About Quakers
The Religious Society of Friends, whose members are called Friends or Quakers, goes back to the 17 th Century. Today, there are approxi- mately 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.
What do Quakers Believe? We practice a religion of experience; a contemporary, simple, and radical faith. Quakers observe no dogma, creed, or ritual. However, we are committed to certain beliefs and practices, includ- ing respect for one another and all
Quaker Testimonies Simplicity Peace Integrity Community Equality Stewardship of the Earth
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 understand 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 we have no set prayers, sermons, altars, scripture readings, or hymns.
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