Strawberry Creek Quaker Meeting

March 2013

Re: Starting to question our opposition to organized religion

My family has found a lot of what you are looking for by attending an unprogrammed Quaker meeting. Here is some more information about Quakerism: http://www.fgcquaker.org/explore/faqs-about-quakers While Quakerism has historical roots in Christianity, many Quakers (myself included) do not consider themselves Christian. Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone, but have no dogma about what or who God is; for many it is simply one's own ''inner light.'' You mention finding a thoughtful and caring group of people, which would certainly describe my experience of Quakers. Since Quakers believe that no one's connection to the divine is any greater than any one else's, the entire community participates in caring for the meeting and its members. Vistors are of course always welcome, and there is childcare provided for Meeting for Worship (which is silent worship, with messages shared as anyone is inspired to do so) on Sunday morning. We attend Strawberry Creek Meeting in south Berkeley (http://strawberrycreek.quaker.org/), which has several young families. Good luck in your search for spiritual community, and feel free to contact me for more information. Judy

July 2008

Re: Looking for a Quaker Philadelphia Yearly group
I have been a regular attender at Strawberry Creek Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (we are part of the Pacific Yearly Meeting) for many years. Strawberry Creek is an unprogrammed meeting, which means that there is no pastor and no programmed service.

It is a wonderful, vibrant community of caring, socially active individuals. It is as racially and socioeconomically diverse a meeting as I have ever attended, and is equally welcoming to straight and LGBT individuals and families. I consider Strawberry Creek to be my extended family.

We meet Sundays at 10am at the Berkeley Technology Academy at 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (cross street is Ward), which is walking distance from the Ashby BART Station. The building is completely accessible to wheelchairs.

Every Sunday, child care for infants and toddlers, and First Day (Sunday) School for elementary, middle, and high schoolers is offered.

Please come visit us! Feel free to e-mail me with any further questions. Philippa