Issue 10-09-2021
Featured story
A woman of her word: Bob Lovett’s thought for the week
In the late 1940s I used to look forward to listening to Alistair Cooke’s weekly Letter from America on BBC Radio 4. In the pandemic of the 2020s I looked forward with equal pleasure to receiving a weekly email that was addressed ‘Letter to Newton Abbot Friends’.
Top stories
The lie of the land: Elizabeth Coleman on truth, Rwanda and Congo
As Quakers, we seek truth. But, as Thomas Penny reminded us in this year’s Swarthmore Lecture, truth is not a simple thing. Truth is complex and complicated. There are ways of being untruthful without telling direct lies.
Something old, something new: Tony D’Souza on the Ancient Way
The Ancient Way is unlike any other way. It is very old. I have no idea how old it is. It is older than the hills, older than the universe – it is probably older than God. If you want to know it, you will know it when you are ready...
Quakers on Songs of Praise
Pendle Hill Quakers are to feature in a BBC Songs of Praise episode this weekend.
Follow the bear: Bamber Hawes takes it in his stride
Calling anyone who would like to be part of a commitment to our living, breathing Earth and the future of all life. I am organising a Climate Crisis Pilgrimage from South Shropshire to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. Would you be interested in...
Source material: Angela Greenwood’s Loving Earth panel
My tapestry panel for the Loving Earth Project (above) is, I think, beautiful and chaotic. For me it evokes memories of a wonderful, creative, friendly and messy learning experience, in a serene house with my tennis club friends. I want to share how it all came about.
All articles
Friends get ready for DSEI
Friends have welcomed the London mayor’s statement that the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair should not return to London.
Interfaith pilgrimage for COP26
More than sixty interfaith pilgrims came together in King’s Lynn last month to end their march across Norfolk highlighting the need for action on climate change.
BYM welcomes child protection report
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has welcomed recommendations set out in a major report into child protection in religious organisations and settings.
Quaker Question Time with John Bird
The founder of the Big Issue Group John Bird will feature in the third Quaker Question Time.
Pray tell: John Bouttell experiments with light
I’d like to share my experience of the Sunday morning ‘Experiment with Light’ meditation at Sheffield Meeting House. Although the process is a mystery to me, I have found meditation to be a great help.
Our better nature? Nick Tyldesley digs in
This verse from ‘God’s Garden’ by Dorothy Frances Gurney neatly expresses the connection between spirituality and horticulture: ‘The kiss of the sun for pardon / The song of the birds for mirth / One is nearer God’s heart in a garden / than anywhere else on earth’.
There is a toad in my garage
There is a toad in my garage All the small birds have gone away Or maybe the local cats got them Or the magpies.
Letters - 10 September 2021
Back to basics I am concerned that we are losing our way. We are the Religious Society of Friends, which implies to me that we believe in an external Light, God or Force – whatever you may call it. We have our basic testimonies – Peace, Truth, Simplicity, Equality and Respect for...