Issue 23-01-2024
Featured story
Beyond belief: G Gordon Steel’s Thought for the week
I always have a wry smile when I hear the lovely hymn that begins ‘This is the truth sent from above / the truth of God, the God of love.’ You may remember that it goes on to say, ‘The first thing that I will relate / that God at first did...
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Bear it in mind: Abigail Maxwell on the psychology of nontheist worship
I joined the Religious Society of Friends in 2002. I came via the Anglican church, where I had happily recited the creed. In 2009, I was losing my belief in the triune god, in a long, melancholy withdrawal – my belief had been part of my identity from childhood. My partner felt that...
Watch this space: Jenny Webb takes a flyer
I have come to a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, to deliver some flyers. The wording reads: ‘A Friendly space in the Earth Café at the Quaker Meeting House. Free tea, coffee, snacks and chat. All welcome – just drop in’. This wording was subject to some discussion. We...
Hold your peace: Keith Braithwaite has a personal take on the conflict in Gaza
I find myself reluctant to embrace the term ‘war crime’. It invites us to sometimes say: but this is only war, not a crime.
Children play major role at London event
Children and young people played ‘a major role’ at a gathering of all seven London Area Meetings (AMs) earlier this month.
Elisabeth Frink: A view from within
Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) produced startling sculptures and artworks that continue to intrigue today. But what motivated her? How did she come to develop her art, and what was she trying to portray?
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Quakers mark two years of war in Ukraine
Friends across the world will mark the two-year anniversary of war in Ukraine with an extended international worship for peace.
Tottenham Friend faces deportation for climate witness
A Tottenham Friend had their request for bail approved last week, after spending over a year in prison for climate activism.
Quakers urge end to Rafah offensive
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has written to the prime minister calling for the UK to use diplomatic pressure to urge Israel to change course.
Friends uphold Liverpool Quaker in climate trial
Liverpool Quakers are upholding a local Friend on trial for climate witness this week.
Letters - 23 February 2024
Our daily worship I was sad to read Mavis and Roger Iredale’s letter in the Friend (9 February) telling us of a Friend considering absence from Sunday worship because they were so disturbed by all that is happening in the world at the moment. In troubled times I have discovered...
Eye - 23 February 2024
Gracing the airwaves Friends have featured on BBC radio a number of times recently. Maris Vigar, of Stourbridge Meeting, drew Eye’s attention to an episode of Sunday Feature, first broadcast on 21 January, focusing on Bayard Rustin’s life and music: https://bit.ly/3utuumm. Maris describes it as: ‘Simply...