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Permalink Reply by Paula Deming on 8th mo. 1, 2011 at 12:13pm

Dear Michael,

Joseph has done very well by you. He is a student of Quakerism, and he is close to the best resources as a result. I am glad he has reached out to you.

Before I give you my own recommendation for reading, I think I should briefly outline the design of our Society. We attend "meeting" rather than "church," and when we say "meeting," we generally are referring to our local body ("monthly meeting"), which we attend every First Day (Sunday). Each monthly meeting is usually part of a larger body known as the Yearly Meeting. These bodies are so called because of how we operate our business meetings: once a month in our local meetings, once a year in the larger organization. Some monthly meetings are also part of a Quarterly or Half-Year meeting, which is larger than a monthly meeting but smaller than the Yearly Meeting. I am writing only about the more liberal branch of Friends; I will describe something of the various branches later.

I have never heard of the practice of using Godparents within our Society, so I cannot speak to that. Perhaps other Friends can tell you something. Or perhaps there is information online.

I tell you all of this to make another important recommendation to reading. To Joseph's list I would strongly recommend adding the Quaker reference book known as Faith & Practice. This is a publication followed by all unprogrammed Friends meetings (I don't know about Friends Churches, which are programmed, meaning they have a pastor). Most Yearly Meetings create their own versions of Faith & Practice; smaller yearly meetings often adopt another yearly meeting's Faith & Practice. For example, I am a member of Lake Erie Yearly Meeting; we use the F&P created by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

F&P will explain all about Quaker tenets and testimonies (Faith), as well as give you a good overview of how our meetings operate ("procedures") and how Friends cultivate their lives in the Spirit (practice). You will also find historical sketches, and important components of our religious practice called "Advices and Queries." (These are important for self-examination as we strive to follow the Spirit.)

Ask the parents of your new Goddaughter if they have a copy of F&P that you can look at. If they don't have a copy, or say that their branch doesn't follow a F&P, ask them to tell you what kind of meeting/church they attend, and the name of the larger Quaker body. You can then google the name and follow links to more information. If there is anything about being a Godparent within Friends, this is likely where you will find it.

 I have been giving you information about what is often called Liberal Friends in the United States, which fall under the umbrella of the large body called Friends General Conference, based in Philadelphia. There are also Conservative Friends, which fall under three large yearly meetings. Both Liberal and Conservative Friends are unprogrammed, which means we hold meetings for worship, or waiting worship held in silence. Ministry arises out of the silence. There are also Friends Churches, which I mentioned above, and these have programmed services, led by a pastor. These tend to fall under an organization of Friends called Friends United Meeting, based in Richmond, Indiana. Finally, there are Evangelical Friends, which are allied with an organization called Evangelical Friends International (Canton, Ohio, I think). Other Friends meetings may be unaffiliated.

My fellow Quakers can correct the information I have given. I speak from a position of personal knowledge and imperfect understanding, but I hope I have given you enough information to set you on your quest for knowledge about your Goddaughter's faith.

I am including a link for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, where you can learn basics about the Religious Society of Friends. Right at the top of their home page are helpful introductory topics. http://www.pym.org/ 

Blessings on you and the little one.

Yours in the Light of the Divine Spirit, Paula

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Permalink Reply by Michaeljc4 on 8th mo. 1, 2011 at 7:18pm

Paul and Joey, thank you both for this wealth of information. I will follow your links and advice. I am embarrassed to admit to my ignorance about Quakerism, beyond a very limited, superficial knowledge. I am looking forward to learning much more about your beautiful and inspiring tradition. There is so much to learn about, and to pray about. 

 

God bless you both.

 

Incidentally, my goddaughter and her family live in Philadelphia, so your link to the PYM is most helpful. I will ascertain with meeting in particular they are going to be members of.

 

Thanks again. Expect more questions....:)

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