An unprogrammed, welcoming, and affirming Quaker meeting in South Bend, Indiana.
South Bend Friends is a community of seekers gathering for worship and fellowship in the tradition of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). We worship in traditional unprogrammed (silent) Quaker worship, seeking guidance for how we can be a loving presence in the world today, carrying this experience of spiritual centeredness into our lives throughout the week.
All are welcome! There is no ritual, liturgy, creed, sermon, or prepared music. The life of the Meeting is organized and carried out by members and attenders.
Meeting for Worship is held year-round from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Sundays in the Chapel space of First Presbyterian Church, 333 West Colfax, South Bend. We also offer online worship. (Please request a link by calling or emailing.)
southbendfriends@gmail.com
We offer spiritual formation for children through our First Day School programming. Children old enough for First Day School typically sit in silence for the first twenty minutes of worship and leave for their classroom with their teacher(s).
There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names. It is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren.
John Woolman (1720-1772)
In Elkhart, please visit our Friends at Elkhart River Friends Worship Group, located at Faith House (a ministry of Faith Mennonite Church), on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month at 3 pm.
413 S 7th St, Goshen
Note that when the temperature with wind chill is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above, Elkhart River Friends Worship group will meet outdoors on the back porch. Please visit their Facebook page for updates!
South Bend Friends is affiliated with Illinois Yearly Meeting and Friends General Conference.
With deep gratitude, we acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities and peoples on whose traditional, unceded homeland many of our attenders and members live, work, worship, and learn.
We wish to particularly recognize the Pokagon band Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), and the Myaamia (Miami).
With equal gratitude, we honor and uplift their culture within our community. We are grateful for their physical and spiritual presence.