Resources on Quakerism
Quakerism — Resources
Most of the following reading lists and online resources were developed for a Quakerism 101 program at Central Philadelphia Meeting held in 2020.
Quick Links
- Quaker History
- Quaker Worship
- Quaker Spirituality and Theology
- Quaker Ministry
- Quaker Discernment, Decision Making, and Governance
- Other resources
- Quaker Terms and Phrases (pdf for download)
Quaker History
Books
Portrait in Grey, John Punshon
Friends for 350 Years, Howard Brinton
Shorter pieces
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Faith & Practice—History Section
Note: The following documents were developed for a Quakerism 101 course developed for Durham Friends Meeting in North Carolina. Use the links below to download pdf files.
Quaker History—Beginnings: 1650–1700
A Brief History of Quakerism—1700–present
A Quaker Chronology—a fairly comprehensive timeline of Q history
Notable Quakers throughout History—short biographies of notable Quakers
Quaker Worship
Recommended for the busy Quaker:
Four Doors to Meeting for Worship, William Taber; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #306; $7.
The Gathered Meeting, Thomas Kelly; Tract Association of Friends.
The Gathered Meeting, Steven Davison; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #444; $7.
A more comprehensive list:
Quaker Worship—A rich portal for resources available on New York Yearly Meeting's website, nyym.org: pamphlets, book, links.
Vocal Ministry—also on nyym.org.
Videos
What to Expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship
Frequently Asked Questions About Quaker Meeting for Worship
Quaker Worship Part 1: The Challenge of Sitting in Silence
Quaker Worship Part 2: Giving Vocal Ministry
Quaker Worship Part 3: The Gathered Meeting
Why Do Quakers Worship in Silence?
How to Deepen Quaker Meeting for Worship
What's the Difference Between "Programmed" and "Unprogrammed" Quaker Worship?
What Quakers Do in Silent Worship
When to Speak in Quaker Worship
Podcasts
Thee Quaker Podcasts—innovative stories that explore themes of faith, conviction, and doubt.
Quaker Spirituality and Theology
Links
Friends’ Spiritual Message
Friends and the Bible
PYM Faith and Practice section on Friends, Scripture and Our Living Faith.
Faith and Practice on Discernment of the Guidance of the Spirit.
Extracts from various Quaker writings on Quaker Spirituality in Faith and Practice.
Books and Pamphlets
Robert Barclay, Barclay’s Apology in Modern English, Dean Freiday, editor.
Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion and The Eternal Promise.
Patricia Loring, Listening Spirituality: Personal Spiritual Practices Among Friends.
John Woolman, The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman, Phillips Moulton, editor.
Douglas Steere, Quaker Spirituality.
Rex Ambler, Light to Live By: An Exploration in Quaker Spirituality.
Brent Bill, Mind the Light.
John Punshon, Alternative Christianity, Pendle Hill Pamphlet (PHP) #245.
John Punshon, Letter to a Universalist, PHP # 285.
Howard Brinton, The Religion of George Fox, PHP #161.
Quaker Ministry
Recommended for the busy Quaker:
Tall Poppies: Supporting Gifts of Ministry and Eldering in the Monthly Meeting, Martha Paxson Grundy; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #347.
Spirit-Led Eldering: Integral to Our Faith and Practice, Margery Mears Larrabee; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #392.
Spiritual Discernment: the context and goal of clearness committees, Patricia Loring; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #305.
Early Friends & Ministry, Martha Paxson Grundy; Beacon Hill Friends House pamphlet #1011.
A more comprehensive list:
Quaker Ministry—A rich portal for resources available on New York Yearly Meeting's website, nyym.org: pamphlets, book, links.
Vocal Ministry—also on nyym.org.
Videos
Quaker Meetings Support Ministry
Wjy Traveling Ministry is Vital of Quakers in the 21st Century
Quaker Discernment, Decision Making, and Governance
Discernment and Decision Making
Nancy Bieber, Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way.
Patricia Loring, Spiritual Discernment: The Context and Goal of Clearness Committees; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #305.
Jan Hoffman, Clearness Committees and their Use in Personal Discernment.
Leading and Being Led, Paul Lacey; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #264; $6.50.
Listening Spirituality: Volume 1, Personal Spiritual Practices Among Friends; Volume 2, Corporate Spiritual Practice Among Friends; Patricia Loring; $18.
Leadings, Jim Corbett; Southeastern YM, $5.
Practicing Discernment Together: Finding God’s Way Forward in Decision Making, Lon Fendall, Jan Wood, and Bruce Bishop; $16.
Listening to Hear, Patty Levering; Southeastern YM, 2012 Michener Lecture; $5.
Sacred Compass Paperback: The Way of Spiritual Discernment, Brent Billl; $13.99.
Group Spiritual Nurture: The Wisdom of Spiritual Listening, Daphne Clement; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #373; $6.50.
Expectant Listening: Finding God’s Thread of Guidance, Michael Wajda; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #388; $6.50.
The Presence in the Midst, Peter Eccles; Swarthmore Lecture 2009; BrYM, $16.
Silence and Witness: The Quaker Tradition, Michael Birkel.
God and Decision-Making: A Quaker Approach, Jane Mace; BrYM, $17.
Nudged by the Spirit: Stories of People Responding to the Still, Small Voice of God, Charlotte Fardelmann; $17.
How Do I Know It’s A Leading?, Ruth Hyde-Paine; Southeastern YM, $4.
Where Christ Presides: A Quaker Perspective on Moral Discernment, Jack Ciancio; $15.99.
The Wisdom to Know the Difference: When to Make A Change – And When to Let Go, Eileen Flanagan; $15.95.
Grounded In God—Listening Hearts: Discernment for Group Deliberations, Suzanne Farnham, et al; $14.
Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community, Suzanne Farnham, et al; $14.
Keeping in Tune with God: Listening Hearts Discernment for Clergy, Suzanne G. Farnham & Timothy H. Grayson; $16.
Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life, Henri Nouwen, with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird; $25.99.
Meeting for Business in Worship
NYYM Faith & Practice on Business Procedures.
Guide to Quaker Practice, Howard Brinton, pages 37-42, Pendle Hill Pamphlet #20; $8.
The Authority of Our Meetings is the Power of God, Paul Lacey, Pendle Hill Pamphlet # 365; $6.50.
Beyond Consensus: Salvaging the Sense of the Meeting, Barry Morley, Pendle Hill Pamphlet # 307; $6.50.
Beyond Majority Rule: Voteless Decision Making in the Religious Society of Friends, Michael Sheeran; $18.00.
Quaker Process for Friends on the Benches, Mathilda Navias; $25.
The Authority of Our Meetings is the Power of God, Paul Lacey; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #365.; $6.50.
Quaker Meeting: A Risky Business, Eric W. Johnson.
“Beyond Consensus: The Quaker Search for God’s Leading for the Group,” Friends Journal, June 1, 1986.
“The Meeting for Business,” Merrilie McAfee Towl, Friends Journal, March 1, 1077.
Mind of Christ: Bill Taber on Meeting for Business, Michael Birkel, ed, Pendle Hill Pamphlet #406; $6.50.
Practicing Discernment Together: Finding God’s Way Forward in Decision Making, PYM Outreach Committee; $18.00.
Pray and Pay Attention: Or How to Enjoy Meeting for Business, Charles Brown; $4.
The Quaker Meeting for Business, Douglas Steere; 19th Annual J. Barnard Walton Memortial Lecture, Southeastern YM; $4.
Spiritual Responsibility in the Meeting for Business, Patricia Loring, $0.75.
For Presiding Clerks
Where Should I Stand?: A Field Guide for Monthly Meeting Clerks, Elizabeth Boardman; $12.50, $9 ePub.
Handbook for the Presiding Clerk, David Stanfield; $4.
Before the Meeting: A Handbook for Clerks, Keith Redfern.
Beyond Consensus: Salvaging the Sense of the Meeting, Barry Morley; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #307; $6.50.
When Friends Attend to Business, Thomas S. Brown; PhYM.
Servant of the Meeting: Quaker Business Meetings and their Clerks, Cecil W. Sharman; Quaker Home Service, BrYM.
Guide to Quaker Practice, Howard H. Brinton; Pendle Hill Pamphlet #20; $6.50.
Principles of the Quaker Business Meeting, George Selleck; Friends United Press Pamphlet Series.
For Recording clerks
Before Business Begins: Notes for Recording Clerks, Will Watson; NEYM; $5.
Unforeseen Joy: Serving a Friends Meeting as Recording Clerk, Dajoh D. Hickey; North Carolina YM.
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