Worship Groups give opportunities to get to know one another in small groups and to deepen our awareness of the life of the spirit in ourselves and each other.
Worship sharing involves centering into a sacred space, which is maintained throughout the session and deepened as Friends listen and share. Interruptions are avoided, with one exception. When someone says something harmful and Spirit leads you to interrupt, do so. Harmful speech will change the dynamics within the worship circle whether or not it is addressed. In particular, we are trying to pay attention to harms that uphold any form of systemic oppression, like racism or transphobia. Please feel free to use the Ouch, Whoa, Oops model. The worship group coordinator will provide training materials to worship group facilitators.
Annual Session Worship Groups
Annual Session Worship Groups will meet daily during the regularly scheduled Annual Session times from July 8th to 11th. These groups will focus on our theme for this Annual Session. There will be separate groups meeting simultaneously for those attending the Annual Session in person and those attending online.
The following types of Worship Groups are offered:
Worship Sharing
Worship centered on a theme or a set of queries. The patterns of unprogrammed worship apply: each person who wishes may respond to the query but does not respond specifically to someone else’s contribution; each participant speaks only once to any query; the group returns to silent worship between contributions .
Worship Discussion
Worship discussion is similar to worship-sharing, but with more speaking. Participants may respond directly to what someone else has said, and may speak more than once to a topic, with space for everyone to contribute and to return to silence between contributions.
Worship Sharing/Discussion for Friends of Color
This is a worship sharing/discussion group for Friends of Color to encourage a shared community based on common experiences. This worship group was suggested to NPYM by people of color gathered at the 2018 Annual Session.
Worship Ministry through Song
This is worship with ministry primarily through singing, returning to silence between contributions. Participants are encouraged to bring songs that will contribute to a sense of deep worship. The following song books will be used: "Worship In Song - a Friends Hymnal", "Rise Up Singing", and "Rise Again". Instruments (non-amplified, please) are welcome but not required.
Unprogrammed Worship
Traditional unprogrammed worship in the manner of Friends. At the rise of worship, we will offer an opportunity to allow Friends to speak to that which did not rise to the level of vocal ministry.
Worship Walking
This group walks together in silence and periodically pauses to respond to the queries following the format of either Worship Sharing or Worship Discussion. This group is being offered only during Annual Session for those attending in person.
Please contact the Worship Group Coordinator at
as_worship_group_coord@npym.org with any questions.