Worship
As Quakers, worship is at the heart of our faith experience. Unprogrammed Quaker worship may seem quite different from what you’d expect to experience in other faith traditions.
Here’s a description of our worship style from Ministry & Counsel:
We gather together to listen intentionally to that which is Divine in each of us. During worship, we enter into stillness of body and mind in order to feel that spirit of love within and among us, to give ourselves over to it, and to discern what it would have us do. We share a sense of expectant waiting, anticipating the probability of being connected to the Spirit.
Our ministry is not planned. Messages from the divine are often received. Perhaps there is an undeniable awareness that the message has to be shared. When this happens, we stand and share the message with the Meeting. Thus we allow ourselves to be led by the spirit.
The worship period closes after the Clerk asks Friends to share situations and persons to hold in the Light in times of joy and difficulty. The Clerk will then signal the close of our worship time with a greeting and announcements.
The 11:00 a.m. Meetings for Worship on Sunday mornings are open to in-person worship and by videoconference (blended or hybrid worship).
Midweek worship is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Our Wednesday worship is in-person at the Meeting House from 12:00-1:00 p.m and 7:30-8:30 p.m. There is a potluck meal in the School House on Wednesday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. Our Thursday worship is on Zoom and begins at 6:30 p.m. with a virtual potluck meal followed by Meeting for Worship at 7:30 p.m.
Please note a change in schedule for Meeting for Worship on first Sundays. The 9:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship is available on Zoom and in-person in the Meeting House. The 11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship is replaced by Meeting for Business at 10:15 a.m. (Zoom & Meeting House).
Masks are optional in our buildings and on our grounds.
Religious education (First Day School) is currently conducted in-person at 11:15 a.m. On first Sundays, FDS starts at 10:15 a.m., the same time as Meeting for Business.
Bible Study is held on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in-person in Community House room 204. Bible Study does not meet on the first Sunday of the month. Hymn Sings are available in-person in the Lyceum every second and fourth Sunday starting at 10 a.m.
For questions about blended/hybrid worship (in-person and Zoom) or for more information, email us: mtgcoord@sandyspring.org.