NZCCM Auckland Community Day
Quaker Prayer and the Workings of the Holy Spirit

Quakers have been described as the mystical arm of Christianity. Its 17th century English founder, George Fox, denounced organised religions and advised his followers that without the intervention of the clergy, ‘There is one, Christ Jesus, who can speak to thy condition’.

Looking in at a 21st century Quaker meeting for worship, it may look as though its basis is silence and individuals may be deep in silent prayer, silent meditation or silent reflection – and all of these may be happening.

However, silence is not the basis of what is occurring. Rather Quaker meetings for worship start from the understanding that the Holy Spirit can be best heard when we still our busy minds and gather with others; rather than being an intentionally ‘silent meeting’, we understand that the Quaker meeting – with its openness to spoken ministry arising from an individual’s experience – is ‘spirit-led’. 

Drawing on her experience as a Quaker in Aotearoa, Sue Stover will be sharing some Quaker understandings about prayer and the workings of the Holy Spirit wherever friends are gathered.

Facilitator: Sue Stover

For the past 50 years, Sue Stover has been immersed in Quakerism, taking on a diversity of roles in this ‘do it ourselves’ faith community. These roles have included decades of organising the ‘Children’s Meeting’ on Sunday mornings, breaking up concrete, and coordinating the revision of ‘Quaker Faith and Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand’.

Prior to retirement, Sue led AUT’s early childhood teacher education programme. She is mother of three adult sons, grandmother of four and currently serves as the ‘clerk’ of the national Quaker organisation: the Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends in Aotearoa New Zealand / Te Hāhi Tūhauwiri.

Community Day Details

• Please bring your own lunch

• Please bring a friend

• Please bring a koha

• No need to register

• There will be two periods of meditation

• People new to meditation in the Christian tradition are most welcome

Venue

We will meet at Auckland School of Philosophy, 268 West Tamaki Road, Glendowie.

Questions?

For further information contact Vincent Maire (NZCCM Regional Co-ordinator for Auckland).

E: auckland@christianmeditationnz.org.nz.