Weekly Meeting for Worship is a time of quiet reflection that allows an opportunity for sharing thought-provoking stories and queries such as:
- What does equality look and feel like in our community?
- How can I use my gifts to help others?
- How do I commit to settling differences in my relationships in a peaceful manner?
Meeting for Worship is held on Friday mornings throughout the school year and is the center of Quaker life at New Garden Friends School. Students from the Guilford campus meet at New Garden Friends Meeting, early school children join when appropriate. Our meetings are “semi-programmed” with a message being delivered usually by a class of students. This message usually speaks of upholding values of honesty, caring, community, etc. This is followed by silence or open worship, where all present have an opportunity to reflect on the message each in his/her own way. Silence ends with a handshake and we follow with a period of singing children’s songs and songs related to units of study. Upper school students meet in the Commons on the Ridgefield campus. Upper school students have a planned message followed by an extended period of open worship. Periodically we have whole school meeting for worship at New Garden Meeting. Out of the silence anyone may speak if he/she feels led to share a message with the community.