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 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.