Ethos

The Australian Quaker Centre:

• Has an atmosphere of prayer, simplicity and gratitude before God
• Is willing to encounter inwardly the Indigenous spirituality and care of this land and its peoples
• Assumes everyone is becoming more deeply part of a spiritual community
• Embodies Quaker practice in all its aspects and activities
• Reflects a way of life that is spiritually, physically, environmentally and economically sustainable in Australia

In practical terms the AQC is:

1. A haven for rest and healing
2. A learning space for listening and ministry
3. A place to listen to and learn from Indigenous people
4. A school for spirituality and Quaker heritage
5. A place to experience and demonstrate living as a spirit-directed, sustainable community
6. A fertile ground for prophets

The aim is to create a transforming community not a school. As we make the vision a reality, we need to allow it develop gradually. In a small program for the first year we drew teachers only from Australia. We created opportunities for people to join in the experience of Quaker community and for volunteer Friends-in-Residence in areas such as technical support and pastoral care.

The Centre aims to offer five streams, though not all can be available simultaneously:

• Quaker History, Faith, Practice and Theology
• Indigenous Spirituality and Issues
• Prayer and Spiritual Life, including silent retreats
• Creative Life, including art, music and writing
• Preparation for Ministry and Witness

We also envisage Threshing Weeks, where a group of people can meet to work through an issue for which we have no clear vision, exploring both the spiritual imperatives and the practical outcomes. This did not eventuate in 2009, but issues such as War Tax resistance, Climate Change Responses or the NT Intervention Policy may find a place in the program in 2010.