In the Depth of Winter: Light, Silence, and Reflection

As Christmas and midwinter approached a year later, I still felt that an event which would give hope in literal and metaphorical dark times would be valuable, and the format of the evening took shape in my mind. I wanted it to take place close to the longest night of the year, to be primarily lit by candles, and to include readings from a variety of spiritual traditions as well as a time of silence and meditation.

I submitted my proposal to the clerks of our Meeting, unsure how they would respond – I thought that the inclusion of pre-chosen readings might be deemed ‘unQuakerly.’ However, their response was very positive. One commented that although traditionally, Quakers do not mark religious festivals or seasons, the natural seasons and the darkness of winter are very real things which should be acknowledged. I therefore set about choosing readings and allocating them to those who had volunteered to read.

We met on the evening of December 15th – around a week before the longest night, but agreed as the best date practically for local Friends. In a Meeting House lit by a multitude of candles and tealights, thirteen of us sat in a circle. We were predominantly from Woking Meeting, but also from Guildford and from other local churches. In turn, eight people read the passages I had selected, leaving a pause of two or three minutes between each reading. The words included Bible verses and the writings of various Friends from Quaker Faith and Practice, alongside Jewish, Sufi and pagan prayers. They were chosen to inspire positivity from the idea of light in the darkness, but also to invite reflection on whether, depending on our interpretation of darkness, it too might have meaning and value.

This was followed by a period of around 35 minutes for silence, meditation, and open ministry, after which I brought the evening to a close with a final reading. Everyone present was then invited to share their thoughts and reflections if they wished, before we enjoyed delicious refreshments made by two of those attending.

I am very grateful to all those who supported the event by allowing it to happen and by contributing in different ways. In hindsight, I could and should have explained the format more fully at the beginning of the evening, but that is my only regret. The following are some comments from those who attended.

‘It caused me to reflect on the difference between dark and light as times of day, and dark and light as a reflection of mood. The structure worked like a very special gathered meeting… It left a feeling of great warmth and peacefulness.’

‘The combination of Christian and other religious sensibilities worked well. The interweaving of pre-prepared words and silence was good, and the silence at the end for 30 minutes or so allowed the thoughts and feelings to settle within.’

‘It was good to withdraw from the Christmas bustle into a space of stillness and quiet reflection on the light. The darkness was a place of growth and the light a source of refreshment.’

‘It was good to be joined by a few people from outside our Meeting. Meeting in candlelight added an extra dimension. The spaces between the planned readings gave time for reflection and created a very deep and gathered meeting.’