it all relates to prayer and the silence of a Quaker meeting for worship; and how meditation helps us to live well in the world today.
We hope to have application forms ready by some time in November and they will be available through this newsletter and our website. The conference will be blended, to cater for both online and in person participants.
So please hold the dates in your diaries and apply when the forms are available.
Our Wednesday evening meetings for worship and sharing
Thank you to all those who come online to our Wednesday evening meetings which take place at 7.00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. We are delighted that we now have participation from many different places in the world.
The speakers booked for the rest of the year are:
- October 21st – Caroline Series from Quaker Concern Over Population (QCOP)
- November 18th – Stuart Masters, who was the Swarthmore Lecturer at Britain Yearly Meeting in May this year
- December 16th – Neil Morgan, who will talk on Transcendence
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
Universalist
If you are a member of QUG you should be receiving the Autumn 2026 edition of our journal, Universalist, shortly.
We welcome articles for the Spring 2026 edition. Main articles should usually be between 1000-3500 words. We also welcome reviews, normally about 300-500 words, of books, films, plays, etc. Please try to get articles to us by the end of November.
There are guidelines on writing articles for us on our website at https://qug.org.uk/publications/qug-journal/
The main criterion for articles and reviews is that they should be of a universalist nature – for more information on this please see our website at https://qug.org.uk/qug-aims/
We are also looking for more help in editing articles for our publications: if you are interested in helping us, and maybe joining our publications committee, please write to contact@qug.org.uk.
Membership of the Quaker Universalist Group
If you are not yet a member of QUG, do think of joining us. You will be supporting our work and you will receive our three publications during the year: the autumn and spring journals, and the pamphlet produced after the annual conference (whether you attend the conference or not).
The annual rates for paper copies are £18 and for e-copies £12. If you have any questions please contact Glen Gates at 5 School Street, Church Lawford, Rugby CV23 9EE or by sending an email to gleng@qug.org.uk
New members
New members can request a membership form and a bank mandate form from Glen Gates (address as above). The forms are also available online at https://qug.org.uk/membership/
Renewal of membership
You will need to pay your annual subscription on the anniversary of when you joined.
Members who do not pay by standing order should renew their membership by bank transfer – see our website at https://qug.org.uk/qug-bank-details/ . Or you can send a cheque, payable to The Quaker Universalist Group, to: Geoff Gates, 5 School Street, Church Lawford, Rugby CV23 9EE.
Artificial Intelligence
Recently we published an article on AI. See Universalist October 2024 – John Tissandier: AI – A Universalist Perspective.
One of our supporters, Bernie Jordan, coordinates a Quaker Talks and Thoughts group about AI. Bernie has also written a novel about it. If you would like to join with Bernie in pursuing this topic further please contact her at bernadette.jordan@outlook.com.
The Many Adventures of Benjamin Lay
We have been contacted by Jackie and Tim Yates who have recently written and published a book about Benjamin Lay, and we thought our readers might be interested in it. They write:
‘The Many Adventures of Benjamin Lay … tells the story of the real-life shepherd, craftsman, bookseller, sailor and Quaker human rights advocate who lived in the 1700s. Despite reaching the height of about 4 feet as an adult, Benjamin was able to overcome his physical difference and went on to help challenge the conventional thinking that accepted slavery. Benjamin confronted the slave trade using innovative and bold, but nonviolent action.
This historical novel introduces the trailblazing Quaker in a way that is both thoughtful and exciting. The book can be ordered from most online bookstores. Spread the word about Benjamin’s inspiring quest to help create a more just and compassionate world for all.’
The Hardest Bridge
One of our regulars at our Wednesday evening meetings for worship and sharing is Howard Grace from Newbury Meeting. He is a film producer and his latest is the award-winning film ‘The Hardest Bridge’.
He has written to us recently, as follows:
‘Following a good number of pre-release events, including internationally, we are now in a position to officially release the film. This will happen by zoom on Sunday, 11th October at 12.00pm UTC (1.00pm BST). This is on the eve of the anniversary of the Brighton bombing, and is timed so that people in the maximum number of areas of the world are able to join in.’
The film is directed and produced by Imad Karam. Howard is Executive Producer. The poster for the film includes the following:
‘The Hardest Bridge … A new documentary film which resonates with hope that when we stop dehumanising “the other” in our conflicts peace can prevail. Can the wounds of war heal? Can enemies reconcile?
In this film we hear the insights of two remarkable individuals: Jo Berry and Pat Magee. As a fighter with the IRA, Pat Magee planted a bomb in the Grand Hotel, Brighton, which killed, among others, Sir Anthony Berry, MP, father of Jo Berry. Magee was later imprisoned but released under the Good Friday Agreement. Jo went to meet him. Ever since they have been on a transformative journey which is relevant to conflicts in our world today.’
There will be an introduction by Assaad Chaftari, President of Initiatives of Change International, followed by the film screening and discussion with Jo Berry and Pat Magee, together with Imad Karam and Howard Grace.
The Zoom link is <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85495451590>
The meeting ID is 854 9545 1590.
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