Faith & Practice

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
of the
Religious Society of Friends

A Book of Christian Discipline

Faith and Practice

Adopted 1955

Revised 1972

Reprinted with limited editorial changes 1978

Revised 1997

Revised 2002

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Fifteenth and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102-1479

ISBN 0-941308-08-1

PYM – Faith and Practice

Faith & Practice

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

A Book of Christian Discipline

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Historical Introduction 1

Beginnings 1

Consolidation & Withdrawal 5

Schism and Reform 6

Reconciliation 9

Unity Amidst Diversity 11

Friends Beliefs and Practices 16

The Light Within 16

Worship and Meeting for Worship 17

Decision-making 21

The Good Order Used Among Us 26

Committees for Clearness 29

Friends and the Bible 30

Prayer 31

Friends and the Sacraments 32

Our Meeting Community 34

Membership 34

Friends and Education 43

Quaker Marriage Procedure 47

Intervisitation 56

Death and Bereavement 58

Funds, Property, Burial Grounds 60

Opportunities for Wider Religious Fellowship and Action 63

Applications of Friends Testimonies 65

Concerns, Leadings and Testimonies 65

Living with Ourselves and Others 68

Living in the World 74

Extracts from the Writings of Friends 82

Advices 82

Belief 86

Worship 100

Experience 129

Concerns, Leadings, Testimonies 145

Structures in our Yearly Meeting 175

Monthly Meetings 177

Annual or Biennial Checklist for Monthly Meetings 189

Quarterly (Regional) Meetings 191

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 193

Friends Fiduciary Corporation 200

Meetings: Growth and Changes in Formal Relationships 201

Changes in Established Meetings 202

Revising Faith and Practice 204

Queries 205

Glossary 215

Sources of Extracts 222

Biographical Notes of Authors 232

Index 256

Faith and Practice

Adopted 1955

Revised 1972

Reprinted with limited editorial changes 1978

Revised 1997

Revised 2002

ISBN 0-941308-08-1

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
of the
Religious Society of Friends