Issue 27-05-2022
Featured story
Yearly Meeting (YM), 2022
Around 180 Friends met online for the first session of Yearly Meeting 2022, which opened with an introduction from clerk designate Siobhán Haire. Siobhán has also recently been appointed as deputy recording clerk to Britain Yearly Meeting (see News, 5 May), and some Friends were interested to see how she would...
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The Shell Seven, by Margaret Heffernan, for BBC Radio 4
Just over twelve months ago, a group of Extinction Rebellion (XR) protestors made headlines when they were acquitted for criminal damages to Shell’s headquarters, despite having no defence in law, and being indisputably guilty of the charges.
Friends raise more funds for Ukraine
Therapy, schooling and temporary accommodation are just some of the ways that Quaker funds have supported people fleeing Ukraine.
Desperate measures: Sue Hampton calculates the risk of being a Rebel
A few weeks ago in Meeting for Worship, a wonderful woman called Marjorie, who is ninety-one, gave ministry about risk. She didn’t actually use that word, but she spoke of elderly Ukrainian women standing peacefully in front of Russian soldiers and talking to them, on behalf of their mothers....
Class action: Gill Alcock and John Babb report from the launch of Peace at the Heart
Quakers have been pioneering and supporting peace education for many years. So the launch of a major report this month, Peace at the Heart, attracted national and international attention. Over 200 teachers, educationalists, policymakers, peace education practitioners, parents, students and Quakers joined the online launch. The ninety-minute session packed in a...
Triumphs and failures: 350 years at Almeley Wootton by Stella R Sterry
It was in 1672 that a local landowner, Roger Prichard, a glover, former soldier in Cromwell’s army, and then active Quaker, decided to gift a cottage to Friends in Almeley. Quakers were already in the village, with Meetings in Roger’s own home. These were described as ‘Large, sweet and...
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Quaker ‘Just Stop Oil’ protestor released
A Quaker imprisoned on remand for breaking a protest injunction was released last week.
The Retreat marks Quaker heritage
Friends in the York area have requested more events to showcase the Quaker heritage of the mental health institute The Retreat.
Quakers mark ‘EU military drift’
Quakers gathered this week to discuss concerns about Europe’s new defence strategy, which includes increased spending.
Home office urged to help Russian pacifists
Offering asylum to Russian pacifists will help halt the war in Ukraine, a leading pacifist group has said.
Freedom from Torture auction raises £7,500
The Quaker-supported charity Freedom from Torture has raised £7,500 auctioning the work of the the late Iraqi artist Ausama al Khalil. The designer and painter was a survivor of torture, which left him with severe pain and disability.
Feeling the presence: Terri Hall on Alton Meeting
The date 1672 is highlighted in dark bricks on the wall outside. This makes Alton Meeting House just the second in the country to be purpose built by Quakers. The burial ground, which predates the Meeting House, is still open for burials and there are some early gravestones still visible.
Letters - 27 May 2022
Matthew 24 Keith Denerley (18 February 2022) referred, I think, to my article in the Friend of 27 August 2021 when writing that: ‘The article jerked me not to just stand there, but to be actively doing something to hasten the “coming of the Kingdom”.’ Amen to that. However my main point is the true...