Our Worship Practice
Our “unprogrammed” Quaker Meeting is a process of sitting in communal silence together to listen within to the "leadings" of the Spirit. Any Friend may feel moved to share a message revealed to them during Worship.
There is not a Minister or leader within an “unprogrammed” Quaker Meeting, but a “servant leader” who is called the clerk, and whose work it is to listen deeply and support the movement of the Spirit among our members. The clerk doesn't lead the way but strives to listen, discern, and love a diverse community as we sit together in Worship, whether at weekly Meeting for Worship or at our monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business.
Through inner spiritual discernment, “leadings” may arise for our members and these are brought to the Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business. Through our Quaker Process of communal discernment, the Meeting does not move forward with any initiative unless there is a “Sense of Meeting”, meaning that the community is in “Unity” about the way forward. These leadings often cause us to bring our “faith into practice” through social justice action in the world.
The principal Quaker “Testimonies” that we value are Peace, Truth, Simplicity, Sustainability, and Equality and we strive to live our lives accordingly.
Meeting for Worship
Every Sunday in the basement of the Barton Public Library
(entrance on the left side of the building)
100 Church Street in Barton, Vermont
10:00 am to 11:00 am
You are welcome to join us for our weekly Meeting for Worship.
Our Core Beliefs
Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone, and we strive to treat everyone from that of God in us to that of God in them.
As Quakers we believe in the power of the listening heart and mind which we seek to hold ever-present to the Spirit within us, the God of many names. This is what we call "expectant listening" to the “inner Light”, and this way of worship, which is really a way of being, can often lead to new revelations about ourselves and the world. It helps us discern the way forward in our lives.
At the core of the Quaker faith is our trust that all people can have direct, inward experience of divine love, healing, and guidance. We believe in the beauty and integrity of each person as we seek to support each other in our spiritual journeys.
To sit in a Meeting for Worship is an experience of consciously living within the presence of mystery and unknowing. We are learning peace. We are learning compassion. We are learning love — for each other and for the troubled world in which we live.
"In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom." ~ Thomas Merton
Thoughts on Meeting for Worship:
• We welcome all who desire to worship with us.
• There is no leader save the Spirit of God which is in us.
• Friends gather to wait together in quiet anticipation of experiencing God’s presence.
• A religious experience and the humble sense that it must be shared may lead to spoken messages offered in the spirit of worship.
• There is a living silence which may have even greater power.
• Meeting for worship is always an adventure.