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Explanation of Meeting for Worship
Explanation of Meeting for Worship
Go in as soon as you are ready-there is no prearranged seating. Each person who enters the meeting room contributes to the spiritual seeking which is the purpose for our waiting in silence. The silent meeting for worship provides each participant the opportunity to seek that inner stillness where God may be experienced. While the Religious Society of Friends has no creed, we believe there is that of God in every person and that each of us can sense the Inner Light directly. An Inward Teacher makes known its intentions for us.
Within the "gathered meeting" a person may speak from the heart as directed by the Spirit. The sense of searching for God in the company of other seekers preserves the Meeting for Worship as a time apart from conversation. Each period of worship is unique; frequently the silence becomes eloquent and we are aware of a prevailing Presence.
Children are important to the Meeting community, they are acquainted with the quiet and provided classes and activities as appropriate. Someone designated to "break meeting" shakes hands - usually after an hour - and everyone present is encouraged to greet those nearby with a handshake. Verbal greetings continue beyond the meeting room as fellowship is deepened and as the concerns which grow from spiritual experience seek expression in our lives.
Quaker History
Atlanctic City Area Quakers Meeting House
George Fox (1624-1691) was troubled as a young man in northwest England by the church's emphasis on outward symbols: creeds, ranks, ornate buildings, elaborate sacraments. He asked for help which "could speak to my condition" but found none until, in a series of mystical experiences, he felt the immediate presence of God. George Fox identified an indwelling Spirit he knew to be universal, immortal, and accessible to all true seekers. This, Spirit, known by many names, led early Friends to travel broadly in the ministry. William Penn, John Woolman and Lucretia Mott were Friends of the Delaware Valley whose impact continues to affect government, economics, and interpersonal relations with the principles of honesty, equality, and compassion. For two centuries Quakerism was primarily practiced in Britain and North America. Now (while still numbering far less than 500,000), members span the globe in either pastored Friends Churches, or in Meetings based on the shared responsibility of the spiritual community, as is ours.
In the Atlantic City area, early colonial times saw Quaker settlers organize Friends Meetings at both Galloway (now Leeds Point/Smithville) and Egg Harbor (Somers Point/Linwood). By the mid-19th century, Atlantic City began to attract "summer people" and in 1872 a Meetinghouse was built at South Carolina and Pacific Avenues. While year-round meetings were held since before the 20th century, the status of Monthly Meeting dates from 1956. Sale of the Atlantic City property in 1985 led to our adding "Area" to the meeting name and moving to the present home in 1988.
Directions to our
Quaker Meetinghouse
When heading East on US Route 30, or North on County 575, take Jimmie Leeds Road past Stockton College and Hospital to blinker light at Pitney Road. Go right 1/2 mile.
From the Garden State Parkway, use exit at north end of Mile 42 Rest Area to Jimmie Leeds Road; turn right (East) to blinker light at Pitney Road. Go right 1/2 mile.
Meeting is on west side of road just south of St. Mark's Episcopal, which is also set in the woods.
In Absecon, Route 9 and Mill Road intersect at Pitney Road traffic light. Go North on Pitney approximately 1 mile; Meetinghouse is on left shortly after Ridgewood.
The address is: 437-A S. Pitney Rd., Galloway NJ 08205
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