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Author
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Topic: Has anybody gone to a Quaker's church before?
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Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 16, 2010 10:20 AM
 
Just wondering if anyone would like to share their experience of going to a Quaker's church.
I am planning on checking it out.
The way they conduct their services is perfect (they sit around silently until someone is compelled to speak) and is possibly closest to the way I feel about my relationship with God. IP: Logged |
katatonic
Knowflake Posts: 4576
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 20, 2010 12:37 PM
i don't think i have ever been to a quaker service, except for my mother's "funeral", which was styled as a quaker circle in a park by the river she loved and lived by all her life...i agree that their peaceful, simple and very personal way of worship is very attractive.i was just going to post about the quakers in global unity...because they are a great example of PEACEFUL people who do not covet the CONTINUAL MORE which many consider the be-all...yet they thrive. they have not been taken over by the mightier, richer sectors - they are not continually expanding, yet they survive amongst all the broohaha that most people consider NORMAL. then again i believe eisenhower was a quaker. and a general. he joined the armed forces to preserve PEACE - supposedly. IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 20, 2010 01:48 PM
quote:
people who do not covet the CONTINUAL MORE
kat, I'm not sure what you mean by that. I'm yet to go to a meeting. They've been around these parts for 400 years... but I'm so against organized religion. We'll see. Maybe it will not offend me like the money collection did at the UU service and any church's service, really. IP: Logged |
katatonic
Knowflake Posts: 4576
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 20, 2010 04:47 PM
just another name for the greed ethic that seems prevalent in most capitalist-based societies. the quakers have never gone in for ostentation of any kind, nor acquisitiveness beyond "comfortable" as far as i know. they are not as ascetic perhaps as the amish (who have their failures) but simplicity is key.do you ever do potluck dinners or attend them? sometimes passing the plate is just another way of chipping in for the costs of keeping things going, paying the rent etc. at least it is an anonymous and unspecified request for what you want to give, as opposed to paying through the nose for "spiritual education" as is popular in many "new age" circles. IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 21, 2010 01:46 PM
quote:
My desires after the Lord grew stronger, and zeal in the pure knowledge of God and of Christ alone, without the help of any man, book, or writing. For though I read the Scriptures that spoke of Christ and of God, yet I knew him not but by revelation, as he who hath the key did open, and as the Father of life drew me to his Son by his spirit. And then the Lord did gently lead me along, and did let see his love, which was endless and eternal, and surpasseth all the knowledge that men have in the natural state, or can get by history or books; and that love let me see myself as I was without him. And I was afraid of all company, for I saw them perfectly where they were, through the love of God which let me see myself. I had not fellowship with any people, priests, or professors, nor any sort of separated people, but with Christ, who hath the key, and opened the door of light and life unto me.
George Fox (1624-1691)IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 23, 2010 10:40 AM
Yeah, the potluck sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't know what's "acceptable" there until I actually go to a meeting. I want it to be a pleasant and welcoming experience. I went to this UU church which did collections twice! I mean, the church was huge, obviously due to the generous patronage of its members. Too many bells and whistles... Why print pamphlets on glossy paper in color?!?!? when you can do it simply, inexpensively and organize a soup kitchen drive or two with that money?IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 595
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted July 23, 2010 04:49 PM
Yin, I don't have any experience with the Quaker ways but I would love to here about your experience should you give it a try.I took the this test this morning and the Quaker belief came up with a high percentage for me. My spirituality is beyond my religion ... yet I enjoy the fellowship and opportunities for service a church home can provide. I choose carefully where I direct my energies within the church. Since churches are made of people, it's important to search for one feels most comfortable and fits closely to your personal beliefs.
http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 09:57 AM
We went yesterday. It was so simple and beautiful. They had a silent service. Unorganized. People just sat there and prayed or whatever else they did in silence. Some spoke. Also met with silence. Valus stood up and spoke too. 
Afterward there was a "social" where the members congregated at this old Quaker's schoolhouse. People came over to us to greet us and ask Valus about his speech and get info on the sources he quoted. I was so proud of him!
There was no money collection. They offered us refreshments, books to borrow and read ... It was so unpretentious... They were all very kind... Nobody got in my face to preach about anything. I loved it.IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 10:20 AM
Thanks, Yin. I wouldn't call it a speech, though. I said: quote:
I'm a little frightened to speak,
but there are just a few short quotes I wanted to share.From Julian of Norwich: 'Would you know your Lord's meaning in this thing? Know it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it to you? Love. What did he show you? Love. Why did he show it? For love. Keep yourself therein and you shall know and understand more in the same. But you shall never know nor understand any other thing, forever.' - Julian of Norwich From Cardinal John Henry Newman: "We must make up our minds to be ignorant of much, if we would know anything." From The Cloud Of Unknowing: "A short prayer pierces the heavens." And I just wanted to say: What we have heard from the Lord,
let us interpret in the light of the Lord.
And the light of the Lord is LOVE.
One guy read a poem he wrote about Pete Seeger. 
IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 10:24 AM
George Fox was born in July. I wonder whether he was a Leo or a Cancer. IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 10:29 AM
I'm surprised he isn't on Astrotheme.
I was looking for him last night.Really excited about this book they gave me: Quaker Spirituality Selected Writings
edited and introduced by Douglas V. Steere IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 10:32 AM
Me toooo! (excited 'bout the book)IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 595
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 11:02 AM
I'm so glad you had a pleasant experience!
I'm glad you shared with everyone Valus!
You both have lots of pearls to share.IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 26, 2010 03:17 PM
Thank you again for your kindness, mermaid.I'm already planning what to bring to the "social" next time. IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 10:41 AM
Thank you, mermaid.IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 10:45 AM
An old Quaker, who had read a popular guide to prayer called, "Training For The Life Of The Spirit", when asked his opinion of the book, replied that it seemed to him too much like "straining for the life of the spirit". One Quaker woman said, the best method of prayer is no method. The interior life speaks for itself, and the presence of God, in the present moment, instructs us in how to pray, even as we pray. "We come to God by love, and not by navigation." ~ AugustineIP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 01:36 PM
It's official: I'm a Quaker. 
mermaid,
Are you on Facebook? Faaacceeboooooookkk lol
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mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 595
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 03:11 PM
You are both welcome.Still contemplating the Facebook route... IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1739
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 03:15 PM
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mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 595
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 03:26 PM
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Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3213
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted July 27, 2010 03:31 PM
"I will entice you into the desert,
and there I will speak to you in the depths of your heart."
~ Hosea 2:14"The Father uttered one word
and that word was His Son, and
He utters it everlastingly in silence
and in silence a soul has to hear it."
~ John of The Cross "My concern was... to know whether they were a people gathered under the sense of the presence of God in their meetings... and the Lord answered my desire. I was affected and tendered with them... The Meeting being ended, the peace of God... remained as a holy canopy over my mind."
~ Thomas Story "When I came into the silent assemblies of God's people, I felt a secret power among them, which touched my heart; and as I gave way unto it, I found the evil weakening in me and the good raised up."
~ Robert Barclay
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