Becoming a member is a shared process of finding the way clear to do so. After you’ve attended Meeting for Worship for awhile, done some reading in Faith and Practice, read the history of the Society, become acquainted with some members, attended some meetings for worship for business, and then, and only then, can you begin the search into membership. Once you’ve made your decision your next step will be to write a letter to the Clerk of our Monthly Meeting, explaining your desire to join and how you arrived at this point. Your letter can be as short or as long as you wish. The Clerk will read your letter at Meeting for Business, then forward it to the Marriage and Membership Committee. If you have questions about writing this letter, ask to speak to a member of Marriage and Membership about it.

The Marriage and Membership Committee will appoint two or three persons who will arrange a visit with you as a clearness committee. During the visit you and they will discover together if the basis for membership is sound or if there are important areas, such as a testimony, or a part of your previous faith, which need more time for examination and clarity. When you apply for membership, you must give up membership in whatever religion you may have been practicing when you join our Meeting.

You’ll probably be asked how your family regards your choice to join the Religious Society of Friends and whether you wish that any children apply, whether as associates or full members. People may apply for membership on their own at any age, taking into account the uniqueness of each person's spiritual growth and the goal of the Society to be made up of members by mature convincement. It’s part of the care by Overseers to know how your membership will be regarded by those close to you. We know that such a change sometimes can raise critical questions.

The clearness committee then reports its recommendation of acceptance or delay to the Marriage and Membership Committee, which usually meets once a month. If Marriage and Membership agrees with the acceptance, they forward it to the Monthly Meeting for Worship for Business (from which the term Monthly Meeting originated) where those in attendance take the final action. Our Meeting may wait another month before taking this final action in order that we may get better acquainted with you.

As a new member you’ll be the guest at a welcome dinner where you’ll be given information about Meeting and have a chance to ask questions. You should also forward your contact information to our Meeting Secretary and ask who will be the overseer assigned to you, should you need and help or advice.

If you’ll be moving far from the Meeting for a period of time, you won’t be able to grow in the community in the way we consider membership to mean. If that’s the case, you should seriously consider joining the Wider Quaker Fellowship, based at 1520 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, which offers meaningful materials. You should also subscribe to our Meeting's newsletter. For an annual fee you can join the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library and its mailing service from 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia. Pa. 19102.

Whether you join us or journey with us, we welcome you to our meetings for worship and encourage you to hear and respond to the loving word of the Spirit within your heart whenever and wherever it comes to you.

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