What are some examples of reparations? How can we make our reparations meaningful?We continue our conversation about reparations with Edwina Peart and Rebecca WalkerWoo, who we spoke to in the first episode. We also speak to Oonagh Ryder who was the Faith in Action Coordinator for Quakers in Britain around that time and Siobhán Haire, Deputy Record…

What are reparations? And what’s the role of faith communities in this conversation? We speak to Edwina Peart, Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator, and Rebecca Woo, Campaigns Coordinator, about the reparations conversation that is just beginning amongst British Quakers.***FURTHER INFOFind links to Woodbrooke courses and other resources at: www.quak…

How do Quakers read and interpret the Bible? This episode we hear from Mark Russ, Rhiannon Grant, Peterson Toscano and Timothy Ashworth for their takes on the Bible. We discuss how Quakers have read scripture over the centuries, how we can engage with it now and look at how Biblical texts can help us explore Quaker concerns today. ***This is our fi…

What do Quakers think and sex, sexuality and spirituality? How do we talk to young people about sex, consent and boundaries?In this bumper episode we interview author Lucy-Anne Holmes about her sexual and spiritual experiences, and talk to David Brockway from the Good Lad Initiative and researcher and lecturer Elsie Whittington about relationships …

It’s part 2 of A Quaker Take on climate change and we’ve got interviews with Elinor from Extinction Rebellion Jews, Quakers involved in the school strikes, as well as excerpts of a recording of a talk with Greta Thunberg, Anna Taylor and Caroline Lucas on the new climate movement. With thanks to The Guardian for the new climate movement recording!*…

What’s the Quaker part in the wider climate movement? Why are faith groups so involved in taking action to tackle climate breakdown?In part 1 we talk to Susanna Mattingly from Friends Worlds Committee for Consultation (the international Quaker body) about what that looks like in different parts of the world. fwcc.world/sustainabilityWe also talk to…

What's the Quaker position on immigration and why? What are Quakers doing to tackle some of the injustices in the current system?Asking some of the most common questions, we discuss the Quaker position on immigration with Tatiana Garavito, Jessica Metheringham and Bridget Walker. We talk about why it's not just about refugees and asylum seekers, an…

Do Quakers celebrate Christmas? This episode we hear about different Quaker takes on the festive season, discuss why Quakers don't traditionally celebrate Christmas (and how they sometimes do now), and explore ways to approach difficult conversations with family and friends.BLOGTimes and seasons: A Quaker reflection on Christmas www.quaker.org.uk/b…

Jon and Elizabeth talk to two Quaker parents, one non-Quaker parent and two people raised by Quakers to find out what the common experiences are.Quaker Parenting Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/259029634289418/Resources for Quaker parents: www.quaker.org.uk/children-and-young-people/quaker-parentFind events for children and young people: ww…

What does it mean to be an ally? What does it mean to practise allyship?In this episode we discuss allyship and solidarity with Tatiana Garavito, Sanctuary Everywhere Programme Manager. We also discuss the history of Quaker abolitionist thought with historian Marcus Rediker.Power and privilege toolkit (PDF) www.quaker.org.uk/documents/owning-power-…

Five Quakers discuss their take on God, spirituality and Quaker faith.ARTICLESThe Quakers are right, we don't need God - Simon Jenkins https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/04/quakers-dropping-god And some letters in response https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/07/debate-on-god-language-doesnt-mean-all-quakers-are-losing-faithTe…

Discussing peace education and nuclear weapons we join peace poet, Antony Owen, CND peace educator Owen Everett, and Quaker staff Ellis Brooks and Sahdya Darr to reflect on the role of peace education in encouraging critical thinking.Find out more Antony Owen: antonyowenpoetry.wordpress.com***CND peace educationEngland: cnduk.org/educationScotland:…

In an environment of increasing polarisation it’s more important than ever to understand how to disagree well. In this episode we chat to Lisa Cumming, Turning the Tide Programme Manager, about different approaches to try when engaging with friends and family – or people you don’t know well – on difficult topics.Find further resources from Turning …

Universal human rights are the legal and practical sibling to the Quaker idea that every person is unique, precious and a child of God - simply, that every person has a right to be treated with dignity and respect.In this episode we explore human rights from a European and international perspective. As Quakers in Britain issue a manifesto about the…

“We can’t have security for people in the UK at the expense of security for people in other parts of the world”Rethinking security is an invitation to engage in public debate and dialogue about the way we think about security. The aim is to think and plan creatively in relation to safety, security, nonviolence and the role of peace initiatives, and…

The housing crisis in Britain has reached new lows in 2017, with 1 in every 200 people in the UK being homeless, house prices soaring far beyond the range of ordinary people, and social housing stock being decommissioned and not replaced. Quakers are stepping into the breach wherever they can – setting up YMCAs in meeting houses, running housing in…

This episode of #QWitness focuses on making witness happen, shifting towards a movement-focused approach from a more information-based one.We chat to Gurpreet Bola, Hannah Smith and Maya Williams about their work to support groups to take action on different issues and how you can access this.We also catch up with two people who attended the Quaker…

"It's really hard to stop 30,000 arms buyers from getting into the Excel centre, but it's really easy – and it feels amazing! – to stop a truck with a tank on from driving into the arms fair."In this episode of Q:Witness we talk about the many ways that people can help build a peaceful society. We hear from Sam Walton who helped organise the headli…

In the first episode of Q:Witness's new season, two campaigners discuss how they came to Quakerism through activism. In an intergenerational, wide-ranging conversation, Chris Venables and Jane Pearn speak of overcoming their own self-doubts around 'doing enough,' and the importance of doing what you can, when you can. Listen to hear more about how …

Quakers use the term 'witness' to describe their faith in action. In the closing episode of the first Q:Witness podcast series, we explore what this term really means. We also explore how people sustain their activism.We chat to Paul Parker, the Recording Clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting, about what witness means to him and reflect on the spiritual …

This Q:Witness we discuss the tide of militarisation in Britain and how to take action to stop it. The belief that military solutions are superior is one of the things that makes war more likely. From cadets in state schools to Armed Forces Day, we hear how new initiatives amount to a deliberate militarisation of society to counteract falling suppo…

How can Quakers offer sanctuary to those forced to flee their homes? Jon Martin and Tim Gee explore the idea of sanctuary and prepare for the launch of the Sanctuary Meetings programme. Tim also asks the various speakers from Refugee Week at Friends House (Euston, London) what sanctuary means to them. Learn why and how Quaker meetings can become Sa…

What happens when you feel compelled to action on an issue but don't know where to start? Elizabeth and Jon chat to Hannah and Steve from the Turning the Tide social action training programme about how they support groups looking to help build a more just and peaceful world. Turning the Tide uses the skills and tools of nonviolence to support socia…

Following the UK General Election on 8th June 2017, Ellis speaks to Jessica Metheringham, the Parliamentary Engagement Officer at Quakers in Britain. Jess reports on Quaker action during the campaign on key issues like nuclear disarmament and economic inequality and how to keep these on the agenda. She also reflects on the impact of the Lobbying Ac…

War, human rights abuses and forced migration start in London. The Defence and Security Exhibition International (DSEI - pronounced 'dicey') is the largest arms fair in the world. Every two years, DSEI allows arms buyers and sellers to network and make deals. It’s coming again 4 September 2017, at ExCeL – the huge exhibition centre in London Dockla…