Quaker Glossary
Friends often use particular phrases and terms to describe their faith and practice. Below is a collection of definitions to help you navigate the language of the Religious Society of Friends.
Advices
Ideals stated as a continuing reminder of the basic faith and principles held to be essential to the life and witness of Friends.[reference:14]
Affirmation
A legal declaration made by Friends or others who conscientiously decline to take an oath.[reference:15]
After the Manner of Friends
Committees grown tired of the formal procedures of Roberts’ Rules of Order decide to conduct their business “after the manner of Friends,” using Friends’ processes. (1)
As Way opens, or Way will open
Even when the Meeting agrees on what should be done, it may not be able to implement the agreement immediately... [The phrase brings] assurance that the Meeting will proceed “as way opens...” (1) It is also used to suggest that circumstances will eventually be favorable to a “way” that is good and right.
Attender
One who attends and participates in meeting activities fairly regularly but has not become a member.[reference:16]
Birthright / Convinced Friend
In Quaker history, “birthright” Friend describes those born to Quaker parents. A “convinced” Friend is one who has chosen to join the Society out of commitment to its principles. Ideally, all Friends should be convinced! (4) In the 21st Century, little attention is paid to “birthright” status.
Business Meeting
A meeting for worship concerned with decisions about the life of the Meeting, such as finance or property. No votes are taken; the clerk prepares a minute reflecting “the sense of the meeting.” Unity is seen as a sign of discerning God’s will accurately. (3)
Called Meeting
A meeting convened for a stated purpose but not regularly scheduled. (2)
Center Down
In traditional silent worship, Friends seek to still the body and mind. One “centers” on the presence of God, “down” within each person. Also used to encourage people to pause and collect their thoughts before classes or committee meetings.
Clearness Committee
Those appointed by a monthly meeting to help persons be clear about their leadings to take a particular action. (2) A Friend facing a personal dilemma may ask the Meeting for a clearness committee to view the situation more objectively. (1)
Clerk / Presiding Clerk
The person who sits at the head of the Meeting, ensuring business is conducted orderly. The clerk must grasp the “sense of the meeting” and formulate it into words for the recording clerk. (1)
Closing Meeting
The closing of the meeting for worship when a designated Friend shakes hands with the persons next to them. Following this, all shake hands with their neighbors.[reference:17]
Community
One of the major testimonies. Quakers value each person in a group. They believe that what affects one affects all. In making decisions, Quakers strive for what will be best for all in the community.
Concern
Reserved for weighty matters that disturb the conscience and impel a person to action. A real concern may lead to much worry and seeking, and even come to rule one’s life. (1)
Consensus
A readiness to accept a decision reached by cooperative search. At one time, it was close to “sense of the meeting.” (2)
Conservative Friends
The tradition of Quakerism which attempts to conserve Quaker faith and practice, using the traditional “unprogrammed” form of worship. (3) Only three Yearly Meetings (Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina) use this name officially. (2)
Continuing Revelation
The central Quaker belief that the revelation of God's will is an ongoing process and that God still speaks to persons directly today.[reference:18][reference:19]
Convener
Member of a committee, usually the first-named, whom the meeting asks to call together the first meeting of that committee.[reference:20]
Covered Meeting / Gathered Meeting
A meeting for worship or business in which the participants feel the power and inspiration of God so strongly that they are united in silence. Also called a gathered meeting.[reference:21]
Direct Access to God
Friends believe the Inner Light is “that of God” accessible without any intermediary. Although some meetings employ pastors, “the laity has been abolished.” All Friends are responsible for seeking and carrying out God’s will.
Elder (noun)
Historically, those appointed to foster the vocal ministry of the meeting for worship and the spiritual condition of its members.[reference:22]
Eldering (verb)
1. Nurturing and supporting a Friend to live into the fullness of his/her faith and ministry. 2. Gently admonishing in love the ways, habits or thoughts of a Friend.[reference:23]
Epistle
A letter of serious import sent either by an individual or a group. Usually a formal letter sent annually by each yearly meeting to all Friends everywhere.[reference:24]
Equality
One of the major testimonies. Quakers believe all human beings have “that of God” within them, resulting in efforts to end discrimination of all kinds.
Evangelical Friends International (EFI)
An association of pastoral Friends especially concerned with church growth and the Christian mission. (1) These Friends are Biblically centered.
Experimentally
That which one has experienced, testing things that work. George Fox said, “This I know experimentally,” speaking of knowing by testing God’s guidance himself. (2)
Faith and Practice
A book that sets out the beliefs of a group of Friends (usually a yearly meeting) and its ways of doing business. Sometimes called “The Discipline.” (2)
First Day / First Month
Traditional Quaker names for Sunday and January; part of a testimony to plainness, avoiding names derived from Roman or Norse deities.
Friends General Conference (FGC)
An association of yearly meetings that has no authority over affiliated meetings. (1) Primarily comprised of unprogrammed meetings.
Friends United Meeting (FUM)
An organization that has the majority of its membership in pastoral meetings, maintaining much evangelistic zeal and missionary concern. (1)
George Fox
Founder of Quakerism. He came to know that direct access to the Divine within (the Inner Light) was what he had sought. This concept became the basis for The Society of Friends.
Hold in the Light
A way of expressing concern for God’s guidance and care for a person. (4) Often used when a person is ill, experiencing grief, or struggling in any way.
Inner Light / Inward Light / Light Within
The central concept of Quakerism. Friends are united in their belief in the presence of an inward source of inspiration and strength—that of God within. (1)
Integrity
One of the major testimonies, rooted in the injunction to “let your yea be yea.” Quakers try to be truthful at all times, affirming rather than swearing oaths. (2)
Leadings
Direction or guidance coming from the Spirit of God for right ways of living. (2)
Let your lives speak
Allowing personal actions to witness to others instead of verbalizing testimony. (2)
Meeting for Sufferings
Originally established to record the 'sufferings' of persecuted Quakers. It continues to function as a representative or executive body for some Yearly Meetings.[reference:25][reference:26]
Meeting for Worship
The term used to refer to Quaker worship, rather than “service.” Quakers talk of “going to Meeting.” (3)
Meeting House
The name given to places built intentionally to house Quaker worship. (3)
Mind the Light / Walk in the Light
Counsel to live with integrity and with fidelity to what is good and true. (4)
Ministry / Ministers
All Friends, or the “priesthood of all believers.” Those who are recorded as having special gifts in speaking, visitation, and counsel. (2)
Minute(s)
Records of actions taken in Meeting for Business. A minute expresses the sense of the meeting. (1)
Moment of Silence
Many meetings begin with a “moment of silence,” reminding participants of the spiritual basis of the gathering. (4)
Monthly Meeting
The central unit in U.S. Friends’ organization. Most local meetings are monthly meetings with a large measure of autonomy. (1)
Pacifism / Peace Testimony
Friends oppose wars, citing Jesus’ advice from the Sermon on the Mount. “We utterly deny all outward wars and strife... This is our testimony to the whole world.” (1)
Pastoral Meeting
A meeting which calls a Friend with spiritual gifts to reside near the meeting and minister with financial support. (2) The majority of the world’s Friends are now pastoral.
Peculiar People
A biblical nickname for Friends because of behavior patterns and dress, denoting they were set apart for spiritual concerns. (2)
Plain Language
Traditional Friends language using “thee” and “thou,” based on the principle of all persons having equal status. (2)
Programmed Meeting
Meeting for Worship with pre-planned speaking and music. (2)
Quaker
From George Fox’s Journal: “Justice Bennet of Derby... was the first that called us Quakers, because we did bid them tremble at the word of the Lord.” (1)
Quaker "Alphabet Soup"
Common abbreviations include: AFSC, EFI, FCE, FAHE, FCNL, FGC, FLGBTQC, FUM, FWCC, NCFHS, NCYM, Pendle Hill, QLSP, QUIP, QUNO.
Quarterly / Half-Yearly Meeting
Monthly meetings within the same geographic area gather several times a year for worship and business. (2)
Queries
Questions for spiritual guidance to be asked and answered by both individuals and meetings, found in Faith and Practice. (2)
Recording / Recorded Minister
A process of recognition by the monthly meeting of special gifts in vocal and public ministry. (2)
Recording Clerk
The person who records the actions of a Friends Meeting for Business. The record becomes “minutes.”
Sense of the Meeting
Since there is no voting in a Friends business meeting, agreement must be sensed—usually by the clerk. A satisfactory minute is framed as the sense of the meeting. (1)
Silence
Solemn quiet time in meetings. Silence is the preparation. One listens before one speaks. (2)
Simplicity
Living without extravagance. Sincerity and honesty at the heart. Evidenced in dress, worship, and decoration. (2)
Speak to one’s condition
A word or action which is particularly appropriate, from George Fox: “There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition.” (2)
S P I C E / S P I C E S
An acronym for the major testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality. (D is sometimes added for Direct Access; S for Stewardship).
Stand in the Way / Stand Aside
If a person objects rooted in conscience, they may “stand in the way of consensus.” If less consequential, they may “stand aside.”
Testimonies
Common actions by which Friends are characterized. In a literal sense they are the validating evidence of the Inner Light. (1)
That of God in Everyone
(See Inner Light) The foundational belief that there is a divine spark within every person.
This Friend Speaks My Mind
A phrase used in business meetings to express agreement without restating what has been said. (4)
Universalism / Universalist Friends
Friends who believe the spirit of Quakerism embraces ideas beyond formal Christianity, welcoming agnostics and non-Christians. (1)
Unprogrammed Meeting
Meeting for Worship with no previously arranged order. Any person may minister out of a period of silent waiting. (2)
Weighty Friend
A Friend recognized for speaking in a manner reflecting the Spirit, whose judgment is often sought in times of difficulty. (1)
World (The)
A pejorative term used by first Quakers to describe anything not Quaker. Over time, what constitutes “the world” has shrunk. (3)
Yearly Meeting
The largest integral unit in the organization of the Society. Yearly Meetings are times of Friendly reunions and spiritual renewal. (1)
Stewardship
Sometimes added as the 'S' in 'SPICES'. Refers to the responsible use and care of resources, the earth, and one’s talents as a trust from God.
