Quaker Week 2026: Quakers invite newcomers to try worship in silence
Quakers across Britain are inviting newcomers to try their distinctive worship this Quaker Week, from 26 September to 4 October.
Quaker meetings in Britain involve no minister, no sermon and no set hymns. People sit together in silence, usually for an hour and anyone can speak if they feel moved to, including visitors.
Quaker Week is held every year to help meetings share their faith and attract new people. This year's theme is 'Coming to worship'.
Meetings are being encouraged to welcome first-time visitors with sessions at different times of the week or outdoors.
Some will be offering 15 minutes of silent worship which has been found to work well at open days.
One newcomer at Milton Keynes said: “I never knew fifteen minutes of silence could be so profound."
Quaker Week ends on World Quaker Day on 4 October, and this year's theme is "Let peace be among us".
The supporting Bible passage is Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy."
Friends World Committee for Consultation is planning online worship lasting more than eight hours on a drop-in basis to bring Quakers together across borders and languages.
Meetings across the world are intending to join the Global Online Meeting for Worship.
These include Cheltenham Quakers and Chichester Quakers, who will also hold a silent vigil at Chichester Cross to think of those caught up in war.
The online worship will have a shared focus on peace, with each hour of worship dedicated to a part of the world where prayers for peace are particularly needed.
Find out more and register for Global Online Meeting for Worship here