This is the text of Catherine's ministry. A video recording is also available here: https://youtu.be/yRj91OUcHGA?si=TyewxNl5kvSMQ52n
Friends – What do I bring to the table? What is mine to carry?
I constantly ask myself these questions to the point where they become my prison. They silence me before I’ve even tried to speak, because I usually come to the conclusion that I bring nothing. Especially when in the presence of others who are more vocal, more active, more informed – what could I possibly say that anyone would want to hear?
At the Earthcare Gathering, I had to face these insecurities head-on. The Gathering had a whole range of Friends who are active about climate and nature in their local communities, involved in projects, protesting or going through the legal system for their actions. As a part-time single mother who works full time, and as a foreigner in this country, I don’t have the luxury of taking risks (which is a convenient justification because I also don’t have the temperament for them either). I am time-poor and energy-poor and live in a constant state of near-overwhelm. It’s all I can do to get through the obligations and responsibilities of each day.
And yet, I was asked to speak as one of three Friends in a Quaker Quest format about my journeys of relationship and entanglement, of seeking to answer that of God in the other, of being shown my darkness and led to new life. In the lead-up to the gathering, I struggled to prepare a coherent Ministry around this prompt.
All three of the Quaker Quest Ministries were raw and very personal and did something unexpected. Only a couple of hours into the gathering and we had delivered a swift kick to the emotional gut, bringing the gathering into an unexpectedly deeply feeling place. Our emotional vulnerability opened a door; we walked through and gave the gathering permission to follow us.
Friends approached me throughout the weekend to thank me for my Ministry and to share their own struggles. Their stories were equally raw and confessional. They weren’t asking me to fix anything. They just needed me to hold the space and give them my full attention – indeed, I realised that that was all that I could really offer.
And there was plenty to listen to at the gathering. We talked less of practical solutions and instead asked: how do we bear witness in the unfolding climate and ecological crises and their impacts on all of our children and grandchildren? We carry fragilities and we are at different stages of grappling with our grief. We need to listen, support and uphold each other.
And Friends, there was so much to say and to hear. I would be standing anywhere within the gathering and would randomly start talking to the person next to me. And each of these interactions felt like it was meant to happen. I was engaging in one long conversation with the Universe, and different Friends were stepping in to uphold the other side.
I had a similar experience when I attended the previous Living Witness gathering in 2022. Both gatherings in 2022 and 2025 quickly became safe places for me. Indeed, I can trace all of the momentum of my current Quaker journey back to that gathering in 2022: back then, I went in with an openness to any and every encounter; I experienced the power of the Quaker business method for the first time; I cried my way through the 2022 gathering and returned home completely infused with the Light.
I really cherish the Quaker Earthcare community. There’s something deeply connecting when you bring together Friends who have an additional set of shared values. The Venn diagram of “Quaker” and “Earthcare” now has a very large overlap that provides not one, but two solid foundations upon which to build. So, even though the gathering had some tension – even conflict – due to Friends’ different priorities and approaches, we could still find a way through to our common ground. We need to take care of ourselves AND our community.
So: How can each of us contribute to earth care? Part of the epistle from the gathering reads: We must ask ourselves what is mine to do, and what is my capacity? We can recognise all forms of courage – physical, emotional and spiritual. We uphold all Friends’ contributions. We need all of it (…) We are more than the sum of our parts.
And during the weekend, I realised that this – this! – this is what I bring to the table! I can hold the space for other people. Not every time – I am only human, after all – but often enough, when it counts, I can be a calm and supportive presence. Maintained eye contact. A gentle smile. A safe place where everything is welcome. I’m not going to fix it for you, but I can hold the space while you figure things out.
Friends, we all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. Do not underestimate the power of the gift that you give to someone when you give them the space to be fully seen and heard. Some at the gathering talked about how isolated they felt in their local meetings, being the only one working on climate projects. Friends – even if your passions lie elsewhere and you don’t want to personally get involved in climate projects, you can still uphold those in your community who do. Please do not underestimate the part that you can play.
We all take different roles at different times. We can be mystics, activists, builders, upholders, artists, prophets and reconcilers. We are all of us a rainbow and the colours move around. The spirit shows us where we are led.
Italics are quotes taken from the Earthcare 2025 Epistle.
2022 Closing Minute - https://livingwitness.org.uk/2022-gathering/
2025 Epistle - https://livingwitness.org.uk/gathering-2025/