housequake

Did you know that every Sunday, in countless meeting houses throughout England and elsewhere, there takes place a most beautiful meditation, free of all religious dogma? This is an invitation to come and meet, and worship with, the Quakers, or set up your own..

Three hundred and twenty years from their origins, the Quakers (or, to use their 17th century name, The Friends of Truth, or as is now said, simply friends) meet every Sunday, to pray together. Quaker worship in the UK is different from other churches, and also Quakers in the USA. They do not usually sing hymns, or follow a set prayer, but instead all sit together, in silence ~ waiting on God's Presence. This is known in Christian theology as 'parousia.'


Qs seek stillness, but paradoxically 'quake, in the name of the Lord.' Worship is based on silence, is non-hierarchical (everyone is potentially a priest as ministry is welcome, from anyone at any time during the silence.. if you feel moved to speak, you should.. simply follow your instinct) as in, 'when the spirit moves'..

The Qs started through the work of one preaching visionary man, named George Fox, who walked the length and breadth of the country, speaking passionately about all the revelations he had experienced. This was at the time of the English Revolution and all the religious non-conformism that went with that time.

"Quakerism is a way of life, rather than a dogma or creed. It rests on a conviction that by looking into their inmost hearts people can have direct communion with their Creator. This experience cannot be described in words, but Quakers base their whole lives on it."

Even belief in God is not a necessary part of attending worship. At one meeting I recently attended a woman spoke about how she felt that, after reading Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion" and in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shooting she felt unsure about how a benevolent God could exist.

Like Buddhists, Sufis and other contemplative traditions, Qs cultivate equanimity, compassion and wisdom through the practice of silence, stillness and an emphasis on God's presence, insight and revelation. Qs believe that God's presence is everywhere, and that it can be felt through Christ who is simply the 'inner light' common to all.

This is a form of communion unlike other contemporary Christian services. But it is probably as close to the original teachings of Jesus as the modern church gets.

Worshippers at Winchmore Hill are truly fortunate. Q meetings are enjoyed in a beautiful, airy, wood panelled room in a solid 18th century meeting house, set in delightful gardens (yes, I am a real estate brochure) full of flowers, an ancient cedar tree and a peaceful burial ground. And there's an art creche for the kids while the grown ups do the meeting. Afterwards everyone takes tea, and sometimes there's singing too!

But it's worth noting that Q history is not just about spirituality, it is also laced with radicalism and political activism. As progressive bourgouise English capitalists in the new, scientific 18th century, they consistently set themselves apart from others, becoming the most influential, successful but also invariably the most just. Qs have been prominent business people, known for their honesty and prosperity but also for their plain-living, mutually supportive ways and social egalitarianism.

Qs were leading activists in the fight to end the slave trade. This is much less well known than it should be, because Q's were then disbarred from political office, so had to campaign outside the system. They helped to spearhead Wilberforce's successful campaign (Wilberforce was Church of England, so was entitled to be an MP). You can read more about the curious Quaker history, here: Quaker History

And also, on the interesting question of the link between George Fox and Gerrard Winstanley (leader of the Diggers), go here



Apart from incorporating the special spiritual nosh-up we call holy communion, a bit of bowing (to Almighty God, the invisible nameless Living One!) and a spot of dancing to put the stillness into worldly context (+ maybe a permaculture, free-food garden..?) there's really only one person missing at Winchmore Hill Meetings, but I don't suppose..

.. SSHe'll come in a hurry !! ;-)



Click here for more general info on Quakerism in the UK