About Quakers
we have no set prayers, sermons, altars, scripture readings, or hymns. All who are present silently join in prayer and medi- tation and, if moved by the Divine Spirit, give expression to prayer or speak in the spirit of worship. It is through the weekly Meeting for Worship that we seek spiritual nourish- ment and inspiration to go back into, and provide service to,
The Religious Society of Friends, whose members are called Friends or Quakers, goes back to the 17 th Century. Today, there are approximately 400,000 Quakers worldwide, living and worshipping in 87 countries. Quakers are all ages, educational backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. Everyone is welcome among Friends.
the broader society. Commitment to Peace, Equality,
and Social Justice We believe that faith must be expressed through action and service to society – to
Quaker Testimonies Simplicity Peace Integrity Community Equality Stewardship of the Earth
What do Quakers Believe? We practice a religion of experi- ence; a contemporary, simple, and radical faith. Quakers observe no dogma, creed, or ritual. However, we are commit- ted to certain beliefs and practices,
serve society is to serve the Divine. Friends have engaged in social action including the abolitionist movement, World War II relief work, refugee work, and the civil rights movement. We strive to achieve peace, racial equality, gender equality, prison reform, the abolition of capital punishment, and a living wage for all. We condemn war, but not a specific group of people, as we seek to establish a framework for reconciliation.We believe that those who are called enemies are, in fact, friends separated by misunderstanding. The Religious Society of Friends historically belongs to a group of churches advocating for pacifism or nonresistance. Peace churches also include the Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and the Amish. Join Us All are invited to join us for our Meeting for Worship, which is held twice on Sundays, at 9:30 and 11:00 AM. www.stonyrunfriends.org 443-703-2590
including respect for one another and all peoples; hope that the search for truth will lead to right action; and trust in the divine element in each person to resist evil and to do good. We un- derstand that one’s outward life needs to bear witness to truth discerned inwardly.We commit to live simply so that others can simply live. We believe the Inner Light is the manifestation of the Divine. The Inner Light is not one’s conscience but that which enlightens one’s conscience. We discern the Inner Light by silently and patiently waiting for the Divine to speak to us during what we call Meeting for Worship . Stony Run Friends Meeting belongs to a branch of Quakers that holds an unprogrammed Meeting for Worship, which means that
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