What are Quakers?

We are a group of ordinary people whose official name is the Religious Society of Friends. Quakers share a way of life, not a set of beliefs.

We value individual, direct experience of the Divine. We are enriched by the variety of experience and of faith that make up our Meetings.
We believe each person is uniquely valuable and there is something of God in everyone. This is a divine spark to be nurtured and protected.
We are more concerned with the truth behind the words than the formal statements of belief.
Quakerism has its roots in Christianity, but emphasises individual experience over creeds, and embraces expressions of the spirit of love and truth in other religious traditions, in secular sources and in people’s lives.

What happens in Meeting for Worship?

We meet together for worship based on silent waiting, in which we seek to come nearer to one another and to God. The Meeting for Worship begins as soon as anyone sits down in silence. Occasionally a meeting will pass in total silence. The silence may be broken by anyone who feels compelled to speak, pray or read. Such a contribution, if prompted by the spirit, enriches the gathered worship of the meeting.

No two Quaker Meetings are the same and a meeting can embrace a wide range of experience.

Everyone is welcome: Christians, those from other faiths and from none. In Sheffield Central Meeting, the children join us about 10 minutes before the end of our Meeting for Worship.

The Meeting for Worship lasts about an hour, then an elder closes the meeting by shaking hands with their neighbour. The clerk will then welcome visitors and newcomers, and invite them to join us for tea and coffee and read out any notices for the week.

 
 

How are Quaker meetings organised?

There is no paid minister/vicar/pastor. There are various roles within the meeting such as clerk, assistant clerk, elders and overseers. We have a committee (called the Nominations Committee) who meet to consider very carefully who might be able to fulfil these roles. Then individuals are appointed to serve in that capacity for a fixed term – usually 3 years, sometimes 6 years. Then there will be a complete change. This means that Quakers will be able to serve the meeting in a variety of ways during their life in the meeting.

What is the history of Quakers in Sheffield?

Within 20 years of George Fox bringing his radical message, that God’s inspiration could be experienced as a direct personal relationship, Quaker meetings sprang up at Tickhill, Balby and Woodhouse, followed by Upperthorpe and Sheffield in 1669. Land was purchased for a burial ground off Broad Lane in 1676 (now a vacant lot just to the left of McCague’s Garage). At that time Quakers met for worship at sites like this or in their own homes.

Land and buildings for a meeting house and stable were eventually purchased in 1707. This was situated on the west of Scargill Croft, off Hartshead (now the top end of Meeting House Lane). An orchard was then bought as a burying ground on the east side of Meeting House Lane and, over the next hundred years, various meeting house buildings were constructed. At one point the seating capacity of the Meeting House was up to 800 people. A Friends’ Adult School building, seating 500, was added in 1871. However, during the bombing raids of December 1940 the main buildings were gutted by fire.

Friends met in temporary accommodation until, in 1947, Sheffield Council erected a temporary wooden building on the site of the old Adult School. Eventually, the whole site was purchased for redevelopment with land exchange and a grant from the War Damage Compensation Scheme. A replacement meeting house was built on High Court, on the south side of Hartshead in 1964. This was, in turn, purchased for redevelopment, and Friends moved into their present Sheffield Quaker Meeting House on St. James Street in 1991. Friends House on Hartshead was never actually redeveloped.

How many Quakers are there?

In Great Britain there are about 18,000 members of the Religious Society of Friends in 450 Meetings. There are also some 7,000 who regularly worship with them. In this area there are 220 members. Membership is open to those who share our outlook and find themselves at home in Meeting for Worship. There are about 340,000 Quakers worldwide.

What else do Quakers do?

Quakers have always been involved in social and political movements in support of the oppressed and disadvantaged. Historically they have been active in such issues as the abolition of slavery and the provision of humane prison conditions. During this century their concerns have extended to areas such as housing reform, fair trade and concern for the environment.

Quakers have always believed that violence is unacceptable and have long been active in work for justice and peace. Quakers have played an active role in campaigns against the arms trade and nuclear weapons. Their support for reconciliation has seen Quaker involvement in most of the world’s trouble spots.

When you first come to a Meeting for Worship, ask for the Leaflet “Your First Time in a Quaker Meeting?”

Come and meet us and find out more.