Erb Garden

First Quaker Meeting

10/16/25

20 people (including eight on the Zoom call). More trickle in. One man is reading. Some sit with eyes closed. Children chatter in the library/nursery next door. Most sit quietly. Fidget toys are offered. There is a microphone at the center of the room. One person is laying down on a bench with their feet up and shoes off for some time. The room is a quiet, oblong octagon. The majority are older adults, some middle-aged. Most close their eyes in quiet contemplation. I begin to wonder if anyone will speak. This is my first meeting, so the microphone feels like an elephant in the room.

There are now 15 people on the Zoom call, 20 in the room. 21. Brian comes back, he is the only one I know. The others from Seeking Quakers are not here today. Outside the high windows, the trees are beautiful, red and dancing in the wind.

I am not practiced at sitting quietly with my thoughts, so writing feels like the next best thing. Next time I should wear a watch.

The children are quiet now, they must have closed the door. Someone I know who grew up Quaker compared meetings to an Entmoot and I can see why. Entmoots are also not a place for children. Quiet contemplation is not their specialty. This is a good place for writing, though.

Someone stands. I wonder if he will speak, but he leaves for (presumably) the bathroom. Every sound is amplified in the silence. I wonder what committee meetings are like. I see why they have so many discussion groups.

Two small children enter to sit on their mom's lap, little girls who seem to know the drill. The nursery attendant who brought them in holds up a finger to gently shush them as she leaves.

This is a very individual experience. I can't imagine being a child here — or maybe I can. It is somewhat relaxing, the silence. I wonder how much time has passed. Someone blows their nose. A person at the table behind me works on a coloring book. Next time I'll bring a clipboard. Anything goes at the Quaker meeting, so long as it's quiet.

Is there a term for a meeting where no one speaks?[^1] How often does that happen? I shall write an article about this and see if the Quakers will publish it.

Another woman stands, walking quickly from the room. The little girls are very peaceful. Everyone is very peaceful. One girl stands up to return to the nursery. The other follows close behind.

There are name-tags. I hope my phone is muted. Someone dropped off the Zoom call. I feel like I should be contemplating the universe, or God, or something. I just wonder what everyone is thinking. I bet they are all very kind.

The man across the room has returned to his book. One of the little girls has returned to her mother, stomping extra loudly in her velcro shoes for the joy of making noise.

A woman finally picks up the microphone, asking Friends who have a person they would like to "hold in the light" to share that with the group in the next five to ten minutes. I think about Hannah and Mom.

Brian stands and takes the microphone. He speaks about a homeless woman he met, a mother of two. He reflects on our Seeking Quakers meeting, about the woman's dignity in having to do the undignified. He speaks about the possibilities, about how it's good to know good things (free busses, healthcare, childcare) can happen if we channel our anger. A woman on Zoom speaks up for libraries and librarians everywhere, people trying so hard to balance logistics and service in difficult times. I want to clap for both of them, but that's not quiet.

My hand is getting sore, but it feels nice to finally think about something outside myself. Maybe that's what I should have been doing all along.

Announcements are invited, and introductions. I introduce myself, as does another woman. The Quakers are contemplating purchasing a property. There is a breakfast potluck next week. Anti-ICE demonstrations are announced. The Quakers are very talkative during announcements.

The children are invited to speak. I have no idea what the little girl says, but she is adorable. The kids talk about a pirate story they read and created for themselves, and about a book "What Happened To You?"

Quaker Testimonies: Equality, Peace, Simplicity, Stewardship, Integrity[^2]

The Inner Light: "The Light that enlighteneth every person who comes into the world - every human soul God has implanted an element of God's own spirit and divine energy - That of God in every person." - John 1:9; writings of Mary Blackmar[^3]

After the meeting I borrowed An Experiment in Friendship from the library in the annex.