Thee Quaker

12/11/2025

On leading a Quaker workshop:

"I find it easy to recognise the presence of the Host. People come to me in tears, telling me of profound transformational experiences, and I stand in awe. I’ve held the space, but the work hasn’t been done by me. My job is to make room for the Spirit to do its work. It is a constantly humbling experience."

Citation: Mark Russ, 2016
Quaker theologian, writer, and teacher

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12/11/2025

Our little Quaker page—launched just 2 years ago—just made it to 10,000 followers!

We are passionate about Quaker stories, and we believe that Quakerism deserves a platform in the internet age. Thank you for following, and stay tuned for more spiritually deep, sometimes silly, always engaging Quaker content.

Know someone who could use a little more Quaker in their feed? Share our page! Facebook.com/theequaker

11/11/2025

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Quaker author and activist Eileen Flanagan who shares the wisdom that she has learned from her decades of experience in organizing around the climate crisis, and how that very crisis is exposing the “illusion of separation” in our times.

Quaker author and activist Eileen Flanagan joins us to explore the wisdom that she has learned from her decades of experience in organizing around the climate crisis, and how that very crisis is exposing the “illusion of separation” in our times.

10/11/2025

Time for a Quaker architecture quiz! Can you tell which of the following buildings is a Quaker meetinghouse?

Put your guesses in the comments and we'll post the answers tomorrow!

09/11/2025

"My parents intentionally raised me to be thankful. I spent a lot of time in my childhood, at times almost against my will, writing “thank you” notes for presents or experiences I received from relatives and friends. But over time, that discipline of writing thank you notes changed my view and taught me what I believe is genuine gratitude and thanks.

Now, every month, I take a day or two to stop and write personal thank you notes and emails to people who have made a difference in my life. Sometimes it is in response to something they have done, but often it is more of a response to who they are in my life or in the lives of those around me.

Robert Emmons, psychology professor and gratitude researcher at the University of California, Davis, says that there are two key components of practicing gratitude:

First, we affirm the good things we’ve received.

And second, we acknowledge the role other people play in providing our lives with goodness."

Citation: Bob Henry, 2022
Pastor at Indianapolis First Friends Meeting

Subscribe to the Daily Quaker Message at dailyquaker.com

08/11/2025

In this week's episode of Thee Quaker Podcast, we reached out to 3 Quakers with very different approaches to reading the Bible. Here is a snippet of Peterson Toscano's take. For the full episode, please visit QuakerPodcast.com

08/11/2025

"Although I had passed through some very pinching trials, and some seasons of close exercise; yet, that Holy help has been near in the time of need. In the remembrance thereof, my soul feels renewedly bowed in thankfulness to the great Author of every blessing."

Citation: Mary Alexander, 1806
Quaker traveling minister

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07/11/2025

Believe it or not, this is part of a poster for a movie about Quakers. Any guesses at the title?

Hint: Ronald Reagan gave a copy of this movie to Mikhail Gorbachev during the Cold War to symbolize the need to resolve their conflict peacefully.

06/11/2025

Why do Quakers worship in silence? We asked four of them.

05/11/2025

"It has often been in my heart to write a short account to leave behind me of the Lord’s gracious dealings with me, and of the great mercies, which in His infinite love, He has freely bestowed upon me, far beyond my deserts or expectation, to my great joy and consolation. Praises, thanks, glory, honor and renown, be given and ascribed unto Him; for He alone is worthy, God over all, blessed forever, amen."

Citation: John Gratton, 1711
Early Quaker minister

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04/11/2025

This week, we’re asking the question “Do Quakers read the Bible?” The answer is not a simple 'yes' or 'no', but a journey into a faith that has been both wounded and liberated by the very same pages.

One of the most asked questions about Quakers is “Do they read the Bible?”. The answer is not a simple 'yes' or 'no', but a journey into a faith that has been both wounded and liberated by the very same pages.

03/11/2025

Do Quakers drink alcohol?

Back in the times of early Quakers, in the 17th and 18th centuries, alcohol was the only drink that wasn’t likely to carry harmful bacteria. So Quakers drank, but even then were expected to avoid drunkenness.

By the early 1800s, workers of the industrial revolution were self-medicating with alcohol to cope with their grueling lives. It was clear that much of the violence in society could be traced to alcoholism. As the American Temperance movement grew, so did Quakers’ belief in abstinence. By 1900, American Friends could lose their membership for drinking or selling alcohol. Quakers in Britain followed a similar pattern, though were never as committed.

Today, some Friends continue to abstain from alcohol as an article of faith, though more practice moderation.