"In the quiet we look for a sense of connection."
A meeting for worship usually lasts for an hour. In Quaker worship there are no ministers or creeds. We first gather together in silence to quiet our minds – we don't have set hymns, prayers or sermons.
In the stillness we open our hearts and lives to new insights and guidance. Sometimes we are moved to share what we discover with those present. We call this 'ministry'. We listen to what everyone has to say to find its meaning for us. Anyone can give ministry, at any time, including visitors.
In the quiet we look for a sense of connection. This might be a connection with those around us, with our deepest selves, or perhaps with God. As we feel this sense of encounter grow stronger, we may begin to see the world and our relationships in a new way. Our worship may take us beyond our own thoughts and ideas to help us respond more creatively to the world around us.
"we are worshipping as equals"
Anyone can contribute to a Quaker meeting for worship – there is no leader. We do have people with a responsibility to encourage and nurture ministry, but we don't believe that makes them more important. We call these people 'elders', while they are serving in this role.
You can sit anywhere you want. No seats are special or reserved. Chairs are usually arranged in a circle. This helps us connect with each another and reminds us that we are worshipping as equals. The meeting starts as soon as the first person enters the room.
A Bible and copies of Quaker Faith & Practice will be available on a table. Quaker Faith & Practice is a collection of writing from our 375-year history, and is completely revised every generation. People may read from it quietly, or sometimes aloud as ministry. We also use a small booklet called Advices & Queries, which is a collection of prompts, insights and questions, available for free if you would like to take a copy home with you.
"you do not have to be a Quaker to attend"
Meeting for worship finishes when two Quakers shake hands. The rest of the meeting joins in by shaking hands with those around them. Someone may then share news and information. After the meeting has finished, we usually stay to chat over tea and biscuits - you are welcome to join us. Feel free to take the opportunity to ask questions about the meeting or anything else about Quakers.
Meetings for worship are open to everyone. You do not have to be a Quaker to attend worship. As a 'Roofbreaker' church, we have taken great care to make our building accessible to wheelchair users, and we have a hearing loop for those who would find that helpful.
"Quaker Speak"
Here's a jargon-buster for some of those unfamiliar words or phrases you may hear us using ....
- Attenders are those who join in the spiritual life of the Meeting on a regular basis, are part of Meeting and often share in the work.
- The Clerk holds the central administrative role in each local Quaker Meeting, a combination of chairperson, facilitator and secretary of business meetings and being the point of contact with the rest of the world.
- Elders share responsibility for nurturing the Meeting’s spiritual life, which is the source of everything else that we do.
- Enquirers are people new to Quakers.
- Friend with a capital F, a Quaker, a member of the Meeting.
- Meeting for Worship is the Quaker equivalent of a church service.
- Members are those who have asked for, and been accepted into,
membership of the Religious Society of Friends. - Ministry is when a person feels moved by the Spirit to speak during Meeting for Worship.
- Pastoral Friends share responsibility for the pastoral care of people in the Meeting. They rely on everyone to let them know about particular needs and try hard to meet them.
- Quaker Faith and Practice is a book which is an extensive resource, providing useful information, quotes, sayings, anecdotes about our spiritual beliefs, history, organisation, and our present social witness. Also online here.
- Testimonies of Truth, Peace, Simplicity/Sustainability and Equality. These are recognised by the Society of Friends as expressions of our faith which we try to live out in our daily lives. They are accumulated Quaker wisdom expressed briefly as principles to strive for in the world as it is now.