Experiments in Meeting for Worship:
Plain, Virtual and Blended
Conversation Circles, June 21 & 23, 2022
F from its inception, Quakerism has been an experimental faith, and the disruption of these times has opened a profound experiment in Meeting for Worship. Some find online worship inclusive, allowing Friends otherwise separated by distance, disability, or disease to gather in the Spirit. Some find a technologically supported connection to be intrusive and uninspiring, preferring ‘plain’ worship, whether outdoors, in a well-ventilated indoor space, or in solitude. As Friends increasingly gather face to face indoors, we find ourselves in a new phase of experimentation: how to marry virtual with in-person worship in a manner that is inclusive, yet not intrusive, and support meetings to discern their leadings for plain vs. blended worship.
In this conversation, we hope to evolve our understanding through shared experience. Join this ‘spiritual potluck’ by bringing one piece of wisdom: whether an experience, a story, question, or challenge. We will focus on the spiritual experiment, the experience of technologically assisted and plain worship, discerning how Meeting for Worship may change as a result. Next month, we will host conversations on technology and methods for harnessing electronics to facilitate gathered, covered worship.
Queries:
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What is your experience of virtual, plain and blended Meeting for Worship?
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What is bringing meetings together? What is pulling meetings apart?
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How can we refrain from judging one another due to leadings for plain vs virtual or blended worship?
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How can meetings come together in discernment, in faith that the Spirit will open the way?
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How can Friends meetings provide opportunities for online, in-person and hybrid worship without splintering the community?
Facilitators:
TUE: Sita Diehl (Madison WI, NYM)
THU: Cameron Hughes (Goose Creek, BYM) and Andrew Wright (Durham, NCYMC)
Resources:
- Being the Church Online, Blog by Kathleen Wooten
- Best Practices in Hybrid Worship, David Coletta, Tech Ministry, QREC Pre-Conference Workshop, July 29, 2021
- Exploring Hybrid Worship Models, Compilation from Lake Erie Yearly Meeting, May 2021
- Hybrid Worship and Gatherings, Nia Thomas, New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM)
- Pendle Hill’s Hybrid Worship Experiment, July 22, 2020
- Quaker Gatherings: best practices and creative explorations, Facebook group facilitated by Kathleen Wooten
- A view of the great people to be gathered: Worship at Britain Yearly Meeting, Kathleen Wooten, May 31, 2022
Learn more: Visit the QREC Resource Library and subscribe to our announcements