Newtown Quaker Meeting will change its usual
order of service on First Day (Sunday), December 17.
From 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. there will be weekly meeting for worship in the traditional Friends manner of gathering in silence during which anyone may speak who is moved to do so.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the children of the Meeting will present a special
Christmas program telling the story of Jesus as his life exhibits the Quaker testimonies of
simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality.
The program is produced and directed by the First Day School teachers and the Religious
Education Committee of Newtown Friends Meeting. Nancy Martin, former NYC
educator and Clerk of the Religious Education Committee, said, “The program will be
based on the Quaker Curriculum, Faith and Play, a story-based curriculum focused on
building spiritual community with young and older young Friends. It offers young
people images and language to express their wonder and experience of the Divine.
Faith and Play honors the diversity of the many ways the Spirit works within each
person. This curriculum supports the Quaker belief in continuing revelation and multiple
perspectives on a story while including the silence, reflection, and corporate sharing that
Quakers regard as the underpinnings of a spiritual life.“
Following the children’s program, there will be refreshments in the Gathering Room of
the Meeting House for all present. The public is invited to attend all events. Newtown
Friends Meeting was co-founded in 1815 by Quaker minister and artist, Edward Hicks.