Issue 16-12-2022

Featured story

A welcome sight? Dana Smith’s Thought for the week

FREE 15 Dec 2022 | by Dana Smith

‘If we had a keen vision and feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrel’s heart beat, and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence. As it is, the quickest of us walk...

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Top stories

Range of vision: Arne Springorum offers a personal climate challenge

15 Dec 2022 | by Arne Springorum

‘We all are implicated, and we lack integrity if we keep silent.’

This is a really hard article to write. For days now, I have tiptoed around how I should go about it. There is fear in me: fear of choosing the wrong words, of upsetting some of you, and of being isolated from my beloved community of Friends, my faith community....

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The heart of Europe: Rebecca Bellamy visits QCEA

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Bellamy

‘The grief I feel now is for the loss of our democratic voice.’ | Photo: by Henri Lajarrige Lombard on Unsplash

Last month I participated in a study tour organised by the Quaker Council of European Affairs (QCEA). Since I have been serving as a representative from Britain Yearly Meeting to the QCEA General Assembly, I was keen to get to grips with the context in which the organisation is working.

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Stepping up: One Friend’s experience of self-reconciliation

15 Dec 2022 | by Following the principle established by twelve-step fellowships, the author is anonymous.

‘The way through is Love, which is God.’ | Photo: by Pier Monzon Lombard on Unsplash

I attempt a process of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. There are two parts of me, in conflict. I could call them God and Mammon: I cannot serve both. I am one human being, with two different selves. I have sought to understand, through reading psychology, theology, mystic wisdom, and other...

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250th anniversary of Quaker Luke Howard

FREE 15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

'In an era of climate change, it is more important than ever to understand our climate and try to reduce and reverse the human causes of extreme climate events' | Photo: Portrait of Luke Howard, by John Opie

Friends marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Luke Howard this month, with activities across his suburb of Tottenham.

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Eye - 16 December 2022

15 Dec 2022 | by Elinor Smallman

‘Then abruptly the sun rose over the horizon, flooding us with light. We were literally being held in the light.' | Photo: by Ann Savchecko via Unsplash

A bright beginning A weekend gathering led to a memorable moment, Bob Ward, of Aylsham Meeting, tells Eye. Friends from Norfolk and Waveney Area Meeting recently got together at Belsey Bridge conference centre. Bob tells us: ‘On the first morning, before breakfast, Brett Fletcher led a silent meditative walk out...

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All articles

Quakers pull together on climate crisis

FREE 15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

Quakers in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset have been working together on a number of climate initiatives.

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Loving Earth sparks climate talks in Manchester

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

Manchester Friends hosted the Quaker-run Loving Earth Project last month, as outreach and to raise awareness of the climate crisis.

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Mark Russ leads BBC Daily Service

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

Quaker Mark Russ led the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service last week, exploring grace and Christian unity.

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First revisions of the book of discipline released

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

The Book of Discipline Revision Committee (BDRC) has released two proposed revisions for the new book.

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Meeting for Sufferings: Trustees report

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

The afternoon session started with Caroline Nursey, clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees, speaking to their report. Trustees met in November, Caroline said, which had a ‘packed’ agenda with over 200 papers. She also welcomed two new Friends who will be joining as trustees in January: Catherine Brown and Paul...

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Meeting for Sufferings: Interfaith relations

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

Quaker witness is a powerful presence among other churches, Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) told Friends in the next session.

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Meeting for Sufferings: Quaker World Relations Committee

15 Dec 2022 | by Rebecca Hardy

Tracey Martin, clerk of Quaker World Relations Committee (QWRC) introduced its annual report, which she explained was the first time they had reported directly to MfS under new terms of reference.

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Letters - 16 December 2022

15 Dec 2022 | by The Friend

Fighting talk I welcome Don Rowe’s call (25 November) for a review of chapter 24 of Quaker faith & practice to take account of the reality of recent conflicts. I recollect that there was a call some years ago for a restatement of our Peace Testimony. Since the UN was founded...

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