Issue 29-03-2024
Featured story
See for yourselves: John Ward’s Thought for the week
When we lived in Hampshire, there was a wonderful nature reserve nearby called Titchfield Haven. It contained hides from which you could watch birds and other wildlife. Each hide had dense vegetation to its right and left, so, as you entered the structure from the back, you were hidden from...
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Straight, not narrow: John Lampen addresses some misconceptions over the Peace Testimony
Some recent writing in the Friend has implied that our Peace Testimony contains a duty not to take sides when faced with the world’s conflicts. This is a misunderstanding that could mislead Friends, and give a wrong impression about our peace witness.
Honour bound: Marian Liebmann on finding a Nobel Prize nominee
It was in his will that Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Peace Prize, specifying that it should go ‘to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of...
General Meeting for Scotland: Robin Waterston attends
From across Scotland, we gathered for a day of listening, learning and discerning. Some travelled to Edinburgh Meeting House in the heart of the old city; others joined from their homes with the assistance of modern technology. We were here for General Meeting for Scotland, whose task is to oversee...
Spell God
I write it in the dirt today in the bottom of the grave where New Year’s worms ease in the writhe or relent of human hate.
Scottish Quakers and MSPs debate climate and health
Quakers in Scotland and Medact drew attention to the important links between climate and health at the Scottish Parliament this month.
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Quakers to reenact Penn and Mead case
Friends are organising a reenactment of the 1670 Penn and Mead case, as witness to the jury system.
QSA highlights high levels of debt
Quaker Social Action (QSA) is asking Friends to remember the tenth year of Debt Awareness Week. This year’s focus was on the barriers people face before seeking help.
Israeli peace activist speaks at Friends House
An Israeli peace activist, who goes by the name Or, spoke at Friends House last week. An Israeli conscientious objector and feminist activist, Or said peace activism in Israel has become much harder since 7 October.
Friends hear about nuclear testing in Pacific Islands
Earlier this month, Quakers heard about the consequences of British nuclear weapons testing on Pacific Islanders.
The Dictionary People, by Sarah Ogilvie
Friends love wordless silence, of course, but some of us love words too, written or spoken. This book is the latest in a line of fascinating works about the history of the Oxford English Dictionary.
End-of-life issues: Martin Birley, Rosemary Roberts and Graham Torr find unity in death
Friends have been discussing assisted dying for many years. There have been intense discussions in Local and Area Meetings, but unity has evaded us. In April 2021, Meeting for Sufferings concluded that ‘There are strong feelings in all quarters, but it is clear that we have not reached a united view’.
Eye - 29 March 2024
Friends in stitches The Quaker Tapestry is a wonderful resource for delving into Friends’ history and exploring how Quakers have expressed it. So, let’s see how you fare with the first in a series of puzzles that dips and dives into the tempting range of topics the tapestry features....
Letters - 29 March 2024
The language of daffodils This time of year I am reminded of the phrase that one should never minister about daffodils. I wonder who came up with that? Answers on a postcard please. I feel there is nothing wrong with speaking about daffodils. Why? Because most of us, after the...