Autumn 2010 Meetings for Learning :

An introduction to Quaker Spiritual Practices

using Pendle Hill Pamphlet 306 [1]

“Four Doors to Meeting for Worship”

By William (Bill) Taber

Presented by Concord Friends Meeting Ministry and Counsel

with Mark Barker and Sara Smith

Meetings for Learning will meet over four Sundays

October 17, 24, 31, and November 14, 2010

(On November 7, we will be having a Meeting for Dedication of the new Meetinghouse)

Coffee and light breakfast at 8:30 to allow us to get to know each other

9:00 to 10:00 Meeting for Learning

At the new Meetinghouse, 11 Oxbow Pond Road, Canterbury, NH

Pendle Hill Pamphlet: “Four Doors to Meeting for Worship” available from Concord Meeting for $6.50 donation. Contact SaraSmith [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org?subject=Autumn%202010%20Meetings%20for%20Learning%2C%20%22Four%20Doors%20to%20Meeting%20for%20Worship%22&body=Dear%20Sara%2C%0A%0APlease%20reserve%20a%20place%20in%20the%20four-week%20meetings%20for%20learning.%20%0A%0AName%3A%20%20%0AAddress%3A%0ACity%3A%20%0AState%3A%0AZIP%3A%0ATelephone%3A%0AE-mail%3A%0A%0AI%20would%20like%20to%20borrow%20a%20copy%20of%20%22Four%20Doors%20to%20Meeting%20for%20Worship%22%20%0AOR%20%0AI%20would%20like%20to%20buy%20a%20copy%20of%20%22Four%20Doors%20to%20Meeting%20for%20Worship%22%20for%20%246.50.%0A(Make%20checks%20payable%20to%20%22Concord%20Friends%20Meeting%22.)%0A%0AThank%20you.">SaraSmith [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org [2]

Comparing worship to a fresh flowing stream of altered consciousness, William (Bill) Taber takes us through the stages of the worship experience. Using a door for each stage, first he teaches us the various ways to prepare for worship on a daily basis throughout the week. Entering the next door is learning how to let go and prepare yourself for being aware of the spirit. Entering the door for worship is described by the different forms it might take: entering a stream of healing energy, flowing like a river, describing the healing work and transformation that may occur, the many layers of prayer we go through, the feeling of transformational awareness. Finally he describes how we leave meeting and go forth into the world re-energized with focus on our goals and at peace. At each door many forms of thought are incorporated from Christ centered to visual imagery in a way that is inclusive of different Quaker practices.