Brethren (plymouth) Assemblies

Among the Plymouth Brethren, the congregation's worship life centers on the "breaking of bread" meeting. This meeting exhibits the Brethren's values of spontaneity and simplicity, although it restricts women's participation. Since this meeting is unplanned, the preaching service which follows more effectively links worship with other aspects of congregational life. Worship among the Plymouth Brethren has tended to be focused in their weekly "breaking of bread" meeting, in which they "remember the Lord" through reflection, spontaneous hymn singing, prayer, sharing of Scripture, and ultimately in the partaking of the bread and cup. Although other meetings of the assembly occur, such as the preaching service (often called, among the Open Brethren, the "family Bible hour") and Sunday school programs, the breaking of bread meeting is the hub of worship for the Brethren. Even architecture and room seating-with circular patterns preferred and the elements placed in the center-have been used…