Beliefs
Quakers believe in equality and the possibility of a direct connection with God. Friends feel compelled to "live our faith" through nonviolent action.
Who are NYC Quakers?
Quakers in NYC are a diverse group of friendly, caring, peace-seeking people.
There are seven Quaker meetings — congregations that regularly worship together — in New York City.
Quakers have been living in New York City since 1657. Some of our meetinghouses are nearly as old.
What do Quakers believe?
Quakers have a wide range of beliefs. We use a variety of religious languages to describe our shared experience. We do not have a creed, but in general we agree that:
- Everyone is equal and precious before God.
- All people can have a direct experience of the Divine, individually and in shared worship. We have many ways of naming our experience. Some of them are God, Christ, Spirit, Inward Teacher, Inward Light, and Seed, among others.
- By whatever name, this experience of the Divine is universal, ongoing, and available to everyone.
- The life and teachings of Jesus are an example of faithfulness to God.
- Paying attention to and following the Divine changes us. We try to live out our convictions every day in our actions.
- We look for the Divine in every person we meet.
- Our guiding principle is love.
Source: Friends General Conference: "What Do Quakers Believe?"
New York City Friends look for guidance and help in New York Yearly Meeting's book of belief, Faith and Practice.
What is silent worship about?
The premise of silent worship is that God (or Spirit, Light, the Divine, Love, etc.) can speak to us directly if we are quiet and listen. Quakers believe that every person holds a spark of the divine, or “that of God,” within them. Every person has value and worth, and no one is more holy than another. Therefore, we do not plan any ceremonies or rituals or prepare any hymns, sermons or prayers for this time. We come together in silence and wait for the moving of the Holy Spirit.
We try to quiet our minds, open our hearts and listen to the Spirit. There is no prescribed way to do this. The key is an attitude of expectant waiting and a willingness to obey whatever inner promptings God may inspire. It is somewhat like meditation, though we stay open to hearing messages our fellow worshippers may deliver. The period of worship ends when a designated Friend shakes the hand of their neighbor, followed by introductions and announcements.
Here are some more details on what it's like to attend a Quaker meeting for worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a Quaker meeting for worship, everyone sits in a room where the benches or chairs face each other. This helps us hear each other and demonstrates we are all equals, all part of a shared community. A meeting is usually an hour long. You may enter the space at the start of the hour and take a seat wherever one is available. You can wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing. The silent, waiting worship begins as soon as the first person enters the room. A designated person may make an announcement or give a reading at the beginning of meeting. Otherwise, we sit together in silence to settle our minds and connect to something greater than ourselves. In the quiet we open our hearts to new insights and guidance. We listen for a message from our inner voice (AKA God, Spirit, love, the Light, Jesus, the divine, the eternal...). Occasionally someone is moved to share a message heard from that inner guide. If someone does feel divinely moved to speak, we listen and consider the message, and leave a space of silence afterward.
At the end of the hour, that designated person close the meeting for worship by shaking hands with their neighbor. Announcements, afterthoughts, and requests to be held in the Light (prayer requests) may follow. Many meetings offer a coffee/social hour after worship; feel free to grab some coffee, tea, or a light snack.
Most of the NYC meetings hold this kind of silent, unprogrammed worship. Manhattan Meeting holds a programmed worship service that's led by a pastor and incorporates readings, music, and spoken messages in addition to a period of silent worship.
Most of the Quaker meetings in NYC are unprogrammed, which means worship is mostly silent and not led by a pastor. “True silence is the rest of the mind,” William Penn, a famous early Quaker, wrote, “and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.” The goal of this silence is to make ourselves more receptive to divine revelation. We sit together in silence so we can quiet our minds and connect to something greater than ourselves. In the quiet we open our hearts and lives to new insights and guidance. Sometimes we are moved to speak, to share what we have discovered. These pieces of vocal ministry are sometimes called "messages."
Social Action — what do Quakers care about?
Quaker's spiritual beliefs compel us to take action against injustice. Some issues that are particularly important to us are Peace and nonviolence, Equality (including concerns for anti-racism, immigrants and refugees, prison reform, those in need of food and shelter, and the rights of LQBTQ+ people), and Earthcare — that is, environmental stewardship.
For upcoming events relating to these concerns, visit Events and filter by "Activism/Witness."
Does activism = "witness"?
Generally, "witness" refers to our actions regarding injustices and inequalities in the outside world. Friends are said to “witness” to their beliefs; our daily behavior is our “witness” to the validity of the testimonies. In other words, Friends’ witness is manifested by what we do and how we act in the world outside the meeting. Friends are known to "live our beliefs out loud" or "let our lives speak." Integrity compels Quakers to notice and address what goes against our testimonies of peace, equality, stewardship, simplicity, integrity, and community. That noticing and addressing — that action — is Quaker witness.
Quakerism FAQs
What's Meeting for Worship Like?
Who are NYC Quakers?
