BOULDER MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
Boulder Friends come together during Meeting for Worship in silence, without formalities or professional ministry, and without a theme or program. We gather in silence to draw near to God. Through quiet waiting or prayer, we seek inspiration, comfort, and Divine guidance for daily living. Listening and seeking are important parts of our corporate worship. The Inner Light – rather than a creed, a sacred book or the authority of a priesthood – is our spiritual guide as we strive to live our daily lives in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Friends do not practice sacraments such as communion or baptism or use symbols such as a cross. Our Judeo-Christian roots have been enriched by the wisdom found in many religious traditions.
Photo of our Meeting house.
A Quaker meeting is grounded in silence and expectant waiting. We seek to come nearer to one another and to God. You may find it easy to relax in the silence and thus connect with the spiritual center we find in worship together, or you may be disturbed by the strangeness of the silence, by distractions outside, or by your own roving thoughts. Don’t worry about this but return again and again to the still center of your being where you can know the presence of God.
Recognizing that each person present possesses a part of the Truth, or God’s wisdom, we trust in the silence to bring forth ministry. During some Meetings for Worship the ministry is entirely silent. At others a few worshipers may be inspired to offer vocal ministry. Anyone may speak. However, before rising we ask ourselves, “Is this a divinely inspired message? Is it meant for me alone or is it to be spoken aloud?” In vocal ministry we speak out of our experience, in a spirit of humble reflection. Receive what is said with an accepting, open spirit. Each contribution rightly given will help somebody. If something is said that does not “speak to your condition,” try to reach the spirit behind the words. A period of silence should surround each spoken message to allow time for reflection. Spoken ministry is not discussion or education, but rather vocal expression of the divine in our lives.
The Meeting for Worship lasts one hour. It will end with a welcoming handshake followed by sharing of personal joys and sorrows, introductions, and announcements. There is a period of fellowship and refreshments afterward to which all are invited.
Information about Boulder Meeting
We hold two Meetings for Worship on Sunday mornings, at 8:30 and 10:00 am, with childcare available from 10:15 to 11:15 am for very young children and First Day School from 10:15 to 11:15 for children K-12. Children generally sit with their parents for the first 15 minutes and then leave to participate in First Day School or infant/toddler care. Latecomers enter the worship room at 10:15 after the children leave.
There are free pamphlets on various topics on the table just outside the worship room; you are welcome to take ones of interest. As Friends we endeavor to translate our religious beliefs into everyday life, seeking to “let our lives speak.” Simplicity, equality, integrity, and peace/nonviolence are ideals toward which we strive both in our lives and in the world.
The second Sunday of each month (except June) following Meeting for Worship is our monthly Meeting for Business, where Friends meet in the spirit of worship to attend to the care of the Meeting and the meetinghouse. Decisions about the life of the Meeting are made by its members through a discernment process where each voice can be heard. Visitors are welcome to attend Business Meeting. On other Sundays (often called “First Day” by Friends) there are usually programs such as sharing of a Friend’s spiritual journey, a report on Quaker activities, or religious education.
All tasks of the Boulder Meeting are performed by volunteers. The work is done through many committees, including Ministry and Worship, Oversight and Membership, Fellow-ship, Service, Religious Education, Peace and Social Justice, Grief & Bereavement, Finance, Buildings and Grounds, and Indigenous Peoples Concerns. Joining a committee is a good way to get acquainted.
We do not pass a collection plate. There is a small box on the table outside the worship room if you wish to make a financial contribution.
Our parking lot is reserved for those of limited mobility or with small children. As a courtesy to our neighbors, we ask that you park in the lot at Crestview School to the south.
To receive our monthly newsletter, Miscellany, please e-mail your request to bachewiigt@connectionpartners.com
Please feel free to ask anyone here if you have questions and we will direct you to a person who can answer your inquiry. Further information about Friends worldwide can be found at www.quaker.org.
To get more involved
• Come to Meeting for Worship
• Pick up our newsletter at the entrance table
• Attend program hours
• Participate in monthly Meeting for worship with attention to business
• Join a committee of the Meeting
• Attend an introduction series to Quaker practice
• Participate in Quaker studies
• Join our weekly silent vigil for peace, Sundays from 1-2 at Broadway & Pearl