Marisa Johnson, Clerk of BYM Trustees (Quakers in Britain): Governance, Scrutiny, Gender Diversity.

Quakerology Ep 80: Marisa Johnson talks to me about her personal faith journey as well as her role as Clerk to BYM Trustees (Quakers in Britain) #Quakers #QuakersInBritain #MarisaJohnson #FaithAndGender #Quakerology #emmarobertsquakerology Faith Journey & Background 00:00 - 02:20: Name, Identity & Italian Roots Marisa discusses the pronunciation of her name and her background moving from Italy to Britain 50 years ago. 02:21 - 06:15: Catholic Upbringing & Adolescent Rebellion She reflects on being raised in a provincial Italian town, her "church mouse" grandmother, and her eventual move toward languages and travel. 06:16 - 10:20: Search for Belonging in London The "candy shop" experience of discovering diverse faiths in London and the impact of the Second Vatican Council on her perspective. 10:21 - 15:00: Personal Tragedy & Finding a Home in Quakers A moving account of losing her first daughter, the support she found in the Methodist church, and her eventual arrival at Jesus Lane Quaker Meeting in Cambridge. 15:01 - 18:20: Rediscovering the Bible & Spiritual Growth Marisa explains moving from a "post-Christian" or non-theistic view to a deeper personal connection with God and the Bible. Quakerism: Global & Local Perspectives 18:21 - 24:43: The Diversity of the Global Quaker Family Drawing on her 12 years with the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), she discusses the differences between Quietist, Evangelical, and Liberal traditions across Europe and the world. 24:44 - 36:15: Theology, Eternity & the Communion of Saints A deep theological discussion on Universalism, the "Communion of Saints," and the sense of being held by God through grief. Governance, Scrutiny & Prison Chaplaincy 36:16 - 42:24: The Holy Spirit & Leadership You and Marisa discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in Quaker leadership and the balance between secular management and spiritual discernment. 42:25 - 49:15: Staffing & Outreach at Friends House A debate on the fact that only 20% of BYM staff are Quakers and whether this represents an "outreach opportunity" or a dilution of faith. 49:16 - 57:30: The Role of Trustees & Committee Structures Marisa defends the complexity of Quaker governance, emphasizing the commitment of volunteers and the discipline of collective discernment. 57:31 - 01:03:30: Friction in Prison Chaplaincy Support A candid exchange regarding your personal frustration with the level of support provided to Quaker prison chaplains, especially during and after the pandemic. Global Issues & Social Justice 01:13:20 - 01:19:12: EAPPI & The Middle East Marisa shares her life-changing experience as an Ecumenical Accompanier in Jerusalem 20 years ago and her ongoing commitment to the region. 01:19:13 - 01:25:32: Anti-Semitism & The Right to Safety Discussion on the recent BYM guidelines on anti-Semitism and the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The "Difficult Conversation": Sex & Gender 01:25:33 - 01:37:30: "Difficult Conversations" at BYM 2026 Reflections on the themes of the 2026 Yearly Meeting and the challenge of finding common ground in a "messy" reality. 01:37:31 - 01:46:00: Personal Stakes & The "Red Line" Marisa speaks personally as the mother of a trans son, explaining why affirming trans and non-binary people is a "red line" for her service as a Trustee. 01:46:01 - 01:54:30: Biological Sex vs. Gender Identity A direct and respectful debate on the immutability of sex, featuring biological examples and the impact of these views on single-sex spaces. 01:54:31 - 02:07:00: Medicalization & Biblical Interpretations You discuss your concerns about medicalized transitions and the "cosmetic" industry, while Marisa highlights gender non-conforming stories in the Bible. 02:07:01 - 02:18:00: Rights, Privacy & Homophobia A discussion on the right to single-sex spaces, the changing nature of Pride, and the experience of being "canceled" for gender-critical views. 02:18:01 - 02:41:14: Final Reflections on Truth & Community The interview concludes with a mutual recognition of the need to coexist and "eat together" in community, despite deep ideological disagreements.