QuakerInfo.com Forum

Inerflaim · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: S.E. Ohio

Hello!

i want to start off thanking everyone on the forum, you have all been a huge help to me (i know thats really gereral, but there are soooo many awsome forums i'd be here all night listing them.) my qustion is this, i'm planning on attending a local meeting this comming sunday, is there anything i need to know before going so i dont advertenly offend them? i'm from a RC backround where there were alot of do's and dont's, now i know quakers are not catholics but i'm really nervous as it is and dont want to come off as ignorant.

thank you,
new and nervous

Shay · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 885

Well, if it's an unprogrammed meeting, don't be alarmed if no one says anything!

Um... if you usually make the sign of the cross, people may give it odd looks, but other than that, there's nothing I can think of that would be too different... maybe dressing a little more casually than Ive seen RC folks dress for service, maybe a turtleneck and nice sweater instead of a dressy shirt and jacket.

And if you have questions, look at the end of the service for the people who shake hands first or make announcements- they'll probably be able to answer your questions or put you in touch with someone who can.

Oh- one more thing- if you have kids that need childcare, call the Meeting ahead of time and ask what the provisions are. Some meetings need a little prep time. Smile

bradleyp · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:59 pm Post subject:

Although I’ve never been to a meeting myself I would advice to call ahead and ask about the meeting’s dress code. You don’t want to be over dressed or too casual depending on the circumstances of the meeting. Call and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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Bradley P.
Somewhere along the pathway back, the pathway forward, wherever it leads, I wish for an interesting walk.

wsamuel · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

I don't think that any meetings in the USA have a dress code. Typical dress does vary. Most unprogrammed meetings are very casual. Programmed meetings range from very casual to reasonably dressy. I would just advise against wearing anything provocative or overly fancy. You will be accepted no matter what you choose to wear.

You have identified yourself as from S.E. Ohio. That area has two groups of Friends active - Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative), which is unprogrammed; and Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region, which is programmed. Worship styles are very different for the two groups, but they maintain friendly relations with each other. If both are near you, you might try them both out.

If you go to a Conservative Meeting, you may see some people in plain dress, but others will not be. It is not a required discipline, but some people in that yearly meeting do feel called to the practice.
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Bill Samuel, Webservant, QuakerInfo.com

Shay · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 885

How did it go?

Pulpculture · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 564 Location: England

BillSamuel · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

Right. Anyone will be welcome regardless of dress.
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Bill Samuel, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Co-Coordinator, Friends in Christ

Inerflaim · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: S.E. Ohio

hello peoples!

i'd like to thank you all for your helpful insight, it really made a difference. there was no dress code so i felt the mood was very relaxed, that made all the diffrence in the world. as for the service it was unprogrammed so sitting in silence was a big change for me. its funny, at the very begining of the silence i was expecting someone to stand up and start leading us in prayer (i knew that it was not going to happen, but out of old habbits that what i was waiting for,) but once my mind threw out that notion and i embraced the peace and quiet i truly gained a new prespective on the meaning of prayer, for me it felt kinda like being an empty glass, the water came in the form of someone breaking silence. i'm not going to lie, i retained what i could of the message but i think i missed some of the finer points, but what i did retain gives me alot to think about so mabey its for the better. i think besides my personal experences during the silence, the other thing that made it what it was were the people there. i had never met anyone of those people and the couple of people i did talk to treated me like a equal ( i'm not saying that other places treated me like i was lower form of life, i'm saying that other place came off as "i'm already on the road and know soooo much, your just starting out and have a long way too go," at the meeting everyone i talked too seemed to me like "were all on this road together and i'm still learning" i hope that makes sense) and long lost buddy. well now that i have fully informed you of everything that happend except what i had for breakfast that morning (i know its a long story, but i hope it'll help someone else who was in my position) i'll just be out with it.... I Loved It! and i am planning on attending next sunday.

Shay · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 885

That's great! I'm glad you had such a wonderful time!

Pulpculture · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 564 Location: England

I'm so pleased you enjoyed it
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I said don't forget Burma!