Alderney Quaker Worship Group

"Settling into Silence"

We usually meet in the delightful location of The Old Pottery, home of the late Peter Arnold, formerly clerk of the meeting. No hard benches here - you might find yourself settling into silence in the comfort of the sofa, or seated on the rocking chair beside the gas heater. 

Alderney Quakers are few in numbers and not getting any younger, but a handful of familiar friendly faces gather together in the supportive fellowship of Meeting for Worship every Sunday. Visitors from the mainland join us when they can, some of whom have been coming for decades. Or sometimes there might be just two of us seated in the silence, holding each other and our community in the light.

"Simple, Radical, Spiritual" has become something of a Quaker catchphrase. For us this means taking radical steps to simplify the administrative duties of running our meeting, so that we can focus more clearly on the spiritual. This is the very heart of Quakerism - the spiritual practice of simply sitting together in stillness, and with whatever arises.

We hold to a very inclusive tradition, with an emphasis on our lived experience more than on statements of belief which can be divisive. One of our number, Roberta, is a practising Buddhist, and we value our involvement with the ecumenical group 'Churches Together.'

After our hour of stillness, there is the opportunity for friendly conversation over tea or coffee - and on special occasions a slice of homemade shortbread. "Meeting for Worship for Coffee" as we call it.

Why not come and join us one Sunday morning? You would be warmly welcome.