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St Albans Quakers -Information for Visitors & Enquirers

Quakers or Friends?
The  term "Quakers" was originally a nick name given to people who followed the teachings and practices of what is now formally called "The Religious Society of Friends".  Quakers often refer to themselves as Friends (with a capital F) and talk about being a member of the Society of Friends.  But we are quite happy to be called Quakers, and to describe our faith as Quakerism.  The picture to the left is the Friends Meeting House in St Albans (or we could just as well call it the Quaker Meeting House).

The Beginnings of Quakerism
Quakerism began in the mid 17th Century at a time when there was much civil and religious unrest in England.  During this time groups of people calling themselves 'seekers' were looking for a more spiritual religion, free from the politics, dogma and theological difficulties associated with the established church of the period. It was into such a group that a young man named George Fox came, having rejected the teachings of both the established church and the separatists.  Fox was a deeply spiritual man and after years of searching for a more meaningful understanding of his own religious experience, he began to have insights into a distinctly different interpretation of Christianity.  As Fox shared these insights with the Seekers, the Society of Friends was born with its very distinctive form of silent worship and its witness for peace.

George Fox's Insight
Fox was a troubled man in his early life, and sought to understand his own spirituality by reading the bible and debating with ministers of religion.  But  none that he talked to lived up to his expectation, and he formed the view that  religious understanding could not be arrived at simply by learning either from books or from others - no matter how well informed or educated they appeared to be.   In his searching he became convinced that true Christianity was to be found by looking inwards, to his own conscience and insight, rather than outward.  Furthermore he felt impelled to share this understanding with others.  Many years later he described the experience as follows:
"As I had forsaken all the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those called the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. And when all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, oh then, I heard a voice which said, 'There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition', and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy".

Quaker Belief Today
George Fox's insight, that true religion was to be found in the experience of each and every person, is still the defining feature of Quaker religious understanding to this day.  Because that experience is so personal, and because we all understand God in different ways, Quakers don't try to formulate their beliefs into a set of statements or creeds. Early Friends were quite convinced that the inner voice or "inner light" as they called it, was the light of Christ within.  In Christian theology it might be referred to as the Holy Spirit but many of the world's religions talk of a similar sense of God being accessible within.   The emphasis on personal understanding rather than a formal creed or statement of belief means that individual Quakers encompass a fairly broad spectrum of views.  Collectively Quakers are clearly a branch of the Christian Church and draw inspiration from the Bible and other Christian writings.

Of course throughout history there have been many who claim to have been guided by God in one way or another, and many have clearly been mistaken.  Where individual Quakers feel moved to do or say something, it is shared first with other Friends in a way which, over the past 350 years, has prevented the excesses found in the history of other religions. Quakers offer themselves the following advice in dealing with such matters, and dealing with life in general.  
Take heed .. to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts.  Trust them as the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life.
and
Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people's opinions may contain for you.  Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language.  Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue.  Think it possible that you may be mistaken.
[The complete set of advice by Quakers for Quakers can be found by clicking here]

The Quaker Meeting for Worship
Quakers throughout Britain meet for worship on Sundays, and sometimes mid week as well.  In St Albans a Quaker meeting for Worship is held every Sunday at 10.30am and any member of the public is welcome to attend.  Friends and visitors enter the meeting room usually just before 10.30 and sit down in silence.  As the minutes tick by, the sense of quiet and calm may become deeper even though there may be traffic noise, birds or even people talking outside.  There is no routine or order of service, no minister, no hymns and no set prayers, just quiet, similar to a silent meditation.    For some, and on some occasions this may be all that happens, but for many Quakers and visitors there is often a deepening sense of being together in the company of each other and of God.  From time to time someone will feel they have something to share with the meeting as a whole, in which case they will rise to their feet and speak.  Amongst Quakers speaking in Meeting is known as "ministry".  This may take the form of a spoken prayer, a reading from the Bible or other religious work, or, most commonly, an explanation of an insight or experience that the individual has had.  After someone has spoken it is normal for there to be a period of five minutes or more before any further ministry is offered - a time when all present can reflect on the words and try to understand what specific meaning it might have for them.   After about an hour, two nominated Friends will shake hands to signify the end of the period of Worship.  In St Albans, most Friends then turn to the person sitting next to them and shake hands as well.  Notices and coffee follow.  

Quakers as People
Quakers come from a cross section of society, and as individuals make no claim to be better or different.  They are ordinary people, with ordinary talents and failings.
However in meeting together, and sharing together, they try to find a sense of purpose and a sense of the Divine in their lives.   A respect for each and every Human Being has led Quakers to take a keen interest in social justice, charitable work and reform.   A higher than average number of Quakers are vegetarians, and many will feel strongly about environmental issues.  Nearly all Quakers are pacifists, feeling that they could not take up weapons to harm or kill other human beings under any circumstances, although many will agonise about the dilemmas this poses in a world where evil and hatred continue to exist.   For some Quakers simply opposing war is insufficient, and they feel moved to get involved in reconciliation or peacemaking work.  Two Quakers from St Albans are currently living in Sri Lanka to help build bridges between opposing factions.  

Ministers, Priests,  Leaders
Quakers have no ordained ministers or priests.  They come together as a group of equals without the worship being 'led' by any one individual.   For Quakers, all are equal in the eyes of God.  Clearly there are jobs to be done in maintaining a Meeting House and ensuring that the Meeting for Worship is properly held.  For these jobs, individuals are nominated to take on certain roles or serve on committees usually for a set period of time.  The administrative tasks, such as receiving correspondence, giving out notices, and recording the decisions of business meetings are undertaken by someone nominated to be the 'Clerk' of the Meeting. Several Friends will be nominated to pay special attention to looking after the people of the meeting, including those who are sick or absent for some reason.  Other Friends will be nominated to take particular care that the spiritual needs of the meeting and its members are held under review.  These two groups of Friends are known as Overseers and Elders respectively, although in St Albans the Meeting has recently been operating these responsibilities from a single combined group.  Other Friends may also undertake on a voluntary basis particular responsibilities, for example looking after the building, the finances, or taking care of funeral arrangements when someone dies.  All members of the Meeting may attend the main business meeting which is held monthly and in this way every individual may participate as fully as they feel able and willing.

Quakers, the Bible and Jesus
Present day Quakers draw inspiration from the Bible and from the life of Jesus, they don't however push a particular interpretation of these historical events, nor do they dwell on more abstract matters such as salvation or speculate about life after death.  For most Quakers it is enough to know that a loving God is accessible to each and every one of us, and that this relationship was revealed particularly in the events that took place in first century Palestine.  

Visiting a Quaker Meeting
Everyone is welcome to come to a Quaker Meeting for Worship.  There is normally someone at the door to welcome both regular attenders and visitors, and if it is clear that an individual is coming to Meeting for the first time, leaflets are available explaining what to do.  For some, a first visit may seem a daunting experience, in which case there is a telephone line to call beforehand.  Click contact us at the top of this page for further information on how to get in touch.  Friends are always pleased to have visitors, whether they are just curious and want to learn more about Quakers and their style of worship, or are thinking that perhaps Quakerism might possibly be their spiritual home.  Some members of other churches like to attend occasionally because they value the sense of quiet and peace, but this also applies to those who profess no "faith" in a conventional sense.  

This page has been written by an individual Friend, from St Albans Meeting and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Meeting as a whole.