April 8, 2019
A week ago, a small team of us hosted the annual conference of Quakers Uniting in Publications (QUIP) at Canby Grove Christian Center. The gathering of Friends included publishers, booksellers, editors, and authors from three countries and eleven states with a focus this year on the theme of “Building Bridges.” Some highlights from our time together:
- Adlai Amor shared briefly about the long lasting devastation of and our complicity with racism through the Doctrine of Discovery.
- Peggy Senger Morrison challenged us to reach beyond Quakerism in the work we do – to not be afraid of making the world a better place.
- Iris Graville moderated a panel of representatives from two yearly meetings and four monthly meetings about the discerning, writing, and seasoning that go into our books of Faith and Practice.
- Paul Buckley presented historical research into Quaker discipline in the quietest period and how a strong focus on integrity and adherence to Quaker identity facilitated Quaker reforms.
- Sarah Hoggatt led us in worship sharing focused on where we are building from and where we are going as Quaker writers and publishers.
- Marge Abbott and Anna Baker read from letters they wrote to each other during a time that they were working to build theological and relational bridges with each other and through the Pacific Northwest Quaker Women’s Theology Conference.
- Eileen Flanagan, Vanessa Julye, and Lucy Duncan offered a panel discussion on building bridges through difficult conversations, pulling from their work on race, immigration, and climate change.
- Karie Firoozmand shared about the process of book reviewing that she’s implemented during her time at Friends Journal.
Quakerism has a historic reputation for being a faith that gets things done – a faith that builds bridges. But our work isn’t done. And after this QUIP conference, I’m encouraged. We have a lot of good people, good organizations and institutions, good work yet to do. This gives me hope.
Thank you!
Eric Muhr
P.S. Barclay Press is a non-profit ministry of Friends, and we are only able to do the work we do because of your support. You can join in supporting the continuing work of Barclay Press by clicking DONATE at barclaypress.com, or by sending a check to Barclay Press, 211 N Meridian St #101, Newberg OR 97132.
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