Quakers in Yorkshire

... a spiritual path for our time ... a search for the sacredness of each person ... an encounter with the divine through the power of silence ... a journey together in mutual responsibility ... a commitment to the ways of equality and non-violence ... an engagement with social inclusion ... a celebration of life in all its diversity and wholeness

Next York Series - Autumn 2008

●  17 Oct - Quakers and God

●  24 Oct - Quakers and Jesus

●  31 Oct - Quakers and Peace

●  07 Nov - Quakers and Equality

●  14 Nov - Quakers and our Planet

When can I come?

• Fridays in October/November - dates to be confirmed later.
• It is possible to join the series at any session, for as many as you like.
• Sessions will start at 7pm; but you are invited to join us for a light meal from 6.15pm. We will finish by 9.15 pm.

Who is it for?

• Everyone is welcome. All you need is to be open minded and interested. Do come along. Make new discoveries, have your questions answered and see if there's something for you.

What does it cost?

• There is no charge, but voluntary contributions will be accepted for refreshments.

Where is it?

• Friargate Quaker Meeting House, Friargate, York YO1 9RL View Street Map

What will it be like?

• Quaker Quest sessions involve several presentations on each evening’s subject, opportunities for those present to talk with others attending and with the Quakers present and also to ask questions of the presenters.
• The style is informative and informal.
• Each session concludes with a period of Quaker Worship.

Further details:

• about Quaker Quest in York: contact John Batchelor, 01904-624216 or email yorkquakerquest@ntlworld.com
• about Quaker Quest: visit www.quakerquest.org.
• to find answers to frequently asked questions about Quakers: visit at www.quaker.org.uk.

Typical Session Contents:

• Quakers and Worship

Quakers think that everyone can sense something within them that shows how to grow closer to God, however we interpret that name. We come together in a Meeting for Worship to search ourselves in stillness and silence for this spiritual truth, (much as a plant turns towards the energy of the sun). We worship without using rites or symbols. All those present are equally responsible for the worship as we have no paid ministers. In this session Quakers will share their personal experience of the Meeting for Worship, how they approach it as a discipline, and how at times people may be rightly prompted to speak.

• Quakers and God

‘God’ is beyond our comprehension yet we experience something of God in our daily lives. How that feels will be described as differently as people are different - but as each is free to speak with integrity so we can recognise both familiar and new truths about the Divine. Whilst our understanding is rooted in history, in practice it evolves as we absorb new understanding and expression. In this session three Quakers will describe their experience of God and then say what difference that makes to their lives.

• Quakers and Jesus

The Religious Society of Friends (of the Truth) came about in response to the interpretations and practices of the 17th Century Churches. Present day Quakers emphasise personal responsibility in discovering spiritual truth yet draw deeply on their Christian roots. Whilst many Quakers find inspiration in the historic Jesus, they incorporate inspiration and understanding of God from a variety of sources. In this session Quakers expand on their viewpoint and explain how, with no Quaker dogma other than our belief that each can sense the Divine, we can worship together with tolerance, openness, and respect for our different spiritual journeys.

• Quakers and Peace

The Quaker Peace Testimony is a seamless unity of faith and practice which starts from the conviction of the worth and sacredness of all. We seek first to find inner peace, leading to a commitment to peaceable behaviour and non-violent relations with others. We do not deny the existence, or even the benefits, of conflict, nor do we condone injustice, but we do reject violence and war, even as ways to achieve desirable ends. This session explores the spiritual basis of our understanding of peace and some of the ways we are led to act including involvement in conflict areas, mediation, humanitarian work, conflict resolution, protest and non-violent direct action. We will also consider some of the challenges faced by advocates of non-violence in a world which readily condones the use of force.

• Quakers and Equality

Our understanding of the Divine leads us to value each individual as unique and precious. As we welcome individual insight so we both work to include individuals in society and for the integration of society itself. Within that we enjoy the diversity of humanity with its different sexual, racial and cultural differences. Our form of organisation gives opportunity for anyone to serve our own Society and stresses the shared responsibility of all. Our business meetings are conducted in the spirit of worship, searching for divine guidance on all matters through anyone present. This session will include Friends describing their personal experience of seeking and practising greater equality.