How would Elders, Pastoral Friends and Premises Committees be nominated and appointed?
They would be appointed at London AM (LAM) level but nominated by their local meetings or by whatever other process LAM agrees. Elders and Pastoral Friends would mainly act within their own LM, but would also support Elders and Pastoral Friends in other local meetings nearby as needed and requested. LAM would organise meetings to bring them together across London, perhaps two a year, one north of the Thames, one south of the Thames. (see Qf&p 12.06 – 12.07)
How and where (LM, clusters of LMs, AM) would the process for visiting new members be organised?
The visiting (or other process) would happen at LM level but involving at least one person from another meeting - largely as now. Local meetings’ proposals on membership would be considered and decided by the LAM. Member and attender lists would be compiled and kept up to date by the local meeting and copied to LAM. Each year local meetings would give the numbers to LAM who would compile London’s input to the annual Tabular Statement. (see Qf&p 11.04 – 11.07)
What about marriages?
The couple would apply to their local meeting clerk/Elders and Pastoral Friends who would forward the request to the London Registering Officer team (of three). Local Friends would arrange a meeting for clearness, communicating with the Registering Officer as needed. Local Friends would undertake practical arrangements advised by the couple and the Registering Officer. The legal formalities (including reading out the request in meeting) would be guided by the Registering Officer.
Friends who worship in premises-free meetings or meeting houses with limited space, would be able to hold a wedding in another meeting house anywhere in the AM, under the care of their own meeting. (see Qf&p 16.17 – 16.21 and the rest of Chapter 16)
What about deaths and funerals?
Everything would be handled at local level, including burials, interment and scattering of ashes. Friends should be mindful of other Friends who may have known the deceased and of the deceased’s service beyond their local meeting. Deaths would be notified to LAM. LAM's Funeral Advisor(s) would advise as needed on conduct of funerals.
Friends would be able to use another meeting house if more appropriate, with arrangements made by their own meeting. (See Qf&p 17.08)
What about learning, outreach, witness, social activities, mutual support?
It would be for local meetings to decide if they wish to join with others (no set grouping is necessary). LAM would provide support for local activities and, where agreed by AM, take on concerns at a London-wide level. LAM would organise social and learning events for Friends across London as 'London Quakers' does now. (se Qf&p 4.02)
How will nominations for AM-level roles be done?
There will be an AM-level Nominations Committee, which will bring names for AM Clerks, AM Treasurer, AM Trustees and some other roles to the LAM in session for consideration and appointment. Names could be suggested to the Nominations Committee in a number of ways.
(See also FAQ on Elders, Pastoral Friends and Premises Committees.) (see Qf&p 4.04 – 4.05)
What about the nomination and support of prison ministers?
LAM would agree to forward the name,* on nomination from Friends near the relevant prison, which may be more than one local meeting acting together. Those local meetings would then provide support to the Quaker Prison Chaplain. (see Qf&p 13.48 – 13.57)
[* - technically it's the Secretary of State (Justice) who makes the appointment]