This is taken from a pamphlet created by Cork Quakers
When did Quakers first come to Cork?
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) emerged in England in the mid-17th century, and Quakerism was first brought to Cork in 1655. Since then, here have always been a significant number of people here who have found the Quaker message speaks to them, being both challenging and comforting, both in times of crisis and in the daily round.
What do Quakers Believe?
The essence of Friends' beliefs is that every person has the potential to communicate directly with God, and to experience divine love and guidance. This is experienced in diverse ways, and should influence every facet of our lives. In the drug addict and successful businessman, the torturer and his victim, the housewife and the teacher is "that of God." This can lead the seemingly most unlikely person to obtain a realisation of God and to love even an enemy. Accepting that there is God-directed potential in everyone should influence our attitudes to all our fellow men, women and children, be they well known to us or strangers. We have no set creed or liturgy, but are guided by a number of "testimonies," to Peace, Equality, Simplicity, and Truth. Quakers endeavor to enter into joyous adventure with God, seeking to live our lives in his presence.
What Happens in a Quaker Meeting?
For many Friends, Meeting for Worship is the kernel of their religious experience. We do not have priests or clergy, and do not feel the need for a formal programme with hymns, set prayers and sermons - in fact, we feel that such programmed worship could get in the way of direct communication with God. Instead, we sit quietly in an atmosphere of prayerful silence and expectant waiting, doing our best to listen attentively and patiently for the "still, small voice of God" within, in our own hearts and in the hearts of others.
Sometimes, someone might feel moved to stand and say a few words, perhaps about some insight they have received from their own experience, or to give a short reading from the Bible or some other religious work. The purpose of both the silence and the words is to bring us closer to one another in the presence of the Spirit. For convenience, Friends meet on Sunday mornings at a set hour at a Meeting House, but Meetings for Worship can be held at any time, in any place.
If you would like to experience a Quaker meeting, you can visit any convenient meeting. You will not be asked to take any obvious part, but we believe that everyone present can share inwardly in the presence of the Spirit. Some find the silence of Meeting helpful in seeking guidance about personal situations or conflicts. Others become absorbed in a spiritual experience that removes them from their daily concerns. None of us is immune to occasional boredom, but if we truly "centre down," this will be resolved in a deep sense of peace.
Why are we called Quakers?
Early Friends sometimes became so affected by their sense of the presence of the Divine Spirit that they trembled or quaked. Another version of the origin of this name relates that a judge told George Fox that he should tremble before the power of the court, and Fox retorted that the judge should quake before the judgement and majesty of God.
Quakers and the Christian Tradition
George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, believed that Christ could speak directly to him, a questioning young man in 17th century England. He believed that Christ was the universal "Inner Light" that could illuminate the souls of people everywhere, even those who had never even heard of Jesus - "the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1,4).
Modern Quakers span a surprising diversity of outlooks. Some see Jesus as a prophet, so supremely imbued with the Divine Spirit that his teachings and example continue to inspire us today. Others believe that Jesus was uniquely the Son of God, whose sacrifice on the cross was required to bridge the gulf between God and man. Quakers do not spend a lot of time debating the relationship between the historical Jesus of Nazareth and Christ: words and arguments may divide us, but the shared experience of seeking to put Jesus' message into practice brings us closer together. Friends can occasionally express beliefs that seem almost irreconcilable, but we find an extraordinary unity in worshipping together and working together in the world, be it campaigning for peace, raising money for relief projects, or patiently helping to reconcile family conflicts.
An ABC of Quakerism
Authority is not vested in any individual. Quakers make decisions based on an open and democratic consensus, or "sense of the meeting."
Baptism of adults or babies is not practiced as an outward sacrament.
The Clerk runs business meetings, aiming to discern the "sense of the meeting" about the matters under discussion.
Early Friends adopted a distinctive style of simple Dress. Quakers no longer wear special clothing, but still aim to avoid extravagance in style or cost.
Friends aim to be Ecumenical in their views.
Feminism has never been an issue for Quaker women, at least within the Society. From its foundation, women have been on a completely equal par with men in all things.
Whatever our understanding of God, we believe that "True religion does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in il and excites their endeavours to mend it." (William Penn, 1644-1718)
Holy Communion is not practiced ceremonially. The Spirit of Holy Communion can be experienced in Meeting for Worship.
Friends seek to practice Integrity in all our dealings.
Whether we consider Jesus a prophet or the unique Son of God, we strive to follow his teachings.
Kenya has the largest Quaker community in the world.
London Yearly Meeting, recently renamed Britain Yearly Meeting, is the oldest Quaker organization and comprises all Quakers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Membership is not equated with religious conversion, but signifies that both the applicatant and the local group feel that he or she is in sympathy with the Quaker message and way of life.
Northern Ireland is home to about half the Quakers in Ireland.
Organisation of the Society of Friends is based on a network of Preparative (local) and Quarterly (regional) Meetings, which comprise Ireland Yearly Meeting.
Pacifism has always been an integral part of Friends' testimonies, and we seek to avoid conflict in all personal, national and international affairs.
Quaker was originally a derisive nickname, but is now used affectionately.
Refugees have often been cared for by Friends seeking to alleviate the horrors of war.
Swearing of oaths is unacceptable to Friends, since it implies a double standard of truth. Friends have a legal right to make an affirmation instead.
Friends lives should relied our Testimonies lo Peace, Equality, Simplicity and Truth.
The United Nations recognises Quakers as a Nongovernmental Organisation with the right to comment on social, economic and political issues.
Vegetarianism is an option for many Quakers, but it is a matter for each individual.
Weddings of Friends take place during a Meeting for Worship, where the couple rise and exchange their vows after a period of silent worship.
Xenophobia (fear of foreigners) should be foreign to Friends.
Yearly Meeting is the annual assembly of Quakers from all over Ireland.
Quakers endeavor to be Zealous in promoting tolerance and understanding among peoples.
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Cork Meeting House Summerhill South, Cork
Meeting for Worship
Sunday at 11.00 All are Welcome