Worship at Camas Friends
Join us at 10:30am (worship starts at 10:45) on Sundays.
For those attending in person:
Masks: we do not require those who attend meetings for worship or other CFC activities (Youth Meeting, Laundry Love, etc.) to wear masks. We encourage you to wear a mask if you are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe Covid-19 illness, unvaccinated, or are simply more comfortable wearing a mask at this time. Please do, however, stay home and attend online if you have symptoms of Covid or any other illness. We will continue to follow Washington State health guidance and keep the meeting updated as needed.
Children: Children’s programming for children (K through 5th grade) is available. For potty-trained children under 5, they are welcome to join in the Children’s Meeting if they are comfortable being independent.
A Nursing/Diaper Changing Space is available for families.
For those attending via Zoom:
Log on to Zoom using the red button above (which takes you straight to the Zoom meeting). At each worship service a volunteer online host is available to answer questions and help you feel engaged in the gathering.
What to expect…
A host will welcome everyone and share some announcements. If you have an announcement related to the life of our meeting, please share!
Someone will share a First Word to help center us and focus our hearts and minds on listening to the Divine.
We’ll sing 2-3 songs led by different people each week. All are invited to sing along!
Someone will lead corporate prayer, where our members share their joys and concerns. Please feel free to voice something during this time, even if it’s your first time visiting.
A 15-20 minute message reflecting on a passage from the Bible will be shared (often by our pastor, but not always).
Our time of open worship, usually after the message, is probably the most distinctively “Quaker” element of these gatherings. See the other side of this sheet to learn more.
Our host will bring us to a close. We encourage folks to stick around and chat with one another (but feel free to leave whenever you need).
About Open Worship at Camas Friends Church
Our meetings for worship almost always include a time for silence and sharing. This tends to last between 10 to 30 minutes. Sometimes several people speak, sometimes just one or two, or the entire time may be silent. We call this “open worship” because it is open to all in the room to participate. Sometimes we call it “silent worship” to affirm the refreshing, healing, centering, clarifying, and mobilizing power of being silent and still. Sometimes we call it “waiting worship” to emphasize that we are waiting to be guided by the One who created us and loves us unconditionally.
As you listen and wait in silence, if you are led to share something that feels meant for the group (rather than meant for you alone), please do so.
Please use one of the three standing microphones to share. Speak closely into the mic, especially for the sake of Zoom attendees and for those in the room with difficulty hearing. If needed, we can bring a mic to you.
As you begin speaking, please tell us your name.
Please share no more than once and consider that your words may carry more weight if you are brief rather than extensive. This will likely make your message clearer and also create more space for others to share.
Leave enough silence between sharing to let another’s words ring out and be absorbed and savored by others in the room.
You are welcome to say something inspired by what another has shared, but please do not dispute or criticize another’s words. Save that for a cup of coffee.
Don’t overthink it. You might be concerned that you won’t sound as coherent or eloquent as you’d like, or may be unsure what constitutes a “message from God.” We encourage you to take the risk, if you feel led to speak.
Don’t underthink it. We see this as a sacred practice, with spoken words coming from a place of Love and discernment. Speak authentically, plainly, and bravely, but with discretion and respect.
People don’t usually intend to speak hurtfully. As listeners, we commit to giving each other grace, receiving what others share with gratitude and compassion, even if their words cause discomfort or warrant critique.
If you get distracted by someone walking around, a lively child, your mental to-do list, or anything else, that’s okay. Just bring yourself back, maybe repeating a focus word or query that can re-center you, or consider that the distraction may remind you of something or someone to pray about. You are welcome to utilize our “sensory area” if that is helpful for you.
No hate speech. Loving your neighbor is more important than free speech.
Our meeting embraces these guidelines (not absolute rules) to help us define what this uniquely Quaker “open worship” space is and how its safety and sacredness is maintained. We agree to respectfully and gently remind one another of these guidelines when necessary so that sharing may be safe and open for all.