The Quaker Universalist Fellowship is a gathering of Friends who work to foster understanding among people from the diverse spiritual cultures which flourish in our globalized human community. The Fellowship draws inspiration for its work from such traditional and respected statements of Quaker faith as are represented by the following:
[B]e patterns, be examples … wherever you come; that your life and conduct may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one; whereby in them ye may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you…
— George Fox
There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names: it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no form of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity.
— John Woolman
The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion, and when death takes off the mask, they will know one another though the diverse liveries they wear here make them strangers.
— William Penn
The work of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship expresses Friends’ belief that there is a spirit of universal love in every person, and that a compassion-centered life is therefore available to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Through publications, lectures, and conferences the Quaker Universalist Fellowship seeks to encourage appreciation of the diverse paths to that spirit available in humankind’s various spiritual cultures, to overcome discord, and to foster openness and listening among people of different religious faiths. In carrying out this work we cooperate with Friends from every branch of Quakerism.
We seek, or create, opportunities for all Friends to engage in constructive dialogue among Quakers and with representatives of other spiritual traditions, in the hope that religious faith, although diverse, will become a force which unites rather than divides the human family. We seek to nurture that unity through lives of simplicity, humility, justice, mercy, and peace so that it becomes a beacon drawing together the human family in love and service to all earthly life.
— QUF Steering Committee, October 2009
How you can help QUF foster interreligious understanding
Our work is supported by Friends and subscribers like you who share our concerns about promoting religious pluralism and overcoming bigotry. During the past few years we have organized interest groups at the Friends General Conference gathering and sponsored speakers such as Marcus Borg, Elaine Pagels, and Philip Gulley. To foster undertanding and peace, one of our members went on a Quaker mission to Iran and another traveled to Melbourne, Australia, to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions. You can support our work by sending a tax-deductible contribution to QUF. Our mission includes publishing both electronic and print articles and pamphlets and providing speakers and opportunities for fellowship at regional and national Quaker gatherings. To make a contribution, subscribe to printed versions of our publications, order selected pamphlets, or to ask questions, contact:
Larry Spears, Clerk
Quaker Universalist Fellowship
2132 Miller Creek Drive
Duluth, Minnesota 55811-1882
email: treasurer@universalistfriends.org
website: http://universalistfriends.org
