Have we had a Quaker thread yet?

[foxytocin]

Are there any Quakers among us? Would like to learn more about the Quakers.

I'd be interested in some discussion as well. DH ordered some of their literature, we read up a bit and decided to start going to a Meeting. We've been twice so far, most recently yesterday.

The Quakers seem to be the only thing DH and I are both sort of happy with. He grew up only nominally C of E and is 'searching', and I am a very lapsed Catholic that rejects anything with the slightest hint of dogma or organisation.

All I can say so far is that the people I've met are very very nice and welcoming and no one forces anything on you.

I have thought for a long time that if i were to convert it would be to Quaker. I do like their idea of not proselytising.

I like their emphasis on peace, and I like that they are so welcoming of the gay/lesbian community.

foxy, you can get the free literature that we got here if you are interested.

don't ask why i've read this suddenly (oh OK, I was searching on dogma!) but my mum is a quaker elder YnC. i adore the quakers.

and the schools are fab

did i just type that out loud?

I do get occasional feelings about quakerism. Might even act on them one day.

I was brought up as a quaker and went to meeting every week and a quaker summer camp every yr from age of 9 or 10 till a teenager. Had a fab time.

My brothers both went to a quaker boarding school which they loved.

But have to confess have not been to a meeting for years now

I was brought up as more Quaker than any other religion. My mother was an attender (not a full member, but went regularly) and comes from a very long line of Quaker families. I went to several summer schools and yearly meetings when I was younger. I still consider myself to be more Quaker than anything else, even though I've not been to a meeting in years.

DH's family are all CofE, dds (x3) have been / are going to CofE primary schools and they all attend church twice a month for the family service. I find it hard going - 'our' church is very high church and coming from a Quaker background it seems very strange!

oooh simpson - cross posted with you! are you me? guess not as I've not got any brothers!

LOL Wonder if we met at yearly meetings etc....

My family (on my mothers side) also comes from a long line of Quakers too

I'd like to send the dc to our local Quaker school but at the moment the fees are way beyond us.

We do spirituality but not religion and I think the dc would love the openness.

I went to summer school several times to the school in Saffron Walden and jym in Croydon and somewhere else, but I can't remember where! I'm 37 now and this would have been from about 10ish to 17ish so ages ago

Have investigated a little and see there are quite a few meetings near by. Am quite interested in ones on Thursday mornings which I might try going to when school starts again.

And two of the seven Quaker schools in the UK are here.

Ooh bumpybecky am 38 and went to Saffron Walden too

My brothers both went to Leighton Park Boarding school just outside Reading.

My grandfather is buried at Jordans so my mother and grandmother used to go there regularly

simpson I didn't go every year that I could have, as I took it in turns with my sister and guide camp. Chances are you were there one of the same years though - wow!

I've remembered now I went to the senior version too (senior conference maybe?) not sure where that was though.

My sister was going to go to board for 6th form, but when she found out pe was compulsory she changed her mind!

I did 1 senior conference which was at Leighton Park funnily enough but did not like it as much so only went the once....

LOL at PE

The yr after I started 6th form LP let girls in the 6th form. Grrrr.....

ooh, I have started a Quaker meetup thread.

I just discovered on a long time friend's facebook page that she is a member of the nearest Quaker meetings to me. Will have to pick her brains on it the next time I see her. I don't know if she is Quaker or not as I have never asked.

I like the idea of sending my dds to a Quaker summer camp when they are old enough.

Love the Quakers. Have also ordered and been reading through their literature.

We went to our third meeting this morning, aim to keep going !

Any Quakers out there know of any quaker-related bible study guides or such like ?

Hello there...I am currently becoming a Quaker. Going to the meetings and having long chats with one of the elders, Paul Kingston. I think he would be keen to set up a study group of some sort...which I would be keen to attend.

I love the calm and intellect of the Quakers...the fact that not believing in God is OK. Being gay is OK. It's just all OK.

I am just about to send my child to Leighton Park...very excited about it. Did your brothers enjoy it there. Simpson? It is a huge financial stretch for us but I have cancer and the idea of having my daughter fed and looked after until my OH can pick her up is very appealing.

I think I have always been Quakerish, to be honest. Have also just finished reading Patrick Gale's Notes From an Exhibition - chronicling a Quaker family. Beautiful book.

Hi Punkatheart, I also appreciate the calmness and acceptance of meeting for worship - and the fact that it is not a problem if you decide for yourself what you believe in / feel / do while on your own spiritual journey.

My background is mainly in buddhist meditation, but there is no conflict between that and Quakerism. Its all good !

I have felt drawn to the quakers in the past, and went to a few years ago. Would be really interested in going again - doea anyone know how it would work with a baby in tow?

Hi FessaEst, my wife and I go to meeting - our one has baby room and a children's class. After 15 minutes in the meeting, the children and their carer leave and go to baby room/children's class. We take it in turn so that we have a full hour each every other week. I would call your local meeting and ask to see if they have child facilities.

Hope that helps a bit !