9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Mary Jean Port on the facing bench
10:15 AM Christmas readings. All ages welcome!
11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Angelika Shafer, speaker; David Bostrom, musician; Joanne Esser on the facing bench

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

George Watson and his family, immediate and community. George has returned to Kenwood Isles. He has been taking only water this past week and is not expected to live much longer. His daughter Jean and son John have arrived in town and, along with daughter Carol, are attending him. They are looking for someone who can be with him during all or part of the night. Barbara Ziegenhagen is serving as the contact person for the time being. Call her for updates or to check about visiting: 651-308-2554.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Pat Jones is on vacation until December 22nd. In an emergency, please call David Woolley, clerk of Ministry and Counsel.

Next Sunday, Christmas morning, at 10:15: Christmas cheer with music, cookies and hot beverages. Friends are invited to bring their favorite holiday treat to share.

White Envelope Gift is a special Christmas-time offering. These funds are collected then given, as a one-time gift, to chosen organization(s). The two organizations chosen as recipients this year are:

Bright Waters Montessori, brightwatermontessori.org . By virtue of its location, Bright Waters, a local 501(C)(3) organization in North Minneapolis, is positioned to serve a diverse population. Together with the Bright Water Elementary charter school, it hopes to lead North Minneapolis students in closing the achievement gap. Children range in age from 16 months to 6 years old in the Montessori school. The elementary school grades are K through 2, with plans to expand to grade 6. The Montessori school, together with its elementary school partner, enhances the welfare of children and furthers racial justice. Minneapolis Meeting attender, Anne Luce, is the principal of this school.

The Organizing Apprenticeship Project, oaproject.org . The Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP) advances racial, cultural, social and economic equity in MN by:
· Providing community organizing and racial justice leadership training for individuals and organizations.
· Creating research and policy tools that help community leaders and organizing groups address issues of equity. Each year OPA releases a Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity highlighting how the MN Legislature voted on bills that either promote or undermine efforts for racial equity.
· Convening multiracial strategy groups that collaborate to develop thoughtful approaches for achieving equity. The Education Equity Organizing Collaborative (EEOC) is a group of multi-racial, multi-cultural organizing partners working together to further education equity in the state of MN. This year OAP released its second Racial Equity Policy Brief on Education Equity and presented it to Commissioner Cassellius with the MN Department of Education.

You may give anytime between now and mid-January. Please make out checks to Minneapolis Friends Meeting with “white envelope gift” noted on the memo line.

The next Northern Yearly Meeting high school retreat will be Dec. 30-Jan 1 in Milwaukee. For more, contact Jean Leighton on FB or email at nymhighschool(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com. ALSO, The Quake That Rocked the Midwest, again for senior high schoolers, will be in Chicago over the MLK weekend. This year it features a service project, a workshop by Vanessa Juyle of FGC and some great out-trips. Quake That Rocked the Midwest Registration: surveymonkey.com/s/GRTSSVT

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

From Phena Shimaka: Many thanks to Minneapolis Friends Meeting for hosting last weekend’s programmed meeting and for those who hosted the guests from out of town. Thanks to those that worked tirelessly to make the weekend successful: Nancy Peterson, David Woolley, Pat Jones, Annette Smith, Chester and many, many other that poured their love, support. Thanks to those who volunteered to provide the food, cook and provide transportation to those who needed it. On behalf of Kenyans, I thank those that attended the service. Many thanks and God Bless.

The meetinghouse doors were found either unlocked or ajar twice this week. Friends are asked to please check the door behind you to confirm it is securely closed when you leave the building. If you are not sure you are last to leave, assume you are.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. 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

The American Friends Service Committee (afsc.org), a national Quaker organization, is exploring starting a new program in MN focused on healing justice. They would like to get input from Friends in every meeting in MN. Please complete an online survey to give your input: 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. Other questions and comments, contact Michael Bischoff, michael(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)clarityfacilitation.com or 612-234-1122.

Ways of Peace II: Non-Violence in the Islamic Traditions – conference videos now available on the Friends for a Non-Violent World website: www.fnvw.org

Out of Darkness Into the Light, a candlelight service for the children of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and other child victims of war will be held Wed, December 28th, 6:30 at St. Joan or Arch Church, 4537 Third Ave So in Minneapolis. Organized by the Twin Cities Peace Campaign.

Heart to Heart, a couples’ enrichment weekend for all faiths, will be offered Feb 10-12 at Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven, MN. The weekend is designed to enrich intimacy in your relationship by emphasizing personal reflection and couple dialogue. There is a purple flyer posted on the long bulletin board. For more, ask David Woolley.

SAVE THE DATE, March 20, 8:30-3:30, for the next Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill, “And What Does God Require?” Details to come.

OFFICE HOURS
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.