Latest News
Quakers celebrated on Women’s Day
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Scottish History Society have launched a video celebrating Quaker women to mark International Women’s Day.
Tackle harm from gambling, urge campaigners
Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs has joined churches and charities to urge the UK government to act decisively and urgently in tackling the harm caused by gambling.
Blue plaque for Kathleen Lonsdale
The Quaker scientist, peace campaigner and prison reformer Kathleen Lonsdale is the first of six women being recognised by the English Heritage blue plaque scheme this year.
QSA announce new homeless project
Quaker Social Action (QSA) has launched a new scheme aimed at providing a space for people who do not have access to a kitchen to prepare meals.
‘Why did your Meeting grow?’ ask Friends
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is investigating why some Meetings grow and others decline. The consideration follows an analysis of the Tabular Statement, the annual report of all Quakers in Britain, which reveals that ‘between 2009 and 2019, 105 local meetings – a quarter of our society – grew in size’.
Meeting for Sufferings: Facing change
In her letter to Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) representatives, clerk Margaret Bryan welcomed the signs of spring. It was fitting for a Meeting that dealt with change, perhaps even to MfS itself.
Meeting for Sufferings: Becoming an inclusive Society
After registering Escaping Victimhood as a Quaker Recognised Body, and approving a letter of greeting to Ireland Yearly Meeting, the report from Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees gave rise to a discussion on race, in the wake of social media complaints from two former employees. Caroline Nursey, clerk to BYM...
Meeting for Sufferings: End to overseers
Further change came with a Quaker Life Central Committee (QLCC) minute asking Friends to stop using the term ‘overseer’. It was ‘hurtful and must be changed’ said the QLCC clerk.
Meeting for Sufferings: AM/BYM relationships
Last December, BYM trustees asked MfS whether it would be useful to have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BYM and Area Meeting (AM) trustees. MfS welcomed the idea, and asked trustees to keep them informed of progress. Chris Willmore, BYM trustee, now offered that with a report. She wasnâ€...
Meeting for Sufferings: Assisted dying
After a period of worship to clear minds, the Meeting turned to what clerk Margaret Bryan had referred to as ‘the principal item for consideration’. In October 2019 MfS received minutes from two AMs seeking discernment on the question of support for legislation to enable assisted dying in the UK. These...