Sample Host Script: Opening Welcome to Media Friends Meeting and Quaker Quest, a spiritual path for our time that is simple, vibrant and contemporary. This building is also home to Media Providence Friends School. More information on the school can be found on the table (point) near the entrance you came through this evening. Tonight, we will hear from three speakers about their Quaker faith. Afterwards, we will have the opportunity for small group discussion. Then our speakers will speak for a second time, followed by an opportunity for questions. We will then join in a Quaker Meeting for Worship. I will describe how Quakers worship before our worship time together. For now though, please silence your cell phones. There are bathrooms at the top of the stairs (point) and on this floor through that door (point). There is an emergency exit where you entered the building (point), through this door (point to door by first floor bathroom), and in the room where we had refreshments (point to social room). Quaker Quest is a spiritual path for our time that is simple, vibrant, and contemporary. We encourage you to explore more about the Quaker way. Tonight, Quakers will speak from their own experience. In addition, we have a book table (point to social room) and a free literature table (point to social room). We encourage you to explore these materials. But for now, I would like to tell you a little bit about Quakers. Quakerism started 350 years ago in England as the Religious Society of Friends. While we are known as Quakers, we often refer to ourselves as Friends. The Quaker Way is an experienced‐based faith. The core of our beliefs is that there is ‘that of God’ in everyone. This means that we all have equal access to the Divine. As such, we do not need anyone to mediate on our behalf between us and God. Therefore, we have no priests, reverends, pastors, or ministers. This also means that our worship services are unique as they are not lead by a priest or minister. We worship together in silence. You will have an opportunity later this evening to experience this unique form of Quaker worship. Tonight, our speakers will talk about Quakers and (the Spiritual Journey – whatever the topic is for the evening). After each person speaks, you may notice a brief period of silence between speakers. This is deliberate, as Quakers often allow space between one speaker and the next so that the words of the first person have the opportunity to be absorbed before the next person speaks. Our speakers tonight are Mary Smith, Bob Jones, and John Doe. Let’s listen to what they have to say about Quakers and (the Spiritual Journey). After first set of talks Thank you Mary, Bob, and John. Now it is time for you to share. We will have 15 minutes of small group discussion in groups of about three people. Everyone should have the opportunity to share. I will give you two warnings, one when there are ten minutes left, and one where there are five minutes left. Please allow everyone an opportunity to share. The question we will be discussing tonight is: What is significant about your spiritual journey? (What is the relationship between spirituality and religion?) (How do your values influence your thoughts on education?) (What do you believe is important in education today?) (What is the benefit of having social action based upon your faith?) (How do you integrate faith‐based action in your daily life?) Assemble participants in groups of three or four. Try to have one Media Friends Member per group of newcomers/non‐members. If too many Media Friends Members attend Quaker Quest, group three or four of them in one group. Keep track of time. After five minutes, announce that there are ten more minutes. After ten minutes, announce that there are five more minutes. After 13 or 14 minutes, walk around the room, checking in with each group that everyone has had a chance to share. After small‐group discussion Well, I hope your discussion was interesting and fruitful. Like many groups, we have a book (hold up Faith and Practice). It is called Faith and Practice. For Quakers, it is very important that we put our faith into practice. We have several common beliefs based upon the concept that there is ‘that of God’ in everyone. If there is ‘that of God’ in everyone, then we are all equal. No one is better than anyone else, as we all have equal access to the Divine. This principle is why Quakers were so prominent in the anti‐slavery movement and the Underground Railroad. If there is ‘that of God’ in everyone, then to be violent towards someone else is to be violent towards God. Therefore, peace is very important to us. This peace is not necessarily passivity, but an active calling to bring peace in this world. Quakers won the Nobel Peace prize for their efforts on behalf of peace. If there is ‘that of God’ in everyone, then we should share the world’s resources with others. Quakers believe in the famous quote by Gandhi, “live simply so that others may simply live.” We also believe in ‘letting our lives speak’. By this we mean that we should live with integrity or authenticity. We shouldn’t say one thing and do another. Rather, we should live our faith every day. Finally, Quakers believe in the power of community. Together, we all can achieve more than any one person can achieve alone. Now, let us listen as our Quakers talk about putting their faith into practice. Questions and Answers Thank you John, Bob, and Mary. That was very interesting. I am wondering if there are any questions of our speakers? (There will be questions from the audience. Have a few questions ready to ask in case this audience is shy. If there is silence with no questions, indicate “I have a question. . . . “ and proceed to ask it, just to get the conversation going. Address all questions to the speakers for response. Occasionally, there may be a question that is inappropriate for the speakers – then the host responds. Allow the Q&A portion to go on for no more than 15 minutes). Thank you for your interesting and insightful questions. If you have further questions, our speakers will be here to answer them individually, at the end of the evening. Introduction to Meeting for Worship It is now time for Meeting for Worship, the heart of the Quaker way. Our form of worship is to sit in silence and collectively listen to the voice of the Divine within. I think of it as a collective form of silent, sustained listening. Our form of worship leads to an enhanced sense of community. We will sit in silence for 30 minutes. Some people are apprehensive at the thought of 30 minutes of silence. Other people feel anxious or nervous. Often, people notice that the 30 minutes passes much more quickly than they expect. In silent worship, we listen together for the voice of the Divine. Sometimes, people receive messages. Messages can come in the form of words, images, pieces of songs, feelings, or poetry. Sometimes there are no messages, and the silence itself IS the message. If you receive a message, first check to see if the message is for you alone, or if it should be shared with the group. If the message is to be shared with the group, stand up, speak in a loud and clear voice, deliver your message in a succinct and direct way, and then sit down. Sometimes more than one message will come. If there are more messages, we ask that you allow some space between messages so that the words of the speaker before you can be absorbed by the group before your message is shared. At the end of 30 minutes, I will shake Bob’s hand. This is how you know that the Meeting for Worship is over. Please feel free to shake hands with the people around you in fellowship. And now, let us experience Quaker Meeting for Worship. (Sit down. 30 minutes of worship. Break meeting at the appropriate time.) Closing Thank you for participating in Quaker Quest, a spiritual path for our time that is simple, vibrant and contemporary. We hope you have enjoyed yourself this evening. If you would like, there are evaluation forms on the back table (point). We would love to hear your feedback about our program this evening. Our next Quaker Quest session is next Wednesday night at this same time, right here in this same location. Our speakers will talk about Quaker (Values in Education). We encourage you to stay for refreshments, as there is plenty of food left over (point to the social room). Please feel free to browse the book table and the literature table (point to the social room). Our Quakers will remain up front here to answer any questions you may have, or to linger over discussion about the Quaker Way. We worship here on Sunday mornings for an hour at 11 am, 10 am in July and August. Childcare is available during Meeting for Worship. We also have Sunday school starting with singing at 9:30 am. The adults will continue their comparison and discussion of the gospels. Sunday school for children varies based upon their age group. Thank you again for visiting with Media Friends and participating in Quaker Quest. We hope to see you again next week.