How can Quaker Meetings Support Multi-Faith Families? Sharing Circles

March 18 & 20, 2025

Q

UAKER TESTIMONIES CALL US TO RESPECT OTHER FAITHS AND TO HONOR EACH PERSON’S EXPERIENCE OF THE DIVINE. Quaker religious education often includes exploration of other religions, and their expression in cultural values and customs. Recognizing our inclusive approach, some families come to Quaker Meeting on the leading of one parent, while another parent or caregiver may adhere to a different faith tradition – or none. 

This sharing circle will focus on how Meetings can ground children and families in Quaker faith and practice while honoring other faith traditions observed within the family. We will share questions, challenges, experiences and resources for religious education programs and Meetings communities.

QUERIES

• How can we support parents and caregivers from multi-faith families?
• How can we help children and youth embrace the fullness of more than one faith in their lives?
• How can we learn about and honor the various religions practiced in our wider community?
• How can we help our children stand with friends and neighbors from diverse cultures when the value of tolerance is under attack in our society?

RESOURCES:

Websites:

Faith at Home, Quaker Religious Education Collaborative

Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington

Books/Articles for Adults:

Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family, Susan Katz Miller

Let’s Talk About Interfaith Families, Sparrow F. Alden

Sacred Stories of Ordinary Families, Diana Garland

One in Five US Adults were Raised in Interfaith Homes, A closer look at religious mixing in American families, Pew Research Center, 2016

Children’s Stories:

Images of God, Faith & Play™

Faith, by Cynthia Pon, Magda Nakassis, Maya Ajmera

Hats of Faith, by Medeia Cohan

Chicken Sunday, by Patricia Polacco

The Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco

Learn more: Visit the QREC Resource Library and subscribe to our announcements