Finding Our Voice: Backhouse Lecture 2010

IP is a key source of titles published the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia. IP distributes This We Can Say and Advices and Queries, two key Quaker publications. We also assist in the publication and distribution of the James Backhouse Series, an annual lecture Series that focuses on the work of important Quaker thinkers across a variety of disciples. All of these titles are available in print and eBook formats through the IP Store and from our global partners.

The Quakers

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. The Australia 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. 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.