Quaker Silence (with guest editor Jon Watts)
September 2025: One of the most distinctive things about Quaker worship is that it incorporates silence. Whether it is a full hour of silence, or part of a program, Quakers believe that our relationship to the spirit begins with leaving space. This month we’ll explore why that is, and what comes from it.
September 1, 2025
A Communion as Strong as in Any Bread and Wine
“For the last 350 years, gathered silence has been the foundation of Quaker worship. The silence of Quaker worship, however, is not an end in itself, but an opportunity for seeking communion with the Sacred.”
September 2, 2025
Why We Can Hardly Bear to Remain Silent
“One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control, but we will never let him take control until we trust him. Silence is intimately related to trust.”
