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Meeting
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The word Meeting is used to both when
referring to the weekly gathering together on a Sunday morning to worship and
the local Quaker "congregation". We also have a Childrens Meeting,
which other Churches might describe as Sunday School.
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Members
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An individual can attend Meetings as
long as they wish as an Attender. However, a time may come when they wish to
become a Member of ( join ) The Religious Society of Friends. People join for
varying reason , perhaps a wish to be part of a community, or to help more
fully in the running and maintenance of the local Meeting. Some sense that they
have found a spiritual home and wish to outwardly express this feeling.
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Friends
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Friend = Quaker. Within the Society
most members will us the word Friend to describe another member. The word
Quaker was originally a term of derision used because Members would often shake
and quake before standing to Minister. As is often the way, early Friends
seemed not to mind the expression and it use will not ( if it ever did ) cause
offence.
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Ministry
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Quakers Meetings in Britain do not
employ paid Ministers such as priests and vicars. Quakers believe everyone has
"something of God " and therefore everyone at a Meeting for Worship
may feel moved to speak or minister.
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Meetings for
Worship for Business
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Business Meetings, known as Meetings
for Worship for Business, are held at various levels. Reading local meeting is
a Preparative Meeting (PM), and holds a business meeting once a month to
prepare for the monthly meeting. The following week, Reading Monthly Meeting
(MM) is held, with Friends present from all over the area which roughly
corresponds to Berkshire. Regional General Meetings are also held at
regular intervals, and once a year Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is held
with Quakers from all over Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
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