A group of Reno Friends recently gathered at Idlewild Park on a sunny afternoon and held their silent worship in public. There was snow on the ground, but it didn’t seem to matter. It was Sunday, and there were lots of people on the walking trail by the river, as well as those driving by after visiting the farmers’ market. We had a sign that said “Silent Quaker Witness for Peace.” We made a circle of our camp chairs, then sat in Silent Worship for an hour.
Normally, we sit together for worship in our cozy Meeting House, but not this day. We sat in a public spot because we wanted others to witness us worshiping in silence together, even in the snow.
We were inspired to take our Silent Worship public as part of a nation-wide campaign by the American Friends Service Committee, which has invited Quakers/Friends across the country to gather in silent worship in public spaces to give witness to the rising authoritarianism and oppression in the United States. According to AFSC, “Shared witness reflects core Quaker principles: peace, equality, integrity, and community. And taking action publicly is a visible commitment to justice and compassion. By standing together in silence, we affirm that every person has worth, that fear and violence must give way to love and fairness, and that our communities thrive when all are welcomed.”
Clergy from many parts of the country flew to Minneapolis in January to support local religious groups and others standing in witness as ICE actions took place in schools, courthouses, restaurants and the streets. At Reno Friends, we found that inspiring.
As Quakers, however, we don’t believe we need ministerial robes to serve as a moral authority and a supportive buffer for immigrants and protestors. Friends rejected the idea of clergy back in the 1650s when they first came together to worship in silence. Instead of having a minister or priest telling them what to believe, Quakers believe every person can experience God directly, in their own way. They also believe there is that of God in everyone; and, therefore, anyone in a Meeting for Worship is worthy of sharing their testimony. As a result, Quakers have been serving as silent witnesses for several hundred years.
That is why the Reno Quakers gathered in silent public witness – to serve as a moral authority standing for our shared values: peace, integrity, simplicity, equality, stewardship and community.
Quakers have long been known for advocating for equal rights, fighting for the abolition of slavery, protesting violence and warfare. They have also reached out to the incarcerated, the hungry, the underprivileged, as well as refugees and immigrants. Quakers have often served as silent witnesses in war zones and places of conflict. Friends’ witnessing doesn’t start with political affiliation or ideology; instead, it grows from our inward spiritual experience. It is an expression of the shared Quaker values that emerge from our understanding of the truth, our worship and our spiritual community.
Witnessing, it turns out, is a two-way street. Quakers serve as witnesses so that perpetrators or authoritative systems will understand that they are being watched. At the same time, it is important for someone to witness what is really going on, so that the truth can be reported back to the world. In Vietnam, a group of Quakers witnesses traveled to villages that had been damaged or brutalized in the war, reporting to outside organizations what the people were suffering and helping to organize relief efforts. People on the streets of Minneapolis witnessed and filmed what ICE agents were doing. We need to have the courage to witness.
Reno Friends plan to worship again as silent witnesses for peace in Idlewild Park on Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026, from 1 to 2 pm. Bring a camp chair, if you would like to join us. All are welcome.
By Wendy Swallow, Blog Editor, Reno Friends Meeting
The opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of Reno Friends Meeting.