WELCOME . . .

Who are Quakers?

We are people who believe that there is something of God in everyone, and who therefore recognise no barriers of colour, class or sex. We are disinclined to make dogmatic statements about the nature of Jesus, but believe that the way of life Jesus taught can inspire each one of us. In meetings for worship free from formalities people of widely differing views find an underlying unity without being called upon to accept what they cannot affirm.

What's in a Name?

Until some time in 2007 local Quaker Meetings were known as "Preparative Meetings", a name shared with the local Meeting's business meetings. Quakers have now broken away from this traditional convention and our local meetings are now called Local Quaker Meetings, and the business meeting is a "Meeting for Worship for Business", which is what it always was.

Similarly, area groupings of local Meetings were called "Monthly Meetings", as were their meetings once a month. Now we have "Area Meetings" and "Area Meetings for Worship for Business" - which are in any case not held every month.

So, whereas Abingdon preparative meeting used to be part of Witney Monthly Meeting, we now have Abingdon Quaker Meeting as part of Oxford and Swindon Area Quaker Meeting.

Meeting for Worship

We seek a gathered stillness in our meetings for worship so that all may feel the power of God's love drawing us together and leading us. The silence may be broken if someone present feels called on to say something that will deepen and enrich the worship, in response to the prompting of the Spirit. The silence is broken for the moment, but the stillness is not interrupted. Anyone is very welcome to come to share this experience with us.
The meeting will close when Elders, followed by all those present, have shaken hands.

Our worship continues in the period we call Afterwords. It is an opportunity to share with the meeting thoughts and insights which come to us during the silence or other matters we have on our minds which may not have led to spoken ministry.

Occasionally we have a Learning Sunday, when out normal Meeting for Worship only lasts about 45 minutes. Instead of Afterwords following Meeting for Worship, a Friend will introduce a topic of interest to Quakers, and this will be followed by contributions on the topic from others present.

Past topics for Learning Sundays have included prominent Quakers, Quakers in criminal justice, Peacemaking, and using silence.

Learning Sundays started again this Autumn on the theme of the Quaker Testimony to Truth

Notices, from the Clerk and other Friends are followed by tea and coffee. If you wish to know more about Quakers, please introduce yourself to any member. Please enter your name and address in our visitor's book before leaving.

Meeting for Worship for Business

Our regular business meeting which takes place after coffee, normally on the first Sunday of the month -but check our Diary. Until recently this was called "Preparative Meeting", a name which caused some confusion since the Quaker meeting as a whole was also a "Preparative Meeting".

Bring-and-Share Lunches

On the fourth Sunday most months we have lunch together, either at the Abbey Centre or at a Friend's home, often with a period of discussion or a short talk. Children are always welcome. This is a good opportunity to get to know members of the meeting and share a good meal. It is also a time when other members of your family might like to join us too. Bring some food to share, but don't worry if you are not prepared - please come anyway.