Quakers in britain have a book, or sometimes books, of discipline, which are the collected wisdom of the community and are revised in full roughly every generation. A book of discipline may refer to one of the various books issued by a yearly meeting of the religious society of friends, setting out what it means to be a. Such a book of discipline includes reference to both spiritual experiences of friends and organisational matters of the yearly meeting. Meetings all over britain are beginning to talk about simplifying structures and reducing the demands on their members. In 1995, britain yearly meeting agreed on a new quaker faith and practice.
Quaker faith and practice religious society of friends on. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain paperback dec 11 20. This volume reprints disciplines of the eight oldest yearly meetings in america and tracks their changes through separations and revisions. We endeavor to live in accord with the quaker testimonies. Here is a photo of some of the versions we used during the 20th century. One of my favorite part is the balance between discipline and waiting inspiration. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker literature, and contain advices and. The book of discipline of the united methodist church outlines denominational law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures. A celebration of discipline, special anniversary edition the path to spiritual growth a newly repackaged and updated 40th anniversary edition of the timeless guide that has helped numerous seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of god, updated with a new introductio. The last runaway by tracy chevalier, the invention of wings by sue monk kidd, a quaker book of wisdom. Practical guidance to preliminary discipline, aspects of prayer, contemplation, intercession, and prayer in everyday life.
Quakerspeak what is a quaker book of faith and practice. Meeting the spirit an introduction to quaker beliefs and. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of. This page defines some quaker words and phrases used elsewhere on this site. In the stillness of worship, quakers often read from this anthology of spiritual wisdom. Every four years, delegates to general conference vote on changes to both books. Some of the yearly meetings publish a book of discipline or a book on faith and practice. Rules of discipline of the yearly meeting of friends held in philadelphia 1806. Unlike the printed edition, which contains the disciplines of eight yearly. The book of discipline revision preparation group bodrpg, tasked with laying ground work for the next revision. These publications present information that is agreed on by seeking unity among members of the authoring yearly meeting. They may decide to rewrite quaker faith and practice. While friends traditionally do not have creeds, most yearly meetings regional bodies of likeminded friends do adopt a book of discipline. The evolution of quaker books of faith and practice.
A person who attends meeting for worship and perhaps participates in other parts of the life of a meeting, but who has not become a member clerk. The book of discipline revision preparation group bodrpg, tasked with laying ground work for the next revision whenever it might occur and preparing quakers in britain. A book of christian discipline, philadelphia yearly meeting of the religious society of friends. These are the queries and advices of friends in christ, being the guidelines for conduct of meetings and members belonging to that body. The book is a treasurehouse of psychological and spiritual wisdom. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker. The friend editor joseph jones interviews bestselling quaker author bridget collins. Like other quaker books of discipline, the text is arranged alphabetically with one letter per page, here elaborately drawn in a celtic style featuring human figures, animals, birds and mystical beasts.
An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free. A listing of the books of discipline, often called faith and practice, of bodies of the religious society of friends quakers that can be found online, with a brief explanation of quaker books of discipline. Quaker disciplines 16892009 9 linear feet the society of friends or quakers the terms are synonymous was founded in the middle of the seventeenth century in england by george fox and others. Apr 28, 2018 more than one thousand quakers from across britain are heading to london next week for yearly meeting. They are general guidelines for living and include quaker history, excerpts from the journals of old and weighty friends and poetry. Quaker faith and practice is only the title used in britain yearly meeting and only there since 1994 most other yms use the title faith and practice or book of discipline so a more general title would incorporate other yms books of discipline better. The best written code thomas hamm a quaker magazine to. Current quaker books of discipline in print and online. They should be used in conjunction with the book of extracts from the minutes of london yearly meeting 1802 edition and the book of discipline of new york yearly meeting primitive, 1859 edition. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain as want to read.
World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. In british quaker tradition, the community has a book of discipline which includes guidance for life, guidance for running a quaker meeting, and extracts from earlier generations. Four essentials for the abundant life, what we simpleliving friends may have failed to realize is that a truly abundant life is, in fact, a life packed with the kind of beauty, truth, life, and love that nurtures the soul and leads to both. The discipline of the society i consider the best written code of laws which could be framed for the government of the true christian. In british quaker tradition, the community has a book of discipline which. The clerk of a meeting performs an administrative function in a way that also provides spiritual leadership. This volume, found in every quaker meeting and freely available online, is referred to for guidance on both church affairs and personal life, and drawn on as a source of spiritual inspiration. This is not an exhaustive list of the practices of earlier friends, but a suggestive group that can be a starting place for building strong spiritual lives in supportive spiritual communities. A book of discipline may refer to one of the various books issued by a yearly meeting of the religious society of friends, setting out what it means to be a quaker in that yearly meeting.
The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain. To engage quakers in britain in learning, mutual exploration and growth. This book of quaker faith and practice is an attempt to express truth through the vital. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain 4th revised edition by unknown isbn. The classic quaker book of discipline varied little from the end of the 18th century until, in some cases, the early 20th. The friends historical library has collected quaker disciplines since its.
The bible is a book close to the hearts of many friends. Book of discipline revision preparation group home. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker literature, and contain advices and queries. At the time of the foundations, the book of christian discipline was published as three volumes, christian.
As quaker author and indiana minister brent bill points out in his new book beauty, truth, life and love. Yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers. The book of resolutions contains pronouncements on social issues. The book of discipline of the religious society of friends. Online books of faith and practice quaker information center. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain quakers in britain on. This is the book of discipline that has guided their work and worship across the centuries. The common name for this book varies from one yearly meeting to another and includes book of discipline, faith and practice, christian faith and practice, quaker faith and practice, church government and. Fahe draws quaker educators together from multiple disciplines, and our book series featuring quakers and the disciplines is already making a difference. It began as a book of extracts which collected minutes and epistles the communal wisdom recording in words agreed by quaker groups. These books of discipline were, in fact, a written code of laws. The book of discipline revision preparation group invites you to join with us, and other quakers across the country, in reading and getting to know our current book of discipline.
Quakers yearly meeting may plan to revise book of discipline. The current book of discipline was first issued in its present form as quaker faith and practice in 1995 a decade after friends had decided on a complete revision, recognising the need to reflect changes in society, language and belief. In our first volume, quaker perspectives in higher education edited by donn weinholtz, jeff dudiak, and donald smith, some threedozen quaker. May 03, 20 a listing of the books of discipline, often called faith and practice, of bodies of the religious society of friends quakers that can be found online, with a brief explanation of quaker books of discipline. The best place to look for the answers might be in a book of faith and practice. Current quaker books of discipline in print and online, with holdings at the library of the society of friends and woodbrooke library this is a list of books of discipline currently in use by yearly meetings and other. About the authors frederick tritton 18871968 was born in twifford on berkshire in great britain. This brief article lifts up five early quaker spiritual disciplines for our times.
The rules and advices pertaining to such ministrations were finally incorporated in the discipline. Despite this title, it provides a set of guidelines rather than strict rules. Unlike the printed edition, which contains the disciplines of eight yearly meetings with footnotes showing how they changed through the 19th century, this online edition contains only the 1806 philadelphia yearly meeting book of discipline. At yearly meeting in 2018 quakers in britain will be considering whether to revise quaker faith and practice the book of discipline. Individual quakers hold a variety of beliefs about what follows our lives on earth. While friends traditionally do not have creeds, most yearly meetings regional bodies of likeminded friends do adopt a book of discipline, often called faith and practice. The earliest quaker advice on christian practice was issued by the famous gathering of friends. This body uses a translation of britain yearly meetings current book of discipline quaker faith and practice. This was proposed at yearly meeting gathering four years ago, but friends were. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. Friends historical library of swarthmore college 500 college avenue, swarthmore, pa 1908199 u. Potential contributors and editors, please contact the book committee.
Quaker spiritual disciplines for hard times patricia mcbee. A quaker guide to christian discipline, pacific yearly meeting of the religious society of friends. Its only in the final chapter, when i look at a committeeproduced document, that i bring in all the things which sit between the levels of chapter 1 and chapter 2 things like minutes and epistles, things which might be written by individuals or small groups but are approved by large quaker bodies without making it into a book of discipline. Looking forward to revision of the book of discipline.
Aug 01, 2003 this brief article lifts up five early quaker spiritual disciplines for our times. It tells you how to have a quaker wedding and why quakers dont swear oaths. Current quaker books of discipline in print and online, with. A book of discipline may refer to one of the various books issued by a yearly mee.