Your First Quaker Meeting

This page tries to explain what will happen the first time you come to Meeting at Forest Hill. You will be given a leaflet, or you can read it now by clicking at right
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Coming into Meeting

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When we meet face-to-face, the doorkeepers will introduce themselves and ask your name. When meeting on Zoom, there usually isn't the same opportunity for the doorkeeper to introduce themselves but if you are able to join the Zoom link 10 or even 5 minutes early, then there will be time for the doorkeeper and other friends to say a friendly hello before the meeting starts.  We don't have priests or clergy so the doorkeeper is one of us who attends regularly. It is their role to welcome everyone to meeting. The doorkeepers will ask people they do not recognise whether you have attended before. If it is your first time they will give you a leaflet  and show you the way to the Meeting room. You may choose to read the leaflet during or after Meeting

We believe that Meeting for Worship starts as soon as the first person enters the Meeting room and sits down. Go in and sit in any chair that you like – except the one right by the door as the door keeper sits in this when they come in so they can keep an eye on the front door for latecomers.

Sunday Meeting for Worship

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​10.30 am: In person meetings - Chimes will be rung and everyone should move into the Meeting room. Our Meetings are based on silence – a shared silence of waiting and listening. On Zoom - An elder will start the meeting by saying a few words. 

Sit quietly in silence or you may find it helpful to read this or the leaflets you have been given. There may be silence for quite some time. We seek a communal gathered stillness where we can be open to inspiration.

One or more people during the meeting may feel moved to 'minister'. These are not special people, at least no more special than anyone else, and if you feel moved to speak your contribution will be just as welcome as anyone else's. The person giving the ministry will stand up. It will will be brief and each person normally only speaks once. There will be a period of silence between ministry. Perhaps an explanation of the expression 'moved to speak' might be helpful. Moved by what? The answer is moved by the Spirit. The spirit of God, the divine spirit, the spirit of love, words are sometimes not enough but probably you have a good idea of what is meant.

It is not that we think we want to say something but that we must say it, i.e. we are 'moved'.

Sometimes the whole of the Meeting will be silent all the way through and the silence is in itself a form of ministry by the Spirit in which we are all gathered.

Once a month one of the Elders (members whose role it is to look after the spiritual welfare of the meeting) will read an Advice or Query. These challenge and inspire Friends in their personal lives. They can be found in a leaflet or at the front of the red book Quaker Faith and Practice which is on tables around the room with a Bible. Please feel free to read Quaker Faith and Practice, the Bible or other spiritual texts.

11.20 am: The children join the meeting for ten minutes silent(ish) worship. We believe that we should rejoice in the presence of children and young people in our meeting and recognise the gifts they bring.

11.30 am : Two Elders will shake hands to show the end of the Meeting. They will then be joined by everyone else in shaking hands.

After Meeting

The Clerk (members who look after the business of the Meeting) will then stand up and give notices. The Clerk will ask visitors and newcomers to sign the visitors’ book and to introduce themselves either at the end of the notices or informally during tea and coffee. People will be asked to volunteer to make tea and coffee. Anyone can do this – though probably it is better to wait until at least your second meeting! One of the Overseers (members whose role it is to look after the social welfare of the meeting) will also make themselves known so that anyone who has any questions and/or issues can speak to them. If you have any questions at this meeting or at future meetings, just ask anyone around you, or you can always ask overseers or elders — their pictures are on the wall in the front hall.

You are very, very welcome to join us for a drink and a chat after meeting. We do not charge for drinks. Normally tea and coffee lasts until about 12.15 - 12.30 am.

Mid-week Meeting for Worship

starts at 7.15pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. The information above covers our main Sunday Meeting but the leaflet at right has more details of the Tuesday Meetings, which are usually smaller and followed by tea and chat (or sometimes a trip to the local pub.)
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Do you want to know more?

Please ask an Elder, Overseer, Clerk, the Doorkeeper or any other Friend. You can also find out more from these websites and books