Latest News
Australian Quakers mark war centenary
Australian dissent and opposition to the first world war was highlighted at an exhibition in Sydney. ‘World War 1: Quaker witness to peace and non-violence’ ran from 6 to 14 September at the Devonshire Street Meeting House, as part of New South Wales (NSW) History Week.
New appointments at JRCT
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) has announced the appointment of seven new co-optees to its grant committees. Avila Kilmurray, former director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, has joined JRCT’s Ireland committee.
Meeting for Sufferings: QPSW work highlighted
Three main subjects were highlighted for concern and discernment at Meeting for Sufferings on Saturday 6 September. Meeting for Sufferings was held in the George Fox Room at Friends House and Friends present considered a proposal to change the current procedure for appointing trustees for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the...
Meeting for Sufferings: Yearly Meeting Gathering
Yearly Meeting Gathering (YMG) at Bath was described at Meeting for Sufferings as an ‘inspiring complex of friendly activity for all ages’. The session on Yearly Meeting Gathering began with an outline of the key issues to note from the event: membership, commitment and belonging; revision of the Book of...
Meeting for Sufferings: Friends consider proposed JRF/JRHT changes
A proposal to change the current procedure for appointing trustees for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) was brought to Meeting for Sufferings ‘The de facto position is that the Trusts have had a relationship with Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) over very many years,...
Meeting for Sufferings: National Quaker conference on ethics and economics
A one-day national Quaker conference on ethics and economics is to be held in Birmingham in November, Meeting for Sufferings was told. The conference, ‘Food banks are not enough: Practical ideas to challenge inequality’, is organised by the Central England Peace Committee, will consider a pathway towards a publication that...
Meeting for Sufferings: Terms of reference
The terms of reference of several groups and committees that are appointed by Meeting for Sufferings were addressed in an afternoon session. The groups were: the Central Nominations Committee Review Group; the Book of Discipline Review Preparation Group; the Sustainability Group; and the Review Group on the relationship with Listed...
First world war drama at Jordans
Jordans Meeting House in Buckinghamshire is the setting for a community theatre performance next week that tells the story of Friends in the first world war. ‘This production is about what Quakers did during the first world war and features those who fought, conscientious objectors and the Friends Ambulance Unit ...
World Quaker Day
The first World Quaker Day will take place on 5 October, the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) has announced. FWCC is inviting every Quaker Meeting and Church, wherever in the world, to celebrate the day. The hope is that World Quaker Day will promote unity amongst Friends.
Lobbying Act prompts decision at Friends House
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees are being asked to decide whether BYM should register with the Electoral Commission as a non-party campaigner. The move is a response to the Transparency of Lobbying Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014. The Act requires organisations spending over a certain amount on campaigning...