Inter-church and Interfaith Leaflets
Quakers and Encounters with other Faiths
As Quakers living in a multi-faith Britain it is becoming increasingly important for us to understand other faiths. This can be seen as part of our work for peace and justice as well as a means of deepening our own spiritual life. It can be done through study, dialogue, meditation, worship and fellowship with people of other faiths, as well as working alongside them on campaigns or social projects. Quakers and Encounters with Other Faiths [PDF: 54 kb - new window] Crynwyr a'u Hymwneud a Chrefyddau eraill [PDF: 98kb - new window]
Local Churches Together
In all our ecumenical involvement, Friends endeavour to combine a strong sense of the need to be true to our testimonies with a desire to be ‘answering that of God’ in the members of other churches. At every level, Friends, like other churches, have to decide whether, how closely and how formally, to establish ecumenical links with their neighbours. This leaflet is designed to help Friends in this process of discernment. Local Churches Together [PDF - new window] Eglwysi Lleol Gyda'i Gilydd [PDF: 109kb - new window]
Covenants and Constitutions
If your meeting is embarking on the discussion with your local Churches Together Group about a constitution or covenant, read this leaflet for some guidance. A supplement to the leaflet on Local Churches Together. Covenants and Constitutions [PDF - new window]
Quakers and Ecumenical Occasions
For most churches the central form of worship is the sacrament, variously known as the eucharist, the mass, holy communion, breaking of bread or the Lord’s supper. Often on ecumenical occasions a church which is leading the worship will conduct a eucharistic celebration and will invite all those present to partake of the bread and wine. This leaflet is to enable Friends to understand more about Quakers and the Eucharist so that such encounters are made easier. Quakers and Ecumenical Occasions [PDF: 44 kb - new window] Crynwyr ac Achlysuron Eciwmenaidd [PDF: 83kb - new window]
Organising a Meeting for Worship with Other Churches and Other Faiths
Quaker Meetings for Worship offer great potential as a form of worship that is acceptable to those from other denominations or faiths. Not having set prayers or statements makes this a neutral forum in which people can worship together. However, in welcoming a large number of people who have never been to a Quaker Meeting for Worship, more preparation is required than for a regular Meeting. Organising a MfW [PDF: 46 kb - new window] Trefnu Cyfarfod Addoli gyda phobl o Eglwysi eraill a Chrefyddau eraill [PDF: 81 kb - new window]
To Lima With Love
The task of the Quaker Committee for Christian and Interfaith Relations, (formerly the Committee on Christian Relationships) is to engage with other churches and faiths on behalf of the Yearly Meeting. Consequently, the Committee produces texts from time to time which explain Quaker positions and views in language which is for the non-Quaker. Quakers themselves have found this very instructive and whilst text is produced for outsiders, it is informative for those who are Quakers.
“To Lima with Love” is one such text and was written in response to a Faith & Order Commission of the World Council of Churches report in 1982 on the subject of “Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry” which was known as the Lima text. The response engaged the whole of Britain Yearly Meeting at the time and this text was finally published in 1987. The exercise assisted the Yearly Meeting with its own discernment about what Friends as a faith body were really trying to do and say. Whilst much of what it says has been incorporated into Quaker Faith and Practice, Friends continue to refer to this text directly. It is reproduced here to assist those Friends who need to see it.
To Lima With Love [PDF: 2MB - new window]
