“Spiritual Experiences” to be Topic at Newtown Quaker Meeting

Members of Newtown Friends Meeting Worship and Ministry Committee: Marybeth Snyder (New Hope), Hugh Harr (Langhorne), Pam Skinner (Yardley), Debbie Watts (Newtown).

“Spiritual Experiences Among Friends” to be Topic at Newtown Quaker Meeting

Members of the Worship and Ministry Committee of Newtown Friends Meeting will lead a discussion for the adult class of Newtown Quaker Meeting on the spiritual practices and experiences of Quakers at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 18, at the Newtown Friends Meetinghouse at 219 Court Street http://www.newtownfriendsmeeting.org). Meeting for Worship in the manner of Friends will follow at 11 a.m. The public is invited.

The late Quaker educator, Gordon Browne, described the experience of the Quaker Meeting for Worship as: “Though Friends gather in silence…our worship is not based on silence. Rather it is based on expectancy… As we gather, we need a time of centering, of letting go of our familiar cares and preoccupations… Our purpose in worship is to wholly open to the presence and power of God…”

Members of the Newtown Quaker Meeting Worship and Ministry Committee are: John Davison, Langhorne (Clerk); Hugh Harr, Langhorne; Mark Ratliff, Pennington, NJ; Pam Skinner, Yardley; Marybeth Snyder, New Hope; and Debbie Watts, Newtown.

Newtown Friends Meeting has no professional minister or paid staff and depends entirely on volunteers for leadership and committee assignments to care for the spiritual, pastoral, community, financial and operational aspects of the Meeting. Quakers believe each person has “that of God within” and, therefore can be and is a minister to others.

The March 18 program will discuss historical as well as contemporary perspectives on Quaker spiritual practices and experiences. All present will have an opportunity to reflect on and share how they experience the Divine Spirit, both in meetings for worship and in their daily lives by considering the following:

· How do you prepare to experience the Spirit (God)?

· What helps you connect with or be aware of the Presence?

· How do you respond to the experience, guidance, or leadings of the Spirit?

· How have you experienced the Presence of God/Spirit during worship?

On the following Sunday, March 25, there will be a second program regarding Quaker spiritual experiences. Marcelle Martin, a member of Swarthmore Friends Meeting (PA), will speak on “Opening to the Presence”. Her best-selling book, "Our Life is Love" explores ten essential elements of the Quaker spiritual journey.

Newtown Friends Meeting, co-founded in 1815 by Quaker minister and artist, Edward Hicks, is open to the public, with Sunday School classes for children and adults at 9:45 a.m. and worship based on expectant silence “after the manner of Friends” at 11 a.m. Childcare is provided.