What time does Meeting for Worship begin?

Friends meet for silent Worship at 10:00am every Sunday. Worship begins when the first person enters the room.
 

How long is Meeting for Worship?

The full Meeting for Worship lasts about one hour, ending at 11 am.  At Friends Meeting of New Orleans, children join us for the end of Meeting.

Is the building accessible?

Our current meeting space is on the second floor and not accessible by elevator.

Is there childcare available during Meeting for Worship? 

Please reach out about childcare availability.

What should I expect the first time I attend Friends Meeting of New Orleans?

In person: Guests are greeted at the door and given a brief welcome. 

Online: Upon joining the Zoom meeting, all are muted by default. If you are led to give a message during Worship, please unmute yourself.

Both: Quiet Worship lasts for one hour followed by announcements and introductions. We ask for phones to be quieted. Please leave space between messages.

Is there a pastor?

Quakers believe that everyone has the Light of God within themselves, and everyone can communicate with the Living Spirit. Friends Meeting of New Orleans is an unprogrammed Meeting, and Worship is led by God (through all those present) instead of one individual. We do nominate a member to serve as clerk to facilitate the business of the Meeting.

I notice that during Worship, some people stand and speak. Is that something I should do?

Quakers believe that during Worship, quiet reflection may lead to the sense of a Spirit led message that would be appropriate to share with the community. It is not expected that there would be a response.

How are Quakers organized?

Friends in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas are organized into the South Central Yearly Meeting. The Bayou Quarterly Meeting is a smaller regional group of that body. As the names suggest, these groups meet accordingly (once and four times) to conduct Business Meetings to make decisions. At FMNO, the business meeting follows Meeting for Worship on the second Sunday of each month. Decisions are made by agreement and not by voting.

As FMNO has no clergy, the work of the Meeting is done by volunteers through various committees.

How does one become a member of the Meeting?

Guests and attenders are welcome at any stage of their spiritual journeys. Membership comes after an appropriate amount of experience, reflection, discernment and commitment.

Is there a requirement to be a member of the Meeting?

Prospective members are asked to test their readiness for membership through discernment and discussion with a committee of members of the Meeting. Friends are asked to make a commitment to the care of the Meeting community.

Learn more about Quakers