Finding Depth in Quaker Worship

William Taber offers deeply spiritual but practical guidance for giving our attention to the Divine, which he likens to stepping into a ‘Living Stream’ which is constantly present but often unnoticed. His advice encompasses not only the time of shared worship itself, but also the vital role that preparation and mindful departure play in the quality and depth of Meeting for Worship – and our lives.

Over the first four weeks of this course, we will follow the pattern of Taber’s pamphlet and reflect on the four stages (or, in Taber’s imagery, ‘doors’) of worship – daily awareness of the Divine, preparation for meeting for worship, meeting for worship itself, and carrying the effect of meeting for worship out into our everyday lives. There will be a few pages of preparatory reading and reflection to do before each live session. You’ll also be encouraged to put some of his advice into practice each week and reflect on the experience with other participants.

The final session, 7 weeks later, will be an opportunity to reflect together on the impact of what we have learnt and practised during the course: whether we have experienced a difference in the quality of our worship, and our awareness of the divine Presence.

This course will have something to offer to those who are just discovering the Quaker way of worship, and just as much to those who have been worshipping as Friends for years – there is always room for deepening our relationship with the Divine through worship.

There will be some material to look at before the first session. We will email you around one week prior to the course with information about accessing the course, including this material, on our online learning platform (Moodle).

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Because it is difficult to get hold of copies of this Pendle Hill pamphlet (no. 306) in the UK, we will post a paper copy of the pamphlet to each UK-based participant before the beginning of the course. This is included in the course fee. Dependent on postage costs, non-UK based participants may be provided with an electronic copy instead.

Booking will close on 29 October to allow time for posting.