About Prospect Hill Friends Meeting
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This web page is a copy of the text and graphics in
the Welcome brochure distributed to visitors to Prospect Hill Friends Meeting
and to others enquiring about that Meeting. The graphics were supplied by
Regula Russelle. This page was last updated January 6, 2010.
Time and Place of Meeting
Prospect Hill Friends meet in the
at the St. Paul Council of Churches Headquarters,
An Invitation to Participate
Friends have sought to discover ways of living and
worship that make access to the Light Within easier and more fulfilling.
Respect for the paths taken by others in their search for the divine causes
Friends to avoid active proselytizing. At times, this may make newcomers feel
they are observing a closed "in-group" from the outside. However, be
assured that nothing done arises from knowledge that is deliberately kept
secret or hidden from newcomers. All members are happy to share. Visitors who
have questions are encouraged to ask anyone after meeting, or to telephone one
of the Friends listed above.
Worship in the Manner of Friends
Prospect Hill Meeting has no designated minister.
Members and attenders share the responsibility for worship. The meeting opens
by entering a centered silence, with each seeking the divine presence, an
experience Friends often call the sense of Inward Light or the Light Within.
Sometimes the entire meeting for worship takes place in this prayerful silence.
Friends are comfortable with worship that requires no words.
But Friends believe they are called upon to
minister to one another. During worship, a Friend who feels he or she has
received a message from God may speak in spontaneous prayer or ministry or,
more rarely, song or humorous story. After each message, the group centers
again in silence. After a period of quiet, some other friend may share a
message on the same theme or bring forward some new insight. The goal is not
discussion, rather a dialogue between the group and God.
Friends who are so moved speak clearly and loud
enough to be heard. The message is focused and brief. The nickname for Friends
("Quakers") arose from the fact that they wait to speak until shaken
inwardly, or even outwardly, by a powerful sense that a message must be shared.
Visiting a Friends meeting for worship can
sometimes be intimidating to those unfamiliar with Quaker ways. Visitors should
be assured that they are welcome. Questions or concerns may be raised after
meeting. If sitting quietly to meditate for nearly an hour becomes difficult
for novices, they should know that most Friends have felt the same at some
point, and perhaps at many points.
Child Care and Religious Education
Children are welcome at programs and meeting for
worship. We understand that children are not able to sit as quietly as adults.
Their noises and shifting are not as distracting to others as their parents
might imagine. An on-going children's program has been planned at times when
there was regular attendance by children.
Governance of the Meeting
Both meeting for worship and meeting for business
are always open to visitors as well as to members. Meeting for business is a
new experience for non-Quakers. The main rule is that a Quaker usually speaks
only once upon any matter, and endeavors to do so in a Friendly manner. Again,
if there are questions or concerns, it is appropriate to raise them with a
Friend after the meeting is over.
Socializing with Friends
Prospect Hill Friends usually meet informally for a
potluck supper and program on the third Friday of the month. These events are
likewise open to visitors. Children are welcome and usually enjoy themselves at
these gatherings. Interested persons should ask when and where the next
third-Friday event will be held.
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