About Quakers

We, the Religious Society of Friends, have our origins in the religious turmoil of England in the middle of the 17th Century at the time of the Civil War. Many people were searching for answers from priests and ministers.

George Fox was born at Fenny Drayton in Leicestershire in 1624. When he was 19 he had an opening which he recorded years later in his Journal:

And when all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, oh then, I heard a voice which said, ‘There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition’, and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy.

This inward experience is still key to how we are today.

Quakers in Britain

There are Quakers in every part of the world, especially in the Americas and in Africa.

Loughborough Meeting is one of several hundred local meetings in Britain. Together we form Britain Yearly Meeting.

As local Friends we are part of a group called Leicester Area Meeting joining with Friends in Leicester, Rugby and Oakham.

Leicester Area Meeting is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Our governing documents and policies can be viewed here.

From the beginning Quakers have found that we do not need to profess any beliefs or creeds; that we do not need particular people to lead our worship; that we can all be priests and minister one to each other. We have also found that by being quiet we may hear the “still small voice of God”.

Certainly, we have our origins in Christianity and many Friends do call themselves Christian, while others are non-theists. Over the centuries we have realised that spiritual truths and wisdom have been and continue to be revealed in many different ways across the world.

So, while we have widely different beliefs, our diversity is gathered into unity when we meet in stillness, allowing each of us to pay attention to the spirit. This understanding is offered to us:

Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them as the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and leads us to new life.

And

Each of us has a particular experience of God and each must find the way to be true to it.

When words are strange or disturbing to you, try to sense where they come from. Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you. Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken.

Read more about our faith and practice here

You can also read our Advices and Queries