Issue 05-09-2025

The Friend

The Friend is a weekly magazine in which Friends speak to each other and to the wider world, offering their insight, ideas, news, nurture and inspiration.

Nurturing Quaker community, each issue offers a space for Friends to share their concerns, and to support each other in faith and witness.

The Friend: enriching, inspiring and connecting the Quaker community since 1843.


Issue 05-09-2025

Thought for the week

Hearts of darkness: Tony D’Souza’s Thought for the Week

by Tony D’Souza

‘Mistah Kurtz – he dead’ – The Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad.

It was the smell I remember most. That night, as we lay anchored on an island in the bend of the great river, I remember the unmistakeable whiff of dense tropical jungle, a pungent smell of mud, of foetid standing water and damp, decaying vegetation. 

Features

Money talks: Clive Ashwin says Quakers should get involved in banking again

by Clive Ashwin

Twenty years ago, when I moved to the charming market town in which I live (population 9,000 and growing), it had three fully-functioning banks, providing counter service, cash, and private offices for more sensitive issues. They were supported by a magnificent, purpose-built Post Office, which, in addition to postal matters, provided some additional financial services. Together, they supported much of the infrastructure of the town, both commercial and social. 

Features

Playing it by the book: QSA’s Judith Moran on the Turn a Corner library programme

by Judith Moran

Imagine you were made homeless on the streets of London tonight. Who do you turn to, and who could you trust?

Features

Rice work: Anthony Wilson on a people’s padi project

by Anthony Wilson

Ruth Jones concludes her interesting article on precision fermentation technology (‘More Food for Thought’, 1 August) with an invitation for more features about projects addressing the impact of climate change in rural settings. One such example is the rice padi scheme sponsored by Forever Sabah in villages in our neighbourhood in Malaysian Borneo.

Reviews

The Mouse and His Child

by Jonathan Doering

What are we, Papa?’ the toy mouse’s child asked his father.

‘I don’t know,’ the father answered. ‘We must wait and see.’

News

Tear gas outside Ramallah Friends School

by Rebecca Hardy The Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank has been left shaken and fearful after the…
News

Scottish Friends witness against anti-migrant crowd

by Rebecca Hardy Scottish Friends took part in a counter-protest outside a Falkirk hotel which houses…
News

Quaker Truth and Integrity Award 2025 announced

by Rebecca Hardy This year’s Quaker Truth and Integrity Award will go to both Peter Wilmshurst and Phil…
News

QSA highlights street homelessness

by Rebecca Hardy Quaker Social Action (QSA) is raising awareness of street homelessness with a music event…
Q-eye

Eye - 05 September 2025

by Elinor Smallman Advices & queries Eye invites you to consider select words from Advices & queries…
Letters

Letters - 05 September 2025

by The Friend Old Friends You may remember that, back in April, I sent you the sad news that my step…

Past issues