When you arrive at Wakefield Meeting on a Sunday morning, you will be greeted by a doorkeeper who will be happy to answer any questions, offer a leaflet if you’re new to Quakers, and guide you to the meeting room upstairs. If you have children with you they will also introduce you to someone who can tell you more about our children's meeting. There is a chairlift for anyone who finds stairs difficult.
Our meeting room is simple, with chairs arranged in a circle. Sometimes there are only a few people present but on average there will be somewhere around 20 of us. In the centre there is a table with flowers and some books available to read that can be important to Quakers, including Quaker Faith & Practice and The Bible and some books for children. There is a wall-mounted screen where people may join the Meeting on Zoom – please talk to the doorkeeper if you would rather not be visible on Zoom.
Meeting for Worship begins in stillness at 10.30, or just before, as people come into the meeting room and settle down quietly. It lasts for about an hour. It’s a time when we gather together in shared silence, offering space for reflection, awareness and connection with each other and with ‘the promptings of love and truth in our hearts’ (Advices and Queries para 1). From within that silence, anyone may feel moved to speak. This kind of contribution, known as spoken ministry, can take many forms: a thought, an experience, a question, or something that feels important to share with others. It is usually quite brief. We usually stand to speak (if able) and we leave a quiet space for reflection afterwards. Sometimes several people will minister during a meeting, sometimes there will be no spoken ministry at all.
An elder signals the close of the worship by shaking hands with the people on each side of them and we all shake hands with the people next to us.
At the conclusion of the Meeting we allow time for ‘afterthoughts’ – discussion about any of the ministry that has been particularly thought-provoking. Notices are shared, and visitors are welcomed and invited (but not expected) to say their name or introduce themselves if they wish.
After the meeting, you are invited to join us for tea, coffee and biscuits downstairs. There is no expectation to stay but if you do, then it is a relaxed opportunity to chat, meet others, and maybe ask any questions you might have about Quaker practice or the Wakefield Meeting. You may be asked if you would like to sign our visitors book and leave your contact details but this is completely up to you.
Whatever your reasons for attending our Meeting, whether you have come out of initial curiosity, are a long-standing Quaker, or anything in between, we would love to meet you this Sunday at Wakefield Meeting!