Quaker Vocabulary Quakers talk funny. We do have our own vocabulary.

As a Way Opens in accordance with the specific promptings of the Holy Spirit as God’s will becomes known. Taking one step at a time as it becomes clear what God wants you to do.

Centering Down concentrating on God and putting aside all other matters. Typically occurs in the initial stage of worship when Friends clear their minds and settle down to achieve spiritual focus.

Clerk the person responsible for the administration of a Friends body and sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit in the conduct of the business of that body.

Faith and Practice a book published by a Yearly Meeting (the Quaker version of synod or diocese) that describes the beliefs of those Friends.

First Day Sunday. Friends developed what they called “plain speech” and numbered the days and months rather than using the names that come from non-Christian sources or are erroneous. For example, October is not the 8th month. Thus, Friends call it Tenth month.

First Day School Friends designation for the Sunday religious education program provided by a monthly meeting for children and adults.

Friends members of the Religious Society of Friends. Also called Quakers.

Gathered Meeting (also Covered Meeting) a worship group united in feeling the movement of the Spirit in and among them.

Hold me in the Light To desire that divine guidance and healing will be present to an individual who is in distress or faces a difficult situation; also, to prayerfully consider an idea.

Inner Light Jesus Christ as experienced inside us as we hold silence.

Laying Down a decision to discontinue a ministry, committee or Meeting when its work is complete.

Leadings direction or guidance coming from the Spirt of God.

Light (also Light Within or Inward Light) the presence of God or Christ in our souls. Other names are the Principle, the Seed and the Truth.

Meeting an appointed gathering of Friends. Meeting is used instead of church or congregation because of the expected participation of all in meeting God together. Also, Quakers believe that everyone is the Church. It is not a physical place. Meeting for Worship gathering to worship under the leading of the Spirit.

Meeting Room the room where Meeting is held. Likewise, a meeting house is a building where Meeting is held. Meeting house is used, in established Friends organizations, instead of church.

Mind the Light to follow God’s leading.

Moving a compulsion to speak or act from a spiritual center as prompted by the Spirit.

Opening a spiritual opportunity.

Programmed Meeting a meeting for worship with pre-planned speaking and music. Most Friends congregations in the United States are either programmed or semi-programmed.

Quaker nickname of Friend: originally a derogatory term applied to Friends because of their excitement of spirit when led to speak in a meeting for worship was sometimes expressed in a shaking or quaking motion.

Quaker Grace a time of silent prayer at the beginning of a meal.

Queries questions for spiritual guidance to be asked and answered by individuals and worship groups. Each Faith and Practice contains a list of Queries.

Seekers those searching for spiritual truth and God.

Speaks to my condition the conviction that a message, whether directly from God or through the words or actions of another that is particularly appropriate, helps clarify a situation or settles and satisfies a soul’s longing.

Testimonies a guiding principle of conduct that bears witness to the presence of God in the world and in our lives. Though there is no official list of such testimonies, Friends have traditionally identified simplicity, peace and nonviolence, integrity, community and equality as their practical principles.

Unprogrammed Meeting a “silent” Meeting with no paid pastor or order of worship. The traditional Friends way of worship still practiced in many Meetings.

Sources:

Bill, J. Brent. 2007. Holy Silence: The Gift of Quaker Spirituality. Paraclete Press.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Faith & Practice. 2007.