Quakers - In My Life and On the Net
University Friends' Meeting is the Quaker community with which I worship and am most connected. A fairly large Meeting, it has been in existence over 50 years - with some of its original members still with us! This may not seem like much of an achievement to Philadelphia, Boston or New York Friends - but out here, it's not half bad!
In the past two years, my connections to Friends has been enriched both by greater participation in my monthly and yearly Meetings, and by engaging with Friends on the Net. I'd like this page to be a resource for all of us, so if you'll write me with suggestions for links, I will add them.
I have attended Friends' Meeting since the age of 14 - grace of Stephanie Bird, whose Quaker family was an inspiration and model to me. I found Friends at a time when I was seeking spiritual guidance and community - and have never turned back. Along the way, though, I've never wanted to rush - and so it was only 2 years ago that I sought formal membership at University Friends' Meeting in Seattle, Washington - recognizing that as our Faith and Practice outlines, the Meeting had become a spiritual home to me.
This year, I am active with Friends' Center committee, which cares for the sense of community and connection between Friends in the Meeting and tries to find ways to nurture and strengthen our social life and contact with each other - and with Worship and Ministry, which is responsible for tending to the depth and quality of our worship and spiritual life.
In previous years', I've participated in Upkeep (maintenance of the building and grounds), Education (arranging for children's education on Sundays), and Hospitality (making sure those cookies and coffee keep coming every week! ;)
I'm also active with the North Pacific Yearly Meeting, which is the organization of Quaker Meetings throughout the Pacific Northwest region. Through this body, I've been fortunate to meet other Friends from throughout the Northwest - which has paradoxically strengthened my participation not only in the larger Religious Society of Friends - but within my own Meeting as well.
When I first signed on to the internet, I went looking for others who shared my interests - including other Quakers. I found them - in more variety and number than I expected. It's been a real gift to learn more about Quakerism worldwide - including often our own struggles with each other; to converse with Friends from different traditions and countries, and to have a broader frame of reference as I grow in my faith. This page features some links to selected Friends' resources.
When I ran an Alta-Vista search on the Web for Quaker resources, there were 885 references returned! Some of those, clearly, were for Quaker State Oil and Quaker Oats. Some were even for Quaker parakeets! But clearly, Friends have begun to really populate the internet in increasing numbers. So this is just a start - I hope you'll enjoy exploring Friends' connections worldwide as much as I do.
Religious Society of Friends
Extensive directory to sites covering all aspects of Quaker thought - maintained by Russ Nelson, but offering material from a wide variety of Friends.
Peaceweb
Quakers have a historic and widely recognized Peace Testimony. This page contains links to a variety of Peace related pages, including: Other Quaker Web Pages . Friends General Conference Gathering 96 . Both official and unofficial pages of theAmerican Friends Service Committee.
Bill Samuel's Home Page
Home page of Bill Samuel, who is active in the Christian renewal movement in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), for which there are many other Web pages at this site.
soc.religion.quaker Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
An archive of responses, on the soc.religion.quaker newsgroups, to frequently asked Questions about quakers, their beliefs, and their lives.
Quaker Bookstores
Friends General Conference, Pendle Hill, and other Quaker bookstores are listed here.
A Quaker Resources Page
An index of online Quaker resources including schools, other Quakers on the Web, and other resources of interest to those interested in the Religious Society of Friends.
Quaker Stuff
A Young Friend's report and reflections on Youthquake 94.
The Religious Society of Friends
General Friends Resources Links - including links to soc.religion.quaker newsgroup, AFSC information, and George Amoss' quaker archive.
Quaker Queries/Community Journal on Simplicity
Human Service and Human Rights Links
Grant Writing Information
Companion Animal Page
Drop Me a Line!
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