Palo Alto Friends Meeting
All are Welcome
Welcome to Our Quaker Community. We are a spiritual community rooted in love, simplicity, and equality, dedicated to creating a space where everyone is truly welcome.
No matter your race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, or life experience, you belong here. We honor and celebrate the diversity of human expression and believe in the infinite worth of every individual.
We recognize that some may have felt excluded or judged by other religious organizations. Please know that our doors are open wide, especially in times when you may need support and connection the most.
Together, we strive to live out our testimonies of peace, integrity, community, and stewardship, and we invite you to join us on this shared journey of spiritual discovery.
You are warmly welcome here—just as you are.
Come Join Us Sunday at 10:30am
We meet every Sunday from 10:30am to 11:30am.
The greeter at the door will welcome you and answer any questions. Child care and Sunday school are both available.
After our meeting, please stay and join us for snacks and conversation.
We have lunch together on the 4th Sunday of the month - this is a great chance to get to know each other better. Please join us!
Address
957 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94303
The meeting house is at the end of the driveway / parking lot.
Online
If you can't make it in person, you can join us online at this Zoom link.
Here are the online worship guidelines
Worship Schedule
Sunday
10:30-11:30am : Meeting for Worship + Child care & Sunday School
Wednesday
8:00am : Mindfulness Meditation
4:30pm : In Person Mid-week Worship
6:00pm : Online Mid-week Worship (Zoom)
Monthly Meeting for Business
noon-ish on 2nd Sunday
Children Welcome
We provide a safe and nurturing environment for your children to grow and learn while parents/guardians are in Meeting for Worship.
Every week we provide both childcare for the under-5’s and an elementary class for grade-school age kids. Activities include service projects, bible stories, crafts, a little Quaker practice and just plain fun.
About once a month our teens come together for their own group.
The greeter at the door on Sunday will guide you to the program for your family.
San Mateo Worship Group
The San Mateo Worship Group is under the care of PAFM. They meet for worship every Sunday from 10:00-11:00am at 15 Second Avenue, San Mateo, CA.
Learn About Us
What to Expect at our Quaker Meeting
Our time of worship is unique, because we do not have clergy and do not have any prearranged programming (such as music or a sermon). Instead, we gather together for an hour in expectant silence.
When you arrive, a greeter will meet you at the door, and you can quietly enter and sit anywhere in the room. During the course of the time of worship, individuals may feel led to speak. A period of silence is typically observed following any spoken messages to allow time for reflection. Towards the end of the hour, the convener will invite those gathered to share the names of those in need of support, offer a chance for visitors to introduce themselves, and make announcements. A final brief period of silent worship is then typically observed. You are welcome to join us for refreshments and fellowship in the foyer afterwards.
Children are welcome to attend worship, although most school-age children attend Sunday School in the school building. Child care is also available for younger children for the whole hour.
Learn More
If you wish to know more about Quakers, feel free to speak with people around you or to the convener who lead the announcements.
See our newcomers page to learn more about us. You may also take a copy of our newsletter, browse in our library, send us an email question, and you can sign our online guestbook,
For more general information see Quaker.org and to hear Quakers discuss their faith, visit Quaker Speak.