News Release: New Recording Clerk urges Quakers to speak out on equality

 Embargoed until noon Saturday 04 December 2010

03 December 2010

The new Recording Clerk for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) will be Paul Parker.
 
The post of Recording Clerk is the most senior staff position in the Society. Paul Parker, clerk of Saffron Walden Meeting, takes up the post in May 2011. The Recording Clerk is the link between the decision-making body open to all Quakers, known as Yearly Meeting, and the committees and staff in Friends House.
 
Paul Parker says: “I would like Quakers to be known as people who take their faith out into the world and live it. We need to have the courage and conviction to support Quakers to do that.”
 
“We are entering tough times nationally. The impact of government spending cuts means there will be people in real poverty and so we need to be ready to speak about equality. We need a strong voice to speak out on the issues around the global impact of climate change and sustainability and how that ties in with conflict.”
 
He sees his new role as leading the staff in interpreting the will of Yearly Meeting, where all Quakers who are members can discern the way ahead. “Ultimately, what does God want Quakers to do?” he asks.
 
He was clerk of the Yearly Meeting Gathering in York, in which context Quakers made the milestone decision to treat in the same way same sex and opposite sex marriages.
 
Paul Parker lives with his wife in Essex. He is currently assistant head teacher of Barnwell School in Stevenage. He teaches languages.
 
Ends
Notes to editor:
Around 23,000 people attend about 475 Quaker Meetings for Worship in Britain.
Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.
A photograph of Paul Parker is available from annev@quaker.org.uk
Media Information
Anne van Staveren
0207 663 1048
07958 009703
annev@quaker.org.uk
www.quaker.org.uk