Friends Education
Tandem Friends School’s Quaker philosophy holds
that there is “that of God” in every person.
Out of this central belief comes a commitment to working
cooperatively with others. Accepting individual differences,
making decisions by consensus, and striving to reach
peaceful resolutions to conflicts are all direct manifestations
of this belief. We strive to be inclusive in our approach
to spiritual truths, and welcome the consideration of
all religious ideas as we journey together. Tandem Friends
School, like other Friends schools in general, is not
interested in indoctrination or religious proselytizing.
Tandem Friends’ Quaker philosophy provides the school’s
foundation. We recognize that every person carries an
inner wisdom, and has much to contribute to the community.
Our most crucial mission is to teach respect for oneself
and for others. As a Friends school, we offer students
many ways to explore matters not only of the mind, but
also of the heart.
Meeting for Worship is the center of organized spiritual
activity at Tandem Friends School. Each Wednesday, the
school community gathers for thirty minutes of shared
silence. We sit in silence, listening inwardly, together.
Sometimes someone shares a thought. Sometimes a "query"
is presented for reflection at the beginning of the
Meeting. Always, we go to Meeting with the belief that
each member of the community carries an Inner Light
which can be gleaned and expressed when one listens
deeply to oneself and others.
Meeting offers a period of quiet meditation, a time
for all to sit together in thoughtful and deliberate
silence. Meeting is a process of sharing, searching
and listening for meaning and understanding in a safe
and calm space.
As has been the Friends' practice for over 350 years,
the Tandem Friends community gathers together in quiet
reflection to listen for the Inner Voice. Out of this
calm center, and after an initial period of settling-in,
members may become more sensitive to all that is sacred
around us. When moved to speak from a calm center, teacher
and student alike provide vocal ministry to the community.
Every Meeting for Worship is different, in part because
there is no official liturgy, and also because thoughts
and concerns that may weigh heavily on members change
from week to week. Meeting for Worship punctuates what
can otherwise be a fast-paced week of learning with
a quiet, meditative period of calm reflection.
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