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Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers
‘I was struck by how open-minded and open-hearted they were’.
Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers is the definitive introduction to the faith of British Quakers in the 21st century. An inspiring exploration of the beliefs and commitment of a unique religious group, it was an instant sell-out when it first appeared in 2011. Geoffrey Durham has now revised and updated the book for its second edition, incorporating new developments and fresh thinking.
With its well-judged balance of personal experience, spiritual guidance and practical advice, this book explains how Quaker meetings can change people, and then goes on to show the nature of the change. Quakers insist on working for peace, equality, simplicity and truth in their everyday lives and find themselves nourished and enriched by the experience.
Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers includes extracts from the testimony of Quakers of all backgrounds and beliefs, talking about the ways in which they put their religion into practice. It is a warm and incisive first book for all readers interested in Quakers, and an exhilarating read for anyone absorbed by the life of the Spirit.
‘This book contains everything you always wanted to know about Quakerism but were afraid to ask. It is an ideal gift to give to newcomers who want to understand what ‘the Quaker way’ is all about.’ The Friend
About the Author
Geoffrey Durham became a Quaker in 1999. He was a contributor to the successful Twelve Quakers and … series of books, has compiled an anthology, The Spirit of the Quakers, and is a regular speaker at Quaker events. He has worked professionally in the performing arts for over forty years.
Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers is the definitive introduction to the faith of British Quakers in the 21st century. An inspiring exploration of the beliefs and commitment of a unique religious group, it was an instant sell-out when it first appeared in 2011. Geoffrey Durham has now revised and updated the book for its second edition, incorporating new developments and fresh thinking.
With its well-judged balance of personal experience, spiritual guidance and practical advice, this book explains how Quaker meetings can change people, and then goes on to show the nature of the change. Quakers insist on working for peace, equality, simplicity and truth in their everyday lives and find themselves nourished and enriched by the experience.
Being a Quaker: A Guide for Newcomers includes extracts from the testimony of Quakers of all backgrounds and beliefs, talking about the ways in which they put their religion into practice. It is a warm and incisive first book for all readers interested in Quakers, and an exhilarating read for anyone absorbed by the life of the Spirit.
‘This book contains everything you always wanted to know about Quakerism but were afraid to ask. It is an ideal gift to give to newcomers who want to understand what ‘the Quaker way’ is all about.’ The Friend
About the Author
Geoffrey Durham became a Quaker in 1999. He was a contributor to the successful Twelve Quakers and … series of books, has compiled an anthology, The Spirit of the Quakers, and is a regular speaker at Quaker events. He has worked professionally in the performing arts for over forty years.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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May 31, 2019Super interesting, didn't tell me a lot I hadn't learned through my own experiences over the past six months but gave me some of the words to express it (and filled a few gaps). Have passed on to my mum in case she wants to know what it is I'm actually getting myself into as I increasingly disappear off into Quaker meetings and come back spouting words like "discernment" and "the Light" and whatnot, haha. Though aimed at people looking at Quakerism for themselves, might well be of interest to those who want to know more about it from an outside perspective, or because a friend/family member has become a Quaker.
Could maybe use a little bit of updating (this edition is from 2013), especially to be more trans inclusive -- not that Durham isn't, but his terminology isn't the best. He uses the term 'transgendered', for example, which is incorrect, and also uses 'he or she' where he could just use 'they' and encompass a broader spectrum of people. The name of the queer Quaker community has also changed its name since this was last updated and is now called the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community (QGSDC), not Quaker Gay & Lesbian Fellowship.
[I'm part of YFGM's working group on trans and nb inclusion so I have a vested interest in seeing what would need to be altered about current Quaker resources to make them more inclusive. Good news about this book, it's literally only a case of updating some terminology to be less gendered. 'People' instead of 'men and women', 'they' instead of 'he or she', and 'transgender' instead of the incorrect 'transgendered'. The actual content/message is sound. Hooray! Perhaps there'll be a revised edition at some point that reflects this.]
Could maybe use a little bit of updating (this edition is from 2013), especially to be more trans inclusive -- not that Durham isn't, but his terminology isn't the best. He uses the term 'transgendered', for example, which is incorrect, and also uses 'he or she' where he could just use 'they' and encompass a broader spectrum of people. The name of the queer Quaker community has also changed its name since this was last updated and is now called the Quaker Gender and Sexual Diversity Community (QGSDC), not Quaker Gay & Lesbian Fellowship.
[I'm part of YFGM's working group on trans and nb inclusion so I have a vested interest in seeing what would need to be altered about current Quaker resources to make them more inclusive. Good news about this book, it's literally only a case of updating some terminology to be less gendered. 'People' instead of 'men and women', 'they' instead of 'he or she', and 'transgender' instead of the incorrect 'transgendered'. The actual content/message is sound. Hooray! Perhaps there'll be a revised edition at some point that reflects this.]
July 21, 2018
This is a really good introduction to Quaker practice. Well written, mainly focused on the British Society of Friends. Also a great start to read more about the subject. If you're curious like me this is a great read.
December 2, 2015
I thought this was a really fantastic introduction to Quaker practice, being the first book I've ever read on it. It took both a historical look at Quakers and where they came from, it also looked at many other things including the structure of meetings, how meetings for worship work, how Yearly meetings work. It created a link between a historical narrative about Quarkers and where they came from to current Quaker practice today. The writer has certainly created a book that is easy to read, accessible and takes a lot of quotes from individuals and their thoughts on certain topics - from how to prepare for meetings for worship to how they try to act out - in their lives - the 'advices and queries' - Quaker writings that further guide their practice.
I read this book because I request it online to be sent to my house. I wanted to read a little about Quaker practice after spending nearly a year, before I just moved city, passing a Meeting House every day on my way to work. I was curious.
This book is beautifully written in it's simplicity, it's very personal connection the writer makes with you. A lot of it immediately struck me as true, I'd roll a sentence around in my head and think about it for a while in a way that tells me - there's something here, something important. I think as a result of reading it that I will try to attend a meeting for worship and see if it is for me.
What I take away from this book even if Quaker practice is not for me is the huge amount of reading and studying I want to do now, regardless, of individuals key to the Quaker community, or writing coming from this community because so much of what I've taken from this book, it's allusions to other writings, to journals of key founders of the practice - I've felt nothing but inspired by and a sense of understanding and of something shared between us somehow.
There is a lot that came out of the concerns Quakers have for living their life that spoke to me - about truth, speaking truth, doing what you understand is 'true', but also at the same time they are a group of people who understand that religion, Christianity and Spirituality is not straight forward, there are many endless questions. Questions we will have our entire lives. What Quakers also embrace and don't fear is a difference of opinion or understanding of answers to these questions - this is entirely refreshing and radical to me it seems.
Quakers are also concerned with equality, living life with simplicity and also with a duty of citizenship - both locally, nationally and internationally - this spoke to me also. To them faith is about seeing God in everyone, again a relatively radical notion, and it is about turning faith into action. It is a way not a notion.
This book has been nothing but thought provoking and it speaks true, I believe, in saying that it is not there to 'convert' or convince you but you must feel and seek out for yourself if you are meant to attend a meeting. I took a gamble when I read this book and I feel all the better for it - there's a lot for me to think about, reflection on and explore in relation to my own life, privately. It is the start of something for me - whether that is to attend a meeting or whether it is just that I will continue to acknowledge the contribution to ideas, to writing, to citizenship of Quakers - we shall see. But I recommend reading it to anyone interested in theology, in sociology, in society, in equality, politics, justice or in spirituality. My mind has been expanded in a very lovely way and my life is already the richer for it.
I read this book because I request it online to be sent to my house. I wanted to read a little about Quaker practice after spending nearly a year, before I just moved city, passing a Meeting House every day on my way to work. I was curious.
This book is beautifully written in it's simplicity, it's very personal connection the writer makes with you. A lot of it immediately struck me as true, I'd roll a sentence around in my head and think about it for a while in a way that tells me - there's something here, something important. I think as a result of reading it that I will try to attend a meeting for worship and see if it is for me.
What I take away from this book even if Quaker practice is not for me is the huge amount of reading and studying I want to do now, regardless, of individuals key to the Quaker community, or writing coming from this community because so much of what I've taken from this book, it's allusions to other writings, to journals of key founders of the practice - I've felt nothing but inspired by and a sense of understanding and of something shared between us somehow.
There is a lot that came out of the concerns Quakers have for living their life that spoke to me - about truth, speaking truth, doing what you understand is 'true', but also at the same time they are a group of people who understand that religion, Christianity and Spirituality is not straight forward, there are many endless questions. Questions we will have our entire lives. What Quakers also embrace and don't fear is a difference of opinion or understanding of answers to these questions - this is entirely refreshing and radical to me it seems.
Quakers are also concerned with equality, living life with simplicity and also with a duty of citizenship - both locally, nationally and internationally - this spoke to me also. To them faith is about seeing God in everyone, again a relatively radical notion, and it is about turning faith into action. It is a way not a notion.
This book has been nothing but thought provoking and it speaks true, I believe, in saying that it is not there to 'convert' or convince you but you must feel and seek out for yourself if you are meant to attend a meeting. I took a gamble when I read this book and I feel all the better for it - there's a lot for me to think about, reflection on and explore in relation to my own life, privately. It is the start of something for me - whether that is to attend a meeting or whether it is just that I will continue to acknowledge the contribution to ideas, to writing, to citizenship of Quakers - we shall see. But I recommend reading it to anyone interested in theology, in sociology, in society, in equality, politics, justice or in spirituality. My mind has been expanded in a very lovely way and my life is already the richer for it.
April 29, 2012
This is an excellent, current introduction to Quakerism as practiced in Britain and Australia today. He covers the history and practices of Quakers and the reason and place of the testimonies. Helpfully he talks about his own experience in coming to a Quaker meting for the first time, growing as a Quaker and trying to explain his faith to others. The book finishes with a very useful list of resources that are updated on the web. Reference is made throughout to British faith and practice and the Queries which are also included in the final appendix.
March 29, 2013
Pretty much the perfect introduction to every Quakerism 101 question a person might have, from "Where do they come from?" to "Why do people choose it?" to "How the hell do they get anything done?" Told with lively good humor in a voice I couldn't put down. Highly recommended to anyone who's curious like I was.
May 14, 2019
An introduction, now a few years old, but still interesting both as an overview of what is significant to British Quakers and because of the way that writing introductions encourages clear explanations of issues, such as theological questions, which might be implied or elided in more 'advanced' material.
July 25, 2025
About time I read a book this year
Whipped through in three days. Very comprehensive and warm introductory guide to Quakerism, its practices, history and tenets. A good starting point for reading about the movement. Not very long but packed with relevant information.
Whipped through in three days. Very comprehensive and warm introductory guide to Quakerism, its practices, history and tenets. A good starting point for reading about the movement. Not very long but packed with relevant information.
February 1, 2019
very straightforward introduction to quaker practice - illuminating on a very politically active form of spirituality - enlightening indeed
December 12, 2019
A wonderful introduction to Quakerism. Concise, clear and highly recommended to those new to the tradition.
April 5, 2021
A view of the Quaker group from the inside. The ideas are of high sophistication, a religious view which crosses into the future.
June 5, 2022
Another good introduction to understanding Quakerism.
February 1, 2015
A very well written and interesting read about the modern day Religious Society of Friends. This book is accessible and easy to grasp. I recommend this for anyone considering going to a Quaker Meeting; it will certainly help and put your mind at ease with what is 'required' also if you contact the British Quakers they will send you a free copy in the post
July 22, 2014
This is a very easy read providing an easy introduction to Quakerism. For those interested, I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
August 12, 2015
The Quaker life
This book is for anyone seeking how to live a rewarding life, a life of service to all mankind. And for the seeker, learning baby steps in spiritual growth.
This book is for anyone seeking how to live a rewarding life, a life of service to all mankind. And for the seeker, learning baby steps in spiritual growth.
August 30, 2015
A colourful introduction to Quakerism, with sections about Quaker traditions, history, and Quakerism today. If you're curious, a great read.
August 23, 2016
The best introductory book on being a Quaker that I have read so far.
December 11, 2016
Life changing stuff
October 31, 2016
Excellent little book: lucid, informative, thoughtful. If half of Quakers follow half of what is here then they are a splendidly sensible bunch of folk - and I suspect that most of them live up to most of it.
April 12, 2017
This is a great resource for those wanting to know more about the Quakers. It focuses on Quakerism in Britain but is still useful for anyone researching this faith.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews