Quaker meetings strive to be loving, nurturing communities. We celebrate diversity and encourage each person to find their true voice grounded in experience. We listen deeply to the Spirit and to each other as we seek to discern and embrace God’s will for us individually and as a community. (LEYM)
What is Friends' worship like?
If this is your first opportunity to worship in silence, you will surely have some questions.
What is an “unprogrammed Meeting?”
We worship in silence for about one hour. At times the meeting may be silent for the entire hour; at other times one or more people may be led to speak. Our worship is an approach to the simplicity, equality, and truth that we seek. This approach also reflects the way we make our decisions as a group.
What can I expect?
Worship in silence is based on the expectation that the Divine teaches us inwardly. By listening with an open heart, we invite the Spirit to lead us to the deeper springs of love, energy, and the Light Within.
What am I supposed to do?
Our spiritual task during worship together is to be responsive in listening to the still small voice within. We come with an openness to being transformed individually and as a community.
Here are some ways to prepare for that special kind of listening: Settle your body comfortably. Some people consciously relax the various parts of the body, in turn. Then begin to settle your mind. Some repeat a familiar prayer or Bible verse or a single word. Many use this time to pray. Some pay attention to their breathing or heartbeat. You may look at your life and ask what lessons you can draw from various incidents. You may consider your experience of the Divine, how it has touched and led you.
What's going on here?
The silent periods in the worship allow the power of God's love to draw us into a sacred space together. Our worship in silence is a communal listening for the Spirit in our time of being together. If someone is given an inspired message to be shared, it may be spoken aloud for all to hear. We enter again into silence to reflect on how the message may apply to ourself and to our community. After a time for consideration, someone else may feel led to speak. Both silence and vocal ministry deepen the communion of the people gathered.
How does Meeting end?
Meeting for Worship often ends with a designated Friend shaking hands. This is the signal for everyone to greet people sitting nearby. Then the person who closes Meeting asks for joys and concerns and if there are people we need to hold in prayer. Time is allowed for requests. We introduce ourselves and visitors are invited to sign the guest book on the hall table.
Please join us for food and fellowship following Meeting; this is a good time to ask questions and learn more about Friends' faith and practices.