The Coldstream Friends Meeting is part of the larger
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Together with other
autonomous Meetings from across Canada we are affiliated with the
Canadian Yearly Meeting and also interact with the Friends United
Meeting of the USA.
Our Coldstream Friends Meetings for Worship are unprogrammed,
meaning that we gather together in silence without the leadership
of a pastor or priest. We are our own clergy and all members or
attenders contribute with whatever spiritual or other gifts they
have. Our Meeting House was built in 1859 and is surrounded by peaceful
scenery. The two acres of grounds that go with the Meeting House
has a modestly small cemetery in the back. This area in the town
of Coldstream is generally considered a historical site and draws
many visitors throughout the year. People often learn about the
core of Quakers beliefs and practices through their own spiritual
studies. To facilitate this study, books on Quaker beliefs, history,
and concerns can be borrowed from our lending library in the Meeting
House. We also have frequent informal - and often lively! - discussion sessions after silent worship. What we have in common with all traditionally Quaker
groups and Meetings can be comprised in the following short summary:
"Deep within us all there is an amazing
sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home to Itself" From A Testament of Devotion, a Quaker classic, by Thomas R. Kelly (1893 - 1941) |
