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A fuller description of our structure can be found in the video at the bottom of this page. A complete description can be found in Quaker faith & practice chapter 8 (offsite link).
Our name
You will hear the whole organisation of Quakers in Britain referred to as 'Britain Yearly Meeting'. 'Quakers in Britain' is an informal name.
Local meetings
Local meetings are where Quakers go for regular meeting for worship. Everybody is welcome. Local meetings also hold a regular 'meeting for worship for business'. Here Quakers deal with business matters and raise concerns that affect the local meeting.
Local meetings may take their concerns to an area meeting.
Area meetings
Area meetings are a group of local meetings responsible for looking after local and area resources, finances and spiritual and pastoral care. They meet regularly to test concerns from local meetings.
If you live in Scotland or Wales, your area meeting will also be part of General Meeting for Scotland or Cyrnwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales. These bodies deal with concerns specific to each nation.
Concerns raised by area meetings can be sent to Meeting for Sufferings.
Meeting for Sufferings
This body is made up of Quakers from area meetings and other groups. Meeting for Sufferings tests concerns sent to it by area meetings, takes decisions and manages business between Yearly Meetings. It can make statements in the name of Britain Yearly Meeting.
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) Trustees
Our trustees are responsible for the work, assets and property of Britain Yearly Meeting.
Britain Yearly Meeting
Yearly Meeting is an annual event at which important concerns and questions for Quakers in Britain are considered. It makes decisions on Quaker work and
is the final constitutional body for Quakers in Britain
It also hears annual reports from groups that work on its behalf, including Meeting for Sufferings and our trustees.
A fuller description of Britain Yearly Meeting's structure
Image by Mike Pinches 2024