Issue 29-06-2012
Featured story
Thought for the Week: An atomic soap bubble
I blow another soap bubble as my son laughs. It jumps and dances on the floor: a skin of constantly reforming rainbow colours. Move in closer and we find the atom: a building block of existence: when scrutinised, it is revealed to be composed of space, within which different particles...
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The frescoes of Assisi
Perched on the side of a hill, in the depths of the green heart of Italy, lies a remarkable medieval town seemingly untouched by time. Assisi is situated in the beautiful region of Umbria, a land of high hills gently bathed in layers of soft mist. This is a land...
One family unbroken
In 1847, nearly seventy years after the founding of Ackworth School, the Meeting house was built in accordance with the mid-eighteenth century Palladian style of the rest of the school. It is made of local sandstone and has a simple slate roof. This is held up by large wooden trusses. The...
Rooted in worship
The power of words has been felt among human beings from the earliest times. Rumpelstiltskin was devastated to find that, simply by knowing his true name, the woman he hoped to control had reversed the power relationship between them. So we cannot be surprised to find that words still exercise...
Dalai Lama at Friends House
The Dalai Lama urged Tibetans living in England to maintain their Tibetan identity when he visited Friends House, London, last week. In his visit on Thursday 21 June, he addressed, in the Large Meeting House, members of the six hundred strong Tibetan community living in England.
Woodbrooke opens new garden lounge
Guests at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham will have more space to relax following the opening of a new garden lounge. The new conservatory-style area, which links to the dining room, has been officially launched following five months of building work.
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Welsh Quakers oppose possible Trident move
The Welsh first minister has drawn criticism from Quakers and other peace campaigners after saying that he would be happy for the Trident nuclear weapons system to be relocated to Wales. The Scottish government have insisted that Trident would have to leave its home in Faslane if Scotland becomes independent.
Armed forces day
Forces Watch, the NGO that campaigns on the issue of military recruitment, has urged schools to take a balanced approach if they mark Armed Forces Day this Saturday. School resources for lessons on the Day have been produced by the armed forces. Forces Watch have published their own suggested lesson...
Harlow Meeting celebrate fifty years in their building
A folk band will be among the visitors to Harlow Meeting house on Sunday 1 July, when Friends celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the building. Rebecca and Dave Blackman, of the band Arnwyn, will provide live music, while food and games will also be on offer.
Her mother’s eyes
‘Faith makes one a pioneer, a trailblazer; it turns the traffic lights from amber to green. While we rely on the power of the self we are much more likely to dither or retire. Trusting in the Power Beyond means having a sense that all will be well. Our mission...
Eye - 29 June 2012
Peace and punters Friends were pictured during the ‘Witness for Peace Silent Vigil’ in Cambridge last Saturday, 23 June. Finola O’Sullivan told Eye that a student nearby, trying to attract tourists to sign up for a punting trip, quipped: ‘Peace is harder to sell than punting’!
Letters - 29 June 2012
Boycott of settlement goods While it is understandable that Friends are strongly opposed to many of the actions of the Israeli government and of the illegal settlements in particular, we have to remember that the Israel/Palestine conflict is not one-sided and that Israeli actions are driven by a real...