Issue 03-03-2017

The Friend

The Friend is a weekly magazine in which Friends speak to each other and to the wider world, offering their insight, ideas, news, nurture and inspiration.

Nurturing Quaker community, each issue offers a space for Friends to share their concerns, and to support each other in faith and witness.

The Friend: enriching, inspiring and connecting the Quaker community since 1843.


Issue 03-03-2017

Features

Thought for the Week: Encountering Robert Barclay

by Mark Frankel

Robert Barclay’s An Apology for the True Christian Divinity (1676) is a classic statement of Quaker faith. A copy will be found in the libraries of most Meeting houses, but I doubt that it is often read.

Features

The long shadow of war

by Julia Bush and Ruth Whitehouse

Every Remembrance Day Quakers mourn for those who have suffered and died in wars, soldiers and civilians alike. We pledge ourselves to resist war and its consequences, whether or not our peace testimony has led us towards a stance of absolute pacifism. Commemoration of the first world war centenary has drawn Northamptonshire Quakers into an extended consideration of our own and our families’ relationship to war and peace.

Features

Refuge in St Davids

by Alan York

St Davids Quakers have taken advantage of the surroundings in which they live to set up weekends for asylum seekers and refugees in this west Wales holiday centre.

Features

A London plane tree

by Richard Ekins

For many years, I have never particularly enjoyed Christmas and birthdays. So, when I came to Quakerism, it suited me that the Quaker tradition dislikes distinguishing ‘high days’ and holidays from other days. Alas, making no distinction was not going to be so simple. I quickly learnt that many Quakers today love to celebrate Christmas. My birthday was to prove no less of a problem.

Features

Wellsprings

by Angela Nunn

Come to the wellsprings.

Bring only the real, authentic you.

No qualifications needed.

No imperfections excluded.

No aptitude or personality test.

No interview or selection day.

Features

Reflections on the ‘Red Book’: Tender sympathy

by Jill Allum

‘As we enter with tender sympathy into the joys and sorrows of each other’s lives, ready to give help and to receive it, our Meeting can be a channel for God’s love and forgiveness.’

From Quaker faith & practice, Advices & queries 18

News

Northumbria University hosts Quakers and business event

by Harry Albright The legacy and lessons to be learnt from the business practices of Friends in the past was…
News

Christian Aid launch sustainability initiative

by Harry Albright A new group for business leaders who are committed to working in sustainable ways, both in…
News

George Fox and Fenny Drayton

by Harry Albright A new information board has been made for the George Fox birthplace monument at Fenny…
News

CND challenges spending on Trident

by Harry Albright CND is inviting Friends to join a march in London on Saturday 4 March to promote spending…
News

Ireland YM public lecturer announced

by Harry Albright This year’s Public Lecture at Ireland Yearly Meeting (IYM) will be given by Rachel…
News

Scottish GM focus on God

by Harry Albright Gretchen Castle, general secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, will…
News

CO event at National Memorial Arboretum

by Harry Albright The work of conscientious objectors in the second world war will be highlighted at an…
News

Green spirituality retreat

by Harry Albright The Bamford Quaker Community is hosting a retreat on Green Spirituality in late March.
News

Quakers & Business Spring Gathering

by Harry Albright The Quakers & Business Spring Gathering this year will explore the Quaker Business…
Features

The Green Belt

by Paul Honigmann The need to review Green Belt policies has been in the news and recently prompted two…
Features

Beyond group allegiances

by Howard Grace The United States of America has a new president. There are huge differences between…
Q-eye

Eye - 03 March 2017

by Eye Appreciating life A visit to a friend prompted Brenda Claxton, of Bath Meeting, and her…
Letters

Letters - 03 March 2017

by The Friend The cause of peace I must confess to a rising sense of despair whenever I turn to the…

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