'Should there be a dove, an olive branch, the peace symbol... or should you have the space to reflect on what imagery speaks to you?
'Should there be a dove, an olive branch, the peace symbol... or should you have the space to reflect on what imagery speaks to you?
Calling all Quaker crafters!
As readers of the Eye page will have spotted, this year we’ve been including more creative offerings. Eye hopes they’ve been speaking to you, Friends!
Eye is now on the lookout for tips and ideas from those of you who enjoy transforming a humble sheet of paper.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy the pages that the team pour their heart and hard graft into, but we know what happens after these words have been read can vary: some are stored, some recycled, while others are upcycled and given another life.
What could that life be? Decorations, cards, collage, origami, gift wrap, or gifts – simple or complicated – Eye wants to hear what you would make, Friends! And we would love to share the inspiration with readers – so please send any ideas by 13 November to eye@thefriend.org.
A real Quaker dog
Eye was moved when Lydia Vulliamy, of Ipswich Meeting, reached out to tell the story of a pup who touched a community of Friends.
She began: ‘The first time I took Poppy into Meeting it was very hot, and I couldn’t leave her in the car. I was on the door, and I just sneaked her in by my feet. No one noticed.
‘After this I raised it at Business Meeting, and the feeling was in favour, so I started settling her beside me on a mat. She never made a sound except sometimes a quiet snore.’
Poppy sadly passed away last year, and Friends reflected: ‘She was an amazing Quaker dog… In fact she was just such a great dog to have around in the Meeting house. Dear Poppy – she was such a lovely lady… Poppy was our very special Quaker dog… I know how much she meant to you and I was so pleased that she was able to join us in worship. I will certainly miss her being with us… Poppy was truly lovely… What a cracking little dog. Poppy was a real character.’
Lydia shares: ‘She specially liked our tea and biscuits, and shared meals. She specialised in catching biscuits in mid-air and generally succeeded. She will be missed for her vacuuming services too. We are much saddened by having to say goodbye.’
It sounds like Poppy had a big impact on Friends. Do you have any furry companions at Meeting, or snuggled next to you while you read your Friend, that you’d like to share?
An invitation to colour
Eye found this one a challenge Friends. Should there be a dove, an olive branch, the peace symbol… or should you have the space to reflect on what imagery speaks to you? Eye would be intrigued to see what doodles or illustrations our trusty readers come up with for this testimony.
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