Quakerism was founded in the 1650s in England by George Fox who, with the support of Margaret Fell, William Penn, and others, spread this religious practice to the remainder of the British isles, continental Europe, the Caribbean, and the American colonies by the 1670s.

From the beginning, Quakers have insisted that there is “that of God” in every human being. From this belief flows directly the traditional Quaker testimonies of equality of the sexes and races and the principled opposition to war and personal violence.

The South Bend Friends Meeting continues in the historic tradition of silent worship and actively supports testimonies of pacifism and equality. While we are rooted in Christianity, we do not defer to a specific creed nor do we require belief in trinitarian doctrines or sacraments as practiced in many other Christian sects. We hold to the historic Quaker conviction that each person can directly experience the presence of divine love in whatever form is meaningful to that person and can do so without prescribed rituals, set prayers, or the mediation of a priest or minister.

For first-time attenders...

If you attend a meeting for worship on Sunday at 10:30, you can expect:

Upon entering the meeting space in person, you may sit anywhere you like (with respect to social distancing).  Both children and adults wait in silence, preparing ourselves for worship. After about 15 minutes, most children will leave to attend First Day School lessons and activities. Often a parent of a younger child will go out with the child to be sure that he or she is settled, and then return to Meeting for Worship.

Our worship is based on a 350-year-old practice of waiting quietly with the expectation that we may experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit among us. We try to “settle in” quietly and calmly--mindful, and not distracted by movements around us. If someone feels deeply that they have an inspired message to share, she or he may stand and speak that truth clearly for all to hear. Others, upon hearing the message, do not comment or respond but process the words in the context of their own meditation.

When the hour is over, an appointed Friend will break the silence with a greeting and an invitation for any further sharing of vocal messages or joys and concerns. Introductions, announcements and a brief period of (socially distanced) fellowship will follow.