Mercurial > hg > rsof
changeset 236:7d141ed96dc6
merge
| author | Henry Thompson <ht@markup.co.uk> |
|---|---|
| date | Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:34:54 +0100 |
| parents | 6b11d3b68b17 (current diff) 5ab34d237fb8 (diff) |
| children | 8edea4807092 6e2c7612f383 48e0875124e5 |
| files | |
| diffstat | 12 files changed, 503 insertions(+), 81 deletions(-) [+] |
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--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/EiCE/2022-09-14_notes.txt Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ +*Location of children at AAM* + Central placement of the table makes a worshipful gathering harder + for the adults + No complaint wrt CC trying this, but now it's been raised, we should + consider it. + Motivation was making it possible for a wheelchair user to get to the + table. + 2) It is Elders' role to care for the holding of MfW, and we should + share our feelings about this and look for an alternative + resolution. + + 2) There's a more general issue here, which is that when things + overlap with our responsibilities, it would be helpful to involve + us in the discussion. + + *Action* Margaret to speak with Madeleine Harding _qua_ Convenor of +Childrens C'tee about the above two points. + +*World Quaker Day* + We have some unease about the whole idea. Being up there with World +Lawn Bowls day... + There is in any case an apparent overlap as to days with the + invitation for people to bring a child/newcomer with them. + + We agree not to do anything. + + *Action* Gareth to speak to Marilyn Higgins _qua_ member of the + Clerking Team to convey the above. + +*Secpnd half of the RESTORE programme* + Zoe has offered to do this on request. + + *Action* HST to ask Zoe to suggest a date, early November, same timing + as last time, i.e. after lunch. + +*State of Meeting* + David shared incidents lately when reading from the Bible resulted in + pushback. There's an asymmetry of tolerance: tolerance for + disinterest in or even dislike for traditional Christian + language/belief is required of us, but intolerance of these is common. + + How do we foreground that we are the _religious_ Society of Friends + in a way that is encouraging of respect, without feeling like being + accusing or sounding like special pleading... + + Individually we are feeling a bit lost spiritually ourselves, and a + lack of spiritual witness in the Meeting. + + There's also a lack of channels for service, to the community and to + the Meeting. + + Possible things to do: Someone from Woodbrooke, getting house groups + going.
--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/MHMC/access.html Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,159 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?> +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//HST//DTD XHTML5 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.ltg.ed.ac.uk/~ht/xhtml5.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta name="copyright" content="Copyright © 2023 <a href="http://www.ltg.ed.ac.uk/~ht/">Henry S. Thompson</a>&#160;<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC-BY-SA</a>"/><meta http-equiv="Content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/><style type="text/css"> + ul.nolabel { margin: 0; margin-left: -2.5em} + ul.naked.nolabel {margin: 0; margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0} + ul.naked {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0} + ul.cdefn {clear: both} + div.ndli { margin-bottom: 1ex } + div.hidden {display: none} + + p {margin: 1ex} + ul.naked > li { list-style-type: none; background: none; margin-left: 2em; +margin-bottom: 0 } + li ul.naked > li, dd ul.naked > li { list-style-type: none; background: none; margin-left: 0; +margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0 } + li.cdefni {} + li.cdefni span.cl {display: inline-block; vertical-align: bottom} + li.cdefni span.cr {display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; vertical-align: bottom} + pre.code {display: inline-block} + blockquote.vanilla {display: inline-block; margin: 0; + border: solid 1px; background: rgb(238,234,230); + padding: .5em} + blockquote.vanilla ul.naked li {margin-left: 0 ! important;font-size: 100%} + ol ol ol, ol ol ol li {list-style-type: lower-roman} + ol ol, ol ol li {list-style-type: lower-alpha} + i i {font-style: normal} + li li {font-style: normal} + li ul li {font-style: normal} + li { line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0.3em} + .math {font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', serif} + .sub {font-size: 80%; vertical-align: sub} + .termref {text-decoration: none; color: #606000} + .licence {margin-left: 1em; font-size: 70%} + .credits {margin-left: 1.5em; font-size: 70%} + .right {position: absolute} + .stackdown {vertical-align: text-top; margin-top: 0} + body {font-size: 12pt} + pre.numbered { + white-space: pre-wrap; + } + div.counter { + counter-reset: listing; + } + pre.numbered code { + counter-increment: listing; + } + pre.cl code::before { + content: "$ " ; + font-size: 80%; + width: 2em + } + pre.numbered code::before { + content: counter(listing) ". "; + display: inline-block; + font-size: 80%; + width: 3em; + padding-left: auto; + margin-left: auto; + text-align: right; + } + + /* content doesn't combine :-( */ + pre.numbered.cl code::before { + content: counter(listing) ". $ "; + display: inline-block; + font-size: 80%; + width: 3em; + padding-left: auto; + margin-left: auto; + text-align: right; + } + @page { size: A4 portrait; margin: 1.8cm; + orphans: 2; widows: 2;} + @media screen { + body {width: 20cm; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto} + } + @media print { + body {font-size: 10pt} + h1, h2, h3, h4 {page-break-after: avoid} + } + pre.code {font-family: monospace; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 120%; + padding-top: 0.2em; + padding-bottom: 0.2em; + padding-left: 1em; + padding-right: 1em; + border-style: solid; + border-left-width: 1em; + border-top-width: thin; + border-right-width: thin; + border-bottom-width: thin; + border-color: #95ABD0; + color: #00428C; + background-color: #E4E5E7; +} + pre {margin-left: 0em} + div.toc h2 {font-size: 120%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em} + div.toc h4 {font-size: 100%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: 1em} + div.toc h1 {font-size: 140%; margin-bottom: 0em} + div.toc ul {margin-top: 1ex} + .byline {font-size: 120%} + div.figure {margin-left: 2em} + div.caption {font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 1em} + i i {font-style: normal} + img {border: 0} + .copyright {font-size: 70%} + .note {width: 20%; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: .5em} + </style><title>Access technology</title></head><body style="font-family: DejaVu Sans, Arial; background: rgb(254,250,246)"><div style="text-align: center" class="head"><h1>Access technology</h1><hr/><div class="byline">Henry S. Thompson</div><div class="byline">26 Mar 2023</div><div class="copyright">Copyright © 2023 <a href="http://www.ltg.ed.ac.uk/~ht/">Henry S. Thompson</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC-BY-SA</a></div></div><div class="body"><div><h2>1. Introduction</h2><p>I've had a quick look at the technology available to provide more +flexible access control into and within 7VT.</p><p>Per our previous discussion, it's worth distinguishing at least four +types of access we might consider (thanks to Majk for filling in details):</p><dl class=" "><dt><b><a name="Front_door">Front door</a></b></dt><dd> + <ul class="naked "><li><a name="Outer_door"><b>Outer door</b></a> +  Two yale locks</li><li><a name="Inner_door"><b>Inner door</b></a> +  Motorised. Currently push-panel activated in both directions, or just from inside + (locked from outside), or continuously open. Entryphone provides audio, but +no longer video, to remote panels on 1st (kitchen) and 2nd (outside the meeting +room) floors as well as a handset by the front desk, all of which can unlock +the inner door temporarily</li></ul> + </dd><dt><b><a name="Upper_Bow_stair_door">Upper Bow stair door</a></b></dt><dd>Not locked from inside, yale lock for +entry from the stair. Will trigger intruder alarm if it's enabled.</dd><dt><b><a name="Internal_doors">Internal doors</a></b></dt><dd> + <ul class="naked "><li><a name="Office"><b>Office</b></a> +  Yale lock</li><li><a name="Kitchen"><b>Kitchen</b></a> +  Yale lock</li><li><a name="Various_cupboards"><b>Various cupboards</b></a> +  Yale locks</li></ul> + </dd><dt><b><a name="Elevator">Elevator</a></b></dt><dd>Currently can be turned off by a switch in the plant +room, not currently locked.</dd></dl><p>(I've assumed we won't change the exit-only emergency nature of the +double-doors at the bottom of the main staircase.)</p><p>Most of the companies whose websites I've looked at are aimed at either +homeowners or businesses. Some of the business-orientated ones at least +mention small businesses, which is probably the closest we're going to get for +our needs.</p><p>Below are summaries of the offerings from a few of the companies I've +looked at. We would not deal directly with any of them, but would need to +contract with a local specialist firm for installation. I presume we've got +someone on the books for maintainance of the current entryphone/door-opener +etc., but we may need a different outfit for a new system.</p><p>I've attempted estimates of cost below, but they are <i>very</i> +much under-informed by hard facts. I found one quote from an installer, copied +below, but I think for what we want that's an under-estimate by at least a +factor of two.</p><blockquote class="vanilla"><div>"The average starting cost for an access control security system is around £500-£800 per door. The average starting price for installing an access control system is around £300. A typical maintenance visit would cost you around £75-£125. It would cost you on average £92 to have your access control system repaired."</div></blockquote></div><div><h2>2. Manufacturers</h2><div><h4>2.1. <a href="https://www.paxton-access.com/">Paxton</a></h4><p>Recommended by the team at Augustine United: "the Paxton Net2 system [is] +very popular and something of a market leader".</p><p>Two relevant devices: A standard entry-panel and a door-latch.</p><p>Both are activated by a proximity card or fob, and both can be installed +for standalone use, with a master card used to +enable access cards, or as part of a network-controlled system for much more sophisticated usage patterns.</p><blockquote class="vanilla"><div>"Staff and visitors are issued with electronic tokens instead of +keys. User tokens can be added to the system in seconds by presenting an enrolment card to the door/entry-panel. + + +"If someone loses their token, it can be simply barred from the system by presenting a shadow card to a reader."</div></blockquote><p>The entry-panel version would be the candidate for the front door, +replacing the existing panel.</p><p>The standalone system has three components: the entry panel, the +monitor(s) and the controller. I <i>assume</i> multiple monitors can be +used. It's not easy to find prices, but I am pretty confident that the parts +we need should be available for between £1000–2000. Installation would +be at least a person-day, I would guess, so could easily be £500 or more.</p><p>Upgrading to the next level, with full (PC and mobile app) software-based control of +token-holders, remote management, etc. would probably be as much again.</p><p>I <i>think</i> that only a further upgrade, and replacement of the +door panel, would get us to mobile-as-keycard functionality.</p></div><div><h4>2.2. [Failed to find another system I could match to our needs]</h4><p>I looked at approaching a dozen other websites, and they were all badly +designed, as well as being targeted at multi-tenant apartment buildings.</p></div></div><div><h2>3. Local installers</h2><div><h4>3.1. <a href="https://www.edengroup.co.uk/access-control/">Eden Group</a></h4><p>List Paxton as a brand they supply, "Paxton Gold" supplier. 25 mostly good Google +reviews, mostly aerials rather than security, +individuals not corporate...</p></div><div id="sss"><h4>3.2. <a name="sss"><a href="https://www.safesimplesecure.com/">Safe Simple +Secure</a> (S-S-S)</a></h4><p>"Paxton Gold" supplier, security only, 125 Google reviews, 5-star +overall, at least one regarding commercial premises.</p></div></div><div><h2>4. Next steps</h2><p>Get a recommendation for an installer from Paxton's list, from Paradise +Green (the folks at AU), failing which go with S-S-S.</p><p>Invite them around for a visit and discussion, leading to an RFQ.</p><p>Get a quote from one other outfit at least (but maybe not yet?).</p></div></div></body></html>
--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/MHMC/access.xml Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +<?xml version='1.0'?> +<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../../lib/xml/doc.xsl" ?> +<!DOCTYPE doc SYSTEM "../../lib/xml/doc.dtd" > +<doc> + <head> + <title>Access technology</title> + <author>Henry S. Thompson</author> + <date>26 Mar 2023</date> + </head> + <body> + <div> + <title>Introduction</title> + <p>I've had a quick look at the technology available to provide more +flexible access control into and within 7VT.</p> + <p>Per our previous discussion, it's worth distinguishing at least four +types of access we might consider (thanks to Majk for filling in details):</p> + <list type="defn"> + <item term="Front door"> + <list type="1defn"> + <item term="Outer door">Two yale locks</item> + <item term="Inner door">Motorised. Currently push-panel activated in both directions, or just from inside + (locked from outside), or continuously open. Entryphone provides audio, but +no longer video, to remote panels on 1st (kitchen) and 2nd (outside the meeting +room) floors as well as a handset by the front desk, all of which can unlock +the inner door temporarily</item> + </list> + </item> + <item term="Upper Bow stair door">Not locked from inside, yale lock for +entry from the stair. Will trigger intruder alarm if it's enabled.</item> + <item term="Internal doors"> + <list type="1defn"> + <item term="Office">Yale lock</item> + <item term="Kitchen">Yale lock</item> + <item term="Various cupboards">Yale locks</item> + </list> + </item> + <item term="Elevator">Currently can be turned off by a switch in the plant +room, not currently locked.</item> + </list> + <p>(I've assumed we won't change the exit-only emergency nature of the +double-doors at the bottom of the main staircase.)</p> + <p>Most of the companies whose websites I've looked at are aimed at either +homeowners or businesses. Some of the business-orientated ones at least +mention small businesses, which is probably the closest we're going to get for +our needs.</p> + <p>Below are summaries of the offerings from a few of the companies I've +looked at. We would not deal directly with any of them, but would need to +contract with a local specialist firm for installation. I presume we've got +someone on the books for maintainance of the current entryphone/door-opener +etc., but we may need a different outfit for a new system.</p> + <p>I've attempted estimates of cost below, but they are <emph>very</emph> +much under-informed by hard facts. I found one quote from an installer, copied +below, but I think for what we want that's an under-estimate by at least a +factor of two.</p> + <display>"The average starting cost for an access control security system is around £500-£800 per door. The average starting price for installing an access control system is around £300. A typical maintenance visit would cost you around £75-£125. It would cost you on average £92 to have your access control system repaired."</display> + </div> + <div> + <title>Manufacturers</title> + <div> + <title><link href="https://www.paxton-access.com/">Paxton</link></title> + <p>Recommended by the team at Augustine United: "the Paxton Net2 system [is] +very popular and something of a market leader".</p> + <p>Two relevant devices: A standard entry-panel and a door-latch.</p> + <p>Both are activated by a proximity card or fob, and both can be installed +for standalone use, with a master card used to +enable access cards, or as part of a network-controlled system for much more sophisticated usage patterns.</p> + <display>"Staff and visitors are issued with electronic tokens instead of +keys. User tokens can be added to the system in seconds by presenting an enrolment card to the door/entry-panel. + +"If someone loses their token, it can be simply barred from the system by presenting a shadow card to a reader."</display> + <p>The entry-panel version would be the candidate for the front door, +replacing the existing panel.</p> + <p>The standalone system has three components: the entry panel, the +monitor(s) and the controller. I <emph>assume</emph> multiple monitors can be +used. It's not easy to find prices, but I am pretty confident that the parts +we need should be available for between £1000–2000. Installation would +be at least a person-day, I would guess, so could easily be £500 or more.</p> + <p>Upgrading to the next level, with full (PC and mobile app) software-based control of +token-holders, remote management, etc. would probably be as much again.</p> + <p>I <emph>think</emph> that only a further upgrade, and replacement of the +door panel, would get us to mobile-as-keycard functionality.</p> + </div> + <div> + <title>[Failed to find another system I could match to our needs]</title> + <p>I looked at approaching a dozen other websites, and they were all badly +designed, as well as being targeted at multi-tenant apartment buildings.</p> + </div> + </div> + <div> + <title>Local installers</title> + <div> + <title><link href="https://www.edengroup.co.uk/access-control/">Eden Group</link></title> + <p>List Paxton as a brand they supply, "Paxton Gold" supplier. 25 mostly good Google +reviews, mostly aerials rather than security, +individuals not corporate...</p> + </div> + <div id="sss"> + <title><link href="https://www.safesimplesecure.com/">Safe Simple +Secure</link> (S-S-S)</title> + <p>"Paxton Gold" supplier, security only, 125 Google reviews, 5-star +overall, at least one regarding commercial premises.</p> + </div> + </div> + <div> + <title>Next steps</title> + <p>Get a recommendation for an installer from Paxton's list, from Paradise +Green (the folks at AU), failing which go with S-S-S.</p> + <p>Invite them around for a visit and discussion, leading to an RFQ.</p> + <p>Get a quote from one other outfit at least (but maybe not yet?).</p> + </div> + </body> +</doc>
--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/MHMC/handover_notes.txt Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +Files on David's machine, Dropbox, etc. -- where for what? + +What's shared with Committee, what isn't + +DS: Email account - archive cleanup sesam.emh.management@gmail.com +DS: Google group sesam-emh-group@googlegroups.com + +Handover week of 3 April + +Manager attends from the beginning, but always a "Without staff" +period at the end. + +Meetings have become pretty regularly at 0930 on Thursdays +Aim for one in 2nd or 3rd week of April + +DS: Calendar -- Annual reviews, rates reviews +---------- +Ex Officio Trustee + +Meeting House affordability WG: Neil [] and David convening, Miranda, me, + Phil Lucas, Rachel Fitz +--------- +John Phillips is slowly demitting F&M responsibilities... +Phil Lucas has stepped down +Need a Trustee who is not a member of the Treasury Team, waiting on + Noms +Role of 'Staffing' is needed +Sue Sierra (South) is a member, volunteered to be a keyholder (M'Side) +Laragh Quinney 'Lettings and Marketing' (publicity leaflet, with MG) +Martin Ward (Kelso) might join? +JK as Treasury Team _ex officio_ + +[Website is run by DS, along with GM [quakerscotland.org], V40 and [equaker.org for bookings] + +Each site has distinct paths of responsible + +
--- a/ross_armstrong_report.txt Fri Nov 11 14:13:27 2022 +0000 +++ /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 @@ -1,81 +0,0 @@ -Report of a meeting held on 23 May 2022 at the home of Ross Armstrong - -Ross Armstrong -Robin Leibman -Henry S Thompson - -Ross welcomed us to his home, and after a period of worship he shared -the history of his experience of Friends. His mother was raised a -Quaker by _her_ mother, a life-long Member. His father joined Friends -after his experience in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, -attending Meeting at Leyburn in Yorkshire. - -The family had connections with Brummana, where the family spent time -when he was young when his father was Head there, then lived near -Jordans when they returned to the UK, where he attended a -'progressive' school with a Quaker head. - -Although his upbringing was in a Christian environment, as a young -adult Ross was at first not a church-goer. He was however always -conscious of a need for a source of guidance in how he should live his -life, and for a while he looked for help with life decisions from the -_I Ching_, but that didn't last as responsibilities grew. - -During the 1980s Ross became involved in Palestinian issues. He began -working as a furniture maker and in the building trades, then -assistant manager at Hadeel, the Palestian shop on Queen Street. - -Ross started observing Ramadan around the time of the 1st Gulf War, -giving him an active, pervasive engagement with religious practice. -He began studing Arabic, a life-long project thereafter. He learned -the 1st Sura of the Quran, which became the cornerstone of his -practice. The nature of this, as a prayer that begins with 'In the -name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful' [Ross, -please replace with your preferred translation, this is just the first -one I found online], is so different from the caricature of Muslims as -fanatics. - -Ross has been coming to Meeting for Worship at Portobello and -Musselburgh for four or five years. He's been impressed by the depth -of some of the Quakers he has met. He realised recently that he has -made the transition from a "committed non-Attender" to acknowledging -he _was_ an Attender. He has really appreciated the Quaker method of -decision-making, in contrast to other experiences of committees. - -Turning to the question of Membership, Ross recalled that last autumn -his mother, who was a Trustee of Brummana, asked him to consider -applying for the Headship. He applied, and although he was not -appointed, the experience made him think again about Membership. -Seeing the achievements, the remarkable work that has been done by -Quakers, in particular Andrew Clark, a friend of his mother, led him -to recognition of how awesome can be some people's achievements, -leaving us a bit ashamed by comparison: how are _we_ working for the -Kingdom of Heaven. - -Ross finished by summarising where this has led him - * "Friends of Truth" can be goal and a daunting challenge. - * "What I think of God" is not relevant, what matters is what 'he' - has to say to me about how to live my life. - -And a few other topics we touched on: - -Ross's wife is as it were a lay preacher in the Zen temple in -portobello. He sees a lot of connections between their practice and -scriptures and ours. - -Ross sometimes gets into trouble for telling the truth. - -Meeting for Worship for Business can be an awe-filled experience. - -Once as Ross was leaving the Quaker Meeting House in Ramallah, he was -asked "are Quakers Christians?". Well, perhaps not as you probably -mean that: we have no Christology... - -Are the challenges for Ross in becoming a Member: Vietnam, Palestine, -now Ukraine, and Extinction Rebellion, are difficulties. Ross worries -about the apparent need to take sides: being driven by fear is not a -good starting point for decisions. - -As we reached the end of a discussion about the nature of Membership, -Ross said "I'm ready to be a member of the crew rather than a -passenger", and Henry and Robin agreed.
--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/ross_armstrong_visit.txt Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,61 @@ +Maternal grandmothr a Quaker, mother raised Quaker + +Father became a Quaker after the 2nd WW, PoW..., attended Leyburn in +Yorkshire. + +Lebanon, then Jordans, and first-day school wasn't for him. +A Christian environment, but not a church-goer himself as a young adult. + +'Progressive' school with a Quaker head. + +Life decisions propelled him towards using the I Ching, but that +didn't last as responsibilities grew. + +1980s, became involved in Palestinian issues, various jobs, ended up +as a furniture maker and building trades, then assistant manager at +Hadeel. + +Started observing Ramadan around the time of the 1st Gulf War: an +active, pervasive engagement with religious practice, studied Arabic. + +Learned the 1st Sura, the cornerstone of his practice. The nature of +this as prayer that begins with '...merciful' is so different from the +caricature of Muslims as fanatics. + +Came to MfW at P&M for four or five years, impressed by the depth of +some of the Quakers he has met. Made the transition from a "committed +non-Attender" to acknowledging he _was_ an attender. Really +appreciated Quaker decision making in contrast to other experiences of +committees. + +Membership: Last autumn, Lebanon was for his father's job as Head at +Brummana, mother a Trustee, who visited regularly, and she asked him +to consider taking on that role. Applied but not appointed, but the +experience made him think again about membership, see the +achievements, the remarkable work that has been done by Quakers. +Andrew Clark, friend of his mother, awesome what one can achieve, +leaves us a bit ashamed by comparison: working of the Kingdom of +Heaven. + +"Friends of Truth" can be goal and a daunting challenge. + +"What I think of God" is not relevant, what matters is what 'he' has +to say to me about how to live my life. + +Wife is as it were a lay preacher in the Zen temple in Portobello. +There are a lot of connections between their practice and scriptures +and ours. + +Gets into trouble for telling the truth. + +As leaving QMH in Ramallah, "are Quakers Christians?" No +Christology... + +Obstacles? Vietnam, Palestine, now Ukraine, and XR, are +difficulties. Worries about the apparent need to take sides: being +driven by fear is not a good starting point for decisions. + +A member of the crew rather than a passenger. + +MfWfB can be an awesome experience +
--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/ross_campbell_report.txt Wed Apr 19 12:34:54 2023 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,81 @@ +Report of a meeting held on 23 May 2022 at the home of Ross Armstrong + +Ross Campbell +Robin Liebmann +Henry S Thompson + +Ross welcomed us to his home, and after a period of worship he shared +the history of his experience of Friends. His mother was raised a +Quaker by _her_ mother, a life-long Member. His father joined Friends +after his experience in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, +attending Meeting at Leyburn in Yorkshire. + +The family had connections with Brummana, where the family spent time +when he was young when his father was Head there (1957--1962), then +lived near Jordans when they returned to the UK, where he attended a +'progressive' school with a Quaker head. + +Although his upbringing was in a Christian environment, as a young +adult Ross was at first not a church-goer. He was however always +conscious of a need for a source of guidance in how he should live his +life, and for a while he looked for help with life decisions from the +_I Ching_, but that didn't last as responsibilities grew. + +During the 1980s Ross became involved in Palestinian issues. He began +working as a furniture maker and in the building trades, then +assistant manager at Hadeel, the Palestian shop on Queen Street. + +Ross started observing Ramadan around the time of the 1st Gulf War, +giving him an active, pervasive engagement with religious practice. +He began studing Arabic, a life-long project thereafter. He learned +the 1st Sura of the Quran, which became the cornerstone of his +practice. The nature of this, as a prayer that begins with 'In the +name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful' [Ross, +please replace with your preferred translation, this is just the first +one I found online], is so different from the caricature of Muslims as +fanatics. + +Ross has been coming to Meeting for Worship at Portobello and +Musselburgh for four or five years. He's been impressed by the depth +of some of the Quakers he has met. He realised recently that he has +made the transition from a "committed non-Attender" to acknowledging +he _was_ an Attender. He has really appreciated the Quaker method of +decision-making, in contrast to other experiences of committees. + +Turning to the question of Membership, Ross recalled that last autumn +his mother, who was a Trustee of Brummana, asked him to consider +applying for the Headship. He applied, and although he was not +appointed, the experience made him think again about Membership. +Seeing the achievements, the remarkable work that has been done by +Quakers, in particular Andrew Clark, a friend of his mother, led him +to recognition of how awesome can be some people's achievements, +leaving us a bit ashamed by comparison: how are _we_ working for the +Kingdom of Heaven. + +Ross finished by summarising where this has led him + * "Friends of Truth" can be goal and a daunting challenge. + * "What I think of God" is not relevant, what matters is what 'he' + has to say to me about how to live my life. + +And a few other topics we touched on: + +Ross's wife is as it were a lay preacher in the Zen temple in +portobello. He sees a lot of connections between their practice and +scriptures and ours. + +Ross sometimes gets into trouble for telling the truth. + +Meeting for Worship for Business can be an awe-filled experience. + +Once as Ross was leaving the Quaker Meeting House in Ramallah, he was +asked "are Quakers Christians?". Well, perhaps not as you probably +mean that: we have no Christology... + +Are the challenges for Ross in becoming a Member: Vietnam, Palestine, +now Ukraine, and Extinction Rebellion, are difficulties. Ross worries +about the apparent need to take sides: being driven by fear is not a +good starting point for decisions. + +As we reached the end of a discussion about the nature of Membership, +Ross said "I'm ready to be a member of the crew rather than a +passenger", and Henry and Robin agreed.