Edit a Quaker Magazine?

[ysabetwordsmith]

 Friends is looking for an editor.  Sadly I don't live in that area, but maybe someone I know does.  

Comments

[cmcmck]

Well, I'm a Quaker, but UK Friends are very different to US so maybe not. :o)

Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm curious about the differences. I've known some here in the US but that's about it. I like the ones I've met though.

Re: Hmm...

[cmcmck]

Quakerism originated in the England of the 17th century as a militant religious arm of the Civil Wars although we now have what you might call an 'unstructured' gathering-no formal rules (other, perhaps, than pacifism- which we originally adopted as a protection from persecution- and gender equality) no priesthood and no hierarchy and no structured worship- a gathering for silent meditation although if the light moves, someone might speak. Quakers here might be Christocentric or Universalist and anyone of any faith or none is welcome.

When Quakerism exported, it tended to take on a more structured form with ministers and organised worship- more recognisable as a gathered 'church'.

We are probably closest to the UU's in format of all the US sects.

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Quakerism originated in the England of the 17th century as a militant religious arm of the Civil Wars <<

I had not known about the militant past. O_O That kinda makes my brain tilt.

>>although we now have what you might call an 'unstructured' gathering-no formal rules (other, perhaps, than pacifism- which we originally adopted as a protection from persecution- and gender equality) no priesthood and no hierarchy and no structured worship- a gathering for silent meditation although if the light moves, someone might speak.<<

That sounds like a match for my experience. Quakers are the most impressive pacifists I've met, and among the most impressive social engineers. You do not fuck with the people who can listen to God.

>>When Quakerism exported, it tended to take on a more structured form with ministers and organised worship- more recognisable as a gathered 'church'.<<

I've heard of that, but haven't run across it personally. Pennsylvania branch maybe? Guess the Quakers I've known were more akin to the original after all.

In my science fantasy universe, my silico androids have a practice of listening for divine inspiration.

Re: Hmm...

[cmcmck]

Our somewhat embarrassing past! :o)

Some of the finest soldiers of the new model Army were Quakers.

'You do not fuck with the people who can listen to God.' and are willing to wait a liftime until God speaks- they talk about speaking with the voice of thunder and that ain't far wrong!

'Listening for divine inspiration' about sums it up. I wasn't Brought up in the faith but converted in my late teens when I was having to deal with everything else and it wasn't until my mid thirties that I formally became a Friend- that's something else- no pressure to convert except when you are good and ready if you ever are and if not, that's cool too.

What I value most is the concept of the light that is within all things.

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Our somewhat embarrassing past! <<

Ah, everyone has some of that.

>>and are willing to wait a liftime until God speaks- they talk about speaking with the voice of thunder and that ain't far wrong!<<

Sooth.

>>no pressure to convert except when you are good and ready if you ever are and if not, that's cool too.<<

That's a good approach.

>>What I value most is the concept of the light that is within all things.<<

That concept appears in a number of traditions. Namaste, in India. Thou art God/dess for the Church of All Worlds.

[clare_dragonfly]

The way you describe Quakers in the UK matches pretty much exactly with my experience with Quakers in the US--I attended a Quaker elementary school (with Meeting for Worship, the silent meditation unless you're moved to speak, every week), and had a good friend in college who was (and is) deeply involved with Quakerism. I don't know any Quaker meetings that have a structured form or ministers. That's not to say that there aren't any, but that's not the common structure here. Ysabet said maybe Pennsylvania, so I'll have to say, maybe, um... places that aren't PA, VA, DC, or IL XD It might be a little more formal than what you describe--it doesn't sound like your Meetings for Worship (do you call them that?) are regularly scheduled like church services?

(Also, man, this job opportunity sounds amazing! If I weren't most likely moving soon, and if it weren't a supervisory kind of position, I would apply, though I doubt I have the experience to get it.)

[cmcmck]

Our meetings for worship (yes, it's the same name :o) are formally called but they don't have to be on a Sunday- whatever suits the group, really. I know of one Meeting in Southall, London which I occasionally attended when we lived up there and attended Ealing Meeting who were offered space in the Sikh Gurudawara which happens to be free on a Thursday so that's when they meet for worship! :o)

It does sound an intriguing post!

[clare_dragonfly]

I think the regular meetings that my school had were on Sundays, but the school had them on Wednesdays--don't know about any others. That sounds very cool :)