Issue 05-06-2020
Featured story
‘This is not a matter of translation. It is about the changing nature of the English language.’
Recently in Meeting for Worship I found myself thinking about how much I looked forward to sitting in the same room as the people whose faces I could see on the screen before me. Then some words came to mind: ‘The Lord is in this place. How dreadful is this...
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‘We need to stand shoulder to shoulder and show this virus it’s not welcome.’
‘Letting you know what’s happening at 6:39 this morning. I’d like to thank the NHS for everything they’ve done. It was really moving last night, everyone was banging on the doors and the windows. Coming in to give us medicine and methadone. I always say thank you to...
‘If it is safe to release these people during the pandemic, why was it unsafe previously?’
Before this virus, few people gave a thought as to what it was like to be locked in for most of the day. Now, many of those experiencing lockdown are struggling to live with it even for just a few weeks. Perhaps, in time, some may come to appreciate the...
‘A few short sentences on a small postcard made all the difference.’
Prison reform has been a key concern of Quakerism since the 1600s, when George Fox and other early Friends experienced imprisonment and its associated hardships. In 1813 Elizabeth Fry visited Newgate Prison and observed the harsh conditions there. Her tireless lobbying eventually led to reform in 1823.
‘When my sadness is not acknowledged I feel lonely on top of the sadness.’
There is a lot of sadness about. On a regular basis now I hear about huge issues for my family, friends and my community. They all touch my heart. With so many of these stories it’s normal to feel overwhelmed with sadness. I do myself sometimes. But we are...
‘We are all running from something.’
I t is surprising how fast someone can run when they are running for their life. The fastest speed ever recorded for a human is about 27.8mph. A black bear, however, running at full speed, can reach 30mph. And that is why the bear was catching up.
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Growing Hope: In Woodbrooke’s Online Learning
Our teacher explains that now we will grow hope in our bodies, yet first we must start on the ground of despair. We descend to the floor. I curl like a foetus, let myself feel the fist of meaninglessness and impotence banging.
AFSC condemns police violence around George Floyd’s death
The Quaker organisation American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has condemned the police violence surrounding the death of George Floyd, branding it ‘the consequence of a racist system that disproportionately targets people of colour for violence, imprisonment, and premature death’.
Friends raise £3,000 for Christian Aid Week
Members of Cotteridge Meeting in Birmingham have said they were ‘amazed’ when their week of alternative fundraising activity raised thousands of pounds in support of Christian Aid Week.
Quaker testimony to mark ICO Day
The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) released a filmed testimony from a Quaker world war two pacifist to commemorate International Conscientious Objectors’ (CO) Day.
BYM joins call for a green recovery
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) joined more than thirty other organisations recently in calling for a green and just recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
TTT Kenya celebrates new centre
Turning the Tide (TTT) Kenya has reached what Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) describes as a ‘key milestone’ in setting up a new organisation to promote a movement of nonviolence in the country.
CO film by Huddersfield Friend
A film by a Huddersfield Friend, inspired by her pacifist ancestors, was shown at two short film festivals last month. Unknown Ravens by filmmaker Sema Basharan tells the story of one rural family in the second world war who ‘refused to make anyone their enemy’.
Eye - 5 June 2020
A lyrical offering There once was a very old Quaker who sometimes found sleep overtake’er Her very loud snore was hard to ignore So Friends had to shake’er to wake’er. Sent in by Jane Guy, of Truro Meeting, who told Eye: ‘Patricia Dennis, a much missed member...
Letters - 5 June 2020
Kathleen remembered We are writing in response to Judith Badman’s letter to the Friend in the 22 May edition, about the work of Kathleen Schmitz-Hertzburg (née Brookhouse). Kathleen was our aunt. Our mother, Evelyn, was her older sister and she was responsible for the whole family becoming members of...