Wahroonga Friends Bulletin - 4 March 2026
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Wahroonga Friends Bulletin - 4 March 2026
Margaret Fell: Women’s Speaking Justified
As part of Friends World News, Ruby Cumming of Friends World Committee for Consultation reflects on Quaker co-founder Margaret Fell: In the World Office, as International Women’s Day approaches (8 March), we’ve been reflecting on women’s ministry and its deep roots in Quakerism.
On a recent visit to the library at Friends House, I had the privilege of holding an original copy of Women’s Speaking Justified. Written in 1666 by Quaker co-founder Margaret Fell, the pamphlet methodically explains how women’s ministry is found throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Just a handful of pages, it felt light in weight but weighty in significance. Calling Christians to embrace female leadership, Quakers have republished Women’s Speaking Justified in an updated edition from Barclay Press. Translated into modern English by Professor Paul Anderson of George Fox University, it includes a foreword from FWCC. Find out more.
This story has drawn welcome public attention: news outlets local to where Fell lived including Lancashire Post and Westmoreland Gazette published articles, as did the faith publication Insights Magazine in Australia, and a newspaper for people in prison in the UK, Inside Time. A photo of the original pamphlet accompanied by a summary of her argument shared on Facebook reached 10,000 people within 36 hours! You can find out more about Margaret Fell on the new podcast from the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre and Quakers Australia.
A woman of ‘firsts’, Margaret Fell was also the first Quaker to be described as a recording clerk, and her home of Swarthmoor Hall could be considered the first Friends World Office. On that note, I’m pleased to announce that FWCC now has an all-female clerking team, with Clare Scott Booth as clerk, Esther Mombo as assistant clerk, and Annie Janssen as recording clerk.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Clare and Esther about their journeys and female faith leadership. You can read Clare’s Q&A, Esther’s is coming soon, and we plan to meet Annie at the next CEC meeting at Swarthmoor Hall in May. I leave you with Margaret Fell’s own words, written 360 years ago but still relevant today:
“And what hath God wrought by and through women… let them that have ears to hear, hear.” May we continue to make space for every voice that carries the Light.
Margaret Fell: Women’s Speaking Justified
2 pm 7 March
Farewell Lyn and John DundasLyn and John Dundas have moved to Hobart and Lyn is back for a week while the house is being sold.
The occasion is on Saturday 7 March at 2.00 pm.
- 2.00 - 2.30 Meeting for Worship
- 2.30 - 2.40 short 30 second tributes for Lyn and John. No speeches.
- 2.40 Afternoon tea. Please bring a plate.
No presents, as the family has worked very hard to empty the house and find new homes for a lot of their possessions. We will have a card for you to sign. You may prefer to bring your own card.
UK Time Thursday 9 April from 19:00-21:00The Big Quaker Quiz On Thursday 9 April from 19:00-21:00, we are holding the first Woodbrooke Big Quaker Quiz! Join Quizmaster Josh Selfe and test your Quaker knowledge against other Friends in this light hearted evening of fun. Featuring puzzles, pictures and Quaker general knowledge, this quiz will test your lateral thinking skills as much as your information retention skills. Assemble your own team of Friends or come alone and meet new people in one of our home-made teams. Find out more and book here The Big Quaker Quiz - Woodbrooke
Save the Date - Yarrahapinni 25-28 September
Our usual venue at Yarrahapinni has been booked for Friday 25th to Monday 28th for the NSWRM annual retreat. The program is still being developed, but we will definitely be joined by Emily Provance who is a Friend travelling and visiting meetings all across Australia at the end of the year. Hunter Valley Meeting would welcome Friends who might have an interest in contributing to the programming or logistical arrangements. Sheila Keane
See - Understanding the Quaker Peace Testimony
It’s hard to find content online addressing the topics covered here anywhere else and listening to these f/Friends speak about peace from all the different ways they understand peace within themselves and outside of themselves in such a thoughtful and constructive way is encouraging. See it here Understanding the Quaker Peace Testimony March QBC - Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters
The March QBC (Quaker Book Club) selection is Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters by Max Carter.
If you have never witnessed the Holy Land, this volume will bring you one step closer to humanizing the people behind the news headlines. It is a riveting account of the various developments since the Second Intifada and the struggle for peace in the Holy Land, including the "competing narratives" that stall progress toward justice and peace in Palestine. This book challenges everyone to seek a third way in their approach to the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and contributes significantly to the narration of the Ramallah Friends School history. Read the Friends Journal review, here. Obtain a copy here Palestine and Israel e - Wahroonga Send news of f/Friends and newsletter items to quiver...@yahoo.com.au Agenda items for Business Meeting should be emailed at wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info or handed to a co-clerk. Visit us at "Our Home" First days (Sunday), 9.30 am Meeting for Worship - Wahroonga Friends Meeting, your local peace church. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) 59 Boundary Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 Email:wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info Web: Wahroonga Local Meeting | Australia Yearly Meeting A Zoom meeting occurs 9.30 am Sundays Meeting link Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting 918 558 7747 Passcode: 554662 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems.
Margaret Fell: Women’s Speaking Justified
As part of Friends World News, Ruby Cumming of Friends World Committee for Consultation reflects on Quaker co-founder Margaret Fell: In the World Office, as International Women’s Day approaches (8 March), we’ve been reflecting on women’s ministry and its deep roots in Quakerism.
On a recent visit to the library at Friends House, I had the privilege of holding an original copy of Women’s Speaking Justified. Written in 1666 by Quaker co-founder Margaret Fell, the pamphlet methodically explains how women’s ministry is found throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Just a handful of pages, it felt light in weight but weighty in significance. Calling Christians to embrace female leadership, Quakers have republished Women’s Speaking Justified in an updated edition from Barclay Press. Translated into modern English by Professor Paul Anderson of George Fox University, it includes a foreword from FWCC. Find out more.
This story has drawn welcome public attention: news outlets local to where Fell lived including Lancashire Post and Westmoreland Gazette published articles, as did the faith publication Insights Magazine in Australia, and a newspaper for people in prison in the UK, Inside Time. A photo of the original pamphlet accompanied by a summary of her argument shared on Facebook reached 10,000 people within 36 hours! You can find out more about Margaret Fell on the new podcast from the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre and Quakers Australia.
A woman of ‘firsts’, Margaret Fell was also the first Quaker to be described as a recording clerk, and her home of Swarthmoor Hall could be considered the first Friends World Office. On that note, I’m pleased to announce that FWCC now has an all-female clerking team, with Clare Scott Booth as clerk, Esther Mombo as assistant clerk, and Annie Janssen as recording clerk.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Clare and Esther about their journeys and female faith leadership. You can read Clare’s Q&A, Esther’s is coming soon, and we plan to meet Annie at the next CEC meeting at Swarthmoor Hall in May. I leave you with Margaret Fell’s own words, written 360 years ago but still relevant today:
“And what hath God wrought by and through women… let them that have ears to hear, hear.” May we continue to make space for every voice that carries the Light.
Margaret Fell: Women’s Speaking Justified
2 pm 7 March
Farewell Lyn and John DundasLyn and John Dundas have moved to Hobart and Lyn is back for a week while the house is being sold.
The occasion is on Saturday 7 March at 2.00 pm.
- 2.00 - 2.30 Meeting for Worship
- 2.30 - 2.40 short 30 second tributes for Lyn and John. No speeches.
- 2.40 Afternoon tea. Please bring a plate.
No presents, as the family has worked very hard to empty the house and find new homes for a lot of their possessions. We will have a card for you to sign. You may prefer to bring your own card.
UK Time Thursday 9 April from 19:00-21:00The Big Quaker Quiz On Thursday 9 April from 19:00-21:00, we are holding the first Woodbrooke Big Quaker Quiz! Join Quizmaster Josh Selfe and test your Quaker knowledge against other Friends in this light hearted evening of fun. Featuring puzzles, pictures and Quaker general knowledge, this quiz will test your lateral thinking skills as much as your information retention skills. Assemble your own team of Friends or come alone and meet new people in one of our home-made teams. Find out more and book here The Big Quaker Quiz - Woodbrooke
Save the Date - Yarrahapinni 25-28 September
Our usual venue at Yarrahapinni has been booked for Friday 25th to Monday 28th for the NSWRM annual retreat. The program is still being developed, but we will definitely be joined by Emily Provance who is a Friend travelling and visiting meetings all across Australia at the end of the year. Hunter Valley Meeting would welcome Friends who might have an interest in contributing to the programming or logistical arrangements. Sheila Keane
See - Understanding the Quaker Peace Testimony
It’s hard to find content online addressing the topics covered here anywhere else and listening to these f/Friends speak about peace from all the different ways they understand peace within themselves and outside of themselves in such a thoughtful and constructive way is encouraging. See it here Understanding the Quaker Peace Testimony March QBC - Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters
The March QBC (Quaker Book Club) selection is Palestine and Israel: Understanding Encounters by Max Carter.
If you have never witnessed the Holy Land, this volume will bring you one step closer to humanizing the people behind the news headlines. It is a riveting account of the various developments since the Second Intifada and the struggle for peace in the Holy Land, including the "competing narratives" that stall progress toward justice and peace in Palestine. This book challenges everyone to seek a third way in their approach to the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and contributes significantly to the narration of the Ramallah Friends School history. Read the Friends Journal review, here. Obtain a copy here Palestine and Israel e - Wahroonga Send news of f/Friends and newsletter items to quiver...@yahoo.com.au Agenda items for Business Meeting should be emailed at wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info or handed to a co-clerk. Visit us at "Our Home" First days (Sunday), 9.30 am Meeting for Worship - Wahroonga Friends Meeting, your local peace church. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) 59 Boundary Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 Email:wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info Web: Wahroonga Local Meeting | Australia Yearly Meeting A Zoom meeting occurs 9.30 am Sundays Meeting link Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting 918 558 7747 Passcode: 554662 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems.
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