Writings by the
Society of Friends in Australia (Quakers)
Prepared over a period of nearly 10 years, this is the distillation of the thoughts of around a thousand Quakers with an interest in spiritual subjects.
The book includes inspirational writings and personal stories about challenge and opportunity, which reflect on the geography and social history of Australia.
It is arranged under subject headings such as Experiences of the Spirit, Images of God, Silence and stillness, Faith in action, Prayer, Truthfulness and integrity, Simplicity and peace, Life stages and challenges and Indigenous people.
The book can be used for personal study and meditation, for group work or just for inspiration.
It has an extensive glossary, and contains “Advices and Queries”, the Quaker ‘handbook’ of beliefs and practices.
The Quakers are famous, despite having no formal “leaders” and minimal theology, for their involvement in working for good in local communities and the world, through pacifism, environmental conservation, and social justice issues.
Australian Yearly Meeting is part of the grand tradition of the Quaker movement.
Around a thousand Australian Quakers contributed to this work over the course of nearly ten years.
The James Backhouse Lecture Series
World renown astronomer and Quaker Jocelyn Bell Burnell reflects on the big issues confronting scientists who also have a strong spiritual belief system. How can the principles of science be reconciled with the faith required by religion? Does scientific investigation call into question the givens of religion. While specific to her Quaker beliefs, Burnell's reflections apply to many other religions as well. This is the 2013 James Backhouse Lecture Series, sponsored by the Society of Friends (Quakers( in Australia.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell
A systematic and inspiring examination of Quakers’ involvement in achieving non-violent international outcomes, e.g. working against landmines and the small arms problem.
Poses a challenge to Quakers worldwide to increase their effectiveness by communicating what they are doing, and the lessons learned, to each other and to the world.
This lecture illuminates the original state of Earth, how humans have affected its environment, and provides theology and sustainable methods for restoring Earth to health.
Follows the author’s personal story of the change in her thinking over the course of her life.
Provides examples of Earth restoration projects and the people instrumental in achieving their success.
Discusses the various ways Young Friends create and participate in community, both spiritually and practically.
Includes open and honest dialogues about the personal experiences of Young Friends.
Closes with an encouragement to Young Friends looking to the future of the Quakers.
Explores Christian meditation and silence from theological, mystical, and practical viewpoints.
Examines common experiences of the Quakers’ Meetings for Worship.
Presents the key arguments and viewpoints regarding issues of conflict between science and spirituality.
Suggests an alternative viewpoint that reconciles science and spirituality by a new form of morality and altruistic ethics.
George Ellis is a leading world theorist in cosmology and mathematics, and has co-authored with physicist Stephen Hawking.
An award-winning Professor Emeritus and an active Quaker, Ellis is also winner of the 2004 Templeton Prize, was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa by Nelson Mandela, and is a Fellow of the British Royal Society.
This We Can Say (364pp,
145mm x 210mm)
2013: A Quaker astronomer reflects
2011: A Demanding and Uncertain Adventure
2010: Finding Our Voice
2009: The Quaking Meeting
2008: Faith, Hope & Doubt
Links
Society of Friends in Australia (Quakers) website
List of previous James Backhouse Lectures
Sample
Our purpose is to introduce the reader to our faith: what inspires us; our images of God; our ways of conducting our work and worship in community, in unity.
Quaker practices revolve around the importance of meeting quietly together in worship, waiting for the guidance of the Spirit within each one of us. Sometimes we feel prompted to share how we experience the Spirit working in and through us. This leads Quakers everywhere to strive to live by the principles of equality, truthfulness, integrity, simplicity and peace.
In Australia we are inspired and challenged in special ways by this ancient land and our varied heritages. We sense there is still much to learn, much that will change us.
These writings come together as rays of light from a great variety of individuals. We hope they inspire you to seek the stillness within you, from which loving words and actions grow.
Read more of This We Can Say on Google Book Search
Read more of From the Inside Out (2012 Backhouse Lecture) on Google Book Search
Read more of A Demanding and Uncertain Adventure on Google Book Search
Read more of Finding Our Voice on Google Book Search
Read more on The Quaking Meeting on Google Book Search
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