The Society of Friends The Society of Friends (Quakers)(Quakers)

The Meeting of FriendsThe Meeting of Friends

Lita Arroyo & Layo HernándezLita Arroyo & Layo Hernández

Quaker HistoryQuaker History

The group of "dissenters", who first went to Holland The group of "dissenters", who first went to Holland and then to America, was only a fraction of those who and then to America, was only a fraction of those who were dissatisfied with the Church. They were not able were dissatisfied with the Church. They were not able to express their dissent openly and fully, with the to express their dissent openly and fully, with the result that there developed small groups scattered result that there developed small groups scattered through the country, who met for worship and for through the country, who met for worship and for discussion. The general term "Seekers" has been discussion. The general term "Seekers" has been applied to them. The most important thing was that applied to them. The most important thing was that there was no leader to inspire them and to weld them there was no leader to inspire them and to weld them together. together.

Waiting for such a leader, as it were for a "Messiah" Waiting for such a leader, as it were for a "Messiah" for their time. This leader came in the person of for their time. This leader came in the person of George Fox.George Fox.

History, cont.History, cont.

The Quaker movement began on the seventeenth The Quaker movement began on the seventeenth century in England between the years 1643-1652. century in England between the years 1643-1652.

In 1642, the civil war began between the king and In 1642, the civil war began between the king and the parliament and a large part was over religion. the parliament and a large part was over religion.

The 17th century was also called the "Century of The 17th century was also called the "Century of Dissent"; a time when people didn’t accept Dissent"; a time when people didn’t accept established authority, and wanted the right to established authority, and wanted the right to think and make decisions for themselves. think and make decisions for themselves.

For the Quakers, direct personal For the Quakers, direct personal experienceexperience was was to become the all important thing to become the all important thing

Founder-George FoxFounder-George Fox

Born in Leicestershire, in Born in Leicestershire, in the midlands of England in the midlands of England in July of 1624 and died July of 1624 and died January 13January 13thth 1691. 1691.

He began to witness He began to witness hypocrisy within religious hypocrisy within religious communitiescommunities

He set off on a pilgrimage in He set off on a pilgrimage in 1643 all over England going 1643 all over England going from church to church and from church to church and preacher to priest looking preacher to priest looking for an answer to his for an answer to his questions.questions.

During this time he was During this time he was incarcerated many times by incarcerated many times by people who opposed his people who opposed his views.views.

Robert Barclay (1648-1690)Robert Barclay (1648-1690) One of the most eminent writers belonging One of the most eminent writers belonging

to the Religious Society of Friendsto the Religious Society of Friends Wrote Wrote An Apology for the True Christian An Apology for the True Christian

DivinityDivinity, published in Latin at Amsterdam , published in Latin at Amsterdam in 1676in 1676 An elaborate statement of the grounds for holding certain

fundamental positions Written mainly to refute Calvinism

Which left man pretty hopeless after the fall Quakers believe the fall still left in man a seed of the Divine

“That of God in everyone”

Early EvangelizationEarly Evangelization The only Quaker “preaching” was done The only Quaker “preaching” was done

outside of worshipoutside of worship Evangelists were called “Public Friends”Evangelists were called “Public Friends”

They would preach to anyone who would listenThey would preach to anyone who would listen In Farmhouses, taverns, marketplaces, and even in In Farmhouses, taverns, marketplaces, and even in

churches during services, interrupting sermons!churches during services, interrupting sermons! PurposePurpose

To attract bystanders to “The Truth”, and invite To attract bystanders to “The Truth”, and invite them to meetingsthem to meetings

Named “Quakers” out of spite, due to the trembling that often preceeded the release of the Spirit They took it as a compliment

MovementMovement

Escaping persecution, the Quakers Escaping persecution, the Quakers migrated to the US in the late 1600’smigrated to the US in the late 1600’s

The first Friends in Minnesota arrived The first Friends in Minnesota arrived in 1851, settling in St. Anthony (pre-in 1851, settling in St. Anthony (pre-Minneapolis) and farming areas to Minneapolis) and farming areas to the west.the west.

Quaker Population Quaker Population Worldwide and in the USWorldwide and in the US

Forms of WorshipForms of Worship

Un-programmedUn-programmed No PresiderNo Presider No LiturgyNo Liturgy ““To wait upon the Lord”To wait upon the Lord”

ProgrammedProgrammed May have presider, May have presider,

prescribed reading, prescribed reading, hymns, even a sermonhymns, even a sermon

QuietismQuietism Every self-centered trait must be

quieted/suppressed so that the Divine may find unopposed entrance into the soul

Reduces worship to its essential universal elements Stripped of all accidental additions

Not based on the experience of others Emptiness in outward forms, rituals, creeds, hymns,

sacred books, and sermons when not immediate and sincere embodiments of an inward spirit No second-hand religion

Validity through spontaneity

Four Basic BeliefsFour Basic Beliefs

1. Christ is a present reality and can 1. Christ is a present reality and can communicate with and give guidance and power communicate with and give guidance and power to those who open their hearts to Him.to those who open their hearts to Him.

2. A Christian doesn’t need to be a member of a 2. A Christian doesn’t need to be a member of a Church or have to participate in any ritual.Church or have to participate in any ritual.

3. Church is not a building, hierarchy, or 3. Church is not a building, hierarchy, or institution but a fellowship of people whose lives institution but a fellowship of people whose lives have been changed by Christ.have been changed by Christ.

4. All are called to be ministers, “Quakers didn’t 4. All are called to be ministers, “Quakers didn’t get rid of the clergy, they got rid of the laity” get rid of the clergy, they got rid of the laity”

Quakers on the BibleQuakers on the Bible

Viewed as true experiences of the Viewed as true experiences of the first Christians and Evangelistsfirst Christians and Evangelists

Why we lean on scriptural accounts Why we lean on scriptural accounts when we might have the same when we might have the same experience ourselves? experience ourselves?

Evangelists appealed to Scripture for Evangelists appealed to Scripture for the sake of those who considered it a the sake of those who considered it a Supreme AuthoritySupreme Authority

The Light WithinThe Light Within

““The word of the Lord God The word of the Lord God was among us; it was as a was among us; it was as a hammer and a fire; it was hammer and a fire; it was sharper than any two-sharper than any two-edged sword; it pierced edged sword; it pierced through our inward parts; through our inward parts; it melted and brought us it melted and brought us into tears that there was into tears that there was scarcely a dry eye among scarcely a dry eye among us” Journal of Richard us” Journal of Richard Davies 1657Davies 1657

May be powerfulMay be powerful Other times the assembly Other times the assembly

will sit in complete silence will sit in complete silence for the entire duration of for the entire duration of the meetingthe meeting

Responsibility of the hearer Responsibility of the hearer to “translate” the messagesto “translate” the messages If a friend is not Christian If a friend is not Christian

and a message includes a and a message includes a reference to Jesus Christ, reference to Jesus Christ, this will be interpreted as this will be interpreted as the same thing “felt” by the the same thing “felt” by the hearerhearer

Different term attributed to Different term attributed to the same “feeling”the same “feeling”

Elements of WorshipElements of Worship Four kinds of behavior exist as an Four kinds of behavior exist as an

ideal for any meeting of worship or ideal for any meeting of worship or businessbusiness CommunityCommunity EqualityEquality Simplicity Simplicity HarmonyHarmony

Importance of CommunityImportance of Community

““Where two or three are gathered in my Where two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them” - Mt name there am I in the midst of them” - Mt 18:2018:20

Heightened sense of life, fellowship, powerHeightened sense of life, fellowship, power Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide AnalogyOxygen and Carbon Dioxide Analogy

UnityUnity Outpouring of gifts of the Holy SpiritOutpouring of gifts of the Holy Spirit

Charismata 1 Cor.12:8-10Charismata 1 Cor.12:8-10 Any good gift that flows form God’s loveAny good gift that flows form God’s love

EqualityEquality

Primarily concerned with respectPrimarily concerned with respect Not social/economic statusNot social/economic status Anyone, regardless of age, race, or sex, Anyone, regardless of age, race, or sex,

is called to be a minister is called to be a minister Use no titles of honorUse no titles of honor

SimplicitySimplicity

Adopted a standard of “Plainness”Adopted a standard of “Plainness” Seen in every aspect of LifeSeen in every aspect of Life

ClothingClothing Modest, traditionally plain colors (gray)Modest, traditionally plain colors (gray)

Language Language Numbered days of the weekNumbered days of the week

Anti- MaterialismAnti- Materialism Possessions/PropertyPossessions/Property

HarmonyHarmony

Victory of TruthVictory of Truth Decision-MakingDecision-Making

Proud of their Spirit-led processProud of their Spirit-led process

OrganizationOrganization

A “clearness process” is applied when there is A “clearness process” is applied when there is any important decision to be madeany important decision to be made i.e. Marriage, membership, or wanting to join the army, i.e. Marriage, membership, or wanting to join the army,

etc.etc. The process consists of the meeting of several The process consists of the meeting of several

committees committees Business meetings held regularlyBusiness meetings held regularly

Regional & Annual Meetings held for larger issuesRegional & Annual Meetings held for larger issues Each is a form of worship Each is a form of worship

There is no voting or majority rule; all decisions There is no voting or majority rule; all decisions are reached when the meeting as a whole feels are reached when the meeting as a whole feels that “ the way forward” has been discernedthat “ the way forward” has been discerned There must be a consensus There must be a consensus

It took three years for the friends to approve of It took three years for the friends to approve of marriage between homosexual couplesmarriage between homosexual couples

This decision was made in 1987This decision was made in 1987 Such decisions are left to each individual Such decisions are left to each individual

community of Friends community of Friends

Clear for Marriage Clear for Marriage Couple meets with Clearness Couple meets with Clearness

Committee to discern whether Committee to discern whether marriage is right choicemarriage is right choice Committee is composed of friends who Committee is composed of friends who

can relate to circumstances/ the can relate to circumstances/ the individuals to offer adviceindividuals to offer advice

Arrangements committee helps couple Arrangements committee helps couple decide how programmed the decide how programmed the ceremony will beceremony will be

Support CommitteeSupport Committee For “Rough Spots”For “Rough Spots”

Quaker WeddingsQuaker Weddings Conducted in Silence as worship service Couple stands and exchanges planned vows

Sometimes having labored for months over them Vows written on large parchment document and signed

in front of community All in attendance also sign

To Witness and signify intended support Even infants sign

Certificate is one of very few valued material possessions

Reception is not expensive or extravagant Couple utilizes resources

Pot-Luck catered, may know a musician

Quaker FuneralsQuaker Funerals Conducted in silence as

worship service Every attendant has the

chance to Very powerful and personal

Service conducted in Silence

Consists entirely of spontaneous “Eulogies” offered by friends, family, and acquaintances in attendance

Gravestone of George Fox- example of simplicity

1725 Grand Avenue in St. Paul1725 Grand Avenue in St. Paul www.tcfm.orgwww.tcfm.org

This specific house meeting was established This specific house meeting was established over 50 years ago.over 50 years ago.

This particular house was purchase in the This particular house was purchase in the 1980’s1980’s

Meeting House InformationMeeting House Information

Worship are held on Sundays at 8:30 am and 11 Worship are held on Sundays at 8:30 am and 11 am, and on Wednesday at 6:30 pm and are one am, and on Wednesday at 6:30 pm and are one hour longhour long

Meet and Greet potluck is held on the third Sunday Meet and Greet potluck is held on the third Sunday after the 11 o’clock meeting after the 11 o’clock meeting

Adult Ed programs are on Sunday at 9:45 amAdult Ed programs are on Sunday at 9:45 am Young Adult Friend (a group of 18-35 year-olds) Young Adult Friend (a group of 18-35 year-olds)

meet at 12:45 pm on the third Sundaymeet at 12:45 pm on the third Sunday Children leave the meetings after the first 15 Children leave the meetings after the first 15

minutes for Sunday Schoolminutes for Sunday School Multigenerational meetings are held four times a Multigenerational meetings are held four times a

year and only last half an houryear and only last half an hour

Membership StatisticsMembership Statistics

Mostly Caucasian in ethnicity Mostly Caucasian in ethnicity Ages range from infant to elderlyAges range from infant to elderly Official membership is only required if you Official membership is only required if you

want to be in certain committees want to be in certain committees If want wishes to become an official If want wishes to become an official

member, he or she writes a letter of intent member, he or she writes a letter of intent to a “clearness committee”to a “clearness committee”

Approximately 50 Friends attend each Approximately 50 Friends attend each meetingmeeting

ActivismActivism

This community considers itself This community considers itself progressive progressive

They are actively involved in politics They are actively involved in politics and dedicated to social justice issuesand dedicated to social justice issues They are generally anti-warThey are generally anti-war Different sects of Quakers differ on Different sects of Quakers differ on

these issuesthese issues

Our ExperienceOur Experience

Laura Whitley-Mott; “Friend in Laura Whitley-Mott; “Friend in Residence”Residence”

Un-programmedUn-programmed Multi-generational, not typical Multi-generational, not typical

Sunday meetingSunday meeting Messages Messages

Other times the assembly will sit in Other times the assembly will sit in complete silence for the entire duration complete silence for the entire duration of the meetingof the meeting

Our ExperienceOur Experience Visual-SpatialVisual-Spatial

No alter, ambo, baptistry, choir space, tabernacle, or artNo alter, ambo, baptistry, choir space, tabernacle, or art Simple room with chairs arranged in concentric circlesSimple room with chairs arranged in concentric circles

AcousticAcoustic All messages proclaimed in EnglishAll messages proclaimed in English No musicNo music Period of silence between messages is expectedPeriod of silence between messages is expected

To let each one sink inTo let each one sink in KineticKinetic

All sit for the serviceAll sit for the service When one is moved to speak, he or she is expected to When one is moved to speak, he or she is expected to

standstand Hand shakes conclude the serviceHand shakes conclude the service

THE MEETING

A poem by

John Greenleaf Whittier

"God should be most where man is least:

So, where is neither church nor priest,

And never rag nor form of creedTo clothe the nakedness of need,

Where farmer folk in silence meet,I turn my bell-unsummoned feet;

I lay the critic's glass aside,I tread upon my lettered pride,

And, lowest-seated, testifyTo the oneness of humanity;Confess the universal want,

And share whatever Heaven may grant.

He findeth not who seeks his own,The soul is lost that's saved alone.”