Adult
Religious Education
Programs
Learn More About Quaker Faith & Practice
The Friends Meeting of Washington provides courses in Quaker Education. If you are new to the Quakers - Religious Society of Friends, Quakerism 101 (Q101), an introductory course on Quaker faith and practice, is a good place to start.
Q101 is held once a year starting in September via Zoom. This basic course in Quakerism provides introductory information for newcomers and a refresher for members and attenders. Q101 provides a strong foundation of understanding as you begin your spiritual journey into the rich tradition of the Quakers - Religious Society of Friends.
The course consists of five sessions: Quaker Faith & Practice, Quaker Worship & Vocal Ministry, Living Your Quaker Testimony, Quaker History - Radical & Relevant, and When Friends Get Down to Business - Quaker Process and Organizational Structure. For information contact: Ann Herzog lannherzog@gmail.com.
You can attend via Zoom or access an online self-guided course at: link. For more information on the self-guided course, contact: Nick Warren, wanet65@gmail.com.
FMW also offers other courses in Quaker Education. Check the FMW’s Announcements and calendar for dates and times.
Recurring Programs
Meet with Friends in Adult Religious Education programs throughout the year!
“Walk cheerfully over the earth answering to that of God in everyone.” —George Fox
Friends can enrich their spiritual journey by participating in Adult Religious Education programs. Monthly and recurring programs currently available through FMW are listed below. In addition to the Adult Religious Education programs, the Ministry & Worship Committee facilitates other workshops, panel discussions, and presentations on topics of interest to Friends.
Book Club - The Apocrypha - Fourth Sundays, 12:15 p.m.
We will study New Testament Apocrypha, non-canonical stories about Jesus that are included in the Catholic but not the Protestant bible. Contact Gene Throwe, gthrowe@gmail.com, for more details.
Friendly Bible Study, First & Fourth Sunday, Noon - 1 p.m.
Early Quakers (Friends) were deeply connected to and knowledgeable of the Christian Bible. We will study different readings from the bible and respond to five standard questions about the passage. Participants who just want to listen to the responses of others are also welcome. Contact David Etheridge, david.etheridge@verizon.net. Available by Zoom or phone.
Ignatian Prayer, Fourth Sunday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
After hearing a scripture passage, Friends converse with Spirit in solitude and then come back together for worship sharing. Newcomers welcome. Available by Zoom or phone. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, for the reading materials and the monthly order of worship.
Reading Quakers Together, First Sundays, 9:15 - 10:15 am.
We respond in worship sharing to a Quaker text chosen in advance. Then we respond to the query, "How is Spirit dealing with Thee?" Newcomers welcome. Available by Zoom or phone. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, for the reading materials and the monthly order of worship.
Spiritual Nurture Reading Group (Schedule varies.)
Friends are invited to deepen their spiritual lives through discussion of a shared text in a small group setting. Books that have been studied in the past are: Spiritual Direction by Henri J M Nouwen, A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly, and Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer. For more information, contact Kelly Crouch at kelly.crouch.m@gmail.com.
Spiritual Journey Meditation, Fourth Mondays, 2:15- 3:45 p.m.
Friends meet for meditation and worship sharing to support their spiritual journeys. The group also meets on the Second Monday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. for tea. The group holds a one-day fall retreat at the Meetinghouse and a weekend spring retreat at a place selected in advance. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net.
Spiritual Development
Spiritual Formation
These programs encourage and support individuals to meet together to consider the spiritual issues in their lives, to explore spiritual disciplines, and to share thoughts about readings. The Spritual Formation program is under the sponsorship of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, which convenes a spring and fall retreat. Currently there are two groups at FMW:
A group of Spiritual Friends meets monthly. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234, if interested.
A group of Friends meet at 6:30 p.m. on the First Thursday of the month. Friends meet in silent worship and sharing on their spiritual path. Readings may be used. BYM has encouraged open participation where friends can drop in and do not need to make a firm commitment. Contact John Bluedorn at johnbluedorn@gmail.com.
Spiritual Journey Meditation
This group meets on the Fourth Monday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for meditation and worship sharing to support its members on their spiritual journeys. The group also meets on the Second Monday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. for tea. The group holds a one-day fall retreat at the Meetinghouse and a weekend spring retreat at a place selected in advance. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234, if interested.
Spiritual Friendships
These allow individuals to explore their lives together from a spiritual perspective. The group meets the Fourth Sunday of the month from noon to 1pm. You are welcome at every meeting. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234.
Spiritual Friendship Circles
These offer a unique opportunity to reflect/share with others your deeper spiritual journey. In circles of 3 to 4 Friends, each person is given 15 to 20 minutes of silence, agreed upon in advance, to reflect/share their discernment around the following 3 queries.
How have I experienced Spirit/the Light since we last met?
What is Spirit teaching me? or What is Spirit showing me?
How is my inner life shaping my outer life? How is my outer life being shaped by my inner life?
This is followed by a discussion to reflect on one another's messages. The circles meet for 1.5 to 2 hours. Optional reading of Patricia Long's "Listening Spirituality, Volume 1" may be used. Tish Thames convenes the Circles and can be contacted at viticia@gmail.com for more information.
Classes
Inquirers Class – The Inquirers class is currently being developed under the M&W Committee and will be available in 2021.
Workshops
Ministry & Worship offers workshops on a periodic basis. The Quaker Spiritual Development Update contains the current workshops that are being offered.
If you would like assistance from the Ministry and Worship Committee in starting a group for FMW’s Quaker Spiritual Development program please contact Ann Herzog at aherzog333@yahoo.com, cell 202.246.5125.