John Michaelis, Ian Hughes, Wies Schuiringa; New South Wales Regional Meeting.
Quaker Voice is part of the Online Australian Friend project. The vision of Quaker Voice is to provide the opportunity for Quakers and like-minded writers around the world – many of whom are located in trouble spots, to publish news and commentary. Quaker Voice will provide an alternative to the tabloid press; offer an in-depth perspective and a means to publicise news and events that various authorities may prefer to keep from public view.
All too frequently professional journalism is compromised by editorial policies that are based on the business or political interests of those who own or control the media outlets. Powerful vested interests around the globe such as governments, political and corporate interests, and even organised crime censor, control or put their own spin on news and events. There is a deep need for an on-line publication committed to ethical principles.
Discovering truth, understanding it, and speaking it to those in power and to the world is a longstanding Quaker concern. This is the vision of Quaker Voice.
You can listen to an interview with the editor here: Quaker Voice Editor Interview
Auspices
Quaker Voice is a global publication published under the care of Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia through the on-line Australian Friend.
Progress to date
technical work WAS complete December 2011. Quaker Voice is operational as a developmental site and we are now ready to go live. We have an editor and management team in place, and are ready now to receive and publish articles. We now need volunteers to manage the influx of articles.
Volunteer roles
We are building a team with sufficient numbers that no volunteer needs to commit more than a few of hours per month. Detailed task descriptions and a “how to” are available to volunteers.
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Number of volunteers: 4 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – late Dec. 2011
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Number of volunteers: 10 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – a.s.a.p.
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Number of volunteers: 2 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – Feb. 2013
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OK, I’ll kick off with some good news!
My new book, “The Early Quakers and the ‘Kingdom of God'” (note the inverted commas), will be published very, very soon. by Inner Light Books (San Francisco). It’ll be in paperback, hardback and in e-book form. I’m really excited about it.
I’m also writing a booklet, about the length of 3 Pendle Hill pamphlets, on the ‘Kingdom’–what I also call the ‘Covenant of Peace’, ‘Covenant of Love’ or ‘Rule of Love’. Take yer pick. The EQs had about 40 names for the ‘Kingdom’. James Nayler sometimes dubbed it the ‘Garden of God’. Nice. This booklet will be in accessible English. It looks at the early Quaker concepts of the Covenant of Peace. Can these concepts be translated out of their 17th century context? Are they important for today? Read it and find out. It should be ready this year sometime.
I’ve written an essay for a book on Quaker Truth edited by the Canadian Q scholar/philosopher, Jeff Dudiak.
I’m looking over a final draft of a chapter for a compendium of Quaker theology to be published by Oxford University (Press). The book is edited by ‘Ben’ Pink Dandelion (Woodbrooke/Birmingham Uni) and Steve Angell (Earlham). It’ll be launched in Jan 2013.
I’ve begun a book on the art of spiritual direction in the Quaker tradition. There isn’t one, so I thought I’d do it. I graduated from my SD course in October last. It was a wonderful experience. I hope the book will be widely read by non-Qs because we have such a terrific tradition going back to the very beginnings of our Society.
And, finally, I’ve moved up to Northern Rivers (NSW). Great!
Love and Peace,
Gerry