At a Meeting for Worship we gather in silence - to listen, to meditate and to wait while seeking divine guidance and understanding. We all share in ministry for those gathered, without paid clergy, dogma, icons or liturgy. We may participate in the Divine Presence silently or we may feel moved to give a message inspired by God. We strive to help and strengthen one another in our spiritual development and in our search for a better understanding of God’s will.

This video on "Quakers and the Inner Light" from QuakerSpeak may be helpful.

There are many ways to contribute to the wonder and power of Quaker Worship. Below are guidelines for you to consider while you worship with us.

Be Present

Attending regularly and being on time is a wonderful gift to all those present. 
Leave behind cell phones and other worldly distractions to worship.
If you are late to the 10:30 Sunday worship, enter the library and wait there until the connecting door is opened.

Listen

to the Spirit at work in the meeting. Seek your place there. The silence will open to you.
Ministry is the work of all. There is no audience in Quaker worship. We all have a part in seeding the silence that can gather us into the Spirit. Often the most important ministry is wordless.

Vocal Ministry

comes from God out of collective silent worship. It is an opening from the Spirit with meaning beyond self. It is not a reaction or debate.
Wait in stillness after a message is given, allowing silence to be fully established, so all may have time to find the Spirit within.  Refrain from preparing a message in advance of worship time.

Give Thanks 

for the hour spent in the presence of God and among Friends. Welcome those around you with your handshake when the hour ends.

Take part

in fellowship and other Meeting activities.

Worship

deepens as you come to love the community with whom you worship.

Published by the Worship Committee of Princeton Quaker Meeting in 2012

Donations

New Haven Friends Meeting is entirely dependent on financial contributions from people like you. Please consider what your experience here means to you and give as you are able

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