Posted: May 4, 2023   •   Posted in: Journey to Quakers

‘Meet a Quaker’ – Marina’s experience

My first experience of a Quaker meeting was the result of a ‘Meet a Quaker’ morning, held at the Quaker meeting house in Beccles.  A few years previously, I’d noticed a series of Quaker Quest sessions advertised but 3 evenings seemed a rather daunting commitment, not knowing anything about Quakers at that time.  Whilst I would probably have loved to attend if I could’ve checked the people out first, I just didn’t feel comfortable going in cold, knowing that there would be no polite way out of at least the whole of that first session, if once I’d got in there I realised I’d made a horrible mistake.  However, this ‘meet a Quaker’ morning appeared to be much more casual – a drop in event, something that I could easily escape from if I wanted to – so I decided to grab the opportunity.  

I’d seen the event advertised on a local Facebook group and had responded to the ad to ask a question.  The person who’d replied had seemed genuine and friendly, so I was looking forward to meeting her in person at the event.  On the morning itself I made my way down to the meeting house to arrive 10 or 15 minutes after the start time.  I didn’t want to appear too keen!

As I turned from the high street into the meeting house garden I saw a number of people – some chatting over cups of coffee, some busy working on the garden – all smiling and apparently very comfortable in each other’s company.  They looked a happy, friendly bunch and I didn’t feel any hesitation in introducing myself.  

They led me into the meeting house and provided me with the obligatory Quaker cuppa and cake as we sat in a circle and chatted.  As it happened, I was the only person to turn up to meet a Quaker that day, meaning that I could ask all the questions that I wanted.  And I had plenty to ask!  One of the things that impressed me most about that first experience with Quakers was how open to questions they were.  And not just that, they each had their own answers to my questions – some most definitely at odds with others – and yet the people themselves seemed completely at ease with this.  

After a time, people began to tidy the mugs and plates away and ready the space for meeting.  I was asked if I’d like to stay on and experience a meeting for myself.  This wasn’t something that I’d particularly planned to do when I’d set out that morning – I’m not even sure I knew that it was going to be an option – but I found myself staying on for the thirty minute meeting.  I went back the following week and I’ve been returning week after week ever since.  It’s where I belong and I only found out because of that ‘Meet a Quaker’ morning!