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. Periodic revision of the book of discipline is an essential. Some of the yearly meetings publish a book of discipline or a book on faith and practice. Manuscript book of discipline, drawn by joseph hagger of chishill, england, in 1773. This body uses a translation of britain yearly meetings current book of discipline quaker faith and practice. Friends historical library of swarthmore college 500 college avenue, swarthmore, pa 1908199 u. Aug 01, 2003 this brief article lifts up five early quaker spiritual disciplines for our times. 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. This is the book of discipline that has guided their work and worship across the centuries. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of. A book of discipline, issued by the 1927 philadelphia yearly meeting of the religious society of friends, setting out what it means to be a quaker in that year. Meeting the spirit an introduction to quaker beliefs and. The book is a treasurehouse of psychological and spiritual wisdom. Rules of discipline of the yearly meeting of friends held in philadelphia 1806.
The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain quakers in britain on. The book of discipline revision preparation group bodrpg, tasked with laying ground work for the next revision. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker literature, and contain advices and. The earliest quaker advice on christian practice was issued by the famous gathering of friends. 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. While friends traditionally do not have creeds, most yearly meetings regional bodies of likeminded friends do adopt a book of discipline. Read more religious society of friends quakers friends house, 173 euston road, london nw1 2bj telephone 020 7663 registered charity number. 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. Despite this title, it provides a set of guidelines rather than strict rules. This volume reprints disciplines of the eight oldest yearly meetings in america and tracks their changes through separations and revisions.
To engage quakers in britain in learning, mutual exploration and growth. Quaker spiritual disciplines for hard times patricia mcbee. 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. Quakers yearly meeting may plan to revise book of discipline.
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. The last runaway by tracy chevalier, the invention of wings by sue monk kidd, a quaker book of wisdom. 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. As quaker author and indiana minister brent bill points out in his new book beauty, truth, life and love. Looking forward to revision of the book of discipline. These books of discipline were, in fact, a written code of laws. It began as a book of extracts which collected minutes and epistles the communal wisdom recording in words agreed by quaker groups. 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. 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. Individual quakers hold a variety of beliefs about what follows our lives on earth. About the authors frederick tritton 18871968 was born in twifford on berkshire in great britain. The evolution of quaker books of faith and practice.
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 rules and advices pertaining to such ministrations were finally incorporated in the discipline. The friends historical library has collected quaker disciplines since its. This was proposed at yearly meeting gathering four years ago, but friends were. Quakerspeak what is a quaker book of faith and practice. A book of discipline may refer to one of the various books issued by a yearly mee.
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. It tells you how to have a quaker wedding and why quakers dont swear oaths. The clerk of a meeting performs an administrative function in a way that also provides spiritual leadership. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. 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. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain as want to read. The book of discipline of the religious society of friends. 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. Online books of faith and practice quaker information center.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church outlines denominational law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures. The bible is a book close to the hearts of many friends. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain paperback dec 11 20. This brief article lifts up five early quaker spiritual disciplines for our times. 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. An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free. This book of quaker faith and practice is an attempt to express truth through the vital personal and corporate experience of friends. 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. Yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers. In british quaker tradition, the community has a book of discipline which.
Current quaker books of discipline in print and online, with. These publications present information that is agreed on by seeking unity among members of the authoring yearly meeting. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker. Fahe draws quaker educators together from multiple disciplines, and our book series featuring quakers and the disciplines is already making a difference.
In our first volume, quaker perspectives in higher education edited by donn weinholtz, jeff dudiak, and donald smith, some threedozen quaker. A quaker guide to christian discipline, pacific yearly meeting of the religious society of friends. Every four years, delegates to general conference vote on changes to both books. Quaker faith and practice religious society of friends on. Book of discipline revision preparation group home. Potential contributors and editors, please contact the book committee. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly meeting, offer inspirational extracts from quaker literature, and contain advices and queries. 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. They are general guidelines for living and include quaker history, excerpts from the journals of old and weighty friends and poetry. The best written code thomas hamm a quaker magazine to. This page defines some quaker words and phrases used elsewhere on this site. 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. Practical guidance to preliminary discipline, aspects of prayer, contemplation, intercession, and prayer in everyday life. The discipline of the society i consider the best written code of laws which could be framed for the government of the true christian. The friend editor joseph jones interviews bestselling quaker author bridget collins. Unlike the printed edition, which contains the disciplines of eight yearly. 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. 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. Apr 28, 2018 more than one thousand quakers from across britain are heading to london next week for yearly meeting. 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. In the stillness of worship, quakers often read from this anthology of spiritual wisdom. At yearly meeting in 2018 quakers in britain will be considering whether to revise quaker faith and practice the book of discipline.
This book of quaker faith and practice is an attempt to express truth through the vital. Current quaker books of discipline in print and online. 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 of discipline revision preparation group bodrpg, tasked with laying ground work for the next revision whenever it might occur and preparing quakers in britain. The book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain 4th revised edition by unknown isbn. 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 book of christian discipline of the yearly meeting of the religious society of friends quakers in britain on. 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.
We endeavor to live in accord with the quaker testimonies. At the time of the foundations, the book of christian discipline was published as three volumes, christian. A book of christian discipline, philadelphia yearly meeting of the religious society of friends. The book of resolutions contains pronouncements on social issues. 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. They may decide to rewrite quaker faith and practice. Meetings all over britain are beginning to talk about simplifying structures and reducing the demands on their members. The best place to look for the answers might be in a book of faith and practice. Such a book of discipline includes reference to both spiritual experiences of friends and organisational matters of the yearly meeting. The classic quaker book of discipline varied little from the end of the 18th century until, in some cases, the early 20th. In 1995, britain yearly meeting agreed on a new quaker faith and practice.