My First Quaker Meeting

I just returned home after attending my first Quaker Meeting.  I had planned to start in May, but the schedule at the shop was just too hectic.  Then I needed a weekend to recover, we were in Knoxville the next, and so today was my first free Sunday where I didn't have an overwhelming need to sleep all day.  Unfortunately I won't be able to go back until July because we are out of town next weekend for a car show, then the following Sunday is the last day for the Preacher at my parents' church, who married me and Kirby (and provided invaluable counsel on marriage), and I would like to attend to say goodbye--to her, and that church.  Not that I will NEVER attend that church again, but I do hope to formally join the Quaker Meeting when the time is right.

Honestly, I was really nervous and almost backed out at the last minute this morning.  Even as I was getting ready to turn down the street the building is on, I almost turned around.  I'm not good at attending things where I don't know anyone, particularly alone, but I had been planning this for weeks and assured myself it would be a welcoming community, and one that would be accepting of visitors at that.  I was right.  I had been worried that people would ask me alot of questions or be very pushy about continuing to attend, as has been my experience at pretty much every other Nashville church I've ever attended.  Its like they want to stake a claim on the new person and lock them into becoming members of that church come hell or high water.  I have even had strangers or people I just met ask me if I attend a church and when I answer "no" then they begin the sales pitch for their church immediately.  That was not the experience I wanted, and it was not the experience I had.  The entire mood of the people and building once inside is simply peace.

It is a very small building, and I entered and made my way into the Meeting Room, stopping for a second at the door to compose myself.  It is a big open room with hardwood floors, a pew up against the far wall and folding chairs arranged in a semi-circle facing the wall with pews.  There were lots of big, tall windows letting in an abundance of sunlight and trees stood outside most of the windows making a nice view, consdering everything surrounding the building is somewhat worn down and dilapidated.

At first at was a little awkward, but as more people came into the Meeting Room it started to feel more normal.  There were about 15 people there besides me, but apparently half the congregation went to the Yearly Meeting this week, so I'm assuming they normally have about 30 or so attendees.  About 2/3 were between the ages of 40-60, the other 1/3 were younger, around my age.  The hour actually seemed to go by really fast, which was surprising, because I thought sitting in silence for an hour would feel like forever, particularly my first time.  I admit I didn't really feel much of The Light this time because I was still a bit nervous, unsettled and taking it all in.  I did try and focus, though, and had some feelings that I'm sure were The Light.  After I left I did feel refreshed and like the time was well spent.  I think it will be very useful to have that hour of peaceful oasis every week.

I guess you could sum up my Leading (an inner sense that God is calling us to take a particular course of action) from today as "Go into the world."  I finally crossed the last major threshold in my exploration of Quakerism and once some of the nervousness subsided I just felt happy and content.  I felt like I had made the right decision to go to Meeting, and I could finally answer in the affirmative that I attend Meeting when people ask, "So, you're a Quaker but you've never been to Quaker church?"  And I can explain what it is like from experience, not just describe what I have read about Meetings.  There was a feeling of shared purpose in the room, even though I was new and everyone in the room was technically a stranger to me. 

At the end of Meeting the appointed leader shakes hands with the person next to him or her, and that continues around the room.  Then they go around the room and introduce themselves and if they had a Leading worth sharing, they share at that time.  I introduced myself last, said that I was obviously new and thanked everyone for making me feel welcome, which they had even though I had not yet spoken to anyone.  Afterword, a couple of the younger people came up and intoduced themsleves individually.  One girl was also new, this being her second Meeting.  Another couple had been attending for a few months and planned to get married there in August.  They were very nice and friendly, and excited to have another new, younger attendee.  I'm looking forward to going back, and hope Kirby will eventually join me.  I think he might have a hard time staying awake (ha ha!) but I think he would greatly benefit from an hour of complete silence, reflection and rest since he's go-go-go all the time, even when he's in a "resting state."  He never stops working, and he might even think about work the whole time in Meeting, but at least I'd have him still and quiet for an hour!