For Ralphinal

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So as not to “derail” the other thread, I attended George Fox College…now “University” over thirty years ago. It is primarily an Evangelical Friend institution…but there were many “non-programmed” Friends there as well.

We work quite well together on social concerns…you will find a “Unitarian” liberal Friend serving side by side a “Trinitarian” conservative Friend in a soup line or in peace work. We recongnize “that of God” in one another and it is Him we serve in each other…well at least idealy.

I belong to an “un-programmed” Meeting. I have worshipped in “programmed” Meetings/Churches before, but they leave me empty. There is a time of “silent” centering down during them, but just as I get centered down, the sermon begins…in the “un-programmed” traditional Meeting for Worship, I experience the Living Presence and appreciate any verbal ministry given that arises out of the Silence. “Communion after the manner of Friends”, where the Real Presence is manifiested among us is no substitute in any other form of worship I have ever participated in. The “liturgy of silence” for me is profound.
 
Thank you so much. The fact that Friends are willing to “put their money where their mouth is” so to speak has always caught my eye. How different is the period of silence than meditation? Also, how “Christian” are you (or your branch) in beleifs?
 
ralphinal said:
Thank you so much. The fact that Friends are willing to “put their money where their mouth is” so to speak has always caught my eye. How different is the period of silence than meditation? Also, how “Christian” are you (or your branch) in beleifs?
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We have two Meetings for Worship each First Day. One at 8:00 am that lasts for about an hour. We have another at 10:30 that lasts about an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes. The first 30 minutes are for those who want to sing and announcements…the Meeting for Worship begins at 11:00.

“Meditation” is as I understand it the stilling of the mind or the focus on a single thing or “mantra” to clear ones mind and body.

Worship is different…we “center down” and seek to join with each other in the Living Silence to experience the Presence of God in our midst. Out of this Silence of “Listening” to the Light WIthin, some are moved by the Spirit to give “vocal ministry”. Vocal ministry is not “prepared for” ahead of time, but as the “Spirit moves”. Some in my Meeting are Christ centered and speak in language very “Christ centered”, others speak out of the Divine Center about peace issues, homless and caring for the poor. Others might be led to read a passage from scripture or recite a poem. There may be only one person moved to speak or none…or 5-10 people moved to give “vocal ministry.”

Meeting for Worship to conduct business are held once a month (Monthly Meeting) and begin with 15 minutes or so of silence to welcome the Presence into our midst to assist us in conducting business. We don’t vote on issues, our Clerk seeks to gather the “Sense of the Meeting”…we make decisions by concensus as we determine which way God is directing our business. It can take quite a long time to reach consensus on some issues…but we seek to be united in our decisions. Any one member can hold our progress in making a decision as a meeting by speaking their view…if finally it is felt that they are satisfied that the Meeting must move on they may remove their objections and not impede the Meeting.

“How Christian am I?” I consider myself very…“Christian” in belief. For me, Jesus is the Light of God incarnated into our world…in him God spoke in a grand final Word as to who He really is…Jesus. There’s a song by Michael Card that I love…I believe John Michael Talbot recorded a duet with Michael Card in an album “Brother to Brother”…“The Final Word…”

And so the Light became alive
And manna became Man.
Eternity stepped into time
So we could understand.

He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son.
His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.
Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.
And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine. "

I frame my faith in very “Christian” terms…not everyone in my Meeting does…but each of us seeks to see “that of God” in one another and walk in the Light we each have and “speak the Truth in Love” to one another, even when we disagree…“that of God”…“the true Light which enlightens every man” is in our midst.
 
Thank you. I always thought Friends were Christians, but now I see that there is more to it. Very interesting
 
For me Friends are one of the best things to come out of the Reformation.
 
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