Quakers trust in a loving, dynamic spiritual presence which is available to everyone. We have no set creed. Descriptions of our spiritual experience are diverse, yet we find a unity that binds us together. Join us as we seek together to love God with all our hearts and all our souls and all our minds and all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Who is Quaker Meeting For?
The Quaker faith is for individuals who are seeking a faith community where we take personal responsibility for our spiritual lives, and acknowledge that we learn and grow best in the context of community.
Many come wondering whether they will relish the silence. Some, to their surprise, find it deeply restorative.
Others come initially because of Friends' historic commitment to peace and social justice, and over time recognize the close relationship between spiritual grounding, community, and social action.
Arriving on Sunday Morning
On a typical Sunday, twenty-five or so people gather for worship, some at the Friends School and some joining by Zoom. As a newcomer, you'll meet members who have attended for years and have formed deep friendships in and out of the meeting, as well as other newcomers like yourself.
When attending in person at Cambridge Friends School
(see additional information below if you are attending via Zoom)
When you enter the room, find a seat, and make yourself comfortable.
Since we have no pastor, rabbi, or imam to lead our service, we are individually charged to settle our minds and bodies, and seek the still, small, voice. Each individual will have a different approach to the quieting of our daily stream of thoughts, but as that quieting occurs, we often sense our collective yearning for the touch of the Spirit.
More often than not, over the course of the hour a few people will find themselves led to stand and offer a message to the worshiping group. Some messages may touch you, while other messages may simply be heard.
Toward the end of the meeting, someone will announce that we are open to hearing joys, sorrows and concerns. You are free to share something that is on your heart. We ask only that there is space between messages, to allow time to pray and let the message be fully heard.
Around 11:00, the same person will “break worship” by standing and saying “Welcome to Fresh Pond Meeting." At this point we hear announcements and introductions.
Most Sundays we have some refreshments and socialize.
When attending via Zoom
The Zoom link is available on the Find Us page.
When you arrive, you'll be in a virtual hallway and the tech host will welcome you and others who are arriving. The tech host will send you an invitation to join the worship "breakout room." Please keep your mic muted except when you wish to speak.
Because you're sitting separately from the rest of the group, it can be more challenging to settle. Sitting away from your usual work desk and other distractions, lighting a candle, or reading inspirational material beforehand can all help you find your center.
If you are moved to speak, wait at least a few minutes after the previous speaker, then go ahead and unmute your mic in Zoom and begin speaking. Please mute your mic when you are finished -- but if you forget, the tech host will take care of it for you.
After the "rise of meeting" when announcements and introductions are concluded, there will be a break before after-meeting activities begin around 11:30. You're welcome to socialize with the other Zoom participants, or take a break. Please feel free to leave your computer in the Zoom meeting during this time if you want to attend the after-meeting activities.
After-Meeting Activities
Through working together in Business meeting, eating together during potluck, and learning together, we grow as a spiritual community.
On 1st Sundays we have Business Meeting (See Quaker practice) starting at 11:30.
On 2nd Sundays we have potluck lunch. All are welcome, even if you didn't bring anything!
On 3rd Sundays we often have some program of interest, usually led by a member of the meeting, starting at 11:30.
On 4th Sundays, we have Sharing from the Gender Margins, also at 11:30. This sharing group is for anyone who has experienced marginalization because of their gender.
We Welcome Children Of All Ages
If you arrive with children, the greeter at the door will welcome you and your children, and inquire whether you want the kids join us in worship in the meeting room, or to play in the gym (young children) or have 1st Day School (school-aged children). Members of the Meeting do childcare and 1st Day School. The children join worship, usually 15-20 minutes before the end of meeting. Children may sit quietly as they are able, possibly reading, drawing, or playing with soft toys we have available. We EXPECT babies to make noises, and young children to be restless. Do not be over-concerned about every little noise your child makes.
Please contact the clerks at freshpond@neym.org to learn more about our intergenerational worship and current programming.