We invite you to join us for a day of reflection, celebration, and community as we mark three centuries of Quaker presence in Matinecock.
The day will include special presentations, historical exhibits, community activities, and a commemorative meeting for worship.
QUAKER BELIEFS & TESTIMONIES
Where silence speaks.
The center of the Quaker Faith is the direct experience of spiritual presence within a shared silence. We don’t rely on an intermediary to connect with the Divine. No priest, pastor, or ritual stands between you and God. Instead, when we gather in a silent waiting worship, we're creating space for direct spiritual encounter.
Matinecock Friends have created space for these experiences with the Light for over 300 years. In this shared silence, we've discovered that diverse paths can converge, bound together by love rather than doctrine.
Whether you're a spiritual seeker, curious neighbor, or long-time Friend, we invite you to discover how the Quaker way might illuminate your path.
WHAT QUAKERS BELIEVE
Truth is always speaking.
There is a living, dynamic spiritual presence at work in the world, both within us and outside of us. We use many names for this presence: God, Spirit, the Inward Light, the Inner Light, Christ Within, Truth, Love. Whatever name resonates with you, we believe this Light is within every person, endowing each of us with a measure of the eternal.
Our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and enlarged in community. When we come together in community, each of us brings our own manifestation of the divine energy. Embracing this diversity allows us to experience a much larger understanding and vision of God.
Quakers welcome spiritual truth and the presence of God from whatever source it may come. We find that our experience of worship and the Divine is enriched by welcoming truth from different sources.
For many Quakers, the Bible is an important spiritual resource and the life and teachings of Jesus are relevant. We also welcome other spiritual traditions or the lack thereof. The revelation of God’s truth is continuing and ongoing.
TESTIMONIES
Our Stories
THE QUAKER WAY
A faith expressed through how we live.
Quakerism as a lived faith finds expression in our testimonies and our practices. Both spring from a belief that there is that of God in every person. This principle, referred to as the Light, illuminates every aspect of life for us.
This inward experience of God transforms us and leads us into outward expression of faithful living and action.
Simplicity:
Moderation in our possessions and our daily lives that leaves us free to follow the leadings of the Light.
Peace:
A commitment to nonviolence and reconciliation that addresses the misuse and abuse of power in all spheres of life.
Integrity:
A genuineness in speech and conduct that brings all parts of life into a consistent whole and leaves no room for deceit or artificiality.
Community:
A unifying bond created by shared worship and nurturing each other's gifts.
Equality:
A respect for that of God in everyone, and hence the dignity and value of each person.
Rather than focusing on doctrine or ritual, we emphasize developing a direct relationship with the spirit that manifests in our daily actions.
As Quakers like to say, "Let your life speak."
How we live demonstrates our faith more powerfully than any words could express. This isn't always easy, but we support one another in cultivating lives aligned with our deepest values, finding that peace begins within each person and extends outward to all creation.
EXPLORING THE QUAKER WAY
Wisdom for a spiritual journey.
We welcome people of all faiths and those of no particular faith to worship with us. We are all seeking the Light together. These videos offer insight into the Quaker Way.
QUAKER THEOLOGY: A FAITH BEYOND CREEDS
No creeds is not the same as no theology.
While Quakers don't subscribe to formal creeds or doctrines that members must accept, we do have a rich theological tradition.
The central teaching of the Quakers is that all people – not just Christians – are enlightened by the Light. This gives each person the direct experience of God, allowing them to see themselves truly, to know how God hopes they will live their lives, and provides them with the strength to be faithful in all things.
This Quaker belief in the universality of the Light, implies the spiritual equality of all people.
The Religious Society of Friends’ anthology, Faith and Practice, expresses the faith community’s discernment of the will of God.
Join Us on September 20th, 2025