Issue 17-07-2020
Featured story
‘Even in the midst of strife, one could cling to hope.’
The book of Genesis tells the story of Jacob, patriarch of the Israelites. It’s an uncomfortable tale, at times. Before leaving home to pursue a tricky but successful life, Jacob first has to cheat his twin brother Esau out of his inheritance. Eventually he feels drawn to return to...
Top stories
Quaker MP highlights Windrush ‘double injustice’
The Quaker and foreign shadow minister (Europe & Americas) Catherine West has said that Windrush Day on 22 June was ‘a stark reminder that many hundreds of people are still waiting for compensation, more than two years since the government first apologised for the appalling Windrush scandal that saw lives ruined...
‘Here we are, for the time being, in the middle of a great manifestation.’
The most important discovery you can make is your own being. Not the thoughts of who you think you are, or the emotions of who you feel you are, but the essence of your deep self. From here thoughts and emotions arise and pass like the weather, discovering the being...
‘Conway seemed ready to have his worldview deconstructed.’
One night in 1862, Moncure Conway was walking along the Potomac River. He was looking for several dozen men, women and children who had been enslaved by his father. He knew they were hiding in Georgetown after fleeing Virginia.
‘There was a great movement to help Friends extricate themselves from being internally focused.’
In 1916, during the first world war, an invitation went out to Friends throughout the world, across Quaker branches. It asked Friends to come together in London to engage in a thorough consideration of Friends’ testimony against war. It was a bold move, and Friends responded.
‘Concerns about this go beyond our immediate situation, and beyond our Quaker community.’
Mental health is a pressing issue in our communities and in our Quaker Meetings. Many Friends have long-held concerns around this but the pandemic has caused some distress for us all; for some it has been overwhelming.
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Scotland Friends ‘disappointed’ on economic recovery plans
Quakers in Scotland have said they were ‘disappointed’ in a response from the first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to a letter they co-sent about economic recovery following the pandemic.
Quaker chaplain joins student platform
A Friend from St Andrews Meeting who serves on the chaplaincy team at the University of St Andrews took part in a student platform aimed at counteracting polarisation and stereotypes.
Eco Quakers launch investment guide
Eco Quakers Ireland and the Ireland Yearly Meeting (IYM) Investment Committee have launched a guide to encourage Meetings to pursue ethical investments.
Faith leaders call for action on climate crisis
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) joined thirty-seven other faith groups in signing a statement urging every sector of civil society to use the opportunity of lockdown-easing to work together to create a better world.
Quaker produces CD to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society
A Totnes Friend has produced a CD in memory of his wife’s death to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Bob Crowley told the Friend that he lost his wife Julie Ann Alexis McCreadie on Valentine’s Day in 2019 after she had suffered with the disease for around...
‘As I passed, folks were rebuilding their houses and fishing boats.’
Back in January – an eon ago now – I was in Grand Bahama volunteering with relief efforts post Hurricane Dorian. Dorian is no longer newsworthy, but it still affects daily life. The stories I heard changed my perception of disaster, chaos and suffering.
Confessions Of A Non-Violent Revolutionary by Chris Savory
This autobiography was written by a peace activist who for a number of years was a Friend. It is an easy-to-read, intriguing and racy record of a resonant journey. I learned a lot about someone with whom I was acquainted but didn’t know at any depth. Particularly striking was...
Ahab in Rehab
Call me male-ish I enjoyed playing doldrums in our school orchestra. And there weren’t really any significant repercussions until I also took up the Bermuda triangle.
Eye - 17 July 2020
Hitting the spot While Friends can’t meet in one room, One option we’ve found is to Zoom. This may hit the spot. Then again, it may not, The best way for all? Don’t assume. Jackie Fowler
Letters - 17 July 2020
Zoom experiences David Saunders’ timely letter (3 July) leads me to say that Zoom experiences can vary. Meeting for Worship on Zoom for me can differ quite significantly between Local Meetings (LM), Area Meetings (AM), and even further afield experiences worshipping with new Friends I’ve connected with for the first...