Comments on: Quaker Ranter Reader

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 14:51:49 +0000

Hi Rob,
Oh yes, there’s enough out there that it might be interesting to compile it together. I always think I should keep track of the extraordinary posts I see. I actually can’t think of any Quaker publisher that would put it out though. It might not have an audience and it would threaten to cross the institutional lines we all continue to hold too dear. This is definitely an idea to hold onto, though I’m not clear just where it might lead…

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 13:02:27 +0000

Hi Martin,
I’m not sure my thoughts on this issue are well thought out, but something has been stirring around in mind for some time about the collection of voices in the blogosphere and whether there is a case to be made for some other venue to lift them up. It feels vain to suggest such a thing, and given that I’m not overly familiar with what’s newly available in Quaker print today (i.e. books, anthologies, periodicals, etc.), it’s unclear whether a new book or alternative publication is necessary. Perhaps though. What I have to come to enjoy most about our blogs is their perspective from the Quaker fringe, if you will. The flow seems to be increasing across old boundaries (yearly meetings, geography, liberal vs. conservative, etc.) and I feel a very small but subtle sense of being gathered.
Anyhow, that’s what I have to share today.

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 20:04:35 +0000

I’ve added the link back in for those brave enough to want to try ordering this. It seems silly not to have it available to the regular readers who might want to see it.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 21:59:54 +0000

I don’t have anything particularly relevant or deep to say, but I feel moved to offer thee my love and support in thy ministry, whatever papery or non-papery form it may take. And if it takes a papery form I will make sure my literature table has several copies.
Amanda
ps. on a completely unrelated note, I’d love to see new pictures of the Theoling. I’m in a particularly baby-fixated mood because my mom’s 12th is ever-increasingly on the way. (God help us)

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:12:00 +0000

*Hi Isabel:* You all have had seen or had access to just about everything as everything but the intro and the final article are online.
Hi Paul: I haven’t had any plans to write about the Quaker blogosophere for _Friends Journal_. Despite talk of a book, my strategy so far has been to just remain quietly puttering away on my site, ignoring official Quakerdom except for lowly staff positions. Since one of those positions was as the Web Manager of the _Journal_, I can sneak a peak over at the visitors logs and report that the Quaker Ranter received 1700 more visitors in February than FriendsJournal.org did (maybe you should do an article on print publications for my website?). I don’t own anything so if you want to do an article you don’t need my permission. I think it’s a great idea. I’d be happy to be interviewed and of course I already let you know about my “favorite Quaker blogs”:http://www.nonviolence.org/quaker/quaker_places.php
***
Hi Liz: As I explained privately to you, I’ve been thinking about what a printed collection of blog posts would look like for awhile but the immediate impetus Friday was an alarmed email I received. I panicked in doubt over the discernment ability of an organization I respect. But faithfulness demands that I not act out of panic and that I allow an organization to stumble: change and awareness with happen on the Spirit’s timeline and until then it’s my job to simply be obedient, even if that requires suffering disappointment.

By: Liz Opp

Liz Opp — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:11:57 +0000

Martin, I’m heartened to read of some of the seasoning and discernment you are engaged in around the Quaker Ranter Reader. It still may be that you are, in fact, led to publish this text. It is clear (to me, anyway) you have a gift for articulating things that require a fair amount of thought and discussion, and I also appreciate the gift you have in weaving a unique community together (Quaker bloggers, i.e.).
I have wondered what the clearness committees for Friends like Patricia Loring or Marty Grundy have been like, as they’ve written or edited books and pamphlets over time. Have you been in touch with them or any other Quaker author to learn a bit about their experience with clearness committees for writing/publishing? …I wouldn’t be surprised, given your connections!
Keep us posted about your continued discernment… And I affirm that I’ll do the same!
Blessings,
Liz

By: Paul Landskroener

Paul Landskroener — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 13:58:16 +0000

What a coincidence. I just spoke with the editor of Friends Journal three weeks ago about whether anyone had proposed an article on Quaker blogs and if she’d be interested in printing one. The answers were no and yes.
I’ve been toying with writing it myself, but have been hesitant because I’m new to the area and Quaker Ranter seems to be Blog Central of Quakerdom and wouldn’t want to trod on plans you may have, Martin.
Also, I wondered about any unspoken assumptions hosts or contributors may have about the privacy of posts (especially comments).
Is this something to pursue? Any caveats?

By: Isabel Penraeth

Isabel Penraeth — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 12:58:24 +0000

Sometimes the only way to test a leading is to do the thing and see whether it is fruitful. I, for one, would like to see what you have compiled.