Maidstone Quakers

Quakers at the Abbey

Mind the Light

Kent Quakers have been holding an annual Retreat at Minster Abbey for the past fourteen years. I have attended most of them but had to miss last year because of a knee operation. So it was with great pleasure that I drove up to this beautiful holy place on the last weekend in March. There were 12 Friends present, many of them old friends whom it was lovely to see once more. We were welcomed by Sister Benedict who delighted us all with a grace about proud people which was very funny, the food was superb. I would give it a Vegetarian Gourmet five-star rating !! Everything grown and fleshly-picked from the Abbey garden.

Michael Staynes organised the weekend with his usual efficiency. John Spencer led the retreat on the theme of understanding the power of early Quakers in today’s world. He used the practices developed by Rex Ambler to help us all into quietness, stillness and an awareness of the light within. Early Friends in their long Meetings for Worship took this concentration to a degree that they shook and quivered with the strength and power of the light. Hence the name “Quakers”. Friends today are more comfortable with a deepening awareness of the light as epitomising that of God within themselves. I found the periods of long, deep silence very calming and reassuring. I did not go to sleep but I was very tired after each meeting. It’s so peaceful that I slept each night and woke refreshed.

On Sunday we were asked by the Nuns to join them and their congregation in their Palm Sunday walk around the Abbey grounds. This was most enjoyable, the sun shone, the birds sang and the Spring flowers were out. Every day the sisters sing the offices of the church and we are welcome to attend. I like Compline in their beautiful chapel. The lovely old words are sung clearly but softly by the nuns accompanied by a zither. I can strongly recommend this annual retreat to Kent Friends. It is a happy, refreshing experience and a chance to meet new Friends. We are deeply indebted to the Sisters of the Benedictine Order for opening their home to us and to our Friends Michael Staynes and John Spencer for arranging this event.

Pam Page