Glossary of Quaker terms

Advices: High claims which the Society of Friends makes on its adherents. Friends have always found it useful regularly to remind one another of their nature. These advices touch on the foundations of true, personal discipline, on the care of our children, on family life and on the character of our day-to-day living.

Affirmation: A legal declaration made by Friends or others who conscientiously decline to take an oath.

Associate Member: A minor child recorded as a member at the request of parents, one or both of whom are members of a Monthly Meeting. Associate Members may be transferred to full membership status at their own request, preferably in writing, after they have reached an age of decision on religious associations and are familiar with Friends principles.

Attached: A member of a meeting.

Birthright Member: Friend born of Quaker parents and recorded at birth on the membership rolls of the meeting.

Breaking Meeting: Term used to designate the close of the Meeting for Worship when those who sit at the head of the Meeting shake hands with the person next to them.

Budget: The annual statement giving the Meeting's financial needs for this period of time.

Clearness, Committee for: In proposed marriages, a committee of Friends is appointed to determine the "clearness" of the persons intending marriage, such as freedom from conflicting obligations. It also refers to a committee to assist a person or the meeting to clarify thinking about a decision or concern.

Clerks: The presiding clerk is the person who conducts the business and who formulates the "sense" of the meeting. A business meeting may also have recording and reading clerks.

Concern: A concern, whether of an individual or a Meeting, implies an interest so deep and vigorous that it often moves to action.

Continuing Revelation: The belief that God still speaks to people directly.

Convinced Friend: A member who has become a Friend as a result of being led to his or her decision by an Inner Teacher after careful study, thought and inward seeking.

Eldering: The act of encouraging and/or questioning an individual's behavior and expression of concerns, to be done with courtesy and love.

Elders: Elders originally were appointed for life. Their purpose was to foster the spiritual life of the Meeting and of the individuals in the Meeting.

Exercise: Until recently used to describe a deep concern which a person felt under compulsion of the Spirit to bring to a Meeting for Worship or Business.

Facing Benches or Facing Seats: The benches in the front of the Meeting room, facing the body of the Meeting, on which Friends ministers, elders and other leaders generally sit.

Gallery: The benches in the front of the Meeting House, facing the body of the Meeting and immediately back of the facing benches.

Gathered Meeting: The phrase used to describe those special occasions when the Friends Meeting attains a more than usual sense of divine Presence, which touches the hearts of all worshipers and unites them in a common experience of holy fellowship.

Head of Meeting: Traditionally the eldest member who sits on the facing bench. When Meeting for Worship is concluded, he or she shakes hands with a neighbor; others then shake hands; thus Meeting is broken.

Inner Light: This refers to the presence of God in our hearts and lives, a reality which guides and directs us, which gives us strength to act on this guidance, and thus brings us into unity with the Spirit of God. Also called the "Inward Light," the "Christ Within" or the "Holy Spirit."

Leading: See To Proceed as Way Opens.

Liberates Them: To set concerned and qualified persons free for religious services--as traveling among Friends.

Meeting for Sufferings: A committee to support and care for members and their families who suffer because of their commitment to Friends' principles (more in use in the early days of Quakerism). In England in recent years it refers to a representative committee which acts in a deliberative and executive manner for the Society of Friends when the Yearly Meeting is not in session.

Meeting Sets or Is Gathered: Friends come together or gather in quietness to listen for God's word.

Minding the Light: This expression is used to remind us that there is an "Inward Light" in each one which can reveal God's will and direction. Friends sometimes remind one another to "Mind the Light."

Ministers: Those recognized and "recorded" by a Meeting as having a special gift for the ministry, both vocal and service.

Minute of Travel: The statement of endorsement a Meeting gives to a member who has a concern to visit other meetings and Friends groups. It establishes the good standing of the Friend and shows the affectionate interest of the Meeting in the various meetings being visited by the member.

One Is Moved to Speak: In the quietness of the Meeting one feels the need or the urge to speak.

Opening: See To Proceed as Way Opens.

Out of Unity: Not in harmony with Friends' principles and testimonies. An historical example: marrying one who is not a Friend, thus out of unity.

Overseers: Members of the committee that has particular care of the membership. They may also suggest answers to the Queries to be sent from the Monthly Meeting to the Quarterly Meeting.

Plain Language: Refers to the use of "thee, thy, thou, and thine" by Friends. The plain language bears witness to the testimony of early Friends for democracy and equality. Three hundred years ago class distinctions were expressed by the use of the plural pronoun "you" when addressing anyone considered as one's superior, and the singular pronoun "thee" when addressing anyone considered equal or inferior. The followers of George Fox refused to recognize such distinctions. They insisted on using "thee" to any individual and "you" only in its proper plural sense. This brought on them much persecution, which the use of "you" might have spared them. It was their concern that their language should place all people on the same level. It is ungrammatical to use "thee is" but it became established usage. The members of Friends Meetings and others were and are spoken to by given names and with no titles.

Preparative Meeting: A meeting formed through the development of a worship group under the care of a Monthly Meeting.

Programmed Meeting: A Meeting for Worship, usually conducted by a pastor, with pre-arranged program including music, an offering, sermon, etc. In some programmed meetings periods of silence and meditation are provided and Friends feel free to speak from the body of the Meeting.

Quakers: The unofficial name of the Religious Society of Friends. It was the name given them because of their "quaking" or shaking motion when speaking, in the early days of their founding.

Queries: The questions which are used in conjunction with the "advices" and which give opportunity to ponder well their implications, and to examine our own conduct in the light of them. Their "practical" character is indeed striking as they ask about such matters as love and forgiveness in our daily actions and lives.

Recording of Ministers: A member who is recognized as having the gift of Ministry or a special gift of service to the Meeting or community may be recorded as a minister of a Friends Meeting.

Sense of the Meeting: In reaching decisions on items of business, Friends do not vote. After full consideration of a matter and allowing for the development of new insights, the collective judgment of the Meeting is gathered and expressed by the clerk for the approval of the Meeting. If there is marked divergence of judgment and no decision is reached, the matter is postponed until a later date.

Sojourning Member: A Friend who is temporarily residing in the area of another Monthly Meeting may become a Sojourning Member. However, the member's primary financial responsibility and membership remains with his or her home meeting.

Stock: The financial budgets of the Meetings - Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly.

Stop in the Mind: This expression is used by Friends to explain why they cannot follow a course of action or thought. It is thought to spring from the "Light." Friends say that they do or do not "feel easy" unless the way opens.

Testimonies: Convictions based on beliefs of the Society of Friends which give direction to our lives. Some of these testimonies are seeking for Divine Guidance, simplicity, integrity, peace as opposed to war, temperance in all things, affirmation instead of "swearing" in court, the worth of each individual regardless of race, sex or religion.

That of God in Everyone: An expression used by George Fox: "Answering to that of God in everyone." (See also The Inner Light.)

To Center Down: An endeavor to direct our conscious thought and open our minds, in order that we may hear God speak directly to us.

To Proceed as Way Opens: This means to wait for guidance, to avoid hasty judgment or action, to wait for future circumstances to help solve a problem. The spiritual guidance which may come in a time of seeking or entirely unexpectedly, bringing suggestion for previously unforeseen action.

To Speak to One's Condition: This refers to the experience of receiving a message directly from God or from another person, which helps one solve a problem or make a right decision. The phrase originated with George Fox, who felt "there is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition."

Unprogrammed Meeting: This is a meeting for Worship and is sometimes referred to as a "silent meeting." No pastor is in charge. The gathered Friends sit in silence, waiting upon God and "leadings of the Spirit."

Some Friends may be given vocal messages to share with the Meeting. Meetings for Worship may be entirely silent and are often of great inspiration to those worshipping together.

Weighty Member: Influential member and leader of a Meeting.

Witness: One who gives evidence of religious beliefs and convictions.