November 27, 2011

9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Lin Butler on the facing bench
10:15 AM Using the book Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer as a resource, we will explore the relationship between gratitude and prayer. Sandy Olson
11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Lin Butler, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; Ed Souther on the facing bench

TODAY
At the rise of 11:15 worship, Friends are asked to please stack the chairs in the back of the meeting room. Also, the benches in the balcony need to be turned around so they face center. Books will be placed on these benches. Thank you! – the FNVW Holiday Fair Committee.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Don Johnson, Pam Lipe and their families. Caring Bridge: caringbridge.org/visit/donljohnson. There will be a small group from MFM going to worship with them on Mon at 2:00. See Pat to express interest in the worship opportunity.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Shop for real values this holiday season! Invite a friend! If everyone invited just one new person to the FNVW Holiday Fair, FNVW would be doubly happy! Fri, Dec 2nd, 3-9:00; Sat, Dec 3rd, 9-5:00. THANK YOU!

Next Sunday, you are welcome to the monthly Sunday potluck lunch. Regulars, please bring plenty of food so there will be ample to accommodate those at the end of the line. Also, please label your pot-luck item/s with ingredients or your name so those with allergies, vegetarians, etc can participate. Particularly to be noted, peanuts, tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc), meat, poultry, milk, soy, onions, garlic, eggs, fish, shellfish, corn, corn products and wheat.

Come hear two speakers talk about Quakers in Kenya. John Muhanji, Director of African Ministries for Friends United Meeting, and Ron Bryan, Superintendent of Iowa Yearly Meeting, will speak about the Quakers in east Africa and how American Friends and African Friends can cooperate and be more connected. Sat, Dec 10, 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
Special programmed worship December 11: At 11:15 on Sun, Dec. 11, local Kenyans and visiting Friends from Iowa will hold a programmed worship here at MFM. There will probably be some Kenyan music and differing practice of vocal ministry than we are used to at our semi-programmed worship, as well as little or no silent waiting. This is a great opportunity to experience some of the variety within the Society of Friends without leaving home! (If you need silent worship, come at 9:00 that day.)
Contributions are needed to support the Kenyan Quaker programs Dec. 10-11. Travel and other expenses of $300 to $400 are expected. To contribute, make checks to MFM and write “Kenya Project” on the memo line. Thank you!
Overnight accommodations are needed the night of Saturday, Dec. 10 for guests coming from out-of-town. If you can host one or more visitors, contact David Woolley at 612-824-2001.

Next Sunday at 10:15: How Are We Lead: Building Connections and Taking Action – A Collaborative Study from the Book of Acts. See attached for readings and questions for your preparation during this coming week.

The next Peace and Social Concerns Committee meeting will be Sun, Dec 4th, 10:15 downstairs. You are welcome!

There will be a story-telling opportunity at the meetinghouse on Wednesday, January 11th, 7:00. Watch for more details.

From Property Committee: Please be mindful that there is no one, paid or unpaid, designated to do dishes, launder dishtowels and general tidying up in the kitchen. Friends who dirty dishes or use the kitchen should please wash dishes and wipe counters, etc. afterward, leaving the kitchen ready for the next group planning to use it. Thank thee kindly!

Some Friends are interested in taking action against the proposed marriage amendment to the MN Constitution. Interested in being part of a working group around this issue? Contact Barbara Mohr.

Check out the new Resource Box in the library, courtesy of Death and Memorial sub-committee! It’s on a chair, take a look!

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. At the end of October we received $49,290 toward our $116,748 budget (4/1/11-3/31/12). In order to meet our budget we now need to average contributions of $13,492 per month for the remainder of the year. Please give as you are able.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Please join Friends for a Non-Violent World’s new Syrian Solidarity Network, Dec 5th, 7:00–9:00 at the FNVW office at 1050 Selby Avenue, St. Paul. The Syrian freedom movement is the largest nonviolent movement in the world today and, in terms of geopolitical impact, one of the most crucial. For these reasons – human suffering and strategic importance – FNVW feels called to actions of solidarity. RSVP at friendsforanonviolentworld(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com or fnvw.org (at the events calendar) or 651/917-0383. You, committed to the success of the Syrian people’s nonviolent resistance, are welcome!

The American Friends Service Committee (afsc.org), a national Quaker organization, is exploring starting a new program in MN focused on healing justice. In this exploration, they would like to hear input from Friends in every meeting in MN. Please complete an online survey to give input about this at: bit.ly/healingjustice. Also on that webpage, you can find out more about AFSC’s approach to healing justice, examples of healing justice programs in other parts of the country, and an invitation to a community meeting to envision the furthering of healing justice in MN. For other questions and input about the potential program, please contact Michael Bischoff at michael(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)clarityfacilitation.com.

Please consider donating any winter-type clothing (new or used) to folks who need it. St. Stephen’s Human Services will distribute any children’s, women’s or men’s items to those who need them. This can include blankets, sleeping bags, and hand and feet warmer packets. Place them in large sage green plastic container inside York Ave doors. They will be taken to St. Stephen’s after Sunday, Dec. 18. Thank you for sharing!

Taming the Rhetoric: Why Politics is Failing to Solve Problems, Mon, Dec 5 at 6:00 p.m., Nicollet coffee shop on Franklin and Nicollet in Mpls. An inter-sector conversation about how our political conversations are failing to work for the common good. Young adults working in MN’s faith communities, politics, and business sectors will share their perspectives and ideas for achieving change. Come and add your voice to the conversation! Sponsored by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. RSVP to Rachel(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)jrlc.org – Space is limited.

OFFICE HOURS
Pat Jones will be in the office Wednesday from 2:00-5:00 and other times Wed, Thurs, Fri. and Sat.
Carolyn Sherer VandenDolder, the Administrative Assistant, will be in Wed. afternoon and Fri. Bulletin deadline, noon Thur. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office, emailed or written and put in the bulletin file of the blue box.