...to University Friends, we value our Newcomers, please read on to learn about our Quaker Meeting Who Are the Quakers? In England in the mid-1600's, George Fox could not find peace in his spiritual quest. He met with numerous priests from the Church of England, and with preachers from many of the independent, or separate, churches that were springing up at the time. But none of them could satisfy his inner spiritual longings. George Fox wrote in his Journal: But as I had forsaken the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those esteemed the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. When all my hope in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, 'There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condiion: and when I heard it, my heart did leap for joy. The Quaker movement began with the strong conviction that every person can hear from God directly without the need of human mediation. This foundational belief led them to also conclude that God reaches out to everyone, not just a select few, and that any person can be a minister. They chose the name "Friends" for this movement from the verse, John 15:14, where Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command." "Quakers" was a nickname given to them because they told people that they quaked before the spirit of God. The nickname stuck. "Friends" has always been the official name - but the terms "Friends" and "Quakers" are often used interchangeably. Other emphases or testimonies of the Quakers include: Equality. Friends believe that God views everyone the same regardless of social station, race, gender, etc., and that God can use anyone for ministry. Peace. Friends have felt since their beginning that war is wrong, and is contrary to the teaching of Christ. They maintain a strong witness for peace. Simplicity. Early Friends attempted to live a simple, or plain, lifestyle without personal extravagance. Their theology and style of worship were also simplified compared to other groups. Truth. Friends took the words of Jesus to "let your yes be yes, and your no be no" literally. They would not take oaths and tried to be completely honest in all their activities and in their personal business dealings. History of University Friends Friends University opened September 21, 1898, and it seemed good to everyone to start a church on campus. The first meeting for worship took place on October 16, 1898, in the Davis Administration building. University Monthly Meeting of Friends (known as University Friends Church or University Friends Meeting) met on campus until a building was built just east of the campus at the corner of University and Glenn. The building was begun in 1925 and completed in 1926. On October 10, 1926, the group assembled at Friends University and processed together down the street to continue worship in their new building. The Education Building was added in 1962. University Friends is a member of two major groups of Quakers: Evangelical Friends Church-Mid America Yearly Meeting (part of Evangelical Friends International) and Great Plains Yearly Meeting (part of Friends United Meeting). Only two churches in the world are members of both E.F.I. and F.U.M. University Friends Meeting has a rich and vital past. Looking to the future, we are working to become a strong center of spiritual vitality by encouraging members to develop their gifts and strengths in order to bless others. Our Vision Statement We are Christians called to live in joyful obedience to God and challenged to be the manifestations of Christ in the world. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit we are a Christ-centered Meeting seeking spiritual vitality by learning from and practicing the teaching of scripture. We share with one another the joy of commitment and belonging in fellowship at all ages, stages, and seasons of life. As Friends, we practice a life of simplicity, peacemaking, and recognizing the light of Christ in all persons. We experience Communion in worship, prayer, and waiting in silence to discern God’s leading. We embrace, enlighten, and affirm all who seek to assimilate our faith, discipling each other through small worship and fellowship groups. To provide a strong foundation for children and youth, we endeavor to lead them to a personal relationship with Christ, nurture them spiritually, and enable them to discover their ministry gifts. We believe each Friend has ministry gifts given by God for use in our Meeting and in the world. We see released ministry as equipping and enabling the membership to carry out the vision of God for University Friends. We recognize our calling to go beyond our meeting-house in order to penetrate our society, culture, and world, overcoming evil with the good news of Christ. We share our time, talents, and resources in outreach for the needs of those to whom we bring Christ’s love. We seek not sameness in ministry, but unity in supporting one another in commitment to God’s Kingdom. Our Concern for the World Peace and Service. Historically, Quakers are known for their belief and advocacy for peace. We have a committee that eduactes advocacy for peace. We have a committee that educates our Meeting about peace and social justice concerns. They sponsor classes on Conflict Resolution and raise awareness for peace issues on a local, national and worldwide level. Missions. We support missions all over the world through Evangelical Friends Mission and Friends United Meeting. We give financial support to missions through a variety of offerings and host visiting missionaries from time to time. Our Missions Committee keeps us informed and eduactes us about missions. Love INC. We belong to a local clearinghouse of social service agencies called Love In the Name of Christ. Our members respond to needs - from transportation to medical appointments to helping with household needs. Music Ministry Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir sings each Sunday from September through May. They practice on Wednesday nights at 6:30, anbd meet at 10:20 on Sunday mornings. All singers are welcome. Contact the choir director, LaVonna Loesch for more details. Bell Choirs There are Adult and Young Friends Bell Choirs which practice on Wednesday nights from October through May, sharing their talents many times through the year. The Adult Bell Choir has been active for over 30 years! Special Music We have many gifted musicians who minister to us in worship..We are always eager to include others. You are invited to share your talents with us. Sunday Morning Schedule 9:15 Sunday School for all ages 10:15 Join us for coffee downstairs in Fellowship Hall 10:45 Meeting for Worship A nursery is provided on the ground floor of the Education Building. A cry room is available at the back of the meeting room (enter from the foyer). On the second Sunday of each month, we have a carry-in dinner immediately following worship, downstaris in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited. Bring your favorite dish (main course, vegetable, salad, bread or dessert) to share with others. Following the meal we have Monthly Meeting, our monthly congregational meeting for business. This meeting is open for everyone. Special Events Special events evolve from year to year, but our annual calendar usually includes: - Musical Christmas Service - Family Christmas Party - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - February Catered Dinner and Program - "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" - Good Friday Service - Special Easter Service - Vacation Bible School - Picnic at Quaker Acres - Consecration Sunday (with special Speaker) - Thanksgiving Dinner - Coffee House(s) A Blessing "Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another., and helping one another up with a tender hand." - Isaac Penington, 1667 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 Children's Ministry Sunday School - Sundays at 9:15 am - We offer classes for all ages. Children's Worship - Sundays at 10:45 am - A nursery is provided during worship for infants through age 3. Children 4, through third grade are invited to attend the first part of worship with their parent(s). A children's worship teaher will gather the children during the offering and take them to a classroom for children's worship from about 11:15 - 11:45 am. Christian Life Club - Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm - The mission of CLC is to give children an opportunity to discover the joy of living for Jesus Christ, to show His love in their relationships with others, and to experience wholesome spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional growth. CLC is for Children age 4 though Fifth Grade. Vacation Bible School - In the summer we sponsor a Vacation Bible School. Children's Library - Our meetinghouse (church) has a children's library stocked with children's books and video tapes. Youth Ministry Sunday school classes are offered on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am. Our youth group (6th-12th grade) meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. These are energetic and enjoyable group meetings and include a wide range of fun activities including study time and recreation in our full size gym. Our youth lead a worship service once a year; participate in acivities with other youth groups, do service projects, and raise funds for youth trips and activities. Over the years our church has sent a number of youth on the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage -- an educational and service trip to England or the the Eastern United States. Several of our youth have gone to Mexico over spring break for several years. In the summer our youth have a retreat in Colorado. College Ministry College students are an important part of our fellowship.l Feel free to call or email the meeting to find out what's going on with College Ministry. (316) 262-0471. Adult Sunday School Sunday School - Sundays at 9:15 am - There are different Adult Sunday School Classes for adults of all ages. Classes discuss books, Quaker publications and other timely topics and coursework. Small Groups Small groups are formed at various times and for various purposes. In the past, groups have studied Experiencing God and The Journal of George Fox. Ongoing groups included Koinonia Fellowship, a study / fellowship group for individuals and couples in their 20's, 30's and 40's. We constantly seek to encourage and facilitate the formation of small groups for prayer, study, fellowship and accountability. Koinonia Koinonia Fellowship is a study / fellowship group for individuals and couples in their 20's, 30's and 40's. They meet on the first and third Sunday of each month from 5:00-7:00 pm. They also have several parties or other fun events thoughout the year. Friends Women and Strawberry Patch Our Friends Women's Group supports missions projects, and also plans events for women during the year. The Strawberry Patch is a boutique located in Fellowship Hall and sponsored by the Friends Women. You can purchase a variety of handmade items, cards, paper goods, and cutlery. The proceeds from sales fund the various missions supported by Friends Women. Check it out! Boy Scouts We sponsor Boy Scout Troop 735. Scouting for all ages is offered. Please contact Lewis Snyder at (316) 263-9364 for scouting information. Quaker Acres Quaker Acres is a small campground on the Ninnescah River about 20 miles southeast of the meetinghouse, which was acquired on behalf of the scout troop in 1944. It includes a lodge building and a shower house. We have several church activities there each year, and rent it to scout troops and other church groups. Prayer Ministry Prayer is very important to us. You are invited to contact any member of our staff any time for prayer. You may call in your prayer requests, and you are invited to come to our prayer room for moments of quiet prayer whenever you can, when the building is open. Click here to return to the University Friends Home Page |
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