Quakers do not have a traditional creed. We believe everyone has ‘that of God’ within them; i.e. there is a divine power in each of us and the life of each person on earth is therefore infinitely precious. Each of us has direct access to God. God can speak through each of us. Therefore we have no need for clergy.
Quakerism has a simple form of worship. We meet together in silence with no set prayers. In the silence God’s voice can be heard.
Worship is our response to an awareness of God. We can worship alone, but when we join with others in expectant waiting we may discover a deeper sense of God’s presence. We seek a gathered stillness in our meetings for worship so that all may feel the power of God’s love drawing us together and leading us.
Quakers turn their faith into action, with ‘testimonies’ that encourage a pursuit of social justice and peace.
Many people know about the Quaker involvement in prison reform and the abolition of slavery. In 1947 the Quakers won the Nobel Peace Prize for relief work in shattered post-war Germany. Quaker initiatives also contributed towards the founding of Amnesty International and Oxfam.
Most recently, Quakers have been working to resolve conflict in the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, the Middle East and other crisis-hit regions.
All kinds of people are drawn to this mixture of faith and action.
Read more about Quakers at www.quaker.org.uk. Or have a browse through the "About Quakers" section in the big footer at the bottom of each of the pages on this website.