Quakerism

List of 6 items.

• Quaker Testimonies

  
  
  

  The Plymouth experience is shaped by the Quaker Testimonies, commonly referred to by the acronym SPICES. This is an acronym that stands for six of the most common and enduring Quaker Testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship. Without proselytizing, the PMFS program highlights how working towards these ideals strengthens each person and the interconnected groups we form a part of.
  

   

• Meeting for Worship

  Meeting for Worship is integral to the spiritual practice of the Religious Society of Friends and is at the core of our Quaker school community. This form of worship is based primarily on a living silence that connects us to each other and to our Guide by leading us to a deeper, more centered inner place. All of us present share equally in the service.
  
  The PMFS community is a diverse one, with people from many different faith traditions and value systems. Respect for truth, honesty, integrity, and the uniqueness of each person, drives the teaching and life at PMFS and is central to our weekly practice of Meeting for Worship. The Quaker core values of peace, equality, stewardship, and respect are universal values, and our worship practice of simple, shared reflection is one that is inviting to all.
  
  All students, faculty and staff gather for Meeting for Worship on Thursday mornings from 8:30 – 9:00am. Families are invited and encouraged to join weekly Meeting for Worship.
  
  The Quaker belief that there is that of God, or an inner light, in each person is evident in Meeting. Being together in silence creates a sense of wonder. Everyone in Meeting has an important role, whether by sitting in reflection or standing to share a realization that was discovered in the silence. Meetings can be spent entirely in silent reflection, or students or adults may share a message. Shared ideas rise into the quiet, so that all can consider the messages carefully. At the conclusion of Meeting, the silence is broken by an elbow bump. 

• Worship Sharing

  Once a month, small cross-grade groups gather during Worship Sharing to reflect on and respond to a query based on the monthly Quaker theme. Both Meeting for Worship and Worship Sharing help deepen children’s capacity for reflection and build confidence in sharing their voices.

• What Does a Clerk Do?

  A clerk refers to someone who presides at Meetings for Worship with a concern for business, or the head of a committee. A clerk of a meeting for business helps move the agenda along, calls on people to speak, and helps guide the group to reach a “sense of the meeting”. Meetings for business may also have recording clerk who take notes/minutes during meetings. 

• What is “Sense of The Meeting”?

  In an effort to seek unity, Quakers strive to reach a “sense of the meeting”, rather than voting. Once a topic has been discussed and the clerk feels that a decision had been reached by the group, the clerk states the sense of the meeting for the group’s approval. This is not considered “consensus” and no votes are taken. Unity is sought; but if it is not reached, the clerk must decide on the degree of unity required, basing that judgement on the importance of the subject and the experience and wisdom of those who speak to it. The clerk can hold the item over for reconsideration at a later time. 

• Plymouth Monthly Meeting

  PMFS is under the care of Plymouth Monthly Meeting, which welcomes PMFS families to learn more about Quakerism at Sunday Meeting for Worship and other community events. 
  Find out more at: www.plymouthmeetingquakers.org