We’d love to have you join us for worship. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is not a closed community but a group of seekers like you.
Penn Valley Friends Meeting is an “unprogrammed Meeting.” The Quaker worshipping community has traditionally been called a Meeting for Worship. The worship is “unprogrammed” because there is no order of service and we have no pastor or minister. These are practices that follow from the convictions of those who founded the Religious Society of Friends in the seventeenth century.
What to Expect in Worship
As an unprogrammed meeting of Quakers, Friends worship in silence. As 10 am approaches, conversation dies down and Friends settle into silence. As we gather in silence, we wait expectantly for the leading of the Spirit. Speaking in Meeting is unprogrammed. Anyone who feels led by the Inner Light to express a message shares that inspiration. Friends believe that every person can have a direct experience of the Divine without human intermediaries.
Sometimes the time for worship may pass completely in contemplative silence. At other times, several people may speak for a few minutes.
During the last ten minutes of worship, Friends (including you) are encouraged to share joys, sorrows, and concerns in a spirit of worship.