About Wilton Quaker Meeting

Worship at Wilton Quaker Meeting

Wilton Quaker Meeting is an unprogrammed meeting. We have no prearranged prayers, readings, sermons, hymns, or musical orchestrations. It is sometimes said we have abolished the laity as we are all ministers. We meet in worshipful expectant waiting to hear God’s “still small voice” and rise to speak when prompted by the Spirit.

We meet in plain, unadorned rooms where we are less distracted from hearing that voice. Our benches or chairs face each other because we are all equal before God. When you enter the meetinghouse and take your seat on a bench, you will find that those gathered around you are sitting in silence, putting aside day-to-day issues and settling into a period of quiet reflection, prayer and expectant waiting on the Spirit.

Vocal ministry in the meeting for worship should arise from inward prompting, an experience that may come at times to all earnest worshippers. Messages that come to you may be for your personal reflection or they may be to share with others. If you feel they are meant for all worshipers, you should stand and speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard by those at the far side of the room. The shy worshipper is encouraged to speak, however haltingly. A simple thought, briefly expressed by a timid speaker, may be the message most needed. The most satisfactory ministry in our meetings arises when we speak not in reply to another message but with discipline about an insight that we found as we waited silently upon the Lord. Following a spoken message, we return to the silence to examine ourselves in the Light of that message.

When others give a message it is useful to listen carefully to reveal how that message is meant for you.

Meeting begins when the first person enters the worship room and sits in silence. Meeting for Worship ends when a Friend, designated in advance, shakes hands with his or her neighbors and rises to make introductions and announcements.