PRIVILEGE was the topic of the annual Quaker get together this year. Afterwards, some of the overseas Quakers, among the twelve hundred who attended, brought this concern with them, when they made their way to Swarthmoor Hall, near Ulverston in the South Lakes. This is the place where the group of Seekers, who established Quakerism in 1652 first met up and made their base - and it is known as the birthplace of Quakerism.

Someone, fresh from Yearly Meeting, ministered, during the Sunday Meeting for Worship, about his unacceptable privilege as a rich, educated, white male. This set me thinking about the Quaker conviction that we are all equal before godde. Jesus said it is harder for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19.23). Those singled out for blessing in the Sermon on the Mount are the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness. So privilege, in the eyes of society, certainly doesn’t translate into spiritual privilege.

Quakers believe that there is ‘that of godde’ in everyone. The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth will happen when everyone experiences that of godde in themselves and in the whole of the creation. When we have an inward conviction of this, climate justice, equality, inclusion and diversity become ways that we express our love for the creator and for the creation of which we are part.

Janet Shimming, Swarthmoor Quaker Meeting