What do prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, and Dame Judi Dench have in common? They are all Quakers! The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, are a religious group that emphasizes direct experience of God and are known for their strong commitment to peace, social justice, and equality.

One of my favorite parts of living in London while studying at LSE this year has been the opportunity to attend the London Young Adult Quaker Meeting in Westminster. They meet on the first, third, and fifth Sunday each month at the Westminster Meeting Quaker House (which is coincidently where they filmed the Quaker meeting scenes in the British comedy-drama television series Fleabag). The format of the meeting is: social time (5-5:30pm), worship (5:30-6:15pm), shared snacks (6:15-7pm), and then drinks at a local pub.

Attending LYAQM has also connected me to other opportunities to participate in Quaker community, like Young Friends General Meeting and Britain Yearly Meeting.

When I applied to graduate school, I only applied to programs close to a local Quaker meeting, but I hadn't expected to find a young adult meeting that would become my community. I have appreciated learning more about Quaker worship and business method, and I enjoy silence and serenity at the end of my school week.

So if you are between the ages of 18 and 35, and looking for a Quaker meeting to attend during your course, try out LYAQM!

You can find out more on their instagram.