QCCIR 1 and 15 November 2025
The Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) met to hear from all its appointed representatives and to agree guests to invite to Yearly Meeting and speak at Special Interest Meetings. It also received the final version of Towards a paper on gender diversity in our church: Our differences are a blessing.
What is this committee responsible for?
QCCIR helps Quakers in Britain in their work with other religious faiths, churches, and spiritual and human values groups. It does this by reflecting deeply on Quaker insights and values. It writes publications to explain Quaker faith and decisions in theological terms. It helps Friends enter imaginatively into the life and witness of other faith groups, for example by holding webinars. It aims to create bonds of friendship and mutual understanding.
What did it do at this meeting?
QCCIR has appointed nine Friends to represent Britain Yearly Meeting on various national bodies. They reported in writing and in person to the first part of this split meeting, informing the committee of trends and themes, and their personal experience in fulfilling the role. The committee also heard from Friends who serve as Trustees on the Ecumenical Instruments in their personal capacities, from Friends who represent QCCIR on internal Quaker bodies or at particular meetings, and from its two co-opted members representing EMES and BDRC*.It also heard from the Recording Clerk about his work with other churches and faiths, and from BYM's ecumenical and interfaith officer. It is important to draw together all these threads of our work.
The second part of the meeting agreed guests to invite to Yearly Meeting from other churches and faiths who may be interested in the YM theme of 'Community'.Friends also discerned who to invite as speakers for the online special interest meetings to be held at the end of March, and attended to much routine business.
It also received the final version of Towards a paper on gender diversity in our church: Our differences are a blessing. QCCIR asked for the final paper to be sent to Meeting for Sufferings. This had been through many drafts and much consultation over nearly a year, so was a major piece of work to pass on.
How can I find out more?
Please read our dedicated committee webpage.
We also have a new action page to support Friends in work with other churches and faiths. This page has links to webinar recordings, to written resources and to receive occasional news by email.
*The executive secretary of the European and Middle East Section of Friends World Committee for Consultation, and one of the co-clerks of the Book of Discipline Revision Committee are co-opted members of QCCIR.