Meeting for Worship is the bedrock of the Quaker way, but what does it means to us? This Quaker Week, we share some reflections from one group of Quakers in Central England.
If you’ve not experienced Quaker worship before, this Sunday (World Quaker Day, 5th October) is a great opportunity to give it a try – see special events for Quaker Week and World Quaker Day, or simply pop along to any of our regular Meetings for Worship.
This tree was created at a recent training day on Exploring the Spiritual with Children and Young People. Participants took part in a semi-programmed meeting for worship where they were asked to think about what Meting for Worship means to us and, if they wanted to, to write it on a leaf. Some of the ideas gathered include:
- Meeting for Worship is when everything comes together.
- When I am with Friends I often feel hopeful and like anything is possible. I feel accepted just as I am.
- Space and time to listen.
- Deep inner peace.
- Being with Friends – the love that surrounds us.
- Outside worship – connection with people, the earth, spirit.
- Indoor worship – grounded, hope, renewal.
- Community, grounding / held, space.
- Why I go to meeting: comfort, search, remember, hope, pause, connection, community, reset, a feeling, inspiration, to support.
- Community who care for each other.
- Connection. Belonging.
- Quakers reinforce, encourage and amplify God within.
- Caring, seeking, change, advocacy, listen, holding, growing truth, acceptance, inclusion, love.
- A framework for living, community connection, God or whatever-you-call-it.