Explanation of Friends' Terminology

Friends meetings are named for the frequency with which they conduct business. Thus, monthly meetings meet for business once a month, though most of them meet for worship at least once a week. Regional meetings comprise two or more monthly meetings and meet for business quarterly (quarterly meetings), twice a year (half-yearly meetings), or on other schedules. Yearly meetings comprise two or more regional meetings and conduct their primary business meetings once a year. A worship group is a gathering of Friends that meets for worship but does not have its own business meetings. Most worship groups are under the care of a monthly or regional meeting.

The most frequently encountered Quaker acronyms are:

  • AFSC, the American Friends Service Committee
  • FCNL, the Friends Committee on National Legislation
  • FGC, the Friends General Conference
  • FUM, the Friends United Meeting
  • FWCC, The Friends World Committee for Consultation
  • QUNO, the Quaker United Nations Office
Click on the links for more information on these organizations.