About Us

The community at Quaker Monastery is small group of men and women who embody a modern form of monasticism which provides structure to life lived in the light, and under the sovereignty, of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Our common ideal is living a balanced life of prayer, worship, work, and study in a joyous spirit of self-giving. We strive to be as self sufficient as possible, living by the labor of our own hands while we loving steward and care for our land and the animals which help sustain us.

Limiting the distractions of worldly life, each day embraces a rhythm of prayer and work in the constant awareness of God in all aspects of our lives. Simplicity and silence assist us in a daily course of "sacred listening", our hearts eager to reflect the glory of God in our personal lives and our lives lived in community, and in our volunteer and outreach work.

Let nothing be put before the Work of God
Guided by a rule of life from monastic tradition that existed during the time of the early Christian church, our structure comes in part from St. Benedict's "little rule for beginners", which was written in the sixth century. Its principles are largely taken from scripture and from the experiences of the first five centuries of Christian monastic life. Guided by this rule, we espouse the Benedictine values of prayer, humility, and hospitality. Having committed ourselves "not to words, but to a way", our community structure, in the form of our Advices and Discipline (Reason), frames each day with gospel order intended to quickens hearts and minds to prayer and supplication. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... (Ephesians 6:18).

Our community is the founding of a new monastic tradition within the Christian faith. Traditionally, Christianity lived in monastic form singles out poverty, chastity and obedience, in the Evangelical Counsels as a guide towards a closer imitation of Christ, for a closer union with God. To that, as Quakers, we add simplicity, peace and creativity. We put God at the center of our lives, in every dimension of our lives; in all that we say, do and create. From the Benedictine perspective this might be known as "conversion of life". Led by the Holy Spirit, we affirm to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in this particular place, with our brothers & sisters, using the means which the monastic life provides for us to do so.

Our community is part of the Body of Christ
"The church being no other thing but the society, gathering, or company of such as God hath called out of the world and worldly spirit, to walk in his Light and Life. The church then so designed is to be considered as it comprehends all that are thus called and gathered truly by God, both such as are yet in this inferior world and such as having already laid down the earthly tabernacle are passed into their heavenly mansions, which together do make up the one catholic church...out of which church we freely acknowledge there can be no salvation, because under this church... are comprehended all, and as many, of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue or people they be - though outwardly strangers and remote from those who profess Christ and Christianity in words and have the benefit of the Scriptures - as become obedient to the holy Light and testimony of God in their hearts. There may be members therefore of this catholic church both among heathen, Turks, Jews, and all the several sorts of Christians, men and women of integrity and simplicity of heart, who...are by the secret touches of this holy Light in their souls enlivened and quickened, thereby secretly united to God, and therethrough become true members of this catholic church."
                                                                                                                                                       - Robert Barclay, 1678

We identify ourselves as Servants of the Prince of Peace.

Our mission is intercessory prayer, Peace Ministry, Christian education, spiritual retreats, and ecumenical outreach.

We wear religious observant dress. In these turbulent times, we take comfort in our calling to be identified as followers of our Lord at all times.

Our resident members may be male or female, married or celibate single.

We foster interfaith understanding and ecumenical relationships, respectful of "that of God in every man..." (George Fox), while holding fast to the ideals of the Christian faith as practiced in conservative Quakerism and as outlined by the Constitutions, and Advices & Discipline (Reason) Document of our community order.

While the center of our lives and work is at Quaker Monastery, we also volunteer in humanitarian efforts in our community at large, supporting programs that assist the poor and those in need. Our Cloister ministries use our gifts and individual talents in service to the human and spiritual needs of all of God's people.