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We meet on Sundays from September through May at 10:00 a.m. in the Page room on the second floor of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County. Those with young children, and others who wish to be present for part of the Unitarian service, may choose to join us around 10:15, immediately following the close of the children's story downstairs.

We gladly welcome all visitors to our Meeting for Worship. We hope that you will find here, as we do, a source of help, wisdom, and strength.

A Brief Introduction to Quaker Worship:

Where’s the Minister?

We have no formal ministry. We desire to share responsibility for the vocal ministry, affairs of the Meeting, and care of each other. If you have questions, please ask the person making announcements at the close of worship. The current clerk of the meeting is Jonathan Chenoweth. He may be contacted at 266-7489 or jonathan.chenoweth@uni.edu.

How Do Friends Worship?

A Quaker meeting is based on silence, but it is a silence of waiting in expectation. Silence does not mean that nothing is happening. All of us are trying to enter into a state of worship. This can be thought of in many ways. For some, it is a silent waiting for God to speak or a waiting for the experience of God’s presence and power. It may consist of becoming aware of what Friends often describe as “the inner Light.” Worship also may be a feeling of being comforted or challenged by a sense of quiet presence or an entering into deep thought and reflection. A growing sense of unity with others, the world, and or God may also be part of worship.

From time to time, in our spirit of expectant waiting, someone may be moved to express a thought, insight, experience, or message that has come to them.

Friends’ Worship is Communal:

Worship is in some ways different from individual meditation or prayer. Because of this, noises, movements or spoken words of others are not viewed as intrusion into a private experience but as possible openings to new understandings.

Friends Speak Out of the Silence:

Rather than respond verbally to something someone has said, discuss, or judge others’ words, we listen for the truth that may be conveyed in the spoken word. When we speak, we speak as simply and as briefly as possible. Over time, we develop a sense of judgment to distinguish between insights which speak to the community and those which are of a personal nature.

Friends Listen in Worship:

We seek to understand others’ spoken ministry and do not dwell on the speaker’s vocabulary or manner of speaking. Sometimes a message may speak to someone even if it does not speak to all. It is not uncommon for a meeting for worship to be completely silent. But the spirit of God or the Light is nonetheless moving in that silence. If one is attentive, a special feeling of communion and uplift often occurs. In the quietness of worship, we become aware of that which transcends our ordinary experience. Although we may account for this experience in many different ways, all of us enter into a new way of living because of it.

Worship Draws to a Close:

The meeting breaks when one of us who has been designated previously to do so turns to the person sitting next to them and shake hands. People all around the room will turn to one another, shake hands, and exchange greetings. Everyone is invited to introduce themselves to each other.

Our Quaker community:

Religious Education for Children:

Children meet with the Unitarian children in the education wing (upper level) for classes.

Witness and Testimony:

Although Friends do not assent to a common creed, we have long given testimony to the belief that “there is that of God in everyone.” Because each human life is filled with possibility, we cannot condone institutions, actions, or beliefs that destroy or diminish life. Our testimonies for peace, simplicity, equality, truth-telling, and community are rooted in this religious insight. Friends seek to live these testimonies in our daily lives. A number of organizations also represent our concerns: the American Friends Service Committee, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and Friends’ schools and colleges.

A good brief overview of Quaker history and beliefs can be found here.

Events Calendar:

Meetings for Worship for Business: This meeting, which takes place several times a year, is conducted in a spirit of expectant waiting on divine guidance. No votes are taken. The clerk attempts to discern “the sense of the meeting.” We hope this process enables us to make decisions of genuine strength and true wisdom. Everyone is welcome.

We participate with the Unitarians in social events, adult education, and other activities, and contribute financially as individuals to the UUSBHC.

Religious Society of Friends http://www.quaker.org	Friends Journal (Quaker periodical) http://www.friendsjournal.org
Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends http://www.quakernet.org	Friends General Conference Bookstore http://www.quakerbooks.org
American Friends Service Committee http://www.afsc.org	Quaker Library: FGC Online Publications http://www.fgcquaker.org/library/welcome/