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First Friends
(Whitewater Monthly Meeting) dates from 1809, founded by Quakers who were
among the initial white settlers of Richmond. It is the oldest local
Friends congregation and an active supporter of Indiana Yearly Meeting,
Earlham College, and the Earlham School of Religion. Members of First
Friends are active in a variety of other community organizations as well.
The membership of
the meeting is about 160, with attendance in worship often around 100,
including a good mix of long-term and newer Friends. There is a warm,
friendly, affirmative feeling to the meeting's worship and other
activities. The congregation aims to be a welcoming, listening community
while also nurturing personal growth and depth in the spiritual tradition
of Quaker Christianity. Quaker faith and practice are built upon our
personal experiences and shared convictions, rather than doctrinal creeds.
We believe in baptism and communion as inward, spiritual realities, rather
than outward rites. While our worship includes familiar elements of
prayer, singing, Scripture and preaching, it culminates with a mostly
silent "open worship", usually 10-15 minutes.
We are
Christ-centered as a meeting, but open to the religious experiences and
convictions of all individuals, believing that direct knowledge of God is
available to all people everywhere, whatever their religious or cultural
background. We believe that children have a special connection to the
life of the Spirit; we work to be a warm, nurturing community for
children, young people, and their families. Adult spiritual enrichment
opportunities include Bible study, book discussions, communication
workshops, etc., nurturing individual lives and group dynamics in a vital
faith for the twenty-first century. Meals, celebrations, and other fun
events also help us enjoy one another.
Additional Information:
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