Pacific Yearly Meeting’s book of Faith and Practice describes the beliefs of Friends and the structures and processes of Pacific Yearly Meeting, and its Quarterly and Monthly Meetings. It also explains the spiritual foundation of these processes and of our way of worship. It should be of interest and value to newcomers and old-timers alike. On this page are links to digital versions and information on how to order printed copies.
The most recent edition of Faith and Practice for Pacific Yearly Meeting came out in 2001. Portions of it are currently undergoing revision by the Discipline / Faith & Practice Revision Committee. A Spanish translation was completed in 2004 by Friends in Mexico City Monthly Meeting and elsewhere in Pacific Yearly Meeting.
Table of Contents
Electronic Formats
English
- Faith & Practice 2001: View as Interactive Webpage – warning: the search box titled “Search Faith and Practice” in the web version is broken and we can’t fix it – you’ll just get error “404” from Google if you try to use it.
- Faith & Practice 2001: Download PDF – use this version if you want to search inside Faith and Practice
Español
- Fe y Práctica 2001: Ver como página web interactiva
- Fe y Práctica 2001: Descargar PDF – usa esta versión para realizar búsquedas dentro de Fe y Práctica.
Printed Copies
The original print runs of Faith & Practice 2001 have run out, but Western Friend has arranged to print copies on demand. They can be ordered from Western Friend’s online bookstore. At the WF bookstore you can also order a variety of other publications by or related to Western Friend, including similar books of Faith and Practice for the two other western Yearly Meetings (North Pacific YM and Intermountain YM).
We don’t currently know a place where you can order the printed Spanish version. We’re working on that.
English Preface
We, like every generation, must find the Light and Life again for ourselves. Only what we have valued and truly made our own, not by assertion but by lives of faithful commitment, can we hand on to the future. Even then, we must humbly acknowledge that our vision of the truth will, again and again, be amended.
Britain Yearly Meeting
Quaker faith & practice, p. 17, 1995
The Quaker way emphasizes experience over religious belief or doctrine. It is inherently difficult to capture the essence of that experience in words.Yet every Faith and Practice attempts to do that very thing.
As time passes, the body of experience grows and shifts and a Yearly Meeting may be moved to take up the task of revising its book of Faith and Practice. The book offered here is a revision of the 1985 edition, which in turn was based on revisions of 1973, 1963, 1957, and 1952, and the original plan of organization adopted at Palo Alto in 1942.
This Faith and Practice describes the beliefs of Friends and the structures and processes of Pacific Yearly Meeting, and its Quarterly and Monthly Meetings. It also explains the spiritual foundation of these processes and of our way of worship. It should be of interest and value to newcomers and old-timers alike.
Dearly beloved Friends, these things we do not lay upon you as a rule or form to walk by, but that all, with the measure of light which is pure and holy, may be guided: and so in the light walking and abiding, these may be fulfilled in the Spirit, not from the letter, for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
Advices from the elders at Balby, 1656
Britain Yearly Meeting
Quaker faith & practice, 1995, §1.01
Prefacio Español
Nosotros como cada generación, debemos encontrar la LUZ y la VIDA de nuevo para nosotros mismos. Solamente a lo que hemos dado valor y a lo que realmente hemos hecho nuestro, no por medio de la palabra, sino por nuestras vidas plenas de un compromiso fiel, es lo que podemos entregar al futuro. Aún entonces debemos humildemente reconocer que nuestra visión de la verdad será modificada una y otra vez.
Junta Anual Británica
Fe y práctica Cuáquera, P-17, 1995
La manera cuáquera enfatiza la experiencia sobre la creencia o doctrina religiosa. Es inherentemente difícil capturar la esencia de esa experiencia en palabras. Aún así cada Fe y Práctica intenta hacer exactamente eso.
Con el paso del tiempo, el volumen de la experiencia crece y cambia y una Junta Mensual puede ser inspirada para hacerse cargo de la tarea de revisar su libro de Fe y Práctica. El libro ofrecido aquí es una revisión de la edición de 1985, la cual, a su vez estuvo basada en revisiones de 1973, 1963, 1957 y 1952, así como en el Plan original de Organización de Palo Alto en 1942.
Esta Fe y Práctica describe las creencias de los Amigos y las estructuras y procesos de la Junta Anual del Pacífico y de sus Juntas Trimestrales y Mensuales. También explica el fundamento espiritual de estos procesos y nuestra forma de culto. Deberá ser de interés tanto para los recién llegados como para Amigos con experiencia.
Amados Amigos, estas cosas no las ponemos frente a ustedes como una regla o como una forma de caminar, sino que todo esto, con la medida de Luz que es pura y sagrada, pudiereis ser guiados; y así en la Luz caminando y perdurando, estas cosas serán cumplidas en el Espíritu; no a partir de la letra porque la letra mata, pero el Espíritu da Vida.
Consejos de los ancianos en Balby, 1656
Fe y práctica Cuáquera 1995 §1.01
Junta Anual Británica