WHAT QUAKER WORSHIP IS
Gathering in expectant silence.
In the quiet, we open ourselves to hear the voice of God within.
Quaker worship differs fundamentally from most religious services. We gather in silence without pastors, programs, or planned activities. This "waiting worship" creates space for direct spiritual connection without intermediaries.
When you enter our Meeting House, you'll find benches arranged in a square. People simply sit down in silence, centering themselves and opening their hearts to the Divine presence. This silence isn't empty; it’s alive with quiet communal contemplation.
As Richard Allen described it, "Silence deepens to a stillness, and as you wait in fellowship with others, you enter a state not only of peace, but of inspiration."
During worship, anyone may feel moved to stand and speak briefly if they sense a message rising within them that seems meant for the community.
These messages aren't planned but spring from the silence when someone feels called to share. After speaking, they return to silence, allowing space for the words to settle and for others who might be moved to speak. We typically leave a generous silence between messages as we return to our worship.
Our meeting for worship lasts about an hour and concludes when a designated Friend shakes hands and greets those nearby, after which everyone exchanges handshakes and greetings. Afterward, we share announcements and often gather for refreshments and conversation—a perfect time for newcomers to meet community members and ask questions.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST VISIT
Welcome, friend.
Visiting any religious community for the first time can feel daunting, but at Matinecock Quaker Meeting, we strive to make everyone comfortable. Here are answers to common questions about attending:
When should I arrive? Our meeting for worship begins promptly at 10:00 am on all Sundays. We suggest arriving about 10 minutes early to “settle in.” If you arrive after worship has begun, simply enter quietly and take a seat.
What should I wear? Come as you feel most comfortable. Quakers value simplicity, and you'll find people dressed comfortably in casual or business casual.
Will I have to introduce myself? No, you won't be singled out. You'll simply be part of our community as we worship. After the meeting, you'll be invited to sign our guest book if you wish, giving us an opportunity to learn your name and how to contact you if you'd like to learn more about our activities.
Is there an offering? No, we don't collect financial contributions during worship.
What if I'm not sure about Quaker beliefs? That's perfectly fine! Most Friends today began as attenders, and most weren't raised in the Quaker tradition. Our community welcomes spiritual seekers and values your questions and thoughts.
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Growing in the Light, together.
Children are valued members of our meeting community. We believe that children and adolescents have their own personal experience of the Divine and can teach adults much about wonder, authenticity, and finding joy in the moment.
Your children are welcome to stay with you throughout worship time. We love having young ones with us during our meeting. A young attender sits with families with children, helping them discover the treasures in the silence.
Parents and caregivers, please know that wiggles and whispers are natural and expected. Your family belongs here exactly as they are.
CORE QUAKER BELIEFS
Friends share common values rather than required creeds.
Quakers have no formal creed or dogma, believing that revelation is continuous and that each person can have direct experience of the Divine. However, certain core beliefs guide our community:
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The Divine Light: There is a living, dynamic spiritual presence at work in the world which is both within us and outside of us. Quakers use many names for this presence: God, Spirit, The Light, The Inward Light, Christ, Truth, Love.
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That of God in Everyone: All people have been endowed with a measure of the Divine Essence. All life is sacred and interconnected.
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Direct Experience: Every person is capable of the direct and unmediated experience of God. This core belief leads to our form of worship that doesn't rely on clergy or rituals.
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Community Discernment: Our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and deepened in community. When we gather together, each bringing our own manifestation of Divine Energy, our collective understanding grows.
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Continuing Revelation: The revelation of God's truth is continuing and ongoing. Truth can come from many sources, and we remain open to new understandings.
QUAKER TESTIMONIES
Our actions flow from our spiritual center.
The Testimonies are the fruit of our inward experience of God. Friends at Matinecock Quaker Meeting have been led by the Light to this faithful living and way of life for three centuries.
Simplicity: We remove outer and inner clutter to experience freedom and clarity.
Peace: We recognize that peace begins within each person and extends outward to all creation, working actively for social justice, peace, and reconciliation. Friends have historically opposed war and violence.
Integrity: We speak truth and live authentically, aligning our actions with our deepest values even when that’s challenging. This includes our traditional refusal to swear oaths, believing that truth-telling should be constant.
Community: We recognize that our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and enlarged in community as we support each other's spiritual journeys. Our business meetings seek unity through spiritual discernment in honest conversation and deep personal listening.
Equality: We affirm that there is that of God in everyone and work to ensure all can bring their whole selves to our community. This has led Friends throughout history to work against slavery, for women's and minority rights, and for human dignity.
GETTING INVOLVED
Walking the path as a community.
There are many ways to deepen your connection with our Quaker Meeting.
If your experience with Matinecock Quaker Meeting resonates with you, we welcome and value your continued participation in our community:
Regular Attendance: The foundation of Quaker practice is our weekly meeting for worship, held Sundays at 10:00 am. Many find that regular attendance deepens their spiritual experience and connection to the community.
Community Events: Beyond worship, we gather for potlucks, discussion groups, service projects, and social events. These provide wonderful opportunities to get to know community members and learn more about Quaker practices through personal experience.
Learn More: We have a library of resources about Quakerism available to borrow, including books like "A Quaker Book of Wisdom" by Robert Lawrence Smith, "The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction" by Pink Dandelion, and "Faith & Practice" from New York Yearly Meeting. We invite you to visit our Meeting House Reading Resource Corner.
Ask Questions: Meeting members are always happy to discuss Quaker beliefs and practices. After meeting, during our monthly social hour or Hospitality, is a perfect time for conversations.
Meeting for Business: Once you've been attending for a while, you might attend our monthly meeting for business (also called meeting for worship with attention to business). This is where we make decisions as a community through a unique Quaker process of spiritual discernment.
Membership: While many people attend our meeting for years as "attenders" without becoming formal members, those who feel led to make a deeper commitment are welcome to apply for membership. This process typically involves writing a letter to the meeting clerk and then meeting with a clearness committee to discuss your spiritual journey and personal connection to Quakerism.
Remember that each person's spiritual journey unfolds at its own pace. There's no timeline or checklist for involvement—we welcome your presence however and whenever it feels right to you.
QUAKER DECISION MAKING
Getting the sense of the meeting.
Our business method is an extension of our worship.
Quakers make decisions differently than most organizations. Rather than voting or following a leader's direction, we seek what we call "the sense of the meeting" through a process of communal spiritual discernment.
This practice begins with the belief that when we come together in a spirit of openness and humility, we can discern God's will for our community. As Patricia Loring explains, "When Friends make a decision, they are not seeking a consensus of their membership. They are seeking the shared will of God in a particular matter."
Our business meetings (called meeting for worship with attention to business) begin with silent worship to center ourselves. As issues arise, members speak when moved, addressing the clerk rather than debating with each other. We listen deeply to each person’s contribution, allowing space between speakers to reflect. The clerk helps discern when unity is emerging and articulates this "sense of the meeting."
This process requires patience, as we believe that rushing decisions leads us away from divine guidance. If unity isn't reached, we may postpone a decision for further “seasoning.” When someone disagrees with the emerging sense of the meeting, they might "stand aside" (allow the meeting to proceed while noting their disagreement) or, in rare cases, "stand in the way" (indicating a deep concern that requires further attention).
This method fosters unity even when opinions differ. By focusing on discerning divine guidance rather than advancing personal agendas, we remain connected as a community even through challenging communal decisions.