Quakers at Portishead

31/03/2026

🕯️ Six of our Year 12 History students recently took part in a deeply meaningful visit to Auschwitz, as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz project run by the Holocaust Educational Trust (UK)
The experience was both educational and emotional, encouraging students to reflect on the past, the human impact of the Holocaust and their responsibility in helping shape a more compassionate future.
We are incredibly proud of the maturity, respect and thoughtfulness they showed throughout this important learning journey.

21/02/2026

We have received a Letter to Meetings 2026 from Tim Gee, the General Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation. You can read it on our website: https://quakers-in-ireland.ie/2026/01/09/fwcc-letter-to-meetings-2026/

Quakers

31/01/2026

The Chair of Quaker Service, Elizabeth Dickson, has informed the IYM Office in Dublin that Alexey Janes has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Quaker Service. Alexey will take up his position in February and is looking forward to working with staff and volunteers and all those served by the charity. Read more about Alexey on our website: https://quakers-in-ireland.ie/2026/01/16/executive-director-for-quaker-service-announced/

01/01/2026

Today’s Daily Quaker Message. Subscribe for free: DailyQuaker.com/subscribe

"We are a people that follow after those things that make for peace, love and unity; it is our desire that others’ feet may walk in the same, and do deny and bear our testimony against all strife, and wars, and contentions that come from the lusts that war in the members, that war in the soul, which we wait for, and watch for in all people, and love and desire the good of all… Treason, treachery, and false dealing we do utterly deny; false dealing, surmising, or plotting against any creature upon the face of the earth, and speak the truth in plainness, and singleness of heart."

Citation: Margaret Fell, 1660
Cofounder of the Religious Society of Friends

16/12/2025

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with William Crawley.

12/12/2025

Indulge a little this season. 😉

19/11/2025

Announcing our new podcast series: Quaker Activism! 📢

From being involved in abolitionism and women’s suffrage, to fighting for human rights and environmentalism, Quakers have stood up for what they believe in for centuries. In this series we hear from Quakers about their relationship between faith and activism.

Stay tuned for the first episode, coming out next week!

09/11/2025

*Growing call to recognise civilians on Remembrance Day, amidst record conflict deaths worldwide*

As global civilian deaths in conflict reach record levels, we are calling for remembrance to properly recognise civilian victims of war.
Today in London, a special series of commemorations will draw attention to civilian casualties:
- 12 noon - The National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, by the Peace Pledge Union
- 3pm - Remembrance Lecture, by the Movement for the Abolition of War
- 5pm - Launch of 'Memorial 2025', video projection, by Every Casualty Counts (ECC) and Quakers in Britain

The number of civilian deaths worldwide jumped by 40% in 2024 and has been increasing for three years running, due to the violence in Gaza, Ukraine and other war zones worldwide. The death toll is especially acute among children, who are being killed in unprecedented numbers, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Acclaimed actor Sir Mark Rylance, who is due to speak at National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony, has backed the call to remember civilians, saying, “Unfortunately wars are fought with and against civilians today and I consider it an offense not to remember their suffering.”

Later in the afternoon a large scale video projection, organised by Every Casualty Counts (ECC) and Quakers in Britain, will feature testimonies of ordinary people killed in conflicts over the past year. The testimonies are drawn from Memorial 2025, a new project by ECC being launched at the event, telling the stories of over 100 people who have lost their lives in Ukraine, Sudan, Mexico, Palestine and other war zones around the world.

Rachel Taylor, Executive Director of ECC, said, “Every life lost to war is a tragedy and should be remembered. But remembering those who died in wars of the past is a hollow act if we don’t also recognise the victims of war today. That is why today we are launching the Memorial 2025 project, which brings together the stories of ordinary people killed in wars around the world over the previous year.”

Read the full story - https://www.ppu.org.uk/news/growing-call-recognise-civilians-remembrance-day-amidst-record-conflict-deaths-worldwide

07/11/2025

Almost 300 organisations, including Quakers in Britain, have issued an urgent plea to politicians and the UK government to stop scapegoating the UK’s human rights framework.

02/11/2025

18/10/2025

So, a month to go till our next Ethics Forum. Please add the date to your diary. Please tell people who might benefit from this evening about it. Katharine is a wise and engaging speaker.
A bit more info: St. Peter's Church, Portishead, is hosting an evening event on 20th October looking at Social Media, Self-esteem and Mental Wellbeing. This will be of particular interest to parents and anyone working with children and young people.

Contemporary Ethics Forum:

Social Media, Self-esteem and Mental Wellbeing

St. Peter’s Church, Portishead, BS20 6PS: Monday, 20th October, 7:30 pm

We are delighted to welcome Katharine Hill, a Director of Care for the Family, to lead the session.

Smartphones, Snapchat, TikTok, gaming, AI… technology forms the backdrop to our lives - there are many advantages but also huge challenges. In this forum, we will not only look at the evidence and highlight the dangers but, more importantly, offer practical help and renewed confidence in navigating the digital age in the context of family life. Discover how to keep our young people safe online, while forging good habits ourselves. Learn how to shape our digital lives so they don’t shape us!

Katharine Hill is a Director of Care for the Family, a national charity which aims to strengthen family life and help those who face family difficulties. As an established speaker and broadcaster, she has addressed thousands of people both across the UK and internationally on marriage and parenting issues. She is the author of several books, including the popular “Left to their own Devices? Confident parenting in a digital world” and “A Mind of Their Own – building your child’s emotional wellbeing in a fast-changing world”.

All are welcome. No tickets needed. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to cover costs and to support the work of Care for the Family. We also plan to livestream the forum to the church's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/live/yvU7h88GnDI