The Friend

Silence in the midst of noise

The issues around fracking and other forms of new and intensive fossil fuel extraction can be divisive, with serious moral and ethical dimensions which Quakers are engaged with. Meeting for Sufferings considered the matter from the perspective of climate justice and issued their discerned statement in February 2017:

For some years Quakers in Britain have worked to advocate for climate justice in our central work and Meetings. In 2011 we committed to “speak truth to power” on sustainability issues. We have faith that we can tackle climate change and build a more sustainable future, but we know this is only possible if fossil fuels remain underground.

Different interpretations

Young Quakers were fully engaged at the University of Warwick from 29 July to 5 August as part of the Children and Young People’s activities programme, and also sharing experiences with Yearly Meeting Gathering 2017.

Yearly Meeting Gathering 2017: Special interest groups

Israel and Palestine

Four speakers engaged Friends on 3 August in the interest group about Israel and Palestine organised by the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

Maureen Jack, of the Church of Scotland, spoke about the importance of giving voice to the voiceless and of speaking for the powerless. She stressed the need to be impartial, ‘not taking sides’ and ‘being neutral’. She said there could not be peace without justice.