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About Adult Programs

Adult Religious Education Programs

BFM Adult Education Programs

... are arranged by BFM's Adult Religious Education (ARE) Coordinators. Please contact us if you want to request a discussion topic or join in a 6-session introduction to Quaker Faith and Practice.

For Upcoming Programs, you can review our Events calendar and our weekly Bulletin schedule.

Please use the Contact Us form for questions or to request a Zoom link.
Child Care can be provided for in-person sessions if parents can give us a week's notice.

CURRENT education sessions

Introduction to Quaker Faith and Practice

January – February 2026

Sessions and readings

Note to participants – the readings, especially in “Exploring Quakerism” are very short; some chapters are 2-3 pages. Please don’t be intimidated by what sound like a lot of readings – they won’t take much time.

1. January 11, 2026: Introduction to Quaker faith and practice

Facilitators: Stephanie Koenig

Readings: “Exploring Quakerism” by Marsha Holliday, chapters 1 and 2;

Letters to a Fellow Seeker by Steve Chase, Introduction and Letter 1;

Faith and Practice, Vision Statement and Introductory Statement

Query for the group: What brought you to Quakerism? What keeps you coming?

2. January 18, 2026: Seekers and Finders – the early Quaker movement and the experiences that defined Quaker faith and practice

Facilitators: Margaret Benefiel and Georgianna Ziegler

Query for the group: Are there things about the experience of early Friends that speak to you?

3. January 25, 2026: Quaker Worship and Vocal Ministry

Facilitators: Stephanie Koenig and Michael Wallace

Readings: “Exploring Quakerism” chapters 3 and 4;

Letters to a Fellow Seeker, Letters 3 and 4; also review Letter 1, bottom of page 3 to top of page 5

Query for the group: What has been your experience of Quaker worship? Have you had a range of experiences? Do you have questions?

4. February 8, 2026: Quaker Faith, the Testimonies, and Social Justice

Facilitators: Bernie Benson and Alex Bell

Readings: “Exploring Quakerism” chapters 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12;

Letters to a Fellow Seeker, Letters 5 and 6

Faith and Practice: chapter 6, “Early Quaker Testimonies

Query for the group: Have you been inspired by your faith or your beliefs to be engaged in any social justice actions? If so, how does your faith sustain you? Which testimony feels most challenging to you in your life now?

5. February 15, 2026: Are Quakers Christian, Universalist, or both?

Facilitators: Stephanie Koenig and Jonathan Kennedy

Readings: Letters to a Fellow Seeker, Letter 2

Query for the group: What was the religious orientation of your childhood, and how did it shape you?

6. February 22, 2026: Quaker Process – Meetings for Business, reaching unity committees, membership

Facilitator: Margaret Plank

Readings: “Exploring Quakerism,” chapters 13 and 14

Query for the group: How do Quaker decision-making processes reflect the principles of Quaker faith?

The Quaker Testimonies

Testimony	Early Quakers	In Worship	My Life Today
*Simplicity* - Learning to discern the essential from the non-essential.	Simple, living, clothing, speech, possessions, homes, worship	Simple sacred worship space, wooden benches, no statues or music, no icons, vestments, or rituals.
*Peace* - Living in a spirit that takes away the occasion for all war. Peace between nations, races, religions, social classes, neighbors, families, and within oneself.	Letter to King Charles II in 1660, which begins: “We utterly deny all outward wars strife and fighting with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretense whatsoever.”	We sit and listen in peaceful silence.
*Integrity* - Being who we truly are and truly meaning what we say, being authentic and having consistency between one’s values and one’s actions. Integrity as wholeness - the integration of all our parts. Let your life speak.	Friends did not take oaths when appearing in a court of law, rejecting the idea that there is one standard of truth for daily living and another for the court. They practice fairness in business dealings.	We speak from our deepest beliefs, knowing that messages come from the spirit and there is continuing revelation.
*Community* - Knowing that we need one another in order to be whole.	Early Friends community provided a place for individual members to look for wisdom and support. Early Friends relied on their community to provide for the families whose bread-winners were imprisoned for their beliefs.	We gather in silence to worship, we are collectively seeking the will of God, rather than meditating individually.
*Equality* - Knowing that everyone, everywhere is equally precious to God and have equal access to the “Inner Light.” This includes people of all ages, abilities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, races, ethnicities, and levels of resources.	Early Quakers, recognized the equal spiritual authority of women, refused to use forms of address that recognized social distinctions, supported religious freedom, and worked to abolish slavery. They did not bow or tip their hats.	We have no clergy, and no formal hierarchy. Messages from elder and newcomer, young and old are all considered with the same openness to the spirit. That of God is in everyone.
*Stewardship* - Caring for the earth and use of time, natural and financial resources wisely, not wastefully.	New testimony based on peace and simplicity. Environment, natural resources, energy, money, labor and talents.	We are stewards of each other and the community. We consider the use of resources, energy, time, money.	Reduce, reuse, recycle
*Other personal Testimonies*			Write, paint, become a vegetarian.

Past adult education programs and events

2022

In addition to the listings below, a Quaker Book Group met monthly and an "Experiment with Light" meditation group met twice a month.

1. Spiritual Journey: On October 16 at 12:30, Lauren B. offers us insights into her personal Spiritual Journey, via a hybrid in-person and Zoom session.

2. Exploring the Roots of Religion: All are invited to the comparative religions study group. They begin a new year-long course in October - "Exploring the Roots of Religion," a lecture series from Great Courses. They meet weekly on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. for a half hour lecture and a half hour discussion. John R Hale Ph.D., Director of Liberal Studies at University of Louisville KY, will explore evidence of religious activity around the world, primarily through the discipline of archeology. In October, after the introductory lecture, we will study Neanderthal burials, the Paleolithic cave art of France and Spain, and rock art in South Africa. All are invited to join at any time.

2. Spiritual Formation Group: Meets monthly on Zoom from October through June at a time and day chosen by members. Its purpose is to meet with others from BFM to nurture and strengthen your spiritual life, using the format of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Spiritual Formation Program. Sign up is by early October.

The structure is that there are small groups that meet monthly (some will on Zoom and some will meet in person if it is safe to do so).

3. Collective Journey to Redress Systemic Racism: This important program will run in fall 2022 and into 2023 with advance sign-ups. It will be led by Lucy Duncan and Rob Peagler.

4. Comparative Religions discussion group: A 12-lecture series from Great Courses entitled "Great World Religions: Hinduism" taught by Prof. Mark Muesse of Rhodes College met weekly from June-September on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. for a half hour lecture and a half hour discussion.

5. Virtual Spiritual Coffeehouse: In July: People brought their favorite music, art, poetry, etc. to share and reflect on as a group.

6. Glenstone Art Museum: In July, there was a BFM visit to Glenstone to enjoy an outdoor museum experience in community with BFM friends.

7. Spiritual Journey: In June, Peter N-J offered us insights into his personal Spiritual Journey, via a hybrid in-person and Zoom session.

8. Comparative Religions discussion group: The group continued on Tuesdays, weekly, at 7:00 p.m., through Spring 2022. "Comparative Religions" used the Great Courses series "Religions of the Axial Age" (800-200 BCE, examining Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Taoism).

2021

Sundays, for 3 months, at 9:30 a.m. Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12. "Deepening our Quaker Faith and Practice." A brief video on an introductory Quaker topic followed by a discussion, for those new to Meeting and those looking to deepen their experience.
Monthly (on the 3rd Saturday), starting Oct 16, at 1:30-3:00 p.m. October 2020 - June 2021. A larger "Spiritual Formation Group" meeting of all participants meets once a month for nine months. There are also small groups that meet monthly. This is a monthly worship sharing of readings chosen by the group with the intention of deepening our spiritual connection and personal practice.
Tuesdays, Weekly, at 7:00 p.m., October 5 until Spring 2022. "Comparative Religions" using the Great Courses series. Religions of the Axial Age (800-200 BCE, examining Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Taoism).
September 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Zoom game night. An intergenerational social hour with easy-to-play online games.
August 22, 2021, 12:30. Virtual Spiritual Coffeehouse. Bring your favorite music, art, poetry, etc. to share and reflect on as a group.
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. on April 29, May 6, May 13. Group discussion of a free course from Lancaster University & the Woodbrooke Quaker Center in England. Topic is History of the Early Quakers.
February 14, 2021, 12:30. Virtual Spiritual Coffeehouse. Bring your favorite music, art, poetry, etc. to share and reflect on as a group.
Thursdays, Weekly, at 7:00 p.m., continuing from October 1, 2020 through April 2021. An online lecture "Understanding the Old Testament" from the Great Courses lectures and small group discussion.

2020

November 8, 2020, 1:00, "Using Personal Queries about Racism" sponsored by the BFM Diversity Change Group. Purpose is to develop personal queries on racism and help us be more self-aware of the impact that racism has on our thoughts, behaviors, actions, and inactions.
Monthly on the third Saturday at 1:30 p.m., October 2020 - June 2021. Spiritual Formation Group meeting (supplemented by monthly small group sessions). Monthly worship sharing of brief readings chosen by the group.
October 5 & 6 at 7:00 p.m. "A White Historian Explores Black Voting Rights." Presentation by Susan Strasser with an emphasis n Reconstruction and the early 1960s.
Thursdays, Weekly at 7:00 p.m., from October 1, 2020 and continuing. An online lecture "Understanding the Old Testament" from the Great Courses lectures and small group discussion.
August 20, 2020, 12:30. Virtual Spiritual Coffeehouse. Bring your favorite music, art, poetry, etc. to share and reflect on as a group.
June 27, 2020, 10:00-12:00. "End of Life Workshop." A forum to explore the issues, needs, and various responses of Quakers to the topic of living and dying well as Friends. Details here.
May 10, 2020, 9:30 a.m. "What do you do in Meeting for Worship?" Worship sharing with Ministry & Worship on ways our practice may have changed in this time of worship with Zoom.
February 9, 2020, 9:15 a.m. "End of Life Care: Five Wishes"
Monthly on Sundays at 1:00 and weekly on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., February onwards. An online lecture "Understanding the New Testament" from the Great Courses lectures and small group discussion.
January 12, 2020, 9:15. "Held in the Light for Transformative Conversations about Race" sponsored by BFM's Diversity Change Group.

2019

November 10th, 9:15. "A Workshop on Living in the Light of Death," presented by Bill Dietrich.
- Handouts: An Exercise on Dying. Reflections on the Exercise, Poems, Quotes. Suggested Readings.
October 27th, 9:30. "Spiritual Journey Series: Eric Sterling."
October 20th, 11:00. "Parenting in a Challenging Time."
October 13th, 9:30. "Responding to a Dark Time."
September 22, 9:15. "A Workshop on The Gift of Presence," lead by Bill Dietrich.
Handouts: Three Poems. Suggested Readings.
July 21, 9:30: 9:30. “Spiritual Coffee House” (bring and share the songs, art, writings that are meaningful to you).
June 30, 2019, 9:30. "Spiritual Journeys Series: Lauren Brownlee."
May 15, 2019: 7-9 PM. Joan Maxwell on "Soul Support: Providing Emotional and Spiritual Support to the Dying," based on her memoir, Soul Support: Spiritual Encounters at Life's End.
April 14, 2019, 9:30. Deborah Haines on "William Penn and Equality."
March 24, 2019, 9:30. Discussion on "The Burning One-ness Binding Everything," a Pendle-Hill pamphlet by Bruce Birchard.
January 2019, 9:30. 6 sessions of "An Introduction to Quaker Faith and Practice." Discussion sessions using Letters to a Fellow Seeker by Steve Chase with a Discussion Guide.

2018

November 28, 2018: "My Favorite Quaker"
October 14, 2018: "My Summer of Solidarity," an inspiring presentation of Lauren Brownlee's service, teaching, peacekeeping or other activities in Bethlehem, China, Washington State, and Washington, DC.
September 23, 2018: "Radical Faithfulness in Action"
July 22, 2018: "Spiritual Coffeehouse" (bring the songs, art, writings that are meaningful to you)
June 24, 2018: "Good Grief: Co-Creating Ourselves by the Choices We Make"
June 10, 2018: Spiritual Formation Information Session
May 13, 2018: Are we a Blessed/Beloved Community? Handout link here.
March 25, 2018: Margaret Fell and the Growth of Early Quakerism
March 11, 2018: Worship Sharing to consider our best responses to the challenges of the current political and cultural environment
February 25, 2018: Friends and Money
February 11, 2018: Workshop on Implicit Bias (Sponsored by Peace & Social Justice Committee)
January 28, 2018: Spiritual State of the Meeting.
January 14, 2018: Spiritual Coffee House (share the songs, art, writings that are meaningful to you).

2017

November 12, 2017: Living in Afghanistan.
October, November, December, 2017: Six-class series "Exploring Quaker Faith and Practice" using Letters to a Fellow Seeker by Steve Chase with a Discussion Guide.
August 13, 2017: Spiritual Coffeehouse (bring the songs, art, writings that are meaningful to you).
June 11, 2017: Sharing our Journeys to Quaker Faith and Practice.
May 28, 2017: What we Learned Listening to Trump Voters in Conway, S.C. (Jane Chalmers & Frank Greves) Summary essay.
May 14, 2017: Vocal Ministry Workshop. (Guest leader: Betsy Meyer, past clerk of Baltimore Yearly Meeting) Summary documents: Vocal Ministry-1 and Vocal Ministry-2.
April 9, 2017: Spiritual Journey Series (Ralph Steinhardt)
March 12, 2017: Spiritual Journey Series (Alex Bell)
February 12, 2017: “Faith and Practice”: A discussion of the document that was written by Baltimore Yearly Meeting as a guideline for the meetings within BYM. (Susan Kaul)
January 22, 2017: Finding Meaning and Purpose in the Recent Election. (Bernie Benson & Stephanie Koenig) Essay by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.
January 8, 2017: Interfaith Worship Sharing -- based on the queries: “How can we most effectively foster a caring attitude among all the faiths in our community? What helps us to listen deeply to one another, and to understand one another’s perspective? How can we best support one another?” (This forum was a collaboration between the Omega Interfaith Forum and Bethesda Friends Meeting.)

2016

October & November 2016: Exploring Quakerism: A 6-part series for newcomers as well as more recent and long-time Friends, using the workbook “Exploring Quakerism” by Marsha Holliday and the book “Letters to a Fellow Seeker,” by Steve Chase.
September 18, 2016: Visit with Omega Interfaith Forum

Bethesda Friends Meeting

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 30152, Bethesda MD 20824

Our Meetinghouse is on the campus of the Sidwell Friends Lower School at the intersection of Edgemoor Lane and Beverly Road in Bethesda, Maryland

We are a member organization of the Religious Society of Friends

www.bethesdafriends.org
301-986-8681
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