More on the Quakers |
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Beginnings |
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| In 1650 George Fox, the founder of the movement, was on trial in Derby for preaching his Christian beliefs. As the judge sentenced him to six months in prison, George Fox warned him to tremble in fear of God. The judge had heard that people sometimes shook with emotion at the meetings of George Fox, so he laughed and said, "You folk are the tremblers, you are the quakers." From this came the nickname 'Quakers', but the real name is the Religious Society of Friends. We are quite happy to be called either Friends or Quakers. | |
Church Leadership and Organisation |
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Our church is run by all its members. Meetings to discuss our business affairs are held once a month, after the Meeting for Worship. Everyone is allowed to express their ideas but there are no debates and no voting. The Clerk gets what is called the 'sense of the meeting', and writes it down, then reads it back to the meeting. If it is agreed, it is then written into a book called the Minutes. If no decision can be made it is left until the next Meeting, when people will have had time to think more, and to pray about it. |
(Click to see an enlarged photo in a new window) |
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Each member is asked to give as much money as they feel they can afford to the Meeting. This money is looked after by the Treasurer. Some of this is then passed on to Friends House, our Headquarters in London. "Meetings for Sufferings" was started by early Friends to give support to the families of Quakers who were in prison for their faith. This is no longer the case, but the meeting keeps its old name in remembrance. This meeting directs the use of the money that we give (as well as other matters), and it is then handed over to paid professional people at Friends House to deal with. Each Meeting has several Elders and Overseers. The Elders look after the spiritual needs and arrange study groups and discussions about spiritual matters. The Overseers are responsible for the pastoral care of Members and Attenders, looking after their practical concerns, such as visiting those in need, and arranging for them to have help when necessary, etc. |
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