We send warm greetings from Ireland Yearly Meeting gathered in Newtown School, Waterford from 13th - 18th April 2004.

It is 350 years since the first Quaker settlement in Ireland. William Edmondson held the first Quaker meeting in his home in Lurgan in 1654. The importance of our origins was highlighted by Martin Lynn, from South Belfast Meeting, in his public lecture "Children of Light". The light within comes from God and, as expressed by William Edmondson, is "God's witness in our hearts". The desire to encounter God was at the heart of the Quaker spiritual experience 350 years ago and this is still true today. God can be experienced in every second of our lives.

We have been blessed by a large number of visitors from Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and North America, including the Friendly Folk Dancers. The Quaker youth theatre group, The Leaveners, worked with our young people to tell the story of William Edmondson's life. An innovative performance was given in a public theatre, which was previously Waterford's Quaker Meeting House.

We have been inspired to hear about the Friends World Committee for Consultation Triennial held in New Zealand and look forward to hosting the next triennial in 2007. Liz Scurfield, a Quaker Council for European Affairs representative, spoke encouragingly about their work. The readiness of the men and women working in the institutions of the European Union to listen to the Quaker voice is very encouraging. We have been upheld by letters of greeting received from Friends around the world.

At a civic ceremony in Waterford City Hall the mayor presented an illuminated scroll to the Yearly Meeting in recognition of Quakers' contribution to life in Ireland and especially in Waterford.

In this 350th year our Young Friends intend to complete 350 hours of voluntary service. There has been great demand for the colourful booklet "The Friendly Guide to Quakerism" which was produced by Young Friends in Ireland last year. Ten thousand more copies will be printed this year.

In a session on Ministry and Oversight David Brindle, of Wilmington Yearly Meeting, reminded us that God's gifts are not for ourselves, but for the community. We should have an expectation of God's presence among us both in our lives and in our meetings for worship.

Miriam Logan, of Cork Meeting, spoke on the subject "Fear of Difference is at the Core of Conflict". We learn more from our differences than our similarities and it is important that we stay with our differences on our spiritual journeys.

Friends in Ireland have been greatly challenged while working to revise our book of Christian Experience. We have come to accept that there are differing theological perspectives within our membership. We have not yet discerned whether the Yearly Meeting wishes these different experiences and perspectives to be reflected within a book of Christian Experience. It is hoped that Friends can discuss their ideals and deeply held beliefs in a way which will help, encourage and challenge others. "Always, my dear Friends, dwell in the life and love and power, and wisdom of God, in unity with one another, and with God." William Edmondson.

Signed in and on behalf of Ireland Yearly Meeting.