Quaker Values - Meeting for Worship                       next >

Each week, the school community gathers in the Meetinghouse, built in 1802, for Meeting for Worship. There are separate Meetings for each school division.  The form is simple.  The group settles into silent reflection. Friends believe that each person has within him/herself, with God’s help, the ability to discern truth. Participants use this time to pray, or worship or simply reflect deeply on the world around them, according to their own faith traditions.  Since Friends believe that each person, no matter their age, is able to discern truth all are welcome to speak from their hearts if so moved. It is expected that their words will be listened to from the same deep connection to the Spirit and provide insight for the listeners. When the Meeting for Worship is over, students on the facing benches will close the Meeting by shaking hands. At this point everyone is invited to briefly greet their neighbor before settling back into quiet for dismissal.

There are three rules for students in Meeting for Worship:

• Sit with relaxed bodies.
• Sit quietly.
• Do not bother any one else's worship.

There are also three jobs for students in Meeting for Worship:

• Listen (Wait expectantly on God. Try to clear your mind and listen. Reflect on someone else's message)
• Speak when you have a message that is important to share with everyone; that we can all learn from. Speak only once and loudly enough for all to hear.
• Be present in the moment. There is a power in group worship that while hard to explain is real. It comes with practice and careful attention.

Visit the Moorestown Monthly Meeting website

Friends Educational Beliefs

Meeting for Worship

The Examined Life

Testimonies

Service

• Philadelphia Web Design