tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757790087474609097.post7726537526569327340..comments2023-10-15T10:56:10.638+01:00Comments on Sheffield Quakers: Meeting needs in worshipGordon Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021696929176035226noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757790087474609097.post-8325469057649970212010-02-12T17:53:22.724+00:002010-02-12T17:53:22.724+00:00Thanks for this challenging post Gordon.
I agree ...Thanks for this challenging post Gordon.<br /><br />I agree that the sole focus on 'getting my needs met' by the Meeting creates a barrier both to authentic Quaker Worship, and to building community. <br /><br />I'm not sure though about your statement that:<br /><br />"The actual purpose of a Meeting for Worship is to celebrate the life of the community – to give 'worth' to that community, in its sorrows as well as its joys, in its pain and hardships as well as its rejoicing and successes."<br /><br />This is very much part of what belonging to a community and participating in its shared life is about.<br /><br />For me, though, the principal purpose of Meeting for Worship is neither to meet my spiritual needs, nor to celebrate the life of the community. It is to join with my community in seeking an encounter with God. I expect that for some of us this encounter will answer our deepest needs - for meaning, healing, acceptance or encouragement. For some it may disturb and challenge us, and push us to act in new directions. For some it might shine a Light on the most painful areas of ourselves or the world that we would rather not be aware of. All of this is good. <br /><br />Vocal Ministry in Meeting can be a part of this encounter, deepening the experience of Worship and sharing what we have found there. For this to happen though, we need a shared discipline that creates the stillness for this encounter to happen:<br /><br />‘Ministry should be of necessity, and not of choice, and there is no living by silence, or by preaching merely’. <br />(John Chuchman, 1734)<br /><br />(With thanks to <a href="http://practicalmysticmusings.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Beth</a> for this quote).Craig Barnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10989836224933685821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5757790087474609097.post-88183396037930268312010-02-08T19:26:27.575+00:002010-02-08T19:26:27.575+00:00Thanks Gordon! very helpful. How poignant that ima...Thanks Gordon! very helpful. How poignant that image of the Friend who regularly gives spoken ministry turning up and getting the cold shoulder at the meeting which had become known as the quiet meeting! Like the stranger in the pub! I really dont think it will happen, but no harm at all in articulating the idea. Sometimes individuals have times in their lives - very traumatic experiences, during which they simply want to be supported in a small group - our main meeting of 70 or 80 would just be overwhelming. Equally there are people who psychologically cannot cope with large groups. These situations need to be borne in mind when we are discussing the diverse needs amongst us.Laura Kerrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15287672568089752554noreply@blogger.com