FAQs
What are Quakers?
Quakers are members of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian-rooted faith tradition that began in England in the 1600s. Over time, Quakers have developed diverse expressions of faith and practice. What unites Quakers is an emphasis on community, equality, integrity, peace, and the belief that truth and guidance can be encountered directly, not only through clergy or creeds.
What does worship look like?
Our primary form of worship is unprogrammed (or non-programmed) worship.
We gather in silence for about an hour, practicing what we call listening expectantly. There is no sermon, music, or planned order of worship. The silence is intentional and shared.
During worship:
Some people quiet their minds
Some reflect, pray, or meditate
Others simply sit and listen
Occasionally, someone may feel inwardly led to stand and speak a short message they believe is meant for the whole group. These messages arise from the silence and return us to silence.
You are never expected to speak, participate, or believe anything in particular.
Do I need to be Quaker to attend?
No. You do not need to be a Quaker — or even religious — to attend.
Our meeting includes:
People who identify as Quakers and people who don’t
People who believe in God, people who don’t, and people who are unsure
Weekly attenders, occasional visitors, and those we see once a year
All are welcome to join us in worship.
What do Quakers believe?
Quakers are a non-creedal community, meaning we do not require a shared statement of belief.
Instead of fixed doctrine, we are connected by shared practices and long-held values often called Quaker testimonies, including equality, community, integrity, peace, and care for the wider world.
Because of this, individuals within our meeting may hold a wide range of beliefs. We seek common ground through listening, discernment, and respect for one another.
What does “liberal Quaker meeting” mean?
The term liberal Quaker refers to a branch of Quakerism that emphasizes openness, inclusivity, and ongoing spiritual exploration.
Liberal Quaker meetings typically:
Do not require doctrinal agreement
Welcome people with diverse religious and philosophical perspectives
Practice unprogrammed worship
Emphasize discernment, equality, and continuing revelation
Why is it called a “Monthly Meeting”?
“Monthly Meeting” can sound unusual if you are new to Quaker language.
Quakers organize their communities based on how often they gather for meeting for business, where decisions are made through a process of worshipful discernment. A monthly meeting is a local congregation that meets once a month to conduct this shared business.
Fort Worth Monthly Meeting gathers for worship weekly and holds meeting for business once a month.
What happens at meeting for business?
Meeting for business is a form of worship where the community listens together for a sense of unity on decisions affecting the meeting.
Rather than voting, decisions are made through careful listening, patience, and collective discernment. Everyone is welcome to observe, and members participate in helping find unity.
Are you affiliated with a larger Quaker organization?
Yes. Fort Worth Monthly Meeting is part of the South Central Yearly Meeting (SCYM), a regional Quaker body made up of meetings in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
SCYM gathers annually for worship, business, and community.
You can learn more at https://www.scym.org.
What should I expect when I visit for the first time?
You are welcome to come just as you are.
There is no dress code, no pressure to participate, and nothing special you need to know ahead of time. Someone will greet you, help you find a seat, and answer questions if you have them.
If you’d like more detail, see our Plan Your Visit page.
Is there childcare or a children’s program?
Children are always welcome. We have books and tables children can sit at during silent worship. If we have children regularly, we’ll have age appropriate activities for the first 45 minutes in an adjoining room from the adults.
Broadway Baptist provides childcare for children in kindergarten and younger. You may drop your kids off in the childcare area before worship and pick them up right after. When you go to the kids area on the first floor, ring the bell and fill out the visitor’s form.