About Quakerism

Discover Quakerism: Beliefs and Practices

Although not all Quakers see themselves as Christian, Quakerism is a religious tradition rooted in the centrality of the teachings of Jesus. It was initially founded in 17th century England by George Fox as an attempt to move away from Christianity’s increasing ritual and excesses, and to return to Christ’s original message.
 Quakers are also known as the Religious Society of Friends, or simply ‘Friends’ (after Jesus saying “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” in John 15:14). There are about 300,000 Quakers (Friends) worldwide. The largest groupings are in Kenya, Britain, North America, and Bolivia, but they can be found on every continent.
The fundamental idea of Quakerism – articulated then and still central – is that there is something of God in everyone. It may be hard to see, but it is there. We have no standard definition of what we mean by ‘something of God’: we use metaphors like the light guiding us, or a sense of what is good and right. This idea is not unique, but for us it is the central idea.
History Of Hill House Quakers

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Quakers and Christianity

How Christian is Quakerism?How does Quakerism align with Christianity?How do Quakers interpret Christ?Quaker testimony and the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

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George Fox 1624 – 1691 and Quaker Beliefs and Practice

GEORGE FOX, founder of Quakerism, lived in England from 1624 to 1691. His father was a weaver, and Fox is thought to have been a cobbler’s apprentice and a shepherd. George Fox's life can be broken into three main stages
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Types of Quakerism Worship

Two main traditions of worship have evolved.

Non-programmed

In the non-programmed tradition, Quakers worship together in silence, but anyone may speak and share some insight they have – something that they have read, something that they have experienced, some understanding they have acquired. This often leads to others speaking in terms that relate to what they have heard.

Programmed

In programmed forms of worship, much of the meetings/services are pre-planned, often with pastors to organize them.
What Are Quaker Meetings Like?

Our faith

What We Believe

We believe our faith should translate into action. To help guide and challenge us to live this way, Quakers have a number of ‘testimonies‘. These testimonies have changed over the years as we want them to reflect current society and its issues. Today their focus is on simplicity, truth, equality, and peace. Our testimonies encourage us to work locally and globally for social justice, support peacemakers and care for the environment. It’s not always easy to live this way, but as Quakers we try to help, support and encourage each other to keep trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Adapted from http://www.quakersintheworld.org/what-are-quakers.html and https://www.quaker.org.uk/about-quakers/our-values)

Our faith

The core of Quakerism

At the onset it is necessary to restate the core of Quakerism and the various practices and testimonies associated with it, although Quakerism is not non- credal. Perhaps a recent rendition by the Pacific Yearly Meeting is as good as any.

‘’Our corporate search for God’s word in the meeting for worship is the heart of the Quaker Meeting. The religious practices of Friends are founded in direct communion with God and the conviction that the Divine Light is accessible to all; yet it is one Light, one Truth. We wait with hearts and minds open to the Divine so that the truth will be made known among us.

‘’We believe that God, the Light, the Truth, is in each of us and in all creation. We say there is that of God in every one.’’ Truth is continually revealed to us, often through a gathered mystical experience. We can know it by experience.

‘’We work to develop a relationship between the individual and the corporate body that allows leading and inspiration to be tested within the Meeting, so that all may be sure it is God’s Light we follow. In this unity Friends find order and peace in reconciling individual inspiration and corporate wisdom, enabling us to choose right courses of action.

As God is revealed to us individually and corporately, we are guided in the right living of our lives. All of our practices as Friends flow from our faith in the revealed truth; our care for each other, our governing processes, our testimonies to the whole world. The test of the truth is not in the degree to which it conforms to dogma, but in its power to transform our lives and lives of others.

We are a religious tradition rooted in Christianity and the centrality of the teachings of Jesus. As a community of seekers, we must that truth is not identical to the metaphors which lead us to it, or to the language that expresses it. Rather it is our belief that the lived experience, spoken by our lives, is the universal manifestation of God.

“George Fox went on to claim” By following and obeying the light, man finds life, salvation and righteousness. Thus man can be saved from sin in this life: without pleading for sin, nor awaiting reprieve after death. By disobeying or ignoring the light, man is left in darkness

In addition to these notions (which would not be acceptable to all Quakers everywhere in the world) Quakers from the beginning were opposed to outward sacraments, Creeds, doctrine, and ‘’hireling ministry’’ (Fox). However, there have developed practices and behavioural codes which now form the central components of Quakerism. ( London Yearly Meeting).

For more information about Quakers www.quakerinfo.org/

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Our history

The Hill House Meeting originates from a group of British Quakers recruited as staff for Achimota College and School from 1925 who established a meeting for themselves and for other members of staff. In 1934, they built the Hill House Meeting garden shelter on the school property.
Due to career changes and postings, the Meeting remained small between 1925 and the early 1940’s, with a predominantly expatriate membership and a few Ghanaians. Meetings lapsed in the mid-40’s before a flurry of activity from 1947 – 1948, lead by Mrs. Iona Acquah. By 1953, there was a real revival, led by the Acquahs, and sustained by staff of the University. From then onwards, the meeting has continued. Meetings for worship were initially advertised in the national papers and this attracted a few Ghanaians and expatriates, increasing the number of attendees although membership has always remained relatively small. By the 1970′s, there were three meetings in Ghana – Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi. At the time, Hill House had three meetings for very young children, adolescents and adults simultaneously. Easter Gatherings started 1974 and have continued to date. Moreover members of the Meeting (and the Meeting as a collective whole) played active roles in social causes in Ghana and in the Christian Council, making the existence of the Quakers well-known.
The Easter Gathering
By 1954, Friends had identified their need for a gathering of all Friends resident in Ghana, as well as any who are working in neighbouring countries and might wish to share a fellowship. With their Ghanaian counterparts, the first Easter Gathering of Friends came off that year and has become an annual event.
Christian Council Membership
In the mid 1960s, Friends in Ghana became anxious to relate even more closely to the Christian Community in Ghana. Accordingly, it sought and was admitted into the Membership of the Christian Council of Ghana as a constituent member.
Social Work
In line with the tradition of Friends, Quakers in Ghana, right from their very early beginnings, have sought to render social service as a testimony of their concept of work and worship being inseparable.
Social Work
In line with the tradition of Friends, Quakers in Ghana, right from their very early beginnings, have sought to render social service as a testimony of their concept of work and worship being inseparable.
Social Work
In line with the tradition of Friends, Quakers in Ghana, right from their very early beginnings, have sought to render social service as a testimony of their concept of work and worship being inseparable.
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