Editorial

From the top of Pendle Hill young Friends on pilgrimage held a short meeting for worship before legging it back down: ‘it was great to feel the wind in your face, dodging down rocky paths, slipping and sliding down the slopes’ (Young Quakers follow Fox's footsteps). Sometimes younger Quakers can feel a bit alone – inside the Quaker bubble – which is part of why we have launched a new online resource pack for 12 to 18-year-olds.

As Quakers we try to put our faith into action for the benefit of the whole of creation – all living things and the planet which nurtures us all. We are reminded of Gandhi’s exhortation to ‘live simply, that others may simply live’. Now is the moment to get involved in work to prevent further climate change and its devastating consequences. Our centrefold poster is there for display – please use it. Share our response to the crisis of climate change with your friends and family and choose to take action in the run-up to Copenhagen (Climate Change: What can you do next?).

We also have power in how we choose to use our money to effect social change. Find out about products grown in Israeli settlements on the West Bank, which major UK retailers stock them and what you can do to try to put a stop to their import. And you can read about relief grants nominated by local meetings for voluntary organisations in 2008. As one recipient reported, the money is ‘currently a lifeline’. Our money is part of our witness. You can find out more about donating, and why it matters, on Supporting the work.

This autumn our new Quaker Centre at Friends House in London will open. With a beautiful plain worship space at its centre it will be open to all Quakers and all those interested in finding out more about our faith. There will be opportunities to volunteer in the centre and you are welcome to visit our new window on the world from October.

Rachel Rees

Head of Communications and Fundraising