State College Friends Meeting Welcomes You

We welcome children and families

The State College Friends Meeting welcomes visitors and newcomers, and families of all sorts. The most common options for children are below, but children are always welcome with their parents in Meeting for Worship.

Babies and Toddlers

Child care for babies and children up to three years old is available in the nursery, located at the end of the hall of the education wing of the meetinghouse. We ask parents to introduce themselves and their children to the care giver. Parents are welcome to stay in the nursery if their children would like them there.

Sunday Morning Programs for Children

Children's programs run from the Sunday after Labor Day to some time in June. First Day School (Sunday School) is at 10:00 a.m. most Sundays (but not on Business Meeting Sundays). At 11:00 a.m. children begin worship with their parents, and stay as long as their family has decided (often 15 minutes for the younger children and 30 minutes for older children). When the children leave meeting for worship, they should go either to the education wing (3rd grade and younger) or downstairs, where there will be quiet activities available.

For teens, there are a variety of Junior Young Friends (middle school age) and Young Friends (high school age) activities throughout the year.

Joanie Maughmer and Judy Melville coordinate the First Day School and other children's activities. They would appreciate having you fill out a card with your child's name and your name and address.

Social Hour

Snacks, juice, coffee and tea are available for everyone in the social room after singing and announcements. We hope your family will stay and introduce yourselves to us.

On business meeting Sundays, a potluck lunch replaces the social hour.

Before 11:00 -- Business Meeting

Once a month we hold Meeting for Worship for Business in the morning from 9:00-10:45. Child care for all ages is available in the nursery.

Meeting for Worship for Business is usually the first Sunday of the month. However, it is sometimes moved to avoid holiday weekends.

Early Meeting for Worship

On Sundays, except when we hold Meeting for Worship for Business, there is an early worship at 8:45 a.m.. Childcare is not currently available during early worship, but if enough demand develops, childcare could be provided.

Before 11:00 -- Adult Discussion & Adult First Day School

Most Sundays, except when we hold Meeting for Worship for Business, there is an adult discussion from 10:00-10:45 in the meeting room and there is an adult first day school class (usually Bible study) in the education wing. During the adult discussions, child care for all ages is available in the nursery.

In the summer

During the summer, there is no adult discussion or children's first day school, so no child care from 10-11. Informal childcare, with help from parents, is held from 11-12. Weather permitting, childcare is often outdoors.

We welcome lesbians, gay men, and non-traditional families

In recent years, our meeting has become openly welcoming to lesbians and gay men. Discussions on same-gender marriage began in 1987. We did not reach unity on this issue at that time, but had important discussions about this issue. In 1993, we minuted a resolution affirming our support for the rights of people regardless of sexual orientation. In 1995, we minuted a resolution stating that same gender couples would be married under the care of the meeting on the same basis as any other couple.

We have an informal local chapter of FLGC (Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns) which has been helpful in promoting the discussions that led to the minutes mentioned above. Our local chapter has both straight and gay members. The primary activity is meeting once a month, usually for a potluck and worship sharing or a program. All interested people are welcome to attend.

How we dress for Meeting for Worship

On a typical Sunday, there will be people dressed in everything from jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt on up to suits. The majority will be in the more casual half of this spectrum.

Children should come in clothes which are suitable for playing in the park, picking up litter, visiting the sheep barns, or sitting on the floor for Bible study.