Quaker Arts Network is launching a new special initiative to explore and express advocacy for a wild and free natural world that many have lost connection to.
From a Quaker perspective, we can ‘rejoice’ and see the wonder, complexity, and simplicity. We can resonate with the sounds of nature, but feel the deeper silence. We can reflect on our place on this planet of diverse beings and know ‘we do not own the world.’
And yet we recognise that nature is suffering.
Quakers act where injustice is seen and felt. We do not remain passive. Can we write creatively to actively engage with both the beauty we feel in nature, and the harm? Can we also write for those under bombardment where the birds no longer sing?
“Healing also includes… communion with and understanding of the world of nature, and through friendship.” - Jim Pym, 1990
How can we bring a spirit of friendship with nature into our poems? What happens when we observe nature more closely? Where are the insects? Trees we once knew? Childhood memories are often a starting point. Can we explore both presence and absence, past and future?
Call for Submissions
‘Conversations with Nature’ is calling for British and international Quakers and non-Quakers alike to submit poetry and short poetic prose (max 400 words) that builds new connections and ideas, creates empathy, explores justice and diversity and discovers ourselves as part of the natural world. Many find it healing being in nature and writing about nature. Nature too needs to heal from the wounds we have inflicted.
The Submission Process
The submission window will run from 1 July 2026 until 1 October 2026 with a suggested donation of £3 for up to three poems. This helps us with the website and the print anthology costs.
A link will be made available here when submissions open.
Upcoming Events
Thu 27 August
QAN at Greenbelt Festival
Venue: Boughton House, Kettering, Northants
Once again QAN will be holding a Quaker space at Greenbelt Festival. Come and find our gazebo in the Takeaway area, where we will a welcoming presence and hub for all things Quaker on site. If you're interested in joining the QAN volunteer team, please fill out this form - applications are now open!
Fri 28 August
QAN at Greenbelt Festival
Venue: Boughton House, Kettering, Northants
Once again QAN will be holding a Quaker space at Greenbelt Festival. Come and find our gazebo in the Takeaway area, where we will a welcoming presence and hub for all things Quaker on site.If you're interested in joining the QAN volunteer team, please fill out this form - applications are now open!
Sat 29 August
QAN at Greenbelt Festival
Venue: Boughton House, Kettering, Northants
Once again QAN will be holding a Quaker space at Greenbelt Festival. Come and find our gazebo in the Takeaway area, where we will a welcoming presence and hub for all things Quaker on site. If you're interested in joining the QAN volunteer team, please fill out this form - applications are now open!
About the project
‘Conversations with Nature’ is a year-long project in which we will hold four monthly workshops between June and September 2026.
Attending workshops is encouraged but not necessary to submit. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
We will host a virtual launch event at the end of October 2026 for the online library and an in-person launch event for the print anthology in April 2027.
If you have any questions, you can email quakerartsuk@gmail.com.
We look forward to the conversations with nature and with you all.
Georgina Wright and Josiane Smith
on behalf of Quaker Arts Network
June 2026