Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs - General Information
What is the Religious Society of Friends?
The Religious Society of Friends began in the 17th century in England. Friends, or Quakers, originally dispensed with ministers as interfering with direct experience of the Divine. This kind of unprogrammed, or waiting, worship continues in the Friends General Conference, FGC, an association of sixteen yearly meetings, supplemented with regional groups and individual meetings. Other North American Quaker branches, represented by Friends United Meeting, Evangelical Friends Church International and Conservatives from Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina Yearly Meetings, have variations of Quaker practice and faith that are best explored on their websites.
Are Quakers solemn and serious in living their lives? Do they have fun?
Quakers have a particularly joyful world view. Understanding that there is that of God in everyone and everything undergirds awareness that no difference exists between the sacred and the secular. The divine grounds creation and is always present. Quakers experience their spirits gain light, courage, and strength as they open to and accept the ongoing invitations of the divine.
Living into/ out of this reality changes everything. Quakers are encouraged to “Live adventurously”. (Advices and Queries, Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, Advice 27.) One can adventurously both celebrate creation/life and feel a call to mend the world.
Why is our worship “unprogrammed,” and what does that mean?
We worship by gathering in silence, waiting upon the Spirit within. Though the Quaker Way grows from Christian roots, we have no creed. There is no sermon or ritual. A spirit-led message to share with the community may arise through anyone.
What is meant by “giving a message?
One of our Members put it this way, “Some religions gather to talk to God, Quakers gather to listen to God.” During our Worship service, some may feel moved to share a message that speaks to them and they believe is of benefit to the Meeting.
A message arises when a worshiper feels prompted to share what “he cannot keep to himself.” Friends believe that the message and how they discern it could be divinely inspired.
What are the “Quaker SPICES”?
SPICES is a mnemonic device for remembering Testimonies common in Quaker experience. While these have changed over time, Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and the Stewardship of Resources are values shared by most Friends today.
Do Quakers go to war if drafted?
It depends upon the Quaker. While Peace is of profound importance to us, as individuals we wait to be led by the Spirit to make decisions in our lives. Friends may be conscientious objectors, non-combatants, or may choose to serve in another capacity as they feel called. The Nobel Peace Prize, in 1947, was awarded to Friends Service Council in Britain and Ireland jointly with the American Friends Service Committee for their relief work for victims of war.
Do Quakers have sacraments, such as communion or baptism?
There are two ways of answering this. In one, Quakers do not use set ceremonies to celebrate specific sacred moments. Rather, “they hold that the sacred is to be found in life’s everyday realities. If all of life is holy, we do not need to sanctify it. What we can choose instead is to live life sacramentally.” (quoting Geoffrey Durham, Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers, p. 69.)
Or to think of it in a different way, Quakers do have and believe in something like communion, yet it differs from communion practiced in most churches. Quaker do not believe in the “outward ceremonies,” so communion is a sense of being gathered in the divine during worship.
What’s with the Quaker Oats guy?
The Quaker faith has no affiliation with the oatmeal brand and never has. Some of us think oatmeal is delicious, others do not, and other are indifferent.
FAQs - Evanston Friends Meeting
Is your Meeting House wheelchair accessible?
An elevator is available inside the east door to the Meetinghouse. Accessible parking is available right in front of the sidewalk that leads to this entrance.
There is no offering during worship. How can I give to the Meeting?
Please give by: 1) depositing checks or cash in the two offering boxes on the wall by both entrances to the meeting; 2) giving through this website; and 3) giving a check to the Meeting’s treasurer, either in person or by mail.
Is Evanston Meeting accessible?
Reserved accessible street parking is in front of the building. The east side entrance opens immediately to an elevator serving the lower and upper floors. Hearing assistance devices are available. Please ask for one before entering the meeting room.
Are children welcome in worship?
Children are especially welcome. They may worship with their families at meeting for the full hour. They may begin at 10:00 by attending meeting with family upstairs or children’s worship downstairs and then at 10:15 attend First Day School (Sunday School) downstairs. Childcare is available for Infants and preschoolers from 15 minutes prior to worship until the last meeting activity ends.
How do Quakers dress?
At our Meetinghouse you’ll see an eclectic range from office attire to jeans and t-shirts. It’s hard to generalize except to say we tend to avoid the ostentatious.
Will you try to convert me?
No. Each individual finds their own path, whether it leads to becoming a Quaker as a Member, simply attending services at a Quaker Meetinghouse, finding answers in other beliefs, or non-belief systems. We do not convert other people. It’s up to you.
Are non-Quakers welcome or do you have to be born a Quaker?
All are welcome.
Are there bathrooms?
A non-gender bathroom is outside the south meeting room door. Men’s and women’s bathrooms are on the ground floor.
Further Viewing
These videos—produced by our Friends at QuakerSpeak—offer additional perspectives on important topics related to the Religious Society of Friends.