Issue 13-03-2020
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‘In the discernments Pope Francis is currently having to make, his approach seems very Quakerly.’
I was once asked to say when I had last felt glad to be a Quaker. At the time I was reading each week the Anglican Church Times and the Catholic Tablet. I replied that every time I read those, I was glad I was a Quaker. A Friend took...
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‘I cannot imagine the determination and strength it took…’
The question of assisted dying was first approached by Meeting for Sufferings in 2010, when North Scotland Area Meeting expressed a desire for improved palliative care. This is essential, of course, but it is not an answer to the most extreme forms of physical or mental distress. By 2014 the matter was...
‘Of course despair lingers, but that moment was a turning point.’
Like many of us, St Andrews Friends have been engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the climate emergency. A few months ago we invited Transition St Andrews to lead us in a series of ‘climate conversations’. One Saturday last month we met together for a morning of ‘Resolutions’, exploring...
‘The layers of conflict are like layers of lasagne.’
Last month was the fourth time that Central England Area Meeting had invited the ecumenical network Church and Peace to hold its Britain and Ireland regional day at our Meeting house in Birmingham. The event was again organised in collaboration with Fellowship of Reconciliation.
‘This is the disciple who bears witness about these things and has written them down…’ (John 21:24)
The Gospel according to John is markedly different from the three Synoptic gospels. It is primarily located in the Jerusalem area, rather than Galilee. Jesus’ speech is different: instead of short sayings there are long discourses. There is little reference to the Kingdom of God and there are no parables....
‘Lock Down’: a play by Journeymen Theatre
‘That’s the system – no system!’ This is the repeated cry of Ron, serving a life sentence, during Lynn and Dave Morris’ new drama, premiered to a full audience in Stourbridge Meeting House on 26 February. The play is packed with stories and incidents that make his case for him. They...
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‘The Future of Capitalism’ by Paul Collier
Publications on how to set the world to rights abound. Many focus on single issues but even the most committed Friends will look at the ills explored in this book and agree that climate change isn’t the only game in town. It hits many targets, combined as a coherent...
Quakers call for a ‘Climate Budget’
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has called for a ‘Climate Budget’, ahead of this week’s government Budget. Six key actions are needed, it said, to redirect public spending towards ‘a just transition’ to ‘ensure climate damage is factored into investment decisions’.
Friends rally for COP
West Scotland Quakers have formed a group in preparation for the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Glasgow Friends said the two-week gathering in November will be ‘a huge opportunity for Quakers in Scotland to support and share witness with people from all over the world who are directly affected by the...
Edinburgh Quakers host lunch for refugees
Central Edinburgh Quakers took part in an event to welcome refugees last month. Fifteen Quakers volunteered at a lunch at the Meeting house for thirty-two adult and children refugees from Syria, Sudan and Ghana.
Failure to back CO rights, says report
The Peace Pledge Union has backed a report criticising European institutions for failing to implement the right to conscientious objection and highlighting the discriminations faced by war resistors.
Mental health retreat
Twenty Friends from across the UK gathered at Selly Oak Meeting House in Birmingham last month for a special day for Quaker mental health workers.
‘Don’t shake hands’
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has advised Meetings not to shake hands as the coronavirus continues to spread.
Eye - 13 March 2020
Trail-blazing women In the wake of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Eye spied an intriguing story from Jacquetta Gomes, from Kendal. Jacquetta writes: ‘Elizabeth Fry is included in First Women: The first women in law, government, the professions, music and other notable posts, achievements and matters of interest by...
Letters - 13 March 2020
A common purpose I always enjoy Tony D’Souza’s articles and in his latest contribution (28 February) I found his ‘four steps’ of particular interest. I share the view that what he describes conforms closely to the practice of early Quakers. This process takes place at a subconscious level, being...