Society of Peace

Online-First Gatherings

Our “Online-First” meetings are a natural extension of our commitment to openness and accessibility. They allow people from any location to participate in unprogrammed worship through shared stillness and reflection, using online video platforms to create a virtual meeting space. These gatherings follow the same spirit and purpose as our in-person meetings, with some adaptations for the digital setting.

Purpose of Online-First Meetings

The purpose of our online gatherings is to make the experience of spiritual community available to all, regardless of geography or mobility. Just as with in-person meetings, we seek a shared stillness that nurtures reflection, compassion, and connection with the Spirit — however each person may understand it.

Online meetings uphold the same principles of equality, simplicity, and attentive listening. Participants gather not to consume or perform, but to be present with one another in a spirit of reverence and peace.

Structure of the Online Meeting

Online meetings generally last for about one hour. Participants are encouraged to join a few minutes early to settle in, ensure their audio and video are working, and to begin entering a state of quiet reflection.

1. Opening Silence – The meeting begins with the group entering shared stillness. Participants are invited to centre themselves, perhaps closing their eyes or softening their gaze.
2. Ministry – As in in-person meetings, anyone who feels genuinely moved by the Spirit may unmute their microphone and speak briefly. After speaking, the meeting returns to silence to allow others to reflect before another message is shared.
3. Closing – A designated person will signal the end of the meeting, often with a few words of gratitude or a simple blessing. This is followed by a short time for informal conversation or questions.

Ceremony and Presence

Although there is no formal ceremony, the gathering itself is the ceremony — the shared act of pausing together to listen and be still. Participants may wish to create a sense of sacred space at home by lighting a candle, sitting comfortably, or ensuring a quiet and uncluttered environment.

Even in silence, each participant contributes to the collective spirit of the meeting. The quality of attention — calm, open, and grounded — creates a shared atmosphere of peace. Every face, every moment of stillness, becomes part of the sacred whole.

Etiquette for Online Meetings

Online worship requires a few practical considerations to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment:

• Arrive Early: Join five to ten minutes before the start time to test your connection and settle quietly.
• Mute When Silent: Keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking. This helps reduce background noise and distractions.
• Keep Video On (If Possible): Seeing one another helps maintain the sense of shared presence, though you may turn your camera off if you need privacy or bandwidth relief.
• Speak Only When Moved: As in in-person gatherings, ministry should arise from genuine spiritual leading, not from intellectual discussion or debate.
• Respect the Silence: After someone speaks, allow a few moments of quiet before anyone else speaks. Silence is an essential part of the rhythm of worship.
• Stay Centred: Try to remain still and attentive, avoiding multitasking or distractions. Treat the meeting as sacred time.

Inclusion and Accessibility

All are welcome to join our online meetings — regardless of location, faith background, or experience with spiritual practice. We aim to create a space where everyone can participate equally and safely.

If you are new, you may wish simply to observe and settle into the rhythm of silent worship for your first few meetings. There is no expectation to speak or perform in any way.

We encourage participants to share a brief greeting at the close if they wish, helping to nurture a sense of community and connection across distance.

Continuing the Fellowship

After the meeting closes, there is often time for informal conversation. This is a chance to connect, ask questions, and reflect together on the experience of worship. Many participants find this fellowship as nourishing as the silence itself.

In both spirit and form, our online meetings are guided by simplicity and openness. Whether gathered in person or through a digital space, we are united in stillness — listening for the quiet voice of peace within and among us.