7. Meeting for Worship

Herbst, Louis. “Factors Influencing Quaker Views on Friends Schools.” Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools 2011–2013 Action Research (April 2013): 15–16. 
After becoming a Quaker, Louis Herbst found that many Quakers at his meeting did not believe in the success of Friends schools. Herbst used this finding as a guide for his Action Research and learned the specific concerns of such Quakers, however, Herbst’s research resulted in his taking action that in turn nullified some of the concerns of these Quakers.

Horner, Ben. “How Can the Adults in a Friends School Community Best Support Lower School Students’ Experiences of Meeting for Worship?” Friends Council on Education Leadership Expressions Action Research (April 2015): 14–15.
After wondering what Lower School students think during silence in meeting for worship, Ben Horner conducted research and interviews with current students and alumni on their experiences as a lower school student during this practice.

Saxenian, Michael. “The Role of Meeting for Worship at Sidwell Friends School.” Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools 2007–2009 Action Research(April 2009): 23–24.
Michael set out to find what makes a Friends education unique. Using available research and conducting interviews within the Sidwell Friends community, he found that the main factor was meeting for worship, which helped create a supportive space for students to learn how to use their voice as well as reflect and relieve stress.

Sines Pancoe, Deborra. “Nurturing Care Relationships: An Aspect of Leadership in Friends Meetings and Schools.” Friends Council on Education Action Learning (April 2005): 19–20.
Deborra Sines Pancoe’s Action Research and learning sprang from her interest in the relationships between Friends meetings and schools and how that relationship can affect school life. Taking assistance from a National Association of Independent Schools publication titled Effective Community Relations: A Handbook for Independent Schools, Sines Pancoe conducted three focus groups whose membership consisted of individuals from meetings and Friends schools that have a positive relationship. She found that a leadership relationship among the head of school, the clerk of the board of trustees, and the clerk of the meeting is key in nurturing the relationships between meetings and schools.