Marlborough Friends Meeting

06/29/2026

Our picnic this year was well attended and enjoyed by all.

This picture was taken at the close of our gathering. These were just the people who didn't want to leave!

06/29/2026

History vs Wear and Tear.

The historic Marlborough Meetinghouse is in need of repair. Cracked and peeling walls, damaged historic fencing require serious attention. A financial donation would really help. See details at marlboroughmeeting.org or https://www.marlboroughmeeting.org/marlborough/V2/CapitalCampaign2026.html

06/20/2026

Just a week before our Community Picnic. Hope to see thee there.

On Sun, June 3, at 12pm – 3pm , Marlborough Meeting will hold their annual community picnic.

05/22/2026

Here is an interesting post from one of our sister Monthly Meetings in Ohio.

This sign greets travelers coming into Chesterhill, Ohio, from the south on State Route 377.

Quakers migrated to the area in the early 1800's from Belmont County and established the village of Chesterhill in 1834. The first meetinghouse was built in that year. The current meetinghouse was built in 1839 following a major migration of Quakers into the area. This was a result of the National Road going through Belmont County causing a rise in land prices. An acre of land in Belmont County could purchase 10 acres in Morgan County. Meeting for Worship has been held continuously since that time in the 1839 meetinghouse.

The sign was attached to a shed owned by Richard Wetzel, a member of Chesterfield Monthly Meeting and 40 yearlong mayor of Chesterhill. When he passed in 2023, the Meeting wondered what would happen to the sign when the property sold to a local long-standing Chesterhill businessman. When questioned about his plan, he shared that he always appreciated the words on the sign and intended to keep it as long as he owned the property. He painted the shed, replaced the roof, and added lights so that the sign would be illuminated at night so it could be seen. We are grateful that this message will continue to welcome travelers to Chesterhill and note the presence of Quakers in the community.

05/17/2026

As best as can be remembered, the following message was given in Meeting for Worship today...

"God is waiting.

Our Worship is sometimes called Waiting Worship. It is generally accepted that we wait in the silence for God to appear. But is it possible that what we are truly waiting for is for our own ego, our own identity, and our own sense of self to fade so that we can see God waiting for us?

Jesus explained to us that unless we become as little children, we shall no ways enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He urged us to think of God as our Father. We can easily recognize the image of a parent taking the hand of a small child and leading them. When the child grips the parent’s hand it is an act of pure trust. As fingers touch, love flows both ways.

And so, dear Friends, let us wait for the sense of ourselves to fade, so that we can see God, He can take us by the hand, and lead us into His Kingdom."

Near the end of our silent Worship, the following advice was read from our Book of Discipline....

"Use vigilant care, dear Friends, not to overlook those promptings of love and truth which you may feel in your hearts; for these are the tender leadings of the Spirit of God. Nor should any of us resist God’s workings within us, for it is His redemptive love which strives to show us our darkness, and to lead us to true repentance, and to His marvelous light. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me' (Rev. 3:20)."

04/13/2026

We want to thank all of our neighbors who contributed to our drive and made it a success. The response was overwhelming. Contributions large and small piled up on our stoop each day and in the end, we had an astonishing collection of household items for the Community Warehouse project. When they stopped by it took some time to load it all in their truck.

We are grateful be part of a community which is so quick to lend a hand. Our drive is over, but our friends at the Community Warehouse continue to serve many in need. Remember them when you have a piece of furniture or household item that is in good condition and are ready to pass on.

https://communitywarehouseproject.com/

04/05/2026

Meetinghouse at sunset.

04/04/2026

These times can be discouraging. We are at war. Americans seem to be constantly bickering with each other. Social media is filled with insults.

But let me describe a different American experience.

Each evening, I pop over to our Meetinghouse to see what our neighbors have contributed to our charity drive (see link below). I am frequently astonished by the generosity demonstrated. More often than not, our bins are full. The experience is truly gratifying. It reminds me that the U.S. consistently ranks among the top countries in donating money, volunteering time, and helping strangers. There are times we grumble at each other and disagree on politics, but we are a generous people, and this should be celebrated.

We are collecting much, but we still have room. There is about a week to go in the drive and welcome more contributions.

https://www.marlboroughmeeting.org/marlborough/V2/CommunityServicesDrive.html

03/29/2026

From today until April 10th, we will be collecting household goods for the Community Warehouse Project. Stop by our Meetinghouse anytime to drop items of in the bin on our stoop. 361 Marlborough Road, Kennett Square.

https://www.marlboroughmeeting.org/marlborough/V2/CommunityServicesDrive.html

03/09/2026

In Meeting for Worship yesterday, as best as can be remembered, the following message was given...

This is our life more or less. What we see is what we get. But we are called to something higher. “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead, it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Our whole lives we are trained to look for praise. In school we work for good grades to get the praise of teachers and parents. In our work we work for praise from our bosses and to receive the praise of our peers for a successful career. What sort of things must we do for God to get the praise? To know and do these things we must sink down to the seed that God sows in the heart. We must let that seed be in us, grow in us, and act in us. It is only when that seed acts in us that God will get the praise for the things we do. Then, and only then, will we be able to walk cheerfully over the world, answering God in everyone.

Near the end of Meeting, the following advice was read...

Live in love, as Christian brethren, ready to be helpful one to another. Rejoice together in the blessings of life; sympathize with each other in its trials. Know one another as fellow-workers in the things that endure. Watch over one another for good, praying that each may be a living member of the Church of Christ, and may grow in the knowledge of the love of God.