Quaker Universalist Conversations

Welcome to the Quaker Universalist Voice

Our Mission

Welcome to the Quaker Universalist Voice, the website for the Quaker Universalist Fellowship! In this time when the news is hard to watch or listen to, finding the Light in all and common ground among us is more important than ever.

During our annual Steering Committee meeting in October, we again affirmed that we seek truth to guide practice in the Quaker tradition.

We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!

Gail Rogers, Clerk

QUF icon - Quakers enfolding the world

Our Mission

About Us

The Quaker Universalist Fellowship engages seekers of all religious, spiritual, and secular approaches in a dialog of free expression and active listening. Our aim is to learn from each other, and to identify the common truths and understanding that guide our lives and actions.

QUF welcomes participation from all branches of Friends (Quakers), as well as from the wider world community. We create opportunities for learning and dialog through such resources and forums as publications, website, blog, conferences, lectures, and social media.

Mission

The mission of the Quaker Universalist Fellowship is to seek1 truth2 to guide practice3 in the Quaker tradition.4

Explanation of words and terms

1“…seek…”
The Quaker Universalist Fellowship provides a moderated safe environment to support exploration and discernment, in order to encourage free expression and constructive dialog. Inspirations for seeking come from many sources, including the following: from the inward experience of the Divine or holy, God, love, Light, goodness, Goddess, and the Inward Christ; from the lives and teachings of spiritual leaders; from the multitude of religious scriptures; and from science and history.

2“…truth…”
QUF appreciates the diverse pathways to insight and truth that people use pursuit of our common experience of the real and true. Our desire is for radical inclusiveness, especially by lifting up those whose voices are not commonly heard. In pursuit of ongoing revelation, we encourage boldness of ideas, be they comfortable or courageous. Some areas for discernment are spiritual deepening and expansion, the identification and testing of our leadings, salvation and redemption, and death and what comes after. We cast a broad net to draw in concerns for humankind and human culture, for the earth, its environment and creatures, and for the cosmos.

3“…guide practice…”
We seek truth to give rise to, motivate, and structure our lives and actions in the world. Of what consequence are our leadings if they are not carried into how we act, what we do? What is the authority for our understanding of truth? How does our faith translate into our relationships, communication, vocations and work, recreation and leisure, sexuality, and finances? What risks are we willing to take to carry our faith into action?

4“…Quaker tradition.”
Quakers believe that each person has direct experience and communication with the Source of our being and awareness. Names for this Source are diverse: including “that of God,” “the Light,” “the Inward Christ,” “the Seed,” “goodness,” “the source of life,” “Spirit,” and so on. We believe that when we listen attentively and collectively, and then act accordingly, our lives are guided by this Source. Over time, Quakers have identified guidance for living in the traditional testimonies of simplicity, honesty, integrity, humility, equality, peace, community, and stewardship. Sharing evolved practices, knowledge and strategies benefits all.

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