by Tammy Murphy

,

Special to the Gazette

About three years ago a small group of Quakers in Gaithersburg mentioned how nice it would be if they didn't have to drive all the way to Sandy Spring to worship. At about the same time, another member of the faith began toying with the idea of opening a Quaker school in the upcounty.

Today, Seneca Valley Friends Worship Group meets every Sunday in borrowed space in Boyds. And this spring construction will being on Friends Meeting School in southern Frederick County, just over the Montgomery County line from Hyattstown.

"We've been hard at work at this for a long time," said Annette Breiling, who will head the school. "We're almost there."

When Friends Meeting School opens in the fall, it will be the sixth Religious Society of Friends school in Maryland. And while Breiling expects to start slowly with about 40 students in pre-kindergarten through grade six, she anticipates a steady expansion.

She believes there are a growing number of parents who want to expose their children to the kind of individualized attention, caring and values set forth in a Friends environment.

Only about 10 percent of enrollment in existing Friends schools, such as Sandy Spring near Olney, is from Quaker families, Breiling said. "The rest come from a number of other religions."

Quakerism was founded more than 300 years ago by George Fox. Followers of his faith are perhaps best known for being peaceful people.

"There's that of God and all people" was one of Fox's basic tenants.

Quaker schools "believe in nurturing the body, mind and spirit," Breiling said, "and that's where public schools have their hands tied with the separation of church and state."

Religion is not taught as a subject in Friends schools as it is in many other private schools, Breiling said. But there are spiritual themes based on Quaker values, such as honesty and love that are included in daily classroom discussions.

Breiling worked in the Montgomery County school system for 12 years before leaving several years ago to become a Friends educator.

With the help of a dedicated board, Breiling has found a 51-acre parcel off Green Valley Road in Pleasant Grove for the new school, The group originally had hoped to find land in the Gaithersburg area, but encountered a number of difficulties, including high costs.

Buying the land and opening the school will cost about $1.2 million, which is being financed through fundraisers and loans from church members.

Many of the people working to get the new school open are also working to expand membership in the Seneca Valley Friends

Worship Group.

Right now the group is considered a wing of the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting, according to Jo Klein. But the hope is to one day break away and become independent.

One of the first steps is to grow in size, Klein said.

Right now there are about 14 families who participate in the silent worship meetings held at Boyds Presbyterian Church. And the group is beginning efforts to increase awareness about its existence and beliefs.

An open house was held this month and Klein said she was encouraged to see several new faces in the crowd.

One of the biggest differences between Quaker worship and other religious services, Klein said, is that Quaker meetings are silent and "unprogrammed," meaning there is no liturgy or other formal service. Worshipersj10

meditate in silence. "People who feel centered and have something they wish to share just speak out," Klein said.

"Inclusion, valuing everybody and making them feel welcome," is a primary goal, she added.

Those wishing more information about Seneca Valley Friends Worship Group may call Jo Klein at 301-540-7828.

For more information about Friends Meeting School, including plans for Summer Friends Day Camp in July, contact Annette Breiling at 301-438-3274.