Visitors to Reading Meeting |
| Each week at 10.30 on Sunday members and visitors, children and adults, meet for silent worship at our Meeting House in the centre of Reading. Children are welcomed and separate activities for different age groups are available. What Happens at Reading MeetingReading Quaker Meeting starts at 10.30 on Sunday morning. Most Friends (Quakers call each other Friends, with a capital F) gather some 10 minutes before the meeting. Some go into the Meeting House, the large room in which the Meeting for Worship takes place, immediately, while others wait outside and converse quietly so as not to disturb those inside. The Meeting itself starts as soon as the first Friend enters the Meeting House. One of the doorkeepers greets everyone as they enter through the doors from the lobby into the Meeting House. A brief handshake and perhaps a low voiced good morning are offered. Children enter the Meeting House with their parents and sit on the chairs or the benches arranged in a circle around the room. No-one has any reserved seats, except for the door keepers and for the elders who sit in the front row of the circle of seats nearest the table which stands in the middle of the Meeting House. With no clergy, it is elders who look after the spiritual well being of the Meeting. The meeting slowly settles down into silence. After 15 minutes or so, when they feel the moment is opportune, the doorkeeper stands and opens the door. This is the signal for the children to leave the Meeting for their classes which are held in the rooms beyond. There are four groups, for toddlers up to 16 year olds. The older groups follow a pattern of activities which aim to be both interesting and fun, and to enable them to learn something about Quaker beliefs, traditions and practice. Once the children have left, the meeting ascends into a deeper silence. At some point, a person present may be moved to speak. This is not undertaken lightly, or frivolously. It is a matter of waiting, and if you feel the insistence to speak, then do so. Often there is no option about it, you are forced to your feet, shaking or quaking, to say something to the gathered meeting. If it is possible to keep your wits about you, in such a situation, then try to speak clearly so that those hard of hearing can cope. At strategic locations are copies of various books. The Bible is available in various translations, as well as Quaker Faith and Practice, a book of readings gathered over 3 and a half centuries. Some large print versions of these books are available for those with poor sight. Usually at Reading Meeting, which is typically attended by between 50 and 60 people, several people will speak or "minister" during the course of the hour. But completely silent meetings are not unknown. At 11.30, or after a suitable interval following the last ministry, the elders shake hands to mark the end of the meeting. Others in the room follow in the same manner, and then a few Friends leave the room to prepare coffee. Notices are then given out, which include events planned for the following week, and reports from other meetings or conferences. The last speaker will be speaking to the collection, for some appropriate cause. Contact InformationIf you require any information please Contact Us. |
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