Quakerism Sessions 2023
Shared perspectives on our faith journey, based on “9 Core Quaker Beliefs,” as put forward by Friend Arthur Larrabee.
Recommended General Quakerism Resources
Books:
An Introduction to Quakerism by Pink Dandelion; Cambridge, 2007: The best contemporary account of both the history of Quakerism and the evolution of its faith practice.
The Quaker Reader, selected and introduced by Jessamyn West; Pendle Hill, 1992: Excerpts from the writings of Friends from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
The Journal of George Fox, various editions available.
The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman, edited by Phillips P. Moulton; Friends United Press, 1971: The extraordinary spiritual account of a leading 18th century Quaker and abolitionist.
A Testament of Devotion, by Thomas R. Kelley, Harper & Brothers, 1969: A spiritual classic.
Our Life is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey by Marcelle Martin, Inner Light Books, 2016. How early Friends and modern Friends walk the Quaker Way.
Online Resources:
Spiritual Deepening Library, Friends General Conference. Wonderful online resources to deepen the spiritual life.
What Quakers Believe, a talk produced by Woodbrooke Quaker study center in the UK, 2007.
Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped me Believe, QuakerSpeak video, 2018
Quaker Faith in Song, QuakerSpeak video, 2014
General Websites
Quaker.org: Information on Quakerism for the seeker
Friends Journal: Leading North American Friends publication
QuakerSpeak: Short video conversations reflecting the diversity of modern Friends practice & belief.
Woodbrooke Quaker Center in the UK has a rich archive of resources.
Scriptures
Ephesians 4:1-6: I urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023:
Session One: There is a living, dynamic, spiritual presence at work in the world that is both within us and outside of us.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023:
Session Two: There is that of God in Everyone
Wednesday, April 26,2023:
Session Three: Each person is capable of the direct and unmediated experience of God.
Wednesday, May 30, 2023:
Session Four: Our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and enlarged in community.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023:
Session Five: The Bible is an important spiritual resource, and the life and teachings of Jesus are relevant to us today.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023:
Session Six: The revelation of God’s truth is continuing and ongoing.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023:
Session Seven: Quakers welcome truth from whatever source it may come.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023:
Session Eight: Our inward experience of God transforms us and leads us into outward expressions of faithful living, witness, and action.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023:
Session Nine: Modeling God’s presence in our lives is more important than espousing beliefs.
