I can see where the AA/Quaker line might blur, Mary. Even down to the "Friends of Bill" part of it.

Jackie that sounds terrific. I'm sure nobody there would have called attention to the oats, anyway. The Friends are probably all nice like you.

thanks jackie. sounds like a sensible meeting. i could see how people might want that sort of civil organization and quiet reflection

dangit! i was really hoping they would be dressed weird so you could share that with us

It sounds kind of like the AA meeting I went to once with a friend of mine.

Hi everyone!
Yes, I went to the Quaker service this morning, and it was about what I expected. The chairs were arranged in three rows, in a horseshoe shape, and everyone came in and sat in silence.

After about 15 minutes, all the kids left for their separate activities. Then, about 15 minutes later, a man stood up, and said he had been feeling that now was a time of transition and change, for him, and for the world. Just as the season was a time of leaves turning, so were big changes happening in the country, and the government. He mentioned "turning", which fits with the Quaker song "Simple Gifts".
Other people stood up later, and said similar things. Someone talked about how we might need to cut ties to the past to see how to proceed into the future, old loves, old habits.
At the end of the time, there was a signal, and we all joined hands briefly. Then it was time to go around the room to introduce ourselves. People could make announcements and share information. There was talk about our representatives in Congress, and we were urged to contact them about health care and another measure.

It was a small congregation, only about 50 people. I went with my friend, Raina, who is a regular attender. I may go with her again, when she wants company, but I don't think I'll attend regularly.

Oh, and practically everyone but me was in jeans and casual clothes. I quickly shook the oatmeal out of my hair, I don't think anyone noticed. ;)

Mary wrote: "Where does one even get doilies anymore, these days? just curious."

Some of us are still keeping the tradition alive in crochet, believe it or not.

I have not made a doily but I am very interested in learning how to do so.

Kevin "El Liso Grande" wrote: "hey peanut. is that your real name? if it is, please say your last name is butter. i have had a busy day and i need a smile"

No sorry it's not my real name. It's actually a nickname that a friend gave me. But since she gave me that name I call her Jelly. We did have a butter for a while but it didn't stick. We still say Peanut butter and Jelly though!

But if they don't concern themselves with attire you can still wear the thanksgiving outfit if it makes you happy.

thanks Lar. that totally ruined this thread. i was imagining them wearing stuff like the pilgrims. although now i guess i can eat my oatmeal now without the thanksgiving hat on

Straight scoop on Quaker meeting attire:

http://www.mullicahillfriends.org/clothe...

I saw that. I think the oat carton lid hat idea was inspired. And not at all conspicuous.

possibly bun. this sorta started with jacks not having a hat

Also doily pics

Seems like Quaker and Amish getting mixed up here. Not the same. I keep meaning to go to a Quaker meeting one day. Be interested to hear about it Jax.

wow, mary. you def seem like my kinda person. a wealth of info. i am def finding you when i am playing trivial pursuit

[in my best Garth voice:] "i was not aware of that"

is an "anti-ass-car" a cloth used on the seat of a chair to keep sweaty butts from soiling them?

Kevin, an antimacassar is a small decorative cloth, often looking amazingly like a doily only not round, which is placed on the back and/or arms of a chair to prevent soiling. Victorians had a positive mania for greasing their hair with macassar oil. If you need a 20th century visual, I refer you to the '80s Eddie Murphy movie Coming to America.

Sally wrote: "Or, at Village Inn they still give you a doily under your pie plate."

Yay for Village Inn pies!

a whatchmacallit?

Or, at Village Inn they still give you a doily under your pie plate.

Would an antimacassar be considered an appropriate substitute?

you have to steal them from old peoples houses. usually they are under lamps or empty candy dishes. they will not miss them so it's technically not wrong

Where does one even get doilies anymore, these days? just curious.

exactly mary. that is why i suggested the doily.

Jackie "the Librarian" wrote: "Oh, no! I don't have the hat... can I still go?"

I regret to inform you that Quaker chicks have to wear the rather unflattering bonnet (see "Amish chick headwear"). On the other hand if you can't get your hair to act right. no one will ever know.

hey peanut. is that your real name? if it is, please say your last name is butter. i have had a busy day and i need a smile

Jim wrote: "Welcome to TC Peanut"

Thanks, Jim!

so how was Quaker church jacks

Welcome to TC Peanut

oh okay!

As I understand it, Peanut, it's not about "preaching." It's about speaking when one feels moved by the spirit to do so.

I was just wondering. In the Quakers church everyone gets a chance to "preach" something if they find something among their read that really had an impact on them?

I went to a Quakers service this summer in western NY and liked it quite a bit...yes, the weird part for me was when people stood up...but sitting in silence was very cool, no grandstanding priests, etc...there's a lot of cool symbolism...the circle so everyone's equal, etc. Of course I only went to one ceremony so I don't have much on which to speak. There have Quakers in Milwaukee but their meeting house is forty-five minutes away and I'm too lazy to drive that far to sit in silence. Have fun, Jacks!

I think if I were ever to 'get religion' again (and not have it forced upon my young, impressionable mind like last time) I might check out the Quakers. They seem to follow their paths peacefully out of choice instead of by force, and let their young'uns out for a year of discovery (read: partying!) and give them a choice to come back or not.

Plus, the whole oats thing is unique. It goes great with chocolate & butterscotch chips! Yum!

NOTE: I'd comment about the 2012 thing, but I think many of you know my position on raising of consciousness and quantum energies and the like. So I won't rant about it. The world isn't going to end, it's just gonna get better. The fact that science is recognizing chocolate as one of the healthier antioxidant-rich foods is a sign of the times. :)

me neither. that is just what this one is about. i never actually watch anything, just hear it off to the peripheral

I'm afraid I don't know the episodes by name, Kevin.

now that, is why i love jacks! very funny. ironic too because my wife is watching Friends right now as i work on something for church tomorrow. she loves to watch Friends right before she goes to bed. this is the Bamboozled episode i think

Which friend, Kevin? I wouldn't mind going to the church of Phoebe, but I'd rather avoid the church of Joey.

is it a "Friends" church?

They might think you have extreme dandruff.

I could just sprinkle some oats in my hair, I suppose...

True.

Bring a rice krispie swine flu mask too.

yeah, but that may make you stand out

Or the lid from the oats box.

i am pretty sure you will have to cover your head so take a doily or something

Of course. They're widely known for being friendly.

Oh, no! I don't have the hat... can I still go?

Kevin "El Liso Grande" wrote: "i would go with the shiny black leather shoes with the brass buckles on them"

But then that would require that ... hat.

i would go with the shiny black leather shoes with the brass buckles on them

Oats, check.
Boots, check.
:)