Issue 17-12-2021
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Thought for the Week: Joseph Jones on women’s work
We lost too many people in that long first year of pandemic. Among them was the poet Eavan Boland, who had returned to her native Ireland to be close to family during the crisis. She already had some experience of lockdown – artistically, that is, having written ‘Quarantine’ (2008) about a couple...
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Help in hand: Michael Saunders on the rosary and Quaker spiritual practice
I own a plain rosary. It comes from the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. It is made of a handful of simple things: some wooden beads, rope, and a small crucifix. I am also a Quaker and meet for worship with the Friends of the Light (https://friendsofthelight.org...
Heads of key Quaker agencies met at Friends House and recorded an epistle on their time together
Eleven of us from seven international Quaker organisations have come together at Friends House London and online for a three-day gathering. We meet at a time of transition. The Covid pandemic has changed our lives and the societies we live in amplifying the inequalities which were already present. The work...
Learning difficulties: Gillian Turner remembers her own momentous year at Brummana High School
I joined the Brummana High School staff at the beginning of the 2004/2005 academic year. The school was in recovery after the long Lebanese civil war, but the year ended with the assassination of ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri.
Duppy Conqueror, by Robert Beckford (My Theology series)
Robert Beckford is a black theologian and broadcaster. His theological project is to rethink liberation theologies for second and third generation black British people. ‘How can people racialised as black conceive God, Jesus, and the Spirit within our social and political worlds?’ he asks. Can theology – talking about God – confront...
On falling in the river with Margaret Fell
‘So I sat me down in my pew again, and cried bitterly’ Margaret Fell. 1694 When I sat down, the silence was already rising, a river of quick fire. Like a body, flowing, it called to me. Quaking, I fell whole, no jot, no tittle withheld but all of me – falling. ...
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Friends urged to ‘cause a fuss’ on policing bill
Friends have been urged to ‘make a fuss’ as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill reaches the final parliamentary stages.
Friends House library to reopen this spring
The Friends House library refurbishment is likely to be completed by spring 2022, staff have said. Libby Adams, head of library and archives, said that the refurbishment is well underway, with the floor and painting nearly finished. New furniture will be installed, including a new modern inquiry desk and reading desk.
Quakers push for ban on conversion therapy
Britain Yearly Meeting has said that it strongly supports a ban on ‘so-called conversion therapy’. Together with the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community (QGSDC), BYM shared its views in a joint response to a government consultation.
Ruth Cadbury in Labour reshuffle
The Quaker politician Ruth Cadbury featured in Labour leader Kier Starmers’ reshuffle this month, joining the shadow international trade team.
Epistle from heads of Quaker agencies
The eleven heads of key Quaker agencies, who met in Friends House last week, have written an epistle about their time together. The message notes that the blended event came at a time of transition. Five of the seven groups will have new leadership in 2022, it says, adding: ‘We gather...
Meeting for Sufferings: Sustainability
Saturday 4 December, morning session ‘I hope you got one of the seven types of rest’*, said assistant clerk Robert Card to representatives as they returned to session after lunch, perhaps acknowledging the tiring work of online discernment. After dealing with nominations, he introduced Peter Aviss from the Sustainability Monitoring Group. ...
Meeting for Sufferings: COP26
The green theme continued when Paul Parker, recording clerk, and Oliver Robertson, head of worship and witness, gave their reflections on having been in Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference. It had been a ‘huge privilege and a heavy responsibility’ to be there, said Paul. Quakers were ‘important players’ in...
Meeting for Sufferings: Trustees
Introducing the BYM trustees report, clerk Caroline Nursey thanked representatives for the ‘engaging’ sessions they’d shared before this formal meeting. Trustees had learned that they could discern effectively online, but missed the fellowship of in-person meetings. Finding the right balance was going to be a challenge, she said.
Letters - 17 December 2021
Population concern I have read with interest several contributions to the Friend in recent months regarding population. Alastair McIntosh (29 October and 26 November) has articulated much of what it was in my mind to say, but there is one point I’d like to add. Something that puzzles me about the...