About Quakers

Quakers share a way of life rather than a set of beliefs. We seek to experience our spiritual life directly within ourselves, and in our relationships with others and the world around us.

• In all people there is something sacred.
• All people are equal before God.
• Religion is about the whole of life.
• In stillness we find a deeper sense of spiritual presence.
• True religion leads to respect for the Earth and all life upon it. Each person is unique and precious.

The bedrock of the Quaker Way is the silent meeting for worship. We seek a communal gathered stillness where we can be open to inspiration from the spirit of God. During our meetings for worship some may feel moved to speak; something anyone can do as all are considered equal. Meetings can be held anywhere, at any time, although they are often on Sundays at our Quaker meeting houses.

Our focus is on our experience rather than written statements of the belief. Our collective experience is shared in “Quaker Faith and Practice”; this book is an anthology of Quaker insights from the founding of the Religious Society of Friends in the 17^th century up to the present day. It is updated every generation recognising that our understanding of truth moves on.

Our religious experience leads us to place a special value on truth, equality, simplicity, and peace. We aim to reflect these in the way we live. Quakers work locally, nationally, and globally, for social justice, to support peacemakers, and to care for the environment.

Quakers do not have ministers, priests, or a hierarchy as we believe all people can have a direct relationship with God. All Quakers are entitled to participate in decision-making processes.

“Our life is love and peace and tenderness and bearing one with another and forgiving one another and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another and helping one another up with a tender hand.”
Isaac Pennington 1657.