West Knoxville Friends Meeting Group

Meeting for Worship
2029-09-09 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-09-16 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-09-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-09-30 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-10-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-10-14 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-10-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2029-10-28 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) and 17 more dates | West Knoxville Friends Meeting House, 1517 Meeting House Road, Knoxville, TN, 37931, United States
We invite you to join us in silent worship according to the traditional practice of Friends. As an unprogrammed meeting, worship begins in reverent silence. There is no ritual, and we have no minister, but we are united in a conscious effort to know God, to understand divine purposes, and to bring ourselves into harmony with Spirit in our daily lives.
First Day Schedule:
10:00-10:25 Fellowship

10:25 Move into silence

10:30-11:30 Meeting for Worship

11:30 Introduction and announcements

About 11:45 Snacks and Fellowship

Zoom Information:
Zoom may be available at the meetinghouse if there is someone able to start the machines. If not, there will be two separate meetings – one on Zoom and one in person at the meetinghouse.

We use the Owl Pro and the internet at the meeting house to help make the process better for both those in person and those who are virtual. We strive to have Zoom running by 10 am, but sometimes delays occur.

Everyone will be muted at 10:25 to prepare for the start of Meeting for Worship. You will need to unmute yourself to speak. For those who dial in on a phone, *6 is used to unmute and mute.

This Zoom info is only for our Meeting for Worship every Sunday and will not change for the foreseeable future. Each different committee meeting has a different Zoom meeting ID, some of which are recurring.

The link below includes the password.

Join WKFM Meeting for Worship now

From a smartphone for voice only, no video dial:
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,687014706#,,,,0#,,213575# US (Germantown)+13126266799,,687014706#,,,,0#,,213575# US (Chicago)Meeting ID: 687 014 706Password: [REDACTED]

From a regular telephone: Dial by your location and use the meeting ID and password when prompted.
+1 301 715 8592 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kqEhEYL7e

Meeting For Business
2029-10-07 12:15 - 13:15, 2029-11-04 12:15 - 13:15, 2029-12-02 12:15 - 13:15, 2030-01-06 12:15 - 13:15, 2030-02-03 12:15 - 13:15
Welcome! If you’re used to typical board meetings or rowdy town halls, a Quaker Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business will feel like a breath of fresh air (or perhaps a bit of a mystery at first).
At its core, it’s not just about making decisions; it’s about seeking “the sense of the Meeting”—a collective discernment of what is right.

The Elements of Meeting for Business
1. It is a Form of Worship
Quakers don’t separate the “spiritual” from the “practical.” The meeting begins and ends in silence. Even the discussion happens in a spirit of prayerful listening. It’s not about winning an argument; it’s about finding a shared truth.
2. No Voting
This is the biggest shock for newcomers. There are no “ayes” or “nays.” Quakers don’t use majority rule because that creates “winners” and “losers,” which can hurt the community. Instead, they wait until everyone can live with a decision.
3. The Role of the Clerk
There is no “boss.” The Clerk facilitates the meeting, listens to the various perspectives, and eventually proposes a Minute—a written summary of where the group seems to be landing.
4. Reaching “Unity”
If the group reaches a point where everyone feels a decision is right (or at least clear), they are in Unity.

Standing Aside: If someone disagrees but doesn’t feel the decision violates a core principle, they may “stand aside” to let the group move forward.

Blocking: If someone feels a decision is fundamentally wrong, they can “prevent” the minute, and the group continues to wait and reflect, often deferring the matter to a later date.

Tips for Your First Time

Do…
Why?

Embrace the Silence
Silence between speakers allows the group to digest what was said.

Speak Once
Usually, you only speak once on a topic to ensure everyone has space.

Listen Deeply
Try to hear the “seed of truth” in what others say, even if you disagree.
