Latest News
First charges for anti-drones protest
Six activists, including a Quaker and two priests, will stand trial in October for damaging a fence during a protest at RAF Waddington on 3 June. The Lincolnshire RAF base is used to operate unmanned drone aircraft.
Justice and peace pilgrims spark debate
A British Legion chairman has described recent actions of the Peace and Economic Justice pilgrims as ‘a total insult and a total lack of respect’. His remarks followed the arrival of the pilgrimage at York on Armed Forces Day, 29 June. The pilgrims walked through the city handing out anti-war...
Equal marriage ‘tantalisingly close’
The House of Lords has passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at Third Reading, sending it back to the House of Commons for final agreement. Some peers wore pink carnations to mark the occasion. Quakers greeted the House’s overwhelming support for the Bill with joy. Paul Parker,...
Roseline Akhalu back in court
On Thursday 18 July Roseline Akhalu faced yet another court ordeal to defend two previous judges’ decisions that she should be allowed to stay in the UK.
Meeting for Sufferings: Welfare cuts - A growing concern
On Saturday 6 July, Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) discussed a Quaker response to the welfare cuts in a session of passionate contributions from Friends who spoke of their ‘anger’, ‘despair’ and ‘frustration’. Welfare cuts were discussed at two previous MfSs but there was a strong sense that more needs to...
Meeting for Sufferings: Economy of life, justice and peace for all
Economy of Life, Justice and Peace for All is a ‘call to action’ produced by the World Council of Churches (WCC). It is ‘about recognising that the churches must be part of a movement for positive change’ referring back to the way the wider Christian church changed its stance on...
Meeting for Sufferings: Friendly vibrancy
The vibrancy initiative is a joint initiative by the trustees of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) and Woodbrooke. It is a process of exploration and development in several projects. A joint working group of trustees from both organisations had noticed some areas of common interest in the community that they...
Meeting for Sufferings: Regional Gatherings
Regional Meetings are being planned to explore and strengthen the relationship between Area Meetings (AMs) and Meeting for Sufferings (MfS). MfS Arrangements Group is offering to meet with regional groups of Friends to explore how AMs and MfS can best work together and share good practice.
Meeting for Sufferings: Refurbishment budget revised
At Meeting for Sufferings on 6 July, Friends heard a report on the minutes of a recent meeting of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees.
Meeting for Sufferings: 2013 operational plan
‘Close to poetry when they are good’, was how Jennifer Barraclough, clerk to Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) trustees, described operational plans, with 2013’s as a case in point.