Category Archives: AGM

AGM, Conferences, NFN website

Website and 2019 Conference

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I have left the 2019 Conference page (29-31 March – last weekend) as the home page for the time being but enabled comments on it so, if you were there, please use the comment box (‘Leave a reply’) to give us further feedback on the conference.  I will use my discretion as to whether to publish, edit or remove these!

Otherwise I have tried to update the website to reflect recent changes but some areas might still be a bit out of date. Much of the ‘old content’ is still relevant and of interest, so please have a look around (a good browse) and let me know through comments on relevant pages if you feel anything needs updating or refreshing.

Trevor

AGM, Conferences, General Quaker interest, Non-theism

Last weekend’s gathering at Woodbrooke

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It was very agreeable meeting everyone last weekend, even if, in the end, we only had just over 30 participants. Being smaller loses something but I think we also gained from the smaller numbers.

One enthusiastic first-time participant suggested we should have conferences on themes of general Quaker interest rather than just related to non-theism, theological positions and so on – but last year’s conference was on the future of Quakerism – will it survive?

What do other Ffriends think about this?

Feedback from the conference was generally very positive and further details will follow in due course.

Trevor Bending

PS. If NFN is to continue, we really do need some of you to come forward to join the Steering Group. (We can co-opt new members between AGM’s). So, if you feel you could give even just a little time, please email us or use the Contact Form to send me a message.

AGM, Non-theism

Nontheism on Wikipedia

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Looking for David Boulton on wikipedia the other day hypertexted me to wikipedia on Nontheist Quakers (worth a read) including a short list of ‘Notable Nontheist Friends’ (only two of whom I’ve heard of) and then to wikipedia on Nontheism which is a fascinating read (follow the links there to ignosticism and ietsism) and which explains very well why ‘nontheist’ is likely to remain the best label we can find for our Nontheist Friends Network.

Look forward to comments on this (‘Leave a reply’) and see you at the Conference on 29-31 March?

AGM, Conferences

NFN’s Future, Steering Group and AGM

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NFN began some eight years ago and from time to time we have considered whether there is any need for NFN to continue.  Today, David Boulton writes: ‘When we founded the Nontheist Friends Network eight years ago we promised ourselves that one of our aims would be to lay the network down as soon as it had clearly served its purpose‘

David’s piece is attached here (in Word) and will be mailed out to NFN members as well as being distributed to our Conference participants at Woodbrooke at the end of the month (29-31 March).

NFN is co-ordinated and our annual Conferences organised by a ‘Steering Group‘, the members of which are appointed at our AGM.

There are currently 12 members of the Steering Group. Some of these, including our Clerk, have been very busy organising this year’s Conference.  Hugh Rock, who is one of our Conference speakers this year, has taken care of Conference bookings for the last three years and payments are eventually handled by our Treasurer.

At least three of our Steering Group members would like to step down this year, or, in some cases, take a less active part.  If, therefore, after discussing David’s thoughts in the piece attached, the AGM should discern that NFN, and our annual Conferences, should continue, then we will likely need new blood in the Steering Group.

We hope that all participants in the Conference will choose to attend the AGM:
Saturday 30th March 2019, 17.15-18.15 AGM of the Nontheist Friends Network (Cadbury room) all welcome (although it’s not compulsory!).

We also hope that a number of you might put yourselves forward, whether for a more or a less demanding role, as members of the Steering Group. (We do not have a ‘Nominations Committee’!)

AGM, Conferences

AGM 2019

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NONTHEIST FRIENDS NETWORK  

The Network’s aim is to provide a forum and supportive framework for Friends who regard religion as a human creation.

We want to ensure that our Religious Society of Friends is an inclusive rather than an exclusive Society.

We seek to explore theological and spiritual diversity and their practical implications, in respectful acceptance of different views, experiences, and journeys.

Notice of Annual General Meeting:

To be held on Saturday 30th of March 2019 at 17.15 at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre during the NFN annual residential conference.

Agenda

Minutes of last Meeting (10/03/2018)

Clerk’s report

Financial report and accounts

Website update

Newsletter report

Appointment of Steering group and office holders

Any other business

Please notify Gisela Creed, clerk, if you would like to raise further business

jgcreed@btinternet.com,

24, Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, Glasgow, G66 5EU,

0141 776 1379

or

07946622809

The Steering Group March, 2018- March, 2019:

David Boulton, Trevor Bending, David Parlett, Hugh Rock, Tim Regan, Keith Rycroft, Jo Jaffray, Deepa Parry-Gupta, Toni Calam, Piers Maddox, Sarah Siddle, Gisela Creed (clerk)