FRIENDS
INCUBATOR
FOR PUBLIC MINISTRY
Constellation of Witness Project Art
Hand drawn illustrations for new book featuring Quaker stories in Public Ministry
Watch the introduction video!
Launching on Kickstarter March 27!
pledged of $10,000 goal
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Story
Hi! I'm Joey, I'm an artist and a Quaker. This Kickstarter will fund the art that will bring to life a new book from Friends Incubator for Public Ministry, featuring Quaker stories in Public Ministry.
Constellation of Witness: Quaker Stories in Public Ministry
About the Friends Incubator for Public Ministry:
The Friends Incubator for Public Ministry empowers emerging Quaker leaders and their communities through spiritual formation, education, and collaboration, revitalizing public ministry to create a vibrant, modern Quakerism for today's world.
A note from Windy Cooler, convener of Friends Incubator for Public Ministry and one of the book's editors:
Many of you have read about these ministers on our blog, stories of contemporary Friends like Angela Hopkins, Ross Brubeck, Kody Hersh, and Melinda Wenner Bradley, alongside historic witnesses such as Lucretia Mott, John Woolman, and Elias Hicks. We have also heard the perspective of Friends like Marty Grundy, whose “Tall Poppies” continues to ring true. Through these pieces and through our gatherings, we have been tracing a lineage of Spirit-led, outward-facing faithfulness across generations.
Again and again in our events, Friends have named both the beauty and the strain of public ministry. We have heard about grief and sacrifice, about the quiet endurance required to remain faithful, about joy when a meeting truly recognizes a gift, and about the risk that comes with stepping beyond familiar boundaries. There is a deep hunger for accompaniment, clarity, and structures that can hold ministers with care.
Now, in Constellation of Witness, we are widening the circle.
This book will include first-hand accounts from more public ministers themselves, reflections shaped by grief, sacrifice, joy, risk, endurance, and daily labor. These are not abstract theological essays but lived testimonies about what it costs to follow a call, what sustains a minister over time, and what it means to be accompanied or to stand alone. Alongside these voices, we will hear from Friends both familiar and less widely known, drawing lessons from our 400-year history as Quakers about recognition, authority, rupture, courage, and care.
Taken together, these voices form a constellation. Different lights, different contexts, different temperaments, yet a shared commitment to faithfulness beyond the meetinghouse walls.
If this vision resonates with you, I invite you to consider contributing to the project. Your support will help us gather, edit, illustrate, and publish these stories so that the Religious Society of Friends may remember what it knows about ministry and imagine what is still possible.
More about me
I grew up as a member of Lehigh Valley Friends in Bethlehem, PA (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting) and now live in New Orleans, but go back to visit a few times a year. I have been an artist professionally for about 15 years, and you may have seen some of my work for FCNL, FGC, PYM, Beacon Hill Friends House, and of course Friends Incubator for Public Ministry. You can see more of my work at www.usandweart.com.
In my art practice, I am fascinated by human relationship with the earth and each other, and endeavor to make art to draw connections between them. In my personal world, I am an introverted creature who loves a walkable city, a good coffee, and a healthy fantasy of a world with justice for all.
Backing the Kickstarter
The creative process for the book will begin once the project is fully funded. Check out the rewards for postcards, prints, greeting cards and of course the book as perks for contributing!
Larger contributions can also get a virtual visit from me to your group, a visit from a team member of Friends Incubator, or a sponsor thank you in the book itself with other rewards.
What can you expect from this book when it's finished?
This book will be a resource, an exploration, a celebration of courage, an invitation, and a collection of art all in one.
If you're curious to see what that looks like, so am I! Please consider backing this project to help bring this book to life, and even if you're not able to contribute right now, please share :)
Thank you!
- Joey Hartmann-Dow (she/they)
Artist
Risks and challenges
Although of course we plan to stay on schedule, there is always a risk that unforeseen delays will cause changes to our timeline. We will keep backers updated on any changes.
Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Penpal $10
Get a personalized postcard mailed from the artist (sent via USPS, no tracking) It will look great on your fridge.
Consider the Ravens $20
Joey's "Consider the Ravens, Consider the Wildflowers" version of the Friends Incubator logo on a 5x7" postcard print.
Way Will Open $30
• "Way Will Open" greeting cards with envelopes. 4 cards (4.25"x5.5", blank inside)
• 5x7" "Consider the Ravens, Consider the Wildflowers" postcard print
• Constellation postcard
Constellation of Witness $75
A signed copy of the finished book! plus art and cards.
Art collector $100
So much art, plus a signed copy of the book.
Constellation Quote $250
Get a custom 16x20" constellation poster print featuring a quote of your choice, plus all the items from the art pack and a signed copy of the book.
Virtual Artist Talk $500
Schedule a virtual program with your Meeting or organization with Joey Hartmann-Dow to hear about what she learned during the process of making of this book!
Available between November 2026-November 2027.
Limited quantity
5 left of 5
Group Sponsor $1,000
Special thanks listed in the book to your Meeting, school, or organization for supporting this project!
Friends Incubator Visit $1,250
Get an in-person visit to your Meeting or organization from Friends Incubator for Public Ministry-- this can be a program, talk, or workshop depending on your group.
(If you're outside of the continental USA and are interested, please contact windy@friendsincubator.org)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "public ministry"?
Friends, all of us are called to be ministers in the lives of our worshiping communities. Some of us are called to be ministers in public. Ministry in public is called public ministry! There are many different ways one can be a public minister, and that's what this book will exemplify by lifting up stories of Quakers following their leadings, from history and today.
Who is this book for?
This book is for Friends looking to explore the ways public ministers shows up in the Quaker world an beyond-- as well as for anyone who wants to learn more about Quakers and what public ministry means. Friends may want to see this book available as a resource for their Meeting libraries, Friends Schools, or interfaith groups. We hope that these stories will inspire Quaker Meetings to think about how they can support public ministers in their own communities.
When will the book be available?
Once the project is funded, Joey will begin the process of continued research, design, illustration, formatting and editing the pages to bring it to life. Once finished, the book will be printed by Barclay Press in Oregon, and our goal is to have the final product ready for distribution by November 2026.
Can I contribute art or writing to the book?
The art will be fully developed by Joey Hartmann-Dow, but if you have an idea or story to share please reach out to Windy Cooler: windy@friendsincubator.org
Who is involved with this project?
The book is being produced by Friends Incubator for Public Ministry, which is under the sponsorship of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting, and will be printed by Barclay Press. The stories will be compiled and edited by Windy Cooler, nova sturrup, and Tom Hamm, with art by Joey Hartmann-Dow. Stay tuned for more updates.
What will the book look like and how big is it?
As the content of the book takes form, the design is open to change. As of now the dimensions are planned to be 6.625"x10.25" (168 x 260 mm). We really don't know how many pages it will be but there will be at least 20 stories/lessons.