How can one learn more about Quakers?
Each Sunday the Pastoral Care “Friendly Ear” is introduced for visitors or members to ask questions about Quakerism. The Friendly Ear also responds to spiritual or personal concerns. Pastoral Care has a list of resources (Friends Helping Friends) within the Meeting that can be supportive.
For a series of short QuakerSpeak videos, scroll to the bottom of this website page.
At the Meetinghouse on the hall table you can take a copy of
- A Newcomer’s Packet;
- A weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter that describe activities of the Meeting and tell of upcoming events;
- Pamphlets that describe Quaker practice and belief.
Other materials are
- Our most recent BFM Directory, listing names and addresses as well as committees, important dates, and Quaker organizations. (Please ask for a copy.)
- Baltimore Yearly Meeting's book “Faith & Practice” (which describes a lot about the Society of Friends).
- Our Library: Books and other literature are available for you to borrow from the Bethesda Friends Meeting Library.
- Click here for a list of books in our Library that might interest newcomers.
- Books for sale on the Literature/Book Table.
- Adult Religious Education programs are held 1-2 times a month and offer more information about Quakerism.
- BFM has a Book Group whose members read and discuss books on Quakerism and Quaker values. All of the books are in our Library, and there's a printout of the monthly discussions. See our most recent newsletter or check the calendar for program dates.
- Want to be on our mailing list or join our List Serve? Fill out the card in the Newcomer’s Packet or use our Contact Us form. Please also see our FAQs.
- More resources about Quakerism are available on these linked web sites that describe our Affiliations as well as our Beliefs & Values.
Quaker vocabulary
If "Quakerspeak" can seem like a foreign language, please read our Glossary of common Quaker terms.