Quaker Worship

Quaker Worship at Olney Friends School

Quiet reflection is central to life at Olney Friends School. For some, this is a time to commune with the Spirit; for others it is centering, a time for meditation, thinking, appreciation, or just slowing down. As in all Quaker gatherings, there is an invitation to speak out of the silence. This can be a time when important thoughts and feelings are shared, or simply a time when we sit together in comfortable, trusting silence.

We gather each morning for Collection, which begins with quiet reflection. If anyone feels compelled to speak out of the silence, they are encouraged to do so.

On Wednesday and Sunday mornings, we gather for a longer worship time, beginning with about a half an hour of quiet reflection. This worship time is under the care of school faculty and students. Some weeks the committee plans special programs or discussions that take place during Meeting for Worship.

Wednesday morning:

We gather for a longer worship time, beginning with about half an hour of quiet reflection. The worship time is under the care of Spiritual Life Committee, which includes students and teachers. Some weeks the committe plans special programs or discussions to take place during Meeting for Worship.

Sometimes we meet in Friendly Orientation Groups (or FOGs). These are smaller gatherings clerked by students and teachers to consider queries about such topics as family, memories, holidays, or to settle in with brief writings as an aid to reflection.

Sunday evening:

After study hall, boys and girls meet separately, with adult dorm staff, for a Meeting for Worship in the dorms before evening parlor meetings. One faculty member has called this time “getting the love ready for the week.”

The worship format is an innovation on what used to be Sunday morning community worship. Students prefer the smaller groups, the single-sex community, and the way the worship settles everyone into the coming school week. 

Students proposed the new format for worship in 2010-2011 and it is working well so far.