Business Meeting innovation
Nailsworth in Gloucestershire are experimenting with a radical new format
With many Meetings struggling with low turnouts at Meeting for Worship for Business, Friends in Nailsworth in Gloucestershire are experimenting with a radical new format.
For the first time last Sunday, Nailsworth Quakers met from 10am until noon and combined business with their usual weekly Meeting for Worship. After half an hour’s regular worship, they moved into business without a break.
The Meeting heard an introduction on the main agenda item, then divided into small groups for fifteen minutes of discussion before re-grouping for worship sharing and discernment. Several brief minutes of record were noted at the end of the agenda.
‘This radical change is deeply exciting,’ said Nailsworth co-clerk Indigo Redfern. She told the Friend that the initiative had tripled attendance at Meeting for Worship for Business. She added: ‘Feedback has been positive, with all Friends attending actively involved and participating, and contributing to the direction and activity of the Meeting.’
Comments
Excellent idea. If properly conducted, there should be no great disparity between the two. It is meeting for *worship* for business, after all. If that’s a step too far for some, my former meeting used a variant of this method - we met for worship for the full hour, then those who were able remained in their seats while notices were given, with one or two friends distributing the necessary refreshments, after which we all settled into meeting for worship for business.
By Judy M Kerr on 13th January 2013 - 15:09
Please login to add a comment
