Latest News
Meeting for Sufferings: News in brief
Sustainability Commitment Group Following Yearly Meeting Gathering’s Minute 36 on sustainability, the terms of reference for the Minute 36 Commitment Group were accepted. The appendix to the report giving the proposed terms of reference reminds us that the purpose of the Commitment Group is ‘to do the detailed thinking on...
Meeting for Sufferings: Speaking out
The rapid pace of change in the world of communications, including the development of social media, has prompted Friends to address the subject of ‘speaking out’ on behalf of Quakers in Britain. A Speaking Out Group, composed of three Friends and three members of staff, was set up in...
Meeting for Sufferings: Speaking out
In the early eighteenth century many of the tools of contemporary campaigning – such as slogans, logos, public meetings and boycotts – were developed by Quakers and others as part of the campaign against the slave trade. Today, a Quaker faces imprisonment because of his conscientious objection to taking part in...
Faith groups criticise proposed welfare cap
Quakers have lambasted the government’s proposed cap on household benefits as ‘a blunt and cruel instrument’. They spoke out as the House of Lords rejected key sections of the Welfare Reform Bill.
JRCT appoints new trust secretary
Britain’s largest Quaker trust has appointed Nick Perks as its new trust secretary. He will take up the post at the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) in August, following the retirement of Stephen Pittam, who had been in the job for eleven years.
Quakers urged to speak out
Quakers have been urged to speak out against prejudices that lead to poor people being blamed for their own poverty. Quaker Social Action (QSA) has backed a call by Church Action on Poverty (CAP) to take a stand against stereotypes that ignore the ‘real barriers’ faced by benefit recipients,...
Quaker Tapestry in Ely Cathedral
Original panels from the Quaker Tapestry are on display for the first time in Cambridgeshire. The award-winning tapestry, which celebrates Quaker ideas, faith and practice from the seventeenth century to the present day, is on display in Ely Cathedral. The exhibition runs from 31 January until 29 February.
Rachel Brett will be Swarthmore lecturer
Quaker human rights lawyer Rachel Brett has been announced as this year’s Swarthmore Lecturer. She will deliver the annual lecture of British Quakers at Friends House in London on 26 May.
Census convictions
British courts have convicted 120 people of failure to complete last year’s census. A boycott was triggered by the involvement of arms firms. Those found guilty have been given fines ranging from around £75 to £1,000. Some have said they will go to prison rather than pay the fine.
The White Book of Carmarthen
Quakers in west Wales are preparing for a historic visit – by a book. The White Book of Carmarthen, launched by Welsh pacifists, is touring Wales and is expected to be welcomed shortly at Carmarthen Meeting.