When you come to a Quaker meetinghouse to worship with Friends (Quakers), you will observe a group sitting in silence. However, occasionally the silence is opened with a message that may be divinely inspired. The silence is helpful when one is listening either to messages from the assembled group or for a gesture of / from God.
In practice, Friends believe that each of us can have a direct, unmediated relationship or communion with the Divine (God, Spirit, the Creator). This relationship is inward and continuous. Friends also believe in a commitment to living in ways that express this inward experience in the world. Friends are often in positions where they can help or assist people or work on projects or movements beyond the meetinghouse walls.
The Religious Society of Friends of the Truth (the full name for the corporate group of Friends) was founded upon a fundamental sense of Christianity. In the mid-1600s, a time of civil war and much political and social unrest in England, the Church of England was the dominant church for the country. George Fox, an intense man, found the activities of many who professed to be ministers inconsistent with his growing understanding of the Bible. For example, he found ministers who would drink and yet profess to be followers of Christ. Fox became well-read in the Bible and was driven to understand it fully. He became aware in a moment of intense revelation that direct communion with God was not only possible but led one closer to God and the Truth. He preached across England starting in 1649 and within three years many of the practices of Friends were established with a growing following of Quakers.
Today, there are several branches of Quakerism across the globe. In Harrisburg, Friends worship in an “un-programmed” style—that is, in silent, in expectant waiting on God. Without any religious leader, Friends organize around a clerk with the work of the Meeting under the responsibility of committees. The clerk is more of an administrative position and does not assume the role of a religious figure or leader. Both worship and the business of the Meeting are worshipful activities although there are different styles for each. Silence is observed during both Meetings for Worship and for Business, but Meetings for Business include talking and discussion for most of the time.
More insight into how Quakers practice their beliefs can be found in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice
The Light Within.
As previously stated, Harrisburg Friends Meeting is an unprogrammed meeting. For a summary about Quaker beliefs and an introduction to the diversity of Quakers across the US, Europe, Africa, and the rest of the globe, see
What Do Quakers Believe? In addition to its summary of Quaker practices, the site includes links to a variety of other Quaker sites and a few key historical documents.You can also visit the
Voices of Friends website for a world-wide perspective of the Religious Society of Friends.
Video
Here are some videos that describe the unprogrammed practice of Harrisburg Friends Meeting.
Though this video is from a Meeting in Britain Yearly Meeting, nevertheless it provides a wonderful, diverse summary of Friend's experiences in Meeting for Worship and how people came to it.
An Introduction to Watford Quakers
Worship Opportunities
Find a Quaker Meeting near you
Books and Pamphlets about Friends
Challenge Racism
Build Intergenerational Community
Spiritual Deepening Library
Sign up for Gathering information
About FGC
Publish with FGC
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