Woodbrooke has been working hard to ensure that throughout the pandemic we offer learning, nurture, connection, training and worship opportunities. We have been really encouraged by the engagement from Friends, with course participation increasing by over a third in 2020. Many new Friends, Friends from across the world, and the Quaker-curious are experiencing Woodbrooke for the first time. Amazingly, the total attendance at our online worship in 2020 was more than 18,000.
The support of Quaker communities is essential for us. Like many organisations which rely on hospitality to support their work, Woodbrooke continues to face huge financial challenges. We know that like Woodbrooke lots of meetings are also confronting their own difficulties. Many are supporting Friends in their meetings to participate in the learning we offer.
Woodbrooke Correspondents help share the treasures Woodbrooke offers. They can tell Friends about the variety of online courses we offer and ways we can help Friends to afford Woodbrooke learning. We hope that meetings will continue to do this, and we look forward to working with you. Find out more information here: https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/support-us/woodbrooke-correspondents/
We are also grateful for those who are able to make a donation, particularly if they have training budgets they wish to gift to us. Please contact donations@woodbrooke.org.uk to open the conversation with us or visit https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/.
With your support, Woodbrooke hopes to rise to meet the needs of Friends in the coming decades, sustaining over 100 years of nurturing the vital ministry of Friends.
Notes:
- Our online worship is run in partnership with EMES (Europe and the Middle East Section of Friend World Committee for Consultation).
- Meeting for Sufferings papers can be found here: https://www.quaker.org.uk/our-organisation/meeting-for-sufferings/papers-and-minutes
Meeting for Sufferings is the standing representative body entrusted with the care of the business of Britain Yearly Meeting through the year. - Woodbrooke does not receive general grants, donations or other unrestricted financial support from Britain Yearly Meeting to provide learning or run the Woodbrooke Centre. BYM does commission specific projects for which money is ring-fenced to deliver this work on BYM’s behalf. You can read more about this here: https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/britain-yearly-meeting/
- For our full list of courses see https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/our-courses/
Opportunities for formal post-graduate study can be found at: https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/research/ - The Woodbrooke Centre in Birmingham is currently open for specific day activity in line with COVID-19 restrictions but closed for residential bookings, including B&B, until further notice.
