Lexington Friends Meeting is an unprogrammed Quaker meeting. For the first time visitor to Lexington Meeting, the worship service is a seemingly very simple experience. Friends gather together in the meeting room and wait in silence.

For the visitor this experience can be unsettling: one is left with one's own thoughts with no guidance from a minister, no prearranged singing, Bible reading, sermons or prayers. The service is unplanned and unprogrammed. We seek to rise above individual meditation and silence to a sense of seeking the Divine as a gathered group, to move away from surface busyness and distractions to that depth of peaceful stillness which is continually available within each of us, the Inner Light. In the essence of this quiet simple service we are compelled to be active and ardent seekers if the silence is to have any meaning. We expectantly wait upon the spirit of God to be with us.

From time to time, someone is led to share an insight or message. Both in offering and receiving vocal ministry, Friends try to discern that divinely inspired truth which is conducive to our spiritual growth. Often a message will speak to another person's worship experience, and this may spark another message which may deepen and strengthen our shared worship experience.

After approximately one hour, a designated Friend will initiate handshakes around the room to close the worship service. At our meeting, we then will have a brief time of introductions and sharing in the group setting before people rise to leave the meeting.

The beliefs you will find in our meeting are very diverse. Although Friends have a tradition in Christianity, we have always held that all people have that of God within. So it is easy to find in our midsts those who would say they are Christian, some would say they are responsive to Christian beliefs as well as other religions, and some might say they are not Christian at all. We try to embrace this diversity as we have no set creed. The only test for becoming one of us is a willingness to become a part of our worship community.

Lexington Friends Meeting holds unprogrammed meetings for worship each Sunday at 649 Price Avenue. The schedule is as follows:

• 9:30 a.m. - Adult discussion.
• 10:15 a.m. - Singing (except for the fourth Sunday of the month).
• 10:30 a.m. - Meeting for worship begins with all ages present.
• 11:00 a.m. - Those who are 12 years old and younger withdraw for First Day School.
• 11:30 a.m. - The worship ends with all ages rejoining for brief introductions and sharing.

On the first Sunday of each month we have Meeting for Business after worship. On the third Sunday we have a special Teen Program at 9:30 a.m. Also on third Sundays we have fellowship and a shared meal (bring fixings for sandwiches or soup) after worship. Visitors are always welcome.

Price Avenue is a two block street that runs parallel to North Broadway between W. Sixth Street and Delcamp Drive. From downtown, take North Broadway north. Turn left at Sixth Street, and take the second right onto Price Avenue. The meetinghouse is on the left toward the end of the block. From New Circle Road, exit onto North Broadway and head south toward town. Pass under the RR overpass and watch for Delcamp Avenue on the right. Turn right onto Delcamp, then take the second left onto Price Avenue. The meetinghouse is the first building on the right.

An access ramp is available on the left side, beginning near the rear of the building.

The meetinghouse phone number (answering machine) is (859) 254-3319. To reach someone more quickly, you can call (859) 278-4966. To contact us by mail, write to: Lexington Friends Meeting, 649 Price Avenue, Lexington, KY 40508. There is an e-mail link at the bottom of this page.

Potlucks are held on the first and third Friday evenings of each month, either at the meetinghouse or in members' homes. The first Friday potluck discussion usually centers on spiritual issues. The third Friday potluck may include a discussion on a topic of interest or be solely a social gathering.

Each Spring, Lexington Friends hold a weekend retreat at the Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan County, KY. The weekend usually includes discussions or workshops, guided wildflower walks in the woods, children's program, an organ recital and hymn singing, socializing, and a talent show.

In September Friends from throughout Kentucky come together for the All Kentucky Friends Gathering. The location varies from year to year; it is usually near one of the monthly meetings (Louisville, Berea, Lexington). This is a weekend of worship, workshops, discussions, a children's program, and fun.