Ministry & Counsel’s Opening Statement for Worship
(for ZOOM) downloadable PDF, revised 2/13/22

(10:35) Welcome to Homewood Friends’ meeting for worship.

The Quaker experience is that each of us has a measure of that radically loving spirit which guides us to live justly and peaceably. In worship, we enter into stillness of body and mind in order to feel that spirit of love within and among us, to give ourselves over to it, and to discern what it would have us do. Sometimes during worship, that spirit will lead one or more of us to offer vocal ministry out of the silence.

If you are so led today, please unmute yourself and speak loudly and clearly so that all may hear, allowing a period of silence after any previous message.

Please mute yourself after speaking. If you are participating by telephone without video, you can mute and unmute yourself by pressing *6. There will be no recording.

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IF NECESSARY during worship

Homewood Friends Meeting seeks to be a diverse community which comes together in worship and action. Because Homewood Friends Meeting affirms the worth and dignity of each person, we strive to actively dismantle systemic racism and its harmful effects within ourselves, our community and the larger society. A message has been given that could be interpreted by some to not be in the spirit of inclusive love. We urge those who are troubled to contact the office who will connect them with members of the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

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Closing Meeting for Worship
(for ZOOM

(11:30) It is our custom at the close of Meeting to provide Friends with an opportunity to share joys and sorrows, or to request that we hold someone in the Light or pray for them. {Allow time for that.}

Good morning. I am a member of the Committee for Ministry and Counsel. On behalf of Homewood Friends Meeting, welcome! My name is ___________.

If you are a newcomer or visitor this morning, or if you would like to re-introduce yourself, this is your time! You might also let us know how you happen to be with us this morning. (Remember to unmute yourself.)  {Invite introductions.}

Please stay online after the close of meeting today, so that one of us can talk with you to share contact information.

Newcomers and visitors are encouraged to contact the office, homewoodfriends@gmail.com, to receive the monthly Newsletter and weekly Announcements by email.

Anyone who has questions about Quakerism or how to join Homewood Friends Meeting is welcome to talk with members of the Ministry and Counsel Committee. Would the people on that committee please introduce themselves now? {allow time for that}

Announcements are available on our website: homewoodfriends.org. Are there any additional announcements that need to be made now? (Please say your name first.)

Contributions to the Meeting are welcome and are particularly helpful at this time. You may mail them to the Meeting office, or use the Donate button on our website.

Meeting for Worship has now ended. This time is available for socializing. If you are on Zoom, you are invited to stay online to enjoy some fellowship and to share afterthoughts from meeting for worship. (Maybe you had been close to sharing a message but weren’t quite ready.)

TEXT FOR IN-PERSON MEETINGS

Ministry & Counsel’s Opening Statement for Worship
(Revised 1/3/18)

Welcome to Homewood Friends’ meeting for worship.

The Quaker experience is that each of us has a measure of that radically loving spirit which guides us to live justly and peaceably. In worship, we enter into stillness of body and mind in order to feel that spirit of love within and among us, to give ourselves over to it, and to discern what it would have us do.

Sometimes during worship, that spirit will lead one or more of us to offer vocal ministry out of the silence. If you are so led today, please stand and speak loudly and clearly, so that all may hear, allowing a period of silence after any previous message [OPTIONAL: so that it may settle in our hearts].

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Closing Meeting for Worship
(Updated 12/15/19)

{at approximately 11:40 the children from First Day School will rejoin the Meeting for worship. At that time stand and announce the following:

I am ___________. On behalf of Homewood Friends Meeting, welcome! It is our custom at the close of Meeting to provide Friends with an opportunity to share joys and sorrows and afterthoughts, or to request that we hold someone in the Light or pray for them.

{Allow time for that. When it seems clear that no one else wishes to stand and speak, shake hands with nearby persons. Stand; shake hands. Allow time for people to greet each other.}

Good morning, Friends.

Announcements can be found on the Silent Announcements sheets, which are on the table by the door and also on our Website, Homewoodfriends.org. Are there any additional announcements that need to be made now? Please say your name prior to speaking. {Recognize Friends who raise their hands.}

{Optional: Contributions to the Meeting are welcome. Please place contributions in the box here in the Meeting Room, or mail them to the Meeting office, put them under the office door, or use the Donate button on our Website.}

There is a “Wicker Basket” on the lunch table downstairs. Donations placed there go to {insert name of organization; see Silent Announcements for the name}.

The Ministry & Counsel Committee at Homewood is responsible for the spiritual life of the Meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, or are interested in membership, please feel free to ask any of these people. {Members of the committee stand and say their names.}

Finally, we provide newcomers or visitors with the opportunity to introduce yourselves and let us know how you happened to be with us this morning. {Invite introductions in a way that helps people with disabilities, e.g., ‘this section on my right side.’}

Visitors are encouraged to fill in one of the blue forms on clipboards, and to indicate if you would like to receive the monthly Newsletter and Announcements by email. Please place the blue visitor forms in the basket.

We encourage you to gather for simple lunch and fellowship downstairs, through that door. All are welcome!