Wilmington Yearly Meeting of Friends

332 Grant St. Wilmington, OH 45177

Pastors:

Lead Pastor:  Hannah Lutz (937-503-4709)

Pastor Emeritus:  Violeta A.T. Gwynn (937-725-5071)

Clerk:

Michael Anderson

Contact person for more info: Patricia Thomas — phone: 937-708-6211; email: patricia@pastorandprofessor.com

Website: campusfriendsmeeting.org

Unprogrammed Worship

You are welcome to come to Campus Friends Meeting at 10 a.m. Sundays on the Wilmington College campus in the T. Canby Jones Meetinghouse (specific directions below) and worship in the manner of unprogrammed Friends.

We have no paid or ordained clergy who leads worship or delivers a sermon. When there is spoken ministry, it is provided by members and attenders, who sit on pews facing each other in a square. Anyone who feels prompted or moved by the Spirit to speak may do so.

How we conduct unprogrammed worship

The initial stage of unprogrammed worship is often described as “centering”. This is when Friends clear their minds and settle down to attain a spiritual focus. The centering process can of course begin prior to arrival.

After a seasonable time of centering, worshippers may give a spoken message, utter a prayer, or break forth in song.

You may wonder how a person can be confident it is the Spirit moving or prompting them to speak, and not some other impelling cause.

According to Patricia Loring’s Pendle Hill pamphlet titled ‘Spiritual Discernment’, having the experience of the “fruits of the Spirit” as identified in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia suggests the presence of God’s Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit listed in the letter have been translated as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness [sometimes translated as faith or faithfulness], gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:23). Vocal ministry that is laden with these fruits, or which sow these fruits, suggests strongly the Spirit’s stirrings.

To gain further clarity about unprogrammed worship and spoken ministry, we might ask ourselves these questions in light of the spiritual fruits: What might this worship look like? What might such worship feel like?

It is Friends’ practice to leave ample time for reflection after a spoken message, and for a person to speak no more than once in a meeting for worship. Campus Friends value the spoken word, and also value the silence.

More of what to expect in our worship

During worship at Campus Friends Meeting, the weekly greeter/breaker sometimes offers a short reading or asks a query. A query is a question; indeed, often a query is “a question for all seasons”. In the Quaker tradition, queries are a way to examine our lives and actions, and a means to help direct us, individually and as a meeting. Unless moved to do so, no one need answer the query aloud.

In short, we wait during worship in an expectation that by leaning into God’s Spirit and listening closely when someone speaks, it helps unite us as Christ’s sisters and brothers and friends (Friends); strengthens our commitment; provides lessons for living; helps us grow; and encourages us on our path.

When the rise of worship nears, the greeter/breaker asks whether we have joys or concerns, or a prayer request to share with the meeting.

Lastly, the greeter/breaker signals the end of worship (usually around an hour) with greetings or perhaps a handshake, at which time we make announcements and fellowship is encouraged.

Directions, etc.

At 10 a.m. Sundays our unprogrammed (but not graceless!) worship begins on the Wilmington College campus in the T. Canby Jones Meetinghouse, an attached yet distinct space located at the Boyd Cultural Arts Center (the building off College Street where the college stage plays are held). There is a College Street pole sign standing beside a sidewalk that runs parallel to the meetinghouse. You can park nearby on the street or in the college’s corner parking lot.

On the first Sunday of the month, beginning at noon, we gather for a simple, carry-in fellowship meal at the home of a member. Also the first Sunday of the month, we set out an offering basket for charitable work in the local community, including on campus.

Many Campus Friends come together on the 3rd Wednesday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a book club. When not meeting on Zoom, the gathering involves a self-packed brown bag meal before a discussion led by the person whose selection we are reading that month.

Organized in 1954, two of Campus Friends Meeting’s key minutes — which are statements or decisions approved by the meeting — can be found below, with brief introductions.

Campus Friends Meeting’s inclusivity statement

 In May 2021 we reaffirmed a commitment to the meeting’s inclusivity that had been declared in two prior minutes in 2014, condensing them into one minute, which we then approved. This inclusivity minute reads as follows:

“Campus Friends Meeting is a welcoming and inclusive monthly meeting. We affirm the full dignity of each person created in the image of God. The Light of the Living Christ has taught us that God’s love extends equally to all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Our understanding of God’s universal love leads us to affirm the full dignity of LGBTQ+ persons and equal status within the Religious Society of Friends and the wider world.

“All covenant relationships including marriages under the care of a Quaker meeting are sacred, legal and the cause for joy. As with all couples, we follow Quaker process to discern their readiness to be married under the care of Campus Friends Meeting. In honoring and caring for any marriage we affirm that we are ‘witnessing that which God has already done.’ ”

Campus Friends “bridge building” statement

In October 2014, we approved a minute relating to Campus Friends Meeting (CFM) being a “bridge” meeting — that is, CFM is a monthly meeting that belongs to two yearly meetings: the Wilmington Yearly Meeting (Friends United Meeting) as well as the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting (Friends General Conference). The bridge meeting minute reads as follows:

“We strive to be a monthly meeting that builds bridges. We come together to worship in expectant waiting in the presence of God and these our friends. Friends welcome personal and spiritual leadings that seek to serve as ministry for all.

“Meeting for worship informs our understanding of Quaker tradition and testimonies and guides our daily lives and corporate decision making. We strive to love and support each other within our monthly meeting community, and value our relationship to the wider body of Friends.”

Personal remarks

As a lifelong seeker, I am attracted by the Quaker testimonies, in particular community and peacemaking. I have found that Campus Friends Meeting is comprised of wonderful people. While unprogrammed worship can have its own challenges, it is in line with the abolition of a passive laity. Campus Friends’ occasional one-day joint spiritual retreats with Eastern Hills Friends Meeting of Cincinnati have been meaningful to me. — Gary Huffenberger

Minister & Public Friend: James Newby

Clerk: Michael Ramos

Cincinnati, OH 45243

Directions:  I-71 to Exit 12, go east on Montgomery Rd; in .7 miles turn right onto Keller Rd; in .6 miles turn right into the Meetinghouse driveway.

http://www.cincinnatifriends.org/

Dover Rd., E. of OH 134, 5 mi. N. of Wilmington,
PO Box 166, Port William 45164

Ministers

Dan Kazstelan & Katie Terrell

Clerk : Mike Miller

www.doverfriends.org

Meets for worship in members' homes
PO Box 5852 Knoxville, TN 37928

Pastor   -

8070 Fall Creek Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: 937-393-2975

Pastor - Rick Smith

66 N. Mulberry St.
Wilmington, OH 45177
(937) 382-2349

wilmingtonfriendsohio.org

Pastor Hannah Lutz

Bob Henson-- Clerk of Meeting