9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Sydney Campbell on the facing bench
10:15 AM The presentation on Acts has been postponed. Instead, Sandy Olson and Judith James will offer a brief presentation, followed by discussion of contemporary Friends and the Bible
11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Linda Harding, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; Joanne Esser on the facing bench

“Perhaps the most important thing we bring to another person is the silence in us . . . silence is a place of great power and healing. Silence is God’s lap.”
My Grandfather’s Blessings – Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

TODAY

Queries for adult program: What encounters do you have, or have you had, with Biblical texts? What texts speak to your condition , are central to your spiritual life or religious faith, or are sacred to you?

All from MFM are welcome at a programmed Quaker worship today, organized by local Kenyan Quakers, at Phena’s home, 13560 87th Ave. N., Maple Grove (CHANGE of location), 11:00. Lunch following will be provided. There will be a few Iowa Friends coming too.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Bob Nechal and Friends for a Non-Violent World in the upcoming transition. Bob will begin as the new Managing Director on April 1.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Next week, all are welcome to the monthly Sunday potluck lunch. To 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.

A short lectio divina – brief reading a passage of scripture or other text followed by worship sharing – will be held at Mary and Steve Snyder’s home, T05 Kenwood Isles, Hennepin and 28th, this Thurs at noon. Spiritual deepening, fellowship – all are welcome. Simple soup lunch at 12:45. Questions, call Mary, 605-270-3627.

Adult Program next Sun, Feb 5th, at 10:15: Teaching as a Vocation in My Life.” Nelson Nkhoma, a citizen of Malawi in Africa, will talk about his experiences as an educator there and his current work at the U of MN where he is earning a Ph.D. in Comparative International Development Education. Nelson is a friend of Barbara Ziegenhagen and her family. Sponsored by Peace and Social Concerns.

Though a memorial service for George Watson will be Sat, March 10 at 2:00 PM at the meetinghouse, some people who had frequent contact with George have expressed interest in meeting to share their remembrances and how his life and death have affected them. This gathering will be next Saturday, Feb 4th at 2:00, at the MFM. There will be another on Sun, Feb 19th at 12:30 if people express interest – please call the office to rsvp, 612-926-6159.

Loaves and Fishes: Our next turn to serve at Holy Rosary Church, 2424 – 18th Ave So, is TOMORROW, Jan 30th. Cooking – 2:30-4:30; serving – 4:45-6:45; clean-up – 5:30-7:00. Also needed, batches of cookies (4 dozen to a batch), delivered to the meetinghouse the this morning, or brought to Holy Rosary by 5:00 on the 30th. (Fruit / cookies or bars on the healthier side encouraged!) We need help in all areas! Sign up on the sheet by the bulletins.

Lolly Lijewski has learned that The Seeing Eye has a new dog for her. She leaves to train with her new dog on Feb 27 and needs to find a good home for Brook in a very short period of time. Call her, (612) 309-3202 with interest or leads.

Coming up: Friends General Conference Gathering, All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir in Kingston, RI, July 1-7. Sign up for an advance program and monthly email updates: FGCgathering.org . Registration begins April 4. The Gather-ing is a dynamic, Spirit-filled week for all ages. Meetings recognize that Friends return from the Gathering spiritually nourished and excited, with a fuller sense of what it means to be a Quaker. Northern Yearly Meeting has scholarship funds available. A note of support from MFM is required; funds distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mayim Rabim invites you to “Learning to Forgive,” a service, dinner and talk about the connection between forgiveness and healing – Friday, Feb 10th 6:15-8:30, here. A flyer is posted. Suggested donation, $10.00.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Please give as you are able. Thank you, Friends, for your participation in and support of the Meeting in so many ways.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Have you ever thought about traveling to Central America? Are you interested in learning about other forms of Quakerism? The El Salvador Committee of Northern Yearly Meeting is sponsoring a trip to visit El Salvador Yearly Meeting in August, 2012. This trip is open to Friends ages 15 and up. Teens, Adult Young Friends, adults and physically fit elders welcome. Interested or more info: Ruby Steigerwald at 612-721-7040 by 01-31-2012.

“Quakers for Marriage Equality” beautiful SHIRTS now available, $12. Call John Stuart to order, 612 920-1725.

Friends for a Non-Violent World is seeking a new Alternatives to Violence Project Coordinator. A job description is posted. Resumes with a cover letter accepted until Mon, Feb 6, 5:00 pm. Please submit either electronically or by postal mail: info(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org, attaching or pasting in your resume and cover letter OR AVP Hiring, Friends for a Non-Violent World, 1050 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. Questions: 651-917-0383

White Privilege Conference: Registration opens later this month, as does the pre-registration process for the FGC Gathering registrants. Regular registration fees for individuals are $350; if 45 Quakers pre-register, then it drops way down to $160. For more info, go to fgcquaker.org/cmr/white-privilege-conference

Not About Bombs – and exhibit of contemporary works by eminent female Iraqi artists will be open January 31st – March 3rd at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis. Sponsored by the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project. More at: intermediaarts.org/catalyst-series-not-about-bombs1.