Would you like to learn more about Quakerism and North Columbus Friends Meeting? Please follow the links below to find out about who we are and what Quakerism can be about. If you have other questions about Quakerism or about North Columbus Friends, please email the clerk of the Outreach/Inreach Committee at: outreachinreach@gmail.com
The following questions are more NCFM-specific. If you have questions about Quakerism as a whole, may we recommend continuing your reading at: About Quakers – Friends General Conference
Can I just show up to Meeting for Worship? Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Anyone can attend Meeting for Worship and any of our other events. If you attend in person, we have a greeter to meet you and offer you handouts for newcomers to help explain things. If you join in online, we have a person watching the chat who can answer questions. You can keep your camera on or off. If you have questions, just ask. You may bring whomever you’d like.
Persons of any age, race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, education level, citizenship status, economic class, veteran status, or ability are welcome and encouraged to attend Meeting for Worship or any other events.
Do I need to believe a certain way to attend or belong?
Quakers are called to seek and define their own individual belief structures and do not aim to adhere to strict dogmas. You are encouraged and welcome to seek your own truth. Persons of all faith backgrounds are welcome as are those questioning, exploring, or without a faith background.
Why is it called Meeting for Worship?
The phrase, “Meeting for Worship” comes from early Quakers. More about the term “Meeting for Worship” is available here.
I have disabilities. How can I attend your events and Meeting for Worship?
You are welcome and encouraged to attend all NCFM events. Our community is in unity that our current Meetinghouse does not meet accessibility standards, and we have temporarily relocated to another location to better meet accessibility needs. Visit our Accessibility page for more information.
If you plan on attending in person at our temporary location of North Broadway United Methodist Church, please note that both parking lots are paved with accessible parking spots. The parking lot for morning Meeting for Worship is across Broadway Place, to the west of the church.
During the warmer months, typically May through October, we also hold a Meeting in the Park each month. It meets at Whetstone park which has a paved lot and sidewalks. We meet in the grass but can move closer to a paved section to accommodate those who use mobility devices or have difficulty navigating the grass.
What happens in Meeting for Worship? Is it quiet the whole time?
What to Expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship
North Columbus Friends Meeting offers two Meeting for Worship opportunities.
- Weekly Meeting for Worship takes place every Sunday from 10:30 to approximately 11:30 AM Eastern time.
- Afternoon Meeting for Worship takes place on the third Sunday of each month from 2:00pm to 2:30pm. This session was designed for those that find it difficult to join the morning session. All people are welcome to attend. Visit Afternoon Meeting for Worship for more information.
In each session, the meeting facilitator will start with a welcome and give a brief description of what will happen in our time together. They will explain how someone can share a message on-line or in person if they are so led.
You are welcome to speak or not speak as the spirit moves you. After someone shares a message, attenders may use the time to consider that message. Please allow some time for consideration between messages. Sometimes people don’t have messages to share with the group. Other times, people will share aloud.
If you need to get up at any time or for any reason, such as to use the restroom, get water, step outside, or stretch, you are encouraged and welcomed to do so.
The facilitator will make an announcement when Meeting has come to a close. Then all may greet those around them. After everyone has a chance to greet their neighbor, the facilitator will lead the in person and online group in introductions and announcements.
Free drinks and/or light snacks are often offered after Meeting for Worship.
We do not pass a plate for collections. There is a donation box if you are led to donate.
What is an Afternoon Meeting for Worship?
This afternoon session was created out of requests to meet various needs of those in the community, mostly attenders with disabilities. It is shorter than the morning session. It starts in the afternoon. It was designed for attenders with disabilities that make it difficult to join the morning session. Visit Afternoon Meeting for Worship for more information.
How am I expected to greet others?
When greeting someone when you arrive, at the rise of Meeting, or when bidding farewell, there are many ways to show you care. You are encouraged to offer (and accept) a smile, wave, nod, bow, hand over the heart handshake or hug as you are called. Please respect the wishes of those who do not consent to physical contact.
How To Say “HELLO” With Touching! | Mashable
Greet Someone Without Touching | Greet From 6 Feet | Jack Hartmann Social Distancing Song
What should I wear or bring to Meeting?
You can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. There is no explicit or unspoken dress code, attenders wear many different styles. If you plan on attending in person, bring layers, as temperatures can fluctuate. We also offer lap blankets and shawls for anyone to use if they become too cold.
You are not required to bring anything. Some people bring a journal to write in or a special book to read.
Are NCFM Quakers Christian? Do they read the Bible?
Some Quakers consider themselves Christian. Some do not consider themselves Christian, but believe Jesus existed. Some read the Bible for religious, academic, or other reasons. Friends do not universally regard the Bible or any book as “the word of God” but rather believe that divine continuing revelation is available to all in expectant waiting worship.
Some feel a direct “sense of connection” with “spiritual energy” and have no interest in attempting to conform that experience to the expectations of any of the world religions. Other Quakers are nontheistic, agnostic, or atheist. Some attenders do not identify as Quaker. Some Quakers use “Light,” “Spirit” or “The Divine” rather than the word “God.”
North Columbus’s branch of Quakerism, liberal, unprogrammed, does not evangelize or proselytize (trying to recruit or convert others). We have no dogmatic creed and believe that Truth may be spoken by anyone earnestly seeking truth.
We welcome questions, discussions, sharing ideas and personal ponderings about any beliefs or about no beliefs.
Are people of all races and ethnicities welcome?
Yes. People of all races and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to attend.
North Columbus Friends Meeting affirms that Black lives matter. See the Minute on Responding to Systemic Racism and Police Violence.
Is NCFM LGBTQIA+ welcoming?
Yes! We welcome LGBTQIA+ attenders on all committees and at all levels of participation.
Our Meeting solemnizes weddings for LGBTQIA+ attenders and members under the care of the Meeting. See the Minute from North Columbus Friends Welcoming and Affirming Marriage
Where can I follow NCFM on-line?
What do kids do during Meeting for Worship?
Child care is provided free of charge. If you are a new attender, please contact Brian Edmiston edmiston.1@osu.edu 614-596-7391 to ensure that childcare is available when you attend.
Children of any age are welcome to stay with their caregivers during Meeting for Worship. If the children would like to join in First Day School, they may join others in a nearby supervised room for a play-based lesson and reading time. Supervising adults are approved by the First Day School committee and have cleared a background check. (First Day School is a Quaker term for child care.)
If the caregiver wishes to attend with their child, they are encouraged to join in the fun. If there is information the supervising adult(s) needs to know regarding disabilities, needs, or anything else, the caregiver can discuss this with the adult(s).
When children join Meeting for Worship, they are learning how to listen to Spirit and wait for messages. Their journey of learning may include making more sounds, talking to their caregiver, fidgeting, or being more active than other attenders and this is ok! It is all part of learning and NCFM welcomes and is joyful that children are sharing their journey with others.
Where do I park?
Please park in the lot closest to the door for the event you’re attending.
- Weekly Morning Meeting for Worship, enter via the side door with a dark green awning (on Broadway Place where there is a side parking lot.)
- Seeking Quakers, enter in the front door (from the main parking lot accessible from East North Broadway St.)
- Afternoon Meeting for Worship, enter in the front door (from the main parking lot accessible from East North Broadway St.)
Both lots are paved with accessible parking.
Other questions:
North Columbus Friends Meeting (Quakers) 