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the Friend

INDEPENDENT QUAKER JOURNALISM SINCE 1843

CONTENTS – VOL 168 NO 40 1 OCTOBER 2010

3 Editorial Ian Kirk-Smith 4 Will Warren John Lampen 5 Practical mystics Jennifer Kavanagh 6 Living adventurously Craig Barnett 7 The priesthood of all believers Janet Scott 8-9 The Light shines Katharine Elwis 10 Cambodia Jane Pearn 11 Geneva Oliver Robertson 12-13 Faith in action 14-15 Interview with Adrian Cadbury 16 Quaker Social Action Judith Moran 18 Inner peace Terry 20 New web portal Ann Fletcher 22 Friends & Meetings

The word ‘testimony’ is used by Quakers to describe a witness to the living truth within the human heart as it is acted out in everyday life. It is not a form of words, but a mode of life based on the realisation that there is that of God in everybody, that all human beings are equal, that all life is interconnected. It is affirmative but may lead to action that runs counter to certain practices currently accepted in society at large. Hence a pro-peace stance may become an anti-war protest, and a witness to the sacredness of human life may lead to protests against capital punishment. These testimonies reflect the corporate beliefs of the Society, however much individual Quakers may interpret them differently according to their own light. They are not optional extras, but fruits that grow from the very tree of faith.

Harvey Gillman, 1988 Quaker faith & practice 23.12

Who are Quakers?

Quakers, also known as Friends, meet in almost 500 location around the country.

Officially named the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers were founded in seventeenth century England by George Fox as an attempt to form ‘primitive Christianity revived’ with an emphasis on personal experience of the divine. For ovr 350 years Quakers have had a distinctive style of silent worship and put their faith into practice.

Cover image: Norwich Testimonies Quilt: a group project of Norwich Quaker Quilters, designed by Frances Warns. The banner has been displayed in peaceful demonstrations at Mildenhall, Sizewell, Faslane, Aldermaston and Lakenheath and in Norwich. Photo: Deb Arrowsmith.

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Editorial

Editor: Ian Kirk-Smith

Articles, images correspondence should be emailed to editorial@thefriend.org or sent to the address below.

the Friend 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJTel: 020 7663 1010 Fax: 020 7663 1182 www.thefriend.org Editor: Ian Kirk-Smith editorial@thefriend.org • Production editor: Jez Smith jez@thefriend.org • Sub-editor: Trish Carn trishc@thefriend.org • News reporter: Symon Hill news@thefriend.org • Arts editor: Rowena Loverance arts@thefriend.org • Environment editor: Laurie Michaelis green@thefriend.org • Subscriptions officer: Penny Dunn subs@thefriend.org Tel: 020 7663 1178 • Advertisement manager: George Penaluna, Ad department, 54a Main Street, Cononley, Keighley BD20 8LL Tel: 01535 630230 ads@thefriend.org • Clerk of the trustees: A David Olver • ISSN: 0016-1268 The Friend Publications Limited is a registered charity, number 211649 • Printed by Headley Bros Ltd, Queens Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH

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