Issue 22-07-2016
Featured story
Thought for the Week: Values and value
During the period of December to February I gradually lost all functions in my right arm. This would be bad enough normally but, having cerebral palsy, that arm was essential for my independence. Now it just hangs lifeless or cradled in a sling. Consequently, my support arrangements needed a complete...
Top stories
Reading the ‘Red Book’
‘Why is there a Revision Preparation Group (RPG) when it hasn’t been decided to revise Quaker faith & practice?’ This was the first question asked at the conference, held at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham in April, which was set up to consider a possible revision of...
The Quaker way
The Universalist dimension of Quakerism is a hidden treasure. George Fox got it when he said: Now where is this spirit, and where is this truth? Is it not within people?… And so every man and woman in the whole world must come to the spirit and truth in their...
Quakers and Business
The summer gathering and Annual General Meeting of the Quakers and Business Group (Q&B) was held on Saturday 25 June at Dorking Meeting House. I recently joined the Group and, in addition to dealing with the agenda for business, the gathering also proved to be a great opportunity to...
Living well, dying well
Given that we are living longer, it’s no surprise that life’s ending has become a major topic of interest. This year it was the theme of Quaker Life Representative Council, and a well-attended discussion during Yearly Meeting, while – waiting in the wings – is a September course at the...
Friends in last ditch anti-Trident protests
Quakers across Britain joined protests in the days and hours before the ‘main gate’ vote on the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system, which took place on Monday 18 July.
All articles
Taxes for Peace motion in parliament
On 19 July a Ten Minute Rule Bill arguing for the extension of the conscientious objection law into the tax system was read in parliament. The second reading will be 2 December.
QARN considers its aims
At its recent annual general meeting (AGM), the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network (QARN) discussed its current aims in relation to its ten-year-old constitution.
Stourbridge peace pole destroyed
A peace pole put up by Stourbridge Friends and Churches Together in Stourbridge just two months ago has been destroyed.
American Friend threatened
A United States senate candidate who is a Quaker has received online death threats because she chose not to take the pledge of allegiance.
URC in same sex marriage move
The General Assembly of the United Reformed Church (URC) has voted in favour of allowing its local churches to conduct and register marriages for same sex couples.
Early Quakers online
The Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham has joined with Lancaster University and online learning provider FutureLearn to offer a free online course on early Quakers.
Award for US Quaker publication
Friends Journal has been given an ‘Award of Excellence’ in the ‘Best in Class’ category for denominational/special interest magazines by the Associated Church Press.
Which Meeting house?
We’re six floors high – a lovely building on a lovely street, close to the railway station and with natural lighting into the basement. The central staircase has original iron bannisters with a semicircular room above the front door available for counselling sessions, a good Meeting room which can seat...
The sense of presence
Recently I ministered about how my sense of the presence seemed that morning to delight in itself and how I shared in that delight. It isn’t always thus. Sometimes I seem to sense pain, sometimes joy or the utter, utter peace of which Thomas Kelly speaks. Sometimes the sense...
Eye - 22 July 2016
Making connections The ad pages of the Friend have long shone a light on the bustling Quaker community in Britain. One advert spied by Jill Allum, of Beccles Meeting, recently set off a mind-bending avalanche of connections. It began with a profusion of Ransomes: ‘Discovering Swallows & Ransomes is a...
Letters - 22 July 2016
Naming of rooms It was interesting to see the recently reported decisions about naming more meeting rooms at Friends House after particular Friends (8 July). Nice idea. I hope the outreach element of this can be supported by information not only about their witness, but also the spiritual experiences and practices...