Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Welcome
Quakers believe that every person is fully capable of knowing and understanding life's deepest and most profound truths through quietly looking inward. Many of us believe there is a presence/spirit beyond ourselves that we can only hear when we are quiet enough to listen for it. In this tradition we sit in silence together without clergy or liturgy seeking these truths.
Our goal in Meeting for Worship is to create a safe haven for all of our spiritual paths and places. Because profound truths can never be completely captured by words or concepts, we know our experiences here are both shared and unique. If Quakers were asked what was happening in this silence the answers would be varied. Some worshipers would say they are praying, still others are listening to God. Some are using this time to meditate, some would say they are seeking a connection to the everlasting present. Still others are discerning their right path to making this a better world. All of us find this experience transforming, healing and often joyful.
Anyone so moved may rise and speak. We have found that after someone speaks, it is best to allow time for reflection and a return to a deep silence before another rises to speak. These messages are not a dialogue, but sometimes when those present are uniquely connected, all the messages in a meeting form a single tapestry.
Our goal in Meeting for Worship is to create a safe haven for all of our spiritual paths and places. Because profound truths can never be completely captured by words or concepts, we know our experiences here are both shared and unique. If Quakers were asked what was happening in this silence the answers would be varied. Some worshipers would say they are praying, still others are listening to God. Some are using this time to meditate, some would say they are seeking a connection to the everlasting present. Still others are discerning their right path to making this a better world. All of us find this experience transforming, healing and often joyful.
Anyone so moved may rise and speak. We have found that after someone speaks, it is best to allow time for reflection and a return to a deep silence before another rises to speak. These messages are not a dialogue, but sometimes when those present are uniquely connected, all the messages in a meeting form a single tapestry.
