QVA in Europe
After a busy year facilitating events mainly in Britain, I was delighted to attend the EMES Peace and Service Consultation for a glorious autumnal Brussels weekend. This body brings together representatives from Quaker organisations across Europe and several worthwhile connections were forged leading to QVA Working Retreats being proposed and planned across Europe for 2009 and beyond.
This growing international aspect of our work echoes back to QVA’s evolution from the workcamp movement QISP, whilst responding to tomorrow’s call to put our faith into action in the global arena. Our theme for the 2009 Working Retreats is peace. On the programme we have two specific ‘encounter’ events, one Palestinian-Israeli, the other Yoga. Through learning and listening, loving and laughing together we can break down barriers and nurture trust and understanding.
We have already begun to see European Friends demonstrating a real enthusiasm for QVA Working Retreats and hope that others will also be inspired to get involved. The potential benefits and opportunities that such an event can bring to often isolated or dispersed Quaker communities and individuals can be hugely valuable.
QVA Working Retreats combine meaningful practical projects with time for spiritual engagement and reflection. They are open to people of all ages and abilities and are extremely reasonably priced.
For further details or to book a place for one of the 2009 events contact:
Quaker Voluntary Action
Tel: 00 44 (0) 7910 434941
or use the email form at the bottom of the page
QVA Programme 2009
Taunton, Somerset UK
Feb 27 – March 1
Interior decorating
Swarthmoor, Cumbria UK
March 22 – 27
Outdoor tasks
Laren, Holland
April 27 – May 4
Gardening & light carpentry
Sale, Cheshire UK
June 12 – 15
Renovating burial ground
Svartbäcken, Sweden
July 11 – 18
Outdoor tasks
Swarthmoor, Cumbria UK
Oct 4 – 9
Tree-work
Ramallah, Palestine
Oct 23 – 31
Support olive harvesting
