Issue 28-04-2023
Featured story
Food for thought: Kate McNally’s Thought for the week
I recently saw a challenge to write about one’s journey with food. It wasn’t directed at me, and I wasn’t sure exactly what it meant, but I decided to try anyway.
Top stories
Vagabond journey:the ‘psychological abnormalities’ and ‘religious genius’ of George Fox
If you’re thinking of tackling George Fox’s Journal before the quarter centenary commemorations next year, then I recommend William James as a reading companion. Born in 1842, James was a philosopher, and perhaps the first psychologist of the religious sensibility. He is an enthusiast for Quakerism. Take this, for...
Hundreds of Friends at ‘The Big One’
Hundreds of Friends joined Extinction Rebellion (XR)’s ‘The Big One’ last weekend, demanding urgent action on the climate emergency.
More business with history: Andy Fincham has lessons from the Quaker past
Last week in ‘Business with history’, we looked at how early Quakers achieved success in their commercial ventures, along with a reputation for probity and straight dealing. It is significant that this reputation followed the success, because what really enabled early Friends to achieve prominence was their highly-integrated community, founded...
Bean feast: Robert Ashton wants a better cup
Coffee has played a key role throughout my career. Deals were struck over cappuccino in hotel lounges; new opportunities grew from chance conversations in conference coffee breaks; and visitors to my office were always offered a fresh cafetiere. I came to judge the businesses I visited by the standard of...
Eye - 28 April 2023
Exploring Bournville On 16 April Songs of Praise explored the faith and philanthropy of the Cadbury family in Bournville. The episode explored the history of the Cadbury company and the development of their factory village. Aled Jones goes on a walking tour of Bournville with the heritage manager of the Village...
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Quaker says Churches Together must evolve
Hannah Brock Womack, who was prevented from fully taking up her position as a president for Churches Together in England (CTE) because she is in a same-sex marriage, says the organisation must continue to evolve to stop history repeating itself.
Friend highlights plight of hospices
A Bolton Quaker has called for more funding for hospices, highlighting the financial strain many face. The call echoes warnings from Hospice UK that many providing end-of-life services in partnership with the NHS may have to shut beds and sack staff because of rising energy bills of up to 350 per...
Friends spread the word on voter ID
Britain Yearly Meeting has urged Friends to highlight the issue of voter ID. Writing in the Quake! newsletter, BYM said: ‘The government is bringing in voter ID, starting with the local elections in May 2023. It’s important that we remember to bring valid ID to the polling station and help...
Yearly Meeting 2023 Preparatory sessions
A series of online theme preparation sessions were run between 19 and 23 April to help Friends get ready for Yearly Meeting (YM) 2023. Its theme is ‘Releasing our energy so that we can follow the leadings of the spirit, fulfil our purpose and build a better world’. YM in session will address...
Letters - 28 April 2023
Membership I admire those attenders who are devoted to our Religious Society, who serve it in many ways, but who refrain from applying for membership because in all honesty they cannot accede to our God-centred religious basis. I deplore the fact that our procedures are such that avowed and even...