Quakers
have two very different styles of worship. Programmed Friends hold
meetings that are similar to those of many other Protestant denominations, such
as Methodists or Presbyterians. They generally have ministers, selected Bible
readings, singing and shared rituals. Unprogrammed Friends have worship based on the
group dynamic communion with God that is based in silence. They come together in silence
waiting to be moved to speak; any member may speak, but will only do so with
urging from deep within. Unprogrammed Friends believe in the inward baptism by
and communion with God. The Wooster
Friends Meeting is an unprogrammed meeting.
The visitor to an unprogrammed meeting will notice
the simplicity of the chairs facing one another – often in a circle or
square – and the absence of a minister and of formal procedures or ritual
objects. All in attendance share in a silent communion with God. Out of this
prayerful silence, any person may be moved to speak. According to general
practice other members who feel they need to speak following a message will
wait for a while, permitting the previous speaker’s words to season.
Often during this seasoning, the second message will change…or even be
seen as unnecessary.
Meetings do not guarantee a profound religious
experience every time. But a gathered meeting for worship, where the
group feels as one and clearly in touch with the Light, is a deeply moving
event that will not be forgotten.
All the world and all moments are holy to Friends.
We do not designate special holy places, nor do we practice sacraments, as some
religions do. Friends believe that rituals impose mediators between God and the
individual and that those mediators are human, not divine. We do observe
marriages, funerals and memorial services. The arrival of a new baby or a new
member is also noted and celebrated by the meeting.
Like Meeting for Worship, Meeting for Business is
conducted in a spirit of prayerful waiting. Business meetings are held once a
month; this is the reason local meetings are called monthly meetings.
The purview of business meetings includes the spiritual life of the meeting, the
religious education of members (both children and adults), decisions about
membership, the allocation of resources, including money, to causes supported
by the meeting, and so forth. There is a striking difference between a Quaker
business meeting and most decision-making groups in our culture. Quaker
procedures are not democratic! Instead, all Friends’ business is handled
by what we call Quaker process.
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