O my Friend, mind this precious Truth inwardly, this precious grace inwardly . . . the inward voice of the Shepherd in the heart, the inward seed, the inward salt, the inward leaven, the inward pearl . . . . Distinguish between words without concerning the thing, and the thing itself within; and wait and labour then to know, understand, and be guided by, the motives, leadings, drawings, teachings, quickenings &c. of the thing itself within.
Isaac Penington (1616–1679)
Isaac Penington (1616–1679)
Who are Quakers?
In the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), people from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs embark together on a spiritual journey. Although their individual beliefs may vary, Quakers share an understanding of a Divine presence in all people.
This presence is the source from which we draw our strength to witness to human dignity, and to work for peace and justice. Though some Quaker meetings continue to struggle for unity around gender and sexual diversity, many Quaker meetings have found unity in welcoming and supporting gender and sexual minorities.
The Religious Society of Friends began in England in the 17th Century. Early Friends sought to revive a form of primitive Christianity, without creed, outward sacraments, or paid clergy. In the course of Quaker history a variety of spiritual practices evolved as Friends followed the inward leadings of the Divine presence.
Today those spiritual practices include both programmed and unprogrammed Meetings for Worship. Programmed meetings may include pastoral prayer, responsive readings, music, scripture, and prepared messages, while in unprogrammed meetings for Worship worshippers gather together in silence to seek the Divine presence, speaking out of the silence when led to do so by the movement of Spirit.
Quakers believe that all are called to minister to one another. We believe that each person has direct access to the Divine—an inner light present within. Individuals must search and come to a personal understanding of their own spiritualities, which may or may not be Christ-centered. During the past three centuries, consistent testimonies have emerged which bear witness that the Spirit can be trusted to lead toward simplicity, equality, justice, nonviolence, peace, and stewardship.
Excerpted from Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer Concerns
http://flgbtqc.quaker.org/index.html
Some descriptions of Quaker Worship in the liberal/unprogrammed tradition:
http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/worship.html
A 10 minute YouTube Video by my friend Callid Keefe-Perry, describing Liberal Quakerism:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l9VPJ7fT6E
My favorite Quaker music video by my friend Jon Watts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=-XlMkK4_kTg&feature=related
A website about all things Quaker:
http://quaker.org/
A hub for all Blogs Quaker:
http://www.quakerquaker.org/
Some Quaker Organizations:
Friends General Conference, where my wife Traci works.
http://www.fgcquaker.org/
Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker presence on Capitol Hill:
http://www.fcnl.org/index.htm
American Friends Service Committee, a major peace and justice service organization established and maintained by Friends:
http://afsc.org/
Greene Street Friends Meeting, the local Monthly Meeting which I attend:
http://greenstreetfriendsmeeting.org/
An article about the Evergreen Worship Group, where I try to worship a few days each week:
http://whsbodywork.blogspot.com/p/evergreen-worship-group.html
A place you can find a Monthly Meeting near you:
http://www.quakermaps.com/
