Our Worship...

... is silent and unprogrammed, and subject to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

A period of time is used to center into an inward stillness. Spirit-led listening is perhaps the most important task of the worshipper.

Spoken messages come from the spiritual depth of one's life and from the leading of the Holy Spirit.

To be absorbed, each message needs to be followed with a period of silence which allows for deepening.

When the vocal and silent ministry speak to the condition of those present and is developed and deepened in the Truth, a profound sense of spiritual community occurs that freshens and delights.  This is what we call a "gathered Meeting."

Meeting for Worship ends after about an hour when the head of Meeting, on the facing bench, shakes hands with those nearby.  We then greet those sitting around us in a similar manner.

All Are Welcome and Included at Meeting for Worship

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP ~ ALL ARE WELCOME

Masking is recommended in indoor spaces

  • Sundays:  9:00 - 10:00 a.m. FMW's Library or join by Zoom  
    By phone: 301-715-8592   Meeting ID: 395 231 896# Password: 738314
  • Sundays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. In Person OR join by Zoom
    By phone: 301-715-8592  Meeting ID: 979 505 413# Password: 706188
    Childcare (0-3) 10:00 - 12 noon every Sunday in Decatur Place Room 
    First Day School and Young Friends (high school) 1st & 3rd Sundays:
  • Sundays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. In-person only.
  • Wednesdays:  6:00 - 7:00 p.m. In Person OR join by Zoom.
    By phone:  (646) 876-9923, when prompted enter Meeting ID:  202 577 8431.
  • Monthly Meeting for Business:  2nd Sundays of most months 12:15 p.m. In person or join on Zoom

Friends Meeting of Washington’s Statement
on Seeking a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine

Approved by FMW’s Meeting for Business on July 21, 2024

On November 19, 2023, Friends Meeting of Washington adopted the core principles of a joint statement on Israel/Palestine offered by seven Quaker organizations from around the world. The American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation were among the signers, and this initial statement called all people of conscience and goodwill to work for a permanent ceasefire, immediate release of all hostages and political prisoners, the adequate provision of urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a just political solution to the underlying conflict based on equality, freedom, and full human rights for all who live between the River and the Sea.

Now, nine months into a massive assault against the civilian population of Gaza backed by the US and other Western governments, the suffering of the Palestinian people continues unabated and the long-term security of Israeli civilians has declined even further. In light of these catastrophic developments, Friends Meeting of Washington now embraces the April 2024 joint statement by eight major Quaker organizations entitled “A Different Future Is Possible: A Shared Quaker Vision for Peace in Palestine and Israel.”

This updated and more detailed Quaker statement of conscience (again signed by the AFSC and FCNL), is deeply rooted in the Religious Society of Friends’ historic peace and justice witness, Quakers’ long  involvement in Palestine since the founding of the Ramallah Friends School in 1869, and our decades-long effort to support Jewish safety and security in ways that do not oppress the Palestinian people or violate their human rights under international law.

Friends Meeting of Washington specifically endorses this visionary statement’s proposed action steps to “seek peace and pursue it,” which are directed towards Western governments, the Israeli government, and Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups. As a guide to the peace and justice efforts of our own members and attenders, we also embrace the April statement’s call for Quakers everywhere to:

  1. Urgently call and fervently work for a permanent ceasefire and amplify our voices in our communities and at the local, state, and national levels.
  2. Encourage decision-makers calling for a ceasefire and working for peace.
  3. Organize and participate in teach-ins, actions, and protests until a ceasefire and a just and lasting peace are realized.
  4. Actively support an end to Israel’s occupation and equal protection and rights for all people living under Israeli control and commit to actions as meetings/churches until this reality is realized.
  5. Divest from corporations profiting from militarism, including the occupation of Palestine.
  6. Support those in Israel and Palestine who are working for peace.

What we said as a Quaker congregation back in November is still true: “We are called to act in faith and love, with persistence, patience, and courage, as partners and hands of the divine spirit as we pursue the sacred goal of peace, shalom, salaam.”
# # # # # #

Statement and additional resources

 

What is Quaker worship like?

To watch a short video on What to Expect at a Meeting for Worship, click here. A Welcome Brochure listing the many worship, study, and service opportunities is available by clicking here.​

Where are we located?

Friends Meeting of Washington is located near Dupont Circle in the heart of Washington, DC. Click here for driving and transit directions.  All are welcome.

INFORMATION FOR NEWCOMERS

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

To receive an email copy of Weekly Announcements (every Thursday) email:  admin@QuakersDC.org

FMW QUAKER SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 

General Description.  Full Listing of Programs in May 2023
For more information, email admin@QuakersDC.org. Or you can leave a message on FMW’s office phone (202)-483-3310.


OTHER NEWS

FMW Minute on Ukraine War (September 11, 2022)

FMW & Reproductive Rights:

Minute on Privacy & the State - FMW Meeting for Business, June 2022 
Testimonies:
Martha Solt for FMW Committee on Marriage & Family Relations
Personal testimony of Gene Throwe                     

FMW Anti-Racist Queries

"Queries"--leading questions--have long been used as an integral part of Quaker spiritual and social justice practice.  Our community has agreed that we will use the queries below in all of our decision processes, to help us become aware of the racism that is built into our culture and our Meeting, and work to heal it.

1. How will we provide opportunities for those most likely to be directly affected by the choices we are contemplating to influence the decision making process?   

2. How could the choices we are contemplating affect those who have been harmed by systemic, institutional, interpersonal and/or internal racism?

3. To what degree have privilege, class, stereotypes, assumptions, and our ability to include other perspectives affected this decision making process?

4. How will the choices we are contemplating promote equity, diversity, and inclusiveness? Will they enable us to be more friendly and whole, engaging across racial divisions?

5. How do the choices we are contemplating support the declaration of our Yearly Meeting that we aspire to be an anti-racist faith community?