These words were written by Stoke Newington Elders some years ago and have proven useful for many.
These Elderwords have been written in support of the meeting in worship:
A feature of our meeting is the balance we achieve between quiet contemplation and, often profound, spoken ministry. We achieve this by:
- Arriving in good time for a 10am start and knowing that Meeting for Worship begins when the first person sits down. If we gather more promptly, we can gather more deeply.
- Allowing space between people’s spoken ministry so that we have a chance to absorb and digest the last speaker’s words.
- For the same reason, being quiet for the last few minutes of the meeting.
- Letting other people’s ministry stand without challenge even if we don’t agree with it, recognising it may have value for someone else.
- Speaking spontaneously, with goodwill, and leaving premeditated sharing for Notices afterwards.
- Not coming in while someone is speaking.
- Ministering only once in any one meeting and being succinct.