First Friends Meeting invites you to visit and see if the Friendly (Quaker) way is for you. Many have found it to be a place of welcome, a place to grow. Jesus said, “I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father" (John 15:15). For 350 years, Quakers have been listening for Christ speaking among us, and striving to follow together. Friendship with Christ requires deep listening to the Spirit in ourselves and in one another. And it reaps good fruits of the Spirit.

Richmond was first settled by Friends in 1806. First Friends Meeting, formally established in 1809, was the first church in Richmond. Rooted in two centuries of Quaker faith and practice, we continue the Quaker spiritual tradition in these ways:

That of God in Every One: We believe that the light of Christ shines in every person (John 1:9). That means that each person can know God directly. So each person in the congregation is a potential source of Christ’s Spirit and leadership. As Christians, the Bible is important to us. It helps us understand and follow the light’s guidance. But we believe that all people can know and follow the same light in their hearts, regardless of their beliefs or unbelief. So we dialogue and collaborate with people of other faiths.

Meeting: We call ourselves a “Meeting” because we meet with each other and hope to meet God in each other. We become a Church only as Christ’s Spirit moves among us. We call our building a “meetinghouse” because that’s where we meet. We call our service a "meeting for worship," because that’s why we meet. We call upon Christ to shape us into his spiritual body, with a ministry in the world. Jesus promises, "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). We experience in our meetings for worship his faithfulness to that promise.

Shared Leadership: We have paid ministry staff at First Friends. But ministry is an endeavor we share as widely as possible. We believe that professional ministers must team up with members in the ministry. So our Life and Worship Team plans and helps lead worship. Our Care Team multiplies the Pastor’s efforts in pastoral care. Our Ministry & Oversight Commission shepherds the congregation as it coordinates this work. Other commissions and committees carry out other work.

Informal Worship: Because we share responsibility for leading different parts of Sunday worship, our meeting for worship has an informal style. We are serious about coming together at a deep level in Christ’s Spirit. But formality isn’t necessarily the best route. There’s room in our worship for humor and spontaneity (even mistakes!).

Quaker Silence: Our worship includes 10-15 minutes of Open Worship, a time for each of us to be with the Lord in quiet prayer. This is our Quaker understanding of the sacraments: To surrender to God in the quiet is true baptism with Christ. To listen in the quiet for the Spirit's leading is true communion in Christ. Out of the silence, individuals may be moved by the Spirit to offer vocal ministry.

Decisions Made in Unity: In our business meetings and committee work we refrain from voting. We believe the Spirit can lead us into unity, even if it takes longer. This requires listening carefully to God and to one another. So the meeting for business is also a meeting for worship. The truth emerges from all our contributions. A decision made in unity differs from 'consensus' because we believe that it is the Spirit leading us.

Testimonies: Service begins as worship ends. Worship at First Friends is a time of spiritual refreshment and joy. We strive to communicate that joy to the world, as we return to our neighborhoods, work lives, and community activities. The Quaker ‘testimonies’ are the ways we let our lives witness by our actions. We try to live out in daily life the faith we proclaim in worship. Traditional Quaker testimonies uphold values including peace/nonviolence, simplicity of lifestyle, community, truthfulness, and social equality. Each of us must find ways to live these testimonies in the unique circumstances of our own lives.

Spiritual Childhood: We believe that all people are beloved children of God. Friends have traditionally emphasized the innocence and spiritual life of children. When Quakers first began, they were persecuted. Sometimes, when the adult Friends were in prison for their faith, their children held the meetings for worship on their own. Today, First Friends Meeting is a fully inter-generational congregation, with a growing number of young families and cherished children. We believe that if First Friends is a place for children to grow, the rest of us will grow with them.

Hearts and Minds Prepared: Quakers believe that transformative worship experiences don’t happen simply by showing up on Sunday mornings. We must nurture our spiritual lives during the week as well. So First Friends Meeting regularly offers activities to stimulate spiritual growth. At different times, these may include activities such as Bible study, worship and prayer groups, book discussions, topical forums, listening workshops, Quakerism classes, and other events.

Coming Home: When people discover Quakers, they often say they have “come home.” It feels that way because they have come home to their own inner spiritual source. They have also found a group of friendly, supportive people who have come home to their source. So come visit us and see if you find your home with First Friends. Our meeting for worship is at 9:30 am on Sundays, with child-care provided. Following a short fellowship and refreshments time, adult and children’s classes begin. You will be warmly welcomed.