Founding of Quakers

George Fox, 1623-1691 was the lead founder of Quakerism. George Fox's life can be broken into three main stages
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Quakers are also known as the Religious Society of Friends, or simply ‘Friends’ (after Jesus saying “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” in John 15:14). There are about 300,000 Quakers (Friends) worldwide. The largest groupings are in Kenya, Britain, North America, and Bolivia, but they can be found on every continent.

"That of God in every man" - George Fox

The fundamental idea of Quakerism – articulated then and still central – is that there is something of God in everyone. It may be hard to see, but it is there. We have no standard definition of what we mean by ‘something of God’: we use metaphors like the light guiding us, or a sense of what is good and right. This idea is not unique, but for us it is the central idea.

The fundamental idea of Quakerism – is that there is something of God in everyone.

  1. There is something of God in everyone.
  2. We should listen to the prompting of God within us for daily guidance.
  3. The divine nature within us requires cultivation through silent “expectant” worship, and daily living aligned to our values.
  4. There is no intermediary between us and God because God is within us. 
  5. The bible is not considered to be the final word as God is guiding us all the time.

The core belief of Quakers is that we all can have a direct experience of God through an “inner revelation”. This belief emphasise that individuals do not need priest or formal rituals to have a personal relationship with the divine.

Inner light:

Gods presence, resides within every individual offering guidance and spiritual insight.

Direct relationship with God:

Quakers emphasis the “Inner light” means that this direct experience of God is accessible to everyone regardless of social standing or education

Equality of all people:

Quakers reject hierarchical structures within religious institutions advocating for the spiritual equality of all people regardless of gender, social class or background.

Pacifism and Social Justice:

Quakers believe that violence contradicts the divine light within individuals and therefore they are committed to non violence.

Integrity and truth:

Quakers emphasise honesty, simplicity and social activism living a life of integrity and truth, aligning ones actions with ones beliefs.

Rejection of formal rituals:

Quakers reject many of the established religious rituals and practices such as paying tithes, taking oath, and bowing to authority figures. Quakers hold that these practices are superficial and do not reflect genuine spiritual experience.

Quaker Values and Testimonies

Core Values

Our core values are drawn from our fundamental beliefs and they continue to guide Quaker practice referred to as Testimonies.
Ubuntu
Recognising that we are all part of the same community. Emphasising interconnectedness, humanity and the idea that an individuals identity is shaped by their community. "I am because we are".
Gratitude
Acknowledging and appreciating the blessings and gifts in our lives. Practicing gratitude helps us stay present and mindful, focusing on the current moment. Gratitude can lead to contentment and simplicity, as we learn to appreciate what we have. We find that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships and foster a sense of community, contentment, and connection with others and the world around them
Compassion
Empathy and compassion involves putting ourselves in others' shoes and trying to understand their experiences and perspectives. Kindness and gentleness: Compassion is about treating others with kindness gentleness and care and approaching others without judgement.
Simplicity
Embracing a simple life, being intentional about how we spend out rime, resources, and energy. By simplifying our lives, reducing the consumption of material goods and resources, we can reduce distractions and focus on what truly matters. Simplicity helps us appreciate what we have and cultivate gratitude for the simple things in life.
Peace
Quakers are perhaps best known for our peace testimony, which comes from our belief that love is at the centre of existence and all humans are equal in God’s eyes. It has led Quakers to refuse military service and become involved in a variety of peace activities. These range from practical work in areas affected by violent conflict to developing alternatives to violence at all levels – from the personal to the international.
Equality
Quakers believe everyone is equal. This means working to change the systems that cause injustice and hinder true community. It also means working with people who suffer injustice, such as prisoners and asylum seekers. This testimony led us to campaign for social justice and marriage equality.
Truth and Integrity
Quakers try to live according to the deepest truth we know, which we believe comes from God. This means speaking the truth to all, including people in positions of power. As we are guided by integrity, so we expect to see it in our personal and public life.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Quakers are concerned about the excesses and unfairness of our consumer society and the unsustainable use of natural resources. We try to live simply and to find space for the things that really matter: the people around us, the natural world, our experience of God.
Values, Testimonies and Queries

George Fox 1624 – 1691 and Quaker Beliefs and Practice

GEORGE FOX, founder of Quakerism, lived in England from 1624 to 1691. His father was a weaver, and Fox is thought to have been a cobbler’s apprentice and a shepherd. George Fox's life can be broken into three main stages.
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The Hill House Meeting originates from a group of British Quakers recruited as staff for Achimota College and School from 1925 who established a meeting for themselves and for other members of staff. In 1934, they built the Hill House Meeting garden shelter on the school property.The fundamental idea of Quakerism – articulated then and still central – is that there is something of God in everyone. 
History of Hill House Quakers

Quaker Timelines

Founding and Early Years (1640s-1660s)

– George Fox (1624-1691): Founder of Quakerism, had a vision on Pendle Hill in 1652, emphasizing direct experience of God and equality.

– Margaret Fell (1614-1702): Organizational genius, helped establish Quakers as a national movement, and presented the Quaker peace testimony to King Charles II in 1661.

Abolition and Social Justice (1680s-1860s)

– William Penn (1644-1718): Acquired land in the American colonies, guaranteed religious liberty, and extended friendly relations to Native Americans.

– John Woolman (1720-1772): Published “Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes” (1754), traveled to encourage Friends to free slaves.

– Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845): Pioneered prison reform work at Newgate Prison (1813).

– Levi Coffin (1798-1877): Sent the first freedom seekers north via the “Quaker Line” of the Underground Railroad.

Quaker Schisms and Reunification (1820s-1960s)

– Hicksite Separation (1827-1828): Quakers split into “Hicksite” and “Orthodox” groups due to differences in doctrine and practice.

– Reunification (1945-1968): East Coast Friends of the Orthodox branch reunited with their Hicksite neighbours, forming United Yearly Meetings.

Modern Developments (1970s-present)

– Programmed Meetings: Typically follow a structured format with a pastor or minister leading the service.

– Non-Programmed Meetings: Characterized by silent worship, waiting for the Spirit to move individuals to speak or act.

Current Quaker Meetings

– Friends United Meeting: A global association of Quakers with a presence in East Africa, established in 1902.

– Evangelical Friends: Groups in the United States formed an association in 1956, emphasizing evangelical theology.

– Quaker Service Committees: Established for war relief, peacebuilding, and social justice work, including the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 ¹.

Additional testimonials discerned by Ghana Quakers

Current dispersal of Quakers worldwide and practice