Showing posts with label Quaker universalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quaker universalism. Show all posts

2022/11/01

Quaker Universalist Fellowship - Online Publications

Quakerism: A Mature Religion For Today by David Hodgkin



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Online Publications 

DateAuthorTitle
2010Angell, Stephen W.A Quaker in Iran
 It is a tremendous pity that so few Americans get an opportunity to travel in Iran. Its mosques and its ancient monuments are incalculable treasures, but the opportunity to visit with Iranian peoples is a treasure even more to be cherished.
 
2009King, Sallie B.A Quaker's Response to Christian Fundamentalism
 Many Friends are unprepared to meet the challenges of Christian fundamentalism. When acquaintances, co-workers or neighbors accost us, insisting upon certain conservative or fundamentalist theological views, many Friends find themselves tongue-tied and do not know what to think or say....
 
2009Gillman, HarveyWhat is Spirituality?
 Our attempts to establish a vision of peace, justice, equality, respect for the environment, are all aspects of this spiritual vision. Indeed our testimony in the world is the proof of the depths of the vision we have been granted.
 
2008Riemermann, JamesMystery: It's What We Don't Know
 In this essay the author reflects on the nature of reality and the origins of the Western monotheistic tradition. He, then considers the conundrum posed by this and raises questions regarding the nature of boundaries of Quaker universalism and where non-theists place fits in relation to it.
 
2008Rickerman, SallyTrust: My Experience of Quakerism's Greatest Gift
 The author, who from her lifetime immersion and experience of Quakerism , being given by nature to “march to a different drummer,” shares her discovery that it is not only a safe place to be but also an immensely enriching one. She reports on finding that “the resulting tensions between individualism, universalism, freedom and community are mediated by trust.
 
2007Gilman, Rhoda R.The Universality of Unknowing
 A snapshot of the life and writings of Luther Askeland, a philosopher, teacher and mystic. Luther Askeland, author of Ways in Mystery: Explorations in Mystical Awareness and Life, has published essays and articles. Rhoda Gilman reflects on the importance of Askeland's thinking in her life.
 
2007Seeger, Daniel A.Commerce, Community, and the Regulations of Universal Love
 John Woolman’s essay A Plea for the Poor provides a starting point for Dan Seeger’s reflections in this pamphlet, was a vigorous argument for justice and equality in economic relations. Thus, according to the author, if the universalist principles of Quaker belief extend an inner light and a spirit of love to all humankind, then certainly in today’s global world the ethics of Quakerism must extend to global economy. Seeger both reminds and makes the reader aware, therefore, that Friends from George Fox’s generations and beyond have questioned the moral crime of making human beings (as distinct from human labor) into a marketable commodity.
 
2006Gilk, PaulRadiant In Joy
 A long-time ecological thinker and critic of American consumerist society, h has also written two books and a collection of poetry. The essay presented here has been condensed from a longer piece, and I hope that in "pruning" it I have preserved for QUF readers a lot of its unique style—often blunt, sometimes whimsical, and always deeply thoughtful. Paul is the kind of appreciative author an editor loves to work with, and I follow his express instructions here in "taking a deep bow." R.R.G.
 
2006Williams, Patricia A.Hazardous Engagement: God Makes a Friend
 This spiritual autobiography, written during 2001 and 2002, is framed as a series of monthly letters to the spiritual presence. The author later discovered that this spiritual presence who had been her teacher during those seven years had taught lessons that were in close accordance with the theology of the first Quakers!
 
2005Boulton, DavidMilitant Seedbeds Of Early Quakerism  
 Was Gerrard Winstanley a Quaker? Did he have any direct connection with Quakers? Did George Fox read his books and pamphlets, and was he influenced by them? These questions — the first two, at least — were asked in the seventeenth century, and have been asked again by historians and scholars in the twentieth.
 
2005Sibley, Mulford Q.In Praise of Gandhi Technology And The Ordering Of Human Relations
 During the 20th century, Friends were deeply influenced by Gandhi’s concept of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change. They have been less sympathetic to his ideas on technology, although as Sibley makes clear, those ideas were rooted in Gandhi’s religious beliefs and in a testimony of simplicity not unlike that of traditional Quakers.
 
2004Rush, DavidThey Too Are Friends A Survey of 199 Nontheist Friends
 While at Woodbrooke, as a Fellow, Rush was able to research on both sides of the Atlantic the perspective of 199 non-theist Friends. According to Doug Gwyn, “It is an important piece of fresh research on a growing phenomenon in the liberal branch of Quakerism over the past several years.”
 
2004Seeger, DanThe Mystical Path: Pilgrimage To The One Who Is Always Here
 In discussing mysticism, Dan Seeger observes, ’As there is given to us some degree of awareness of the ineffable mystery of God we are shown the way to complete ourselves, both as individuals and as communities, in accordance with the principles of compassion and truth which are the basis of our natural and intended character.’
 
2003Gilman, RhodaReview: Essays in Radical Quakerism by David Boulton
 Rhoda Gilman reviews a collection of articles by David Boulton, a British Quaker historian.
 
2003Wood, FrankWalking the Talk
 A sensitive article by a Friend who continues his search.
 
2002Fox, GeorgeFifty nine Particulars
 Fifty nine Particulars laid down for the Regulating things, and the taking away of Oppressing Laws, and Oppressors, and to ease the Oppressed. This is the first, since 1659, reprint of Fox’s impassioned plea to Parliament. It is not a theological treatise, but in the Addendum, Fox makes a passionate plea for religious liberty.
 
2001Schmoe, FloydWhy Is Man?
 QUF has edited selections from this book, originally published privately in 1983. This is a small collection of meditations on science, nature, humankind and God. Schmoe was a concerned Friend, a dedicated environmentalist and an active peacemaker.
 
2001Sells, MichaelThe Generous Qur'an
 QUF is privileged to be able to present Sells’ sensitive translations of ten of the suras (chapters) of the Qur’an. This gives our readers an opportunity to understand more fully and to appreciate the universality and beauty of the Islamic message.
 
2001Abbott, Jay & CooperWaiting and Resting in the True Silence: Three Essays from Friends Bulletin
 These three essays give the experiential reflections of three authors on the meaning of Meeting for Worship to each of them from a universalist perspective.
 
2000Sibley, Milford Q.Quaker Mysticism: Its Context and Implications
 This posthumously published essay gives the reader the clearest definitions of mysticism available. It also notes that Quaker mysticism, in its framework of group discernment, and helps distinguish illusion from truth in the religious experience.
 
1999Rickerman, SallyGrowing Up Quaker and Universalist Too
 The author looks back on her journey as a Quaker universalist -- from her ancestral roots in 17th-century Quakerism, to her family’s experiences on the American frontier, to her own being a 20th-century Friend by both ’nature and nurture’. She also reflects on her perceptions of Quakerism and the leadings that have drawn her into working for QUF.
 
1998Amoss, GeorgeReforming Christianity
 The early Quakers combined the apocalyptic, the mystical, and the prophetic.
 
1998Morgan, Arthur E.Should Quakers Receive The Good Samaritan Into Their Membership?
 As we look today at the world-wide wave of fundamentalism and see the way it threatens to divide both the world and the Religious Society of Friends, many of Morgan’s insights speak to us with fresh conviction.
 
1998Mulford Q. Sibley & Rhoda R. GilmanAuthority and Mysticism in Quaker and Buddhist Thought
 These two essays have a common thread which lies in the authority given by both Friends and Buddhists to personal religious experience. And this, as Sibley points out, opens the door to universalism, for mystical experience of the divine and sacred is universal, not limited to Christianity or any other religious tradition.
 
1997Alpern, RobinWhy Not Join the Unitarians?
 Can a non-theist find a home in the Religious Society of Friends?
 
1997Seeger, Daniel A.I Have Called You Friends: A Quaker Universalist's Understanding of Jesus
 Dan uses John 15:15 to explore his own relationship to and with Jesus and how it effects his universalism. He points out many of the ’unresolvable dichotomies ... innate to humankind’s spiritual quest’ and the overwhelming unifying quality of love.
 
1996Amoss, GeorgeOn Silent Worship
 What should I be doing during silent worship?
 
1996Cadbury, Henry J.A Quaker Approach to the Bible
 Given at the Guilford College 1953 Ward Lecture, Cadbury’s exposition of the Quaker approach is today still germaine to Friends as he carries on a long tradition.
 
1996Fager, ChuckThe Authenticity of Liberal Quakerism
 An answer to evangelical Quakers from the ’Beanite’ viewpoint.
 
1995Gilman, RhodaToward a New Universalism
 The importance of Quaker mysticism in defining what is Universal.
 
1995Hodgkin, DavidQuakerism: A Mature Religion for Today,
 This view of Quakerism -- as a body defined by its form of worship, the quality of its community, and its service to the world is presented by a presiding clerk, who later became secretary of Australia Yearly Meeting. He states that Quakerism is ’centered toward a God not cramped by definitions which will satisfy some and estrange others.’
 
1995van der Sprenkel, OttoFriends and Other Faiths,
 This is the text of the Ninth James Backhouse Lecture given in Canberra at Australia Yearly Meeting, January 7, 1973, and published by Friends at the same time. Among the implications of his title is that Friends themselves have a ‘faith’ or system of beliefs that can usefully be compared or contrasted with ‘other faiths.’
 
1994Conlon, EmilyWilliam Penn, Quaker Universalist
 A discussion of Elizabeth Gray Vining's pamphlet: William Penn, Mystic
 
1994Knudsen-Hoffman, GeneSpirit and Trauma
 During a time of mental illness, Knudsen-Hoffman explored the relationship between religion and psychological health. Insights gained and meaningful meditations from Quakerism, Zen Buddhism and Hasidic Judaism are shared with readers.
 
1994Nicholson, JohnThe Place of Prayer Is A Precious Habitation,
 The author summarizes for Friends the testimony of John Woolman about his rich and varied prayer life. He also helps us understand how it moved from direct prayer to living the spirit of prayer.
 
1994Swayne, KingdonUniversalism and Me
 A non-Christiam Quaker briefly explains his origins and his approach.
 
1992Balling, PeterThe Light upon the Candlestick
 QUF takes great pride in presenting a 1663 Quaker tract which argues for the authenticity of inward experience. This pamphlet also has a summary by Rufus Jones in its preface. The Epilogue reports on newly discovered connections between Quakers, the Collegiants and Spinosa.
 
1992Gwyn, DouglasThe Quaker Dynamic: Personal Faith and Corporate Vision
 Gwyn tells of his concern that Friends need focus to ’...reclaim the unique Christian spirituality of Quakerism as the shared core of our faith.’ Here he distinguishes between personal faith and shared witness, rejoicing in the light shining in lives of other religionists.
 
1992Hearing Where The Words Come From Four Perspectives
 Tom Ceresini, Mickey Edgerton, Al Roberts and Sally Rickerman heeded the comment made by a non-English-speaking American Indian, listening to John Woolman, ’I love to hear where the words come from.’ Sharing the wide variety of religious experience which shaped each’s faith, all present were able to hear the Spirit and not let words interfere with deep understanding.
 
1991Seeger, Daniel A.The Boundaries of our Faith A Reflection on the Practice of Goddess Spirituality
 This is a thoughtful account of events that started with a women’s weekend at Powell House (NYYM’s conference center) and ended at that year’s Yearly Meeting sessions. Seeger consulted with the Friends involved and has noted where their perspectives differed from his. QUF is indeed privileged to be able to publish this important document.
 
1991Watson, ElizabethJourney to Universalism
 Elizabeth lovingly shares her life’s spiritual experiences particularly as she made her pilgrimages to Israel, India and Greece. She found that the journey to universalism is a journey to the universe.
 
1990Walters, HerbAdventures in Listening
 Herb Walters has taken his Listening Project successfully to areas of racial, ethnic, and cultural conflict. Here he recounts some of the methods and results of the increasingly used ’Listening’ to bring seemingly opposed ’sides’ to mutual understanding and reconciliation.
 
1990Varieties of Religious Experience: An Adventure in Listening
 QUF was given an opportunity to truly listen with open hearts to the variety of ways that some of their fellow Friends, from a wide range of theological perspectives, give structure to their lives.
 
1988Seeger, Daniel A.Quaker Universalists: Their Ministry Among Friends and in the World
 Defines the reality of Quaker universalism and reviews the opportunities for the Fellowship to become a reconciling and enriching group among Friends.
 
1986Seeger, Daniel A.The Place of Universalism in the Religious Society of Friends: Is Coexistence Possible?
 One of four panelists speaking on Quaker ’theology’ at the 1986 FGC Gathering, Dan traces the universalist strain in Quakerism and reflects on ways to truly share our religious unity.
 
1985Dulles, AveryRevelation and the Religions
 QUF is pleased to reprint a chapter from the book Models of Revelation written by the then Father Dulles. This distinguished Catholic theologian reveals, through meticulous scholarship, the various positions on Divine revelation taken by both Protestants and Catholics and the ’inbuilt tension between particularism and universalism.’
 
Hetherington, RalphReadings For Universalists
 Testimonies of important Quakers both today and yesterday.
 
Hetherington, RalphThe Defining Marks Of Quakerism
 The inward light as the essence of Quakerism.
 

 





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Quaker Univ Fellowship Journal - No 49 Feb 2009

Quaker Universalist Fellowship Journal - Number 49:

Universalist Friends

The Journal of the
Quaker Universalist Fellowship
 
Number 49
February 2009

In This Issue


 
 

The Quaker Universalist Fellowship is an informal gathering of persons who cherish the spirit of universality that has always been intrinsic to the Quaker faith. We acknowledge and respect the diverse spiritual experience of those within our own meetings as well as of the human family worldwide; we are enriched by our conversation with all who search sincerely. Our mission includes publishing and providing speakers and opportunities for fellowship at regional and national Quaker gatherings.

Universalist Friends and a QUF pamphlet are published twice a year and are available free to on-line subscribers. These publications are available as web pages (HTML) for browsing, ebooks (PDF) for on-line reading, and pamphlets (booked PDF) for printing. Visit our website at http://www.universalistfriends.org to enter a free on-line subscription.

If you wish to receive printed copies of these publications by regular mail, send an annual subscription fee of $25.00 to QUF at our mailing address below. Selected past QUF publications are available free to our on-line subscribers. We will send available printed copies of past publications upon request and on payment of a fee.

We trust that all of our subscribers will support our work by sending a tax-deductible contribution to QUF. You can also contribute by sharing your reflections on our publications and on your own experiences.


News from QUF

George Amoss, Jr., and Lyn Cope have recently agreed to serve on the Steering Committee of the QUF.

George is a member of Homewood Friends Meeting in Baltimore and currently attends Little Falls Meeting in Fallston, Maryland. He has served in the past on the Steering Committee, and long-time readers will remember him as having been for several years editor of Universalist Friends.

Lyn lives in Melbourne Beach, Florida and works full-time for South East Yearly Meeting, where she is responsible for design and layout, website, finance and conference support. She writes: "Philosophically, I believe that all active adult Friends have chosen to be Friends of whatever persuasion and that there seemingly is a vibrancy in meetings blessed with convinced Friends. Born into Paullina Monthly Meeting, I have chosen to remain passionately involved in the wider world of Friends. . . . My life might best be summed up with a Horace quote, `Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.'. . . [I have] a self-directed, independent, liberal value system that now I am seeing reflected in my grandchildren, which brings me full circle to QUF — I want the next generation to have the option of knowing that Quaker roots are universalist."

 


 

The year 2008 saw the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship. It was marked by an article in the August, 2008, issue of Friends Journal, in which Rhoda Gilman outlined the history of the organization. Readers of Friends Journal will have noticed several letters in later issues commenting on the nature of Quaker universalism.

Sally Rickerman's pamphlet, Trust: My Experience of Quakerism's Greatest Gift, which was published by QUF in spring, 2008, has been issued in paper format by Troll Press and is featured on the website of QuakerBooks.

 


 

Sally Rickerman writes: "I was fortunate to receive a notice from the Hawkinson Foundation in Minneapolis that our editor, Rhoda Gilman, and her daughter, Betsy Raasch-Gilman, received two of their 2008 three annual awards for Peace and Justice. Three cheers for Rhoda and may we, too, bask in her glory!"


From the Clerk

A Summary of a Conversation

The Chair of Quaker Universalist Group (QUG) in Britain (Andrew Cowan) and 

the Clerk of Quaker Universalist Fellowship (QUF) in the United States (Larry Spears) 

met for four hours of conversation at Friends House, London on November 22, 2008.

It was stimulating. The conversation was wide-ranging and enthusiastic for the role of QUG and QUF in the future of the Quaker tradition and, through Quaker witness, to the world. We recognized mutual strengths and weaknesses in current efforts and identified potential joint and parallel initiatives for consideration.

At lunch, we were joined by Alec Davison, former QUG Chair, who updated us on the outreach activities of Quaker Quest and Kindlers programs in Britain.

As a result of these conversations, based partly on points for clarification raised by QUG and QUF colleagues, we made some of these observations and suggestions for consideration by QUF and QUG for discussion and discernment:

Demographics: Both organizations currently reflect aging constituencies. Neither has a significant youth constituency. This is not promising for the future or for the current communication mechanisms of the organizations. We discussed whether universalism, by its nature, is only meaningful to those in the last chapters of life, who have accumulated sufficient experience to recognize the importance of universalism.

Web Activity: Both organizations benefit from the growth of their websites, from the immediacy and personal opportunity of e-groups and from newsletters. QUF provides fuller content of its publications. Neither has entered fully into the blogsphere. Both are shifting toward greater expansion into the Internet. QUF and QUG are moving to an online publishing presence at different speeds. Use of these web tools is helped by having like-minded partners and by skilled, dedicated administrators. Visual expression and music at QUG are developing to supplement the verbal messages.

Strategic Planning: QUG will consider framing issues for strategic planning for sharing with QUF.

Language: QUG and QUF recognize the problem of inadequate language and vocabulary in carrying on the discussion of universalism within the Quaker tradition. Language is a challenge and opportunity for QUG and QUF to make a joint contribution in clarification and augmentation of the larger discussion of universalist themes within the Quaker tradition.

Globalization Relationship: QUF and QUG see a relationship between Quaker universalism and the globalization of culture and commerce, but neither currently addresses this globalization as a spiritual or reasoning challenge or as an opportunity of major importance.

Diversity and Relativism: We discussed the need for clarification of the role and limits of theological diversity as an element of universalism within the Quaker community but did not arrive at a conclusion.

Inter-religious Dialogue: We discussed the role and limits of universalism in inter-religious consultation but did not arrive at a conclusion. How do we provide respect and appreciation for other religions without endorsing all asserted religions as of equal completeness or religious cultural practices as of equal soundness?

Environment: There is affinity within QUG and QUF for the spiritual links between universalism and planetary environmentalism, but we recognized that the conceptual basis of the relationship of universalism to environmentalism is insufficiently clarified.

Future of Universalism Within Quaker Tradition: There is an impression that universalism is part of the common denominator of unprogrammed Quakers and some programmed Quakers in Britain and the U.S. among the older cohort of Quakers. Universalism of salvation and respect for other religions is highly contested among most programmed Quakers. The views of the younger generation of Quakers are currently opaque.

Cooperation: Both QUG and QUF want to emphasize that we enjoy being collegial and hope to continue this mutually helpful relationship. Areas of potential future cooperation between the two organizations include:

1. Joint publication of selected articles and historic documents;

2. Mutual reviews of the publications of the other organization; and

3. Cross-over participation in meetings of steering committees of the two organizations.

Organizational Relations: Neither QUG nor QUF have formal correspondence relations with environmental, political or religious organizations or institutions outside of the Quaker community.

Testimonies: From the discussion of the implications of universalism for implementation of Quaker testimonies in the areas of social policy advocacy, we concluded that they need further development. We discussed the potential scope and elements of a human universalism underlying all religions and secular ideologies as a basis for global human rights policy development.

Expanded Visibility: We discussed the possibilities of expansion of the visible presence for QUF and QUG.

Quaker Quest: During the conversation, Alec Davison joined us and summarized his view of the distinctiveness of Quakers as present-day seekers, as identified from listening in nearly 100 Quaker Quest events in Britain. These distinctives included:

1. Truth: Quakers accept the truth from several sources, including science, the arts and other religious traditions.

2. Christianity: Quakers recognize their roots in the Christian tradition and the disclosing and transmission of the way of Jesus for today as developed and augmented by others, including Elizabeth Fry and John Woolman.

3. Experience: Quakers identify truth in both their individual and their community experience, subject to threshing processes.

4. Testimonies: Quakers witness to testimonies for implementation in individual and community life, which testimonies are derived from their understanding of truth. These include equality and social justice.

5. Peace: Quakers focus particular attention on the testimony of peace.

6. Sacramental Life: Quakers witness to the reality that all of life is sacramental, beyond the affirmation of that of God in everyone.

In Britain, Quaker Quest, which is for persons who are interested in Quakers, is accompanied by a program called Kindlers, which is for deepening the spiritual roots and worship within the Quaker community.

Financial Condition: Both organizations have modest budgets. QUG currently functions with a balanced budget. QUF is working toward that goal. Neither budget reflects the much greater order of magnitude of the importance of the spiritual witness these organizations have to share.

Business Model: QUF and QUG have similar business models. Both rely on contributions, subscriptions and the purchase of published materials for their income. Both are shifting toward greater expansion into the Internet. QUF and QUG are moving to an online publishing presence at different speeds. QUG runs an annual conference, designed to break even rather than to make money.

Fundraising: We discussed whether QUF and QUG should be more active fundraisers, as are so many other nonprofit organizations in order to carry out larger services.

Quaker Contributions: We discussed how the resources of the Quaker tradition could inform, clarify and assist us today in these discussions of universalism for the implementation of traditional Quaker testimonies.

We look forward to close communication as opportunities open in the future.

This was a warm and searching conversation. We both recognized the benefit of encouraging more discussion between QUG and QUF in the future to our mutual benefit.

Larry Spears


From the Editor

After three years of editing Universalist Friends and in addition taking on the task of preparing two Quaker Universalist Readers for publication, Patricia Williams laid down her editorial pen last summer. We are all grateful for her dedicated and competent service. Two new books — Universalism and Religions and Universalism and Spirituality — stand as monuments to it. Both can be purchased from the QUF bookstore on our web site.

As editor of our pamphlets and a former editor of Universalist Friends, I have volunteered to assemble the journal on its semiannual schedule until a more permanent editor can be found. Therefore any contributions, comments, and correspondence can be sent to me by e-mail at <editors @universalistfriends.org> or by regular mail to: 513 Superior Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.

We welcome essays or personal journeys related to Quaker universalism (approximate length: 1,000—3,000 words), and we especially welcome reviews of books and pamphlets, or suggestions of publications that perhaps we ought to review. In keeping with past custom, we will also include letters from readers and news and notes about the ongoing activities of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship.

Rhoda Gilman

Quaker Universalist Fellowship Library

Quaker Universalist Fellowship Library

Journals from Quaker Universalist Publications:

Universalist Friends

August 2010, Volume 52