Friends? is meeting Quaker?: Quakers?

» cco - Quakers?

Thank you Bill. I will attempt to give you a few more details. We live in western Iowa, recently relocated here from Mn.

upon moving here a coworker, invited us to meetings. We have enjoyed the meetings which are christ centered and simple.

Sunday morning meetings: friends sit in circle or semi-circle. prayer is opened by senior male, then hymn is chosen by a friend from "hymns old and new". testimony time is a time for sharing what one has learned in their spiritual walk that week. Most every one shares each week. communion is simply served. once a month the join with another church to have union meeting. I have not heard of any unprogrammed meetings

Bible Study: Wednesday evenings. focuses on one chapter of scripture. Each person shares what they learned from it. open prayer and a hymn are beginging of study time.

Gospel meetings: always lead by team of "workers". Again prayer and a hymn. then workers take turns sharing. Friend will come from a wide region to attend these.

Profess: to proclaim ones faith in the gospel.

Convention: during the summermonths these are heald per region and are attended by large numbers of friends. they are always on the same farms here in Iowa, set up for the purpose. the numbers often reach 300-400 peaple. they are heald on a thursday through a sunday. Each day consists of 3-4 sessions where workers share, testimonys are given and they open each with prayer and a hymn. one day will ofter a time for baptism. We are told that during the summer there are conventions on any given weekend across the county. one family here is from Virginia and will often drive there to attend their old convention.

Workers: are those called to minister. they then leave all. All thier possesions are in 2 suitcasedsand they travel with another worker of the same sex. They have no home, they stay with friends, moving around to different homes in thier region. they recieve no living stipend,and carry no insurance. All needs are met by god through friends. A state has a senior overseer that decides were each pair of workers will be placed each year. there are workers all over the world

We are told the way they belive is very old, dating back to 16/1700's. there is no assisting structure to unify groups or send out missionaries. All is done by word of mouth through the workers.

We have been warmly welcomed by this fellowship and have enjoyed the simplicity of worship. they are fairly exclusive and do not associate with other christian groups. It is very important that the way they belive be free and "unorganized". They would say most churches are a part of organized religion.

Perhaps this will give you a clearer look at our friends here. I appreciate your insight.

Thank you, Carrie

-- posted by cco