Sound effects: Amanda Moore’s signal to noise ratio

‘Isn’t it great to have a bit of spooky doo in Meeting?’

When I first came to Quakers, and tried to imagine what ‘the promptings and leadings of the spirit’ might be like, I wondered whether I should be listening for a deep, bellowing voice. Before long, though, I discovered that there are other ways of communicating. Now, as I try to connect with God, I start to get a warm feeling in my sternum. It grows, like embers worked with bellows, until the warmth in my chest brings warmth to my soul. Somehow, mysteriously, that feeling becomes a narrative.

One Sunday, as I tried to focus on that warm feeling, willing it to grow, I was distracted by the noises picked up by our Meeting’s audio equipment: squeaking door, creaking chairs, shuffling bottoms, rustling papers, coughs and sniffles, and random bumps and thuds. For silent worshippers, Quakers can be a noisy bunch! I began to think about noise itself. In our silence, it’s actually noise we’re listening for. But, just like ‘the voice of God’, the noise is not necessarily something we hear with our ears. Are we, in fact, noisy enough?

We were asked if we were following Jesus’ example of putting love into action. Many Quakers are quietly doing this, often not sharing with others what they do, or why. They just do it. And that’s fine. Or is it? Should we be sharing with each other what we think, what we do, or what we are striving to do? Could we do more to support each other? Could we – should we – be making more noise?

I tend to think of Meeting for Worship as akin to recharging our phones: re-energising ourselves, reinvigorating our faith and purpose, refocusing and getting a clearer picture of where we are heading and why. Perhaps we alter course a little, finding a new or additional mission to work towards, or maybe realise that one destination is a waypoint to a bigger mountain waiting to be climbed. For most churches, worshipping God seems to be about telling God how great he is; for Quakers, it’s about putting one’s love into action. Meeting for Worship is a source of energy to accomplish just that.

As I pondered, I realised the Meeting had gone totally silent – ironically, given what was going on in my head. There was now no background noise at all. Then we heard spoken ministry – actually a concern articulated. It touched me, and I was sure it spoke to others too. ‘That’s going to give us something to make a noise about!’, I thought.

Not for the first time, I marvelled at the synergy that one often experiences in worship, when the thoughts in one’s head are encapsulated and enriched by another Friend’s ministry. Catholics might say that ‘The Lord moves in mysterious ways’. I just say it’s all a bit spooky doo. But isn’t it great to have a bit of spooky doo in Meeting? It’s so much better than a deep, booming voice coming from afar.

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