Potluck and Discussion about "Experiment with Light"

Birmingham’s Committee on Worship and Ministry invites everyone to a potluck supper at the Meeting House at 6pm on Tuesday, October 4. The purpose is to introduce the Meeting to two different aspects of Rex Ambler’s Experiment with Light. Ambler is a British Quaker and theologian who spoke at Friends General Conference this year. Twenty-five years ago he was troubled to realize that there was no good account of just what early Friends were doing in their silent meetings for worship nor of what George Fox meant practically when he urged people to “stand still in the Light.” Ambler did extensive research on Fox’s Journal and multiple pamphlets and letters. In 1996 Ambler began writing about the spiritual practice Fox was advocating and introduced a practice of meditation that draws upon it. Both aspects of Ambler’s work are used widely by British Friends and by many in the US as well.

After gathering for our potluck and greeting one another, we will eat in silence and listen to an hour-long talk Ambler gave at a retreat some years ago in England about what early Friends were doing when “standing still in the light.” Then we will discuss these insights of Ambler’s. We also will briefly describe the meditative practice Ambler developed to help us moderns “stand in the light”, which is the basis of Experiment with Light Groups. We will invite those who are interested in trying this practice to come together for a further meeting or meetings later.

It is not necessary to read anything for the potluck supper. But for those who would like to do so, the following are available on http://www.experiment-with-light.org.uk. The first, About Experiment with Light, gives more information about Experiment with Light. The second, Reflections on key words in the Quaker tradition, is Amber’s short explanation of the key early Quaker concepts he found in his research.

We very much look forward to all of you joining us for this potluck on October 4. Our High School Young Friends might like to join us for this presentation.