Worship with Us

The unprogrammed worship of Friends is unique among religious practices. We gather in silence, in what we call expectant waiting, to still our minds and open ourselves to that unknowable mysterious Presence that is in us and all around us. Unlike meditation, Friends worship is an individual and a corporate experience. Come to worship with few expectations and a mind open to embrace the community and receive the inner teacher. Every Meeting for Worship is different and there is no wrong  way to experience it.

Corporate worship is not merely individual worship or meditation at the same place and time as others worshiping or meditating, but a truly corporate experience where we enter into a communion with other worshiping souls that enables all of us to enter into the divine presence more fully, and hear the divine Word more clearly, than we could alone.

Lloyd Lee Wilson

Each person settles into the silence in their own way. There is no right way, just the desire to be present, open to and in communion with Spirit within oneself and others.  

It is common to need some time to settle after taking a seat. After some minutes, it is possible that your thoughts and emotions may come and go, and you may hold them lightly. This may be followed by various thoughts, feelings or sensations, which may be of calm awareness, increased sensitivity to the shared energy in the room, or new insights. Or something of importance may remain and require worshipful attention. All or none of these may happen during worship, and any combination of them is typical.

It is as if we had stepped into a living stream full of renewing, healing energy, a stream which reaches back and forward across time…

William Taber

In worship, we sometimes come into new understanding or see in a new way. At times, our insight is meant to be shared. When someone stands and speaks during Meeting for Worship, it is called vocal ministry, or giving a message. We don’t do this lightly, but rather take the advice of George Fox, early Quaker leader, to “take heed of forming words, but mind the Power.” Here are guidelines that describe settling into worship, feeling led to vocal ministry, and receiving the vocal ministry of others.

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