QUIP Meeting

On the Balkans

Charney Manor-a Quaker retreat center in Oxfordshire, England- hosts the Quakers Uniting in Publications (QUIP) meeting, April, 1999 (photo by Steve Beuret).

The 1999 annual meeting of Quakers Uniting in Publications, held at Charney Manor April 22nd-25th, was spiritually and professionally refreshing. I found QUIP to be a remarkable model of Quaker process and collegial fellowship. From discussions of how to distribute the fund set aside to support publishing endeavors to colloquia on nurturing authors and discerning the gaps in the market, the atmosphere was spirit-centered. Many cooperative ventures were initiated including co-publishing projects and a possible QUIP pamphlet detailing guidelines for providing a successful book table. We reviewed the impressive homepage and database, making suggestions for improvements and additions. Two members identified the group as an intentional community of folks concerned with the ministry of the word. This seems to me an apt description. It was by far the best professional meeting I have attended. The lovely setting and fine food added considerably to the convivial environment.