9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Erik Radio on the facing bench
10:15 AM “Ordinary People Changing the World” with Burt Berlowe and a contributing author from his book, The Compassionate Rebel Revolution. A case for the impact citizens can have when they combine the ability to care with their capacity to act for the good of society
11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Nancy Peterson, speaker; Kathy Webster, musician; Diane Barrett on the facing bench

“. . . The bruised reed he will not break, But strengthen and sustain.”
– hymn “I Know Not What the Future Has”

TODAY

Peace and Social Concerns Committee will meet today, 10:15 in the lower level. All are welcome.

There will be an opportunity to meet with Friends who wish to talk about knowing George Watson, experiences with him and stories, today at 12:30 in the conference room.

There will be an open house for Brook’s retirement TODAY, 2 – 5 PM at 1225 LaSalle Ave. in the party room. Parking is on-street. Short program at 3:30, bring a memory of Brook to share. RSVP: Lolly Lijewski.  Lolly 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 with interest or leads.

Friends for a Non-Violent World Annual Meeting – TODAY, 1:30-3:30, Twin Cities Friends Meeting, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul. Ways of Peace conference, the new Syrian Solidarity Network, Alternatives to Violence, People Camp, Peace in the Precincts, the Holiday Fair and personnel changes will all be covered in this afternoon of fellowship, fun and information.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Marion VanDellen’s Adult Program presentation on Prayer in the Quaker Tradition has been rescheduled for 10:15 on Sunday, Feb. 26th.

The memorial service for George Watson will be Saturday, March 10, 2 PM here at MFM.

“Sounding the Divine” workshop April 28th, at Twin Cities Friends Meeting (1725 Grand Ave. St. Paul, MN). Vonn New, a released friend of New York Yearly Meeting, will present a day-long workshop to explore non-verbal forms of creative expression and sensory experiences which can be doorways into deeper union with the Spirit and may be the most effective way to defy violence and build peace. This workshop will be limited to 40 participants, so pre-registration is required. To register, contact Sharon Woods at  715-220-3212. Donations for workshop participation will be used to cover the costs of bringing Vonn here. Following the workshop, there will be a potluck supper at 5:30 and family folkdance at 6:30. Come for the whole day or come for the evening! Sponsored by The Metro Friends Coordinating Committee and Northern Yearly Meeting’s Advancement and Outreach.

Needed: people to help prepare the pergola (trellis) for painting. Scraping, sanding, painting. Great volunteer job for those wanting only a short-term commitment. April or early May. RSVP to Pat Jones or office, 612-926-6159.

Northern Yearly Meeting seeks workshop proposals for its annual session, May 25-28! Deadline Feb 20. Contact Maryann 612-722-1545 for questions, parameters, guidelines.

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 advance program and monthly email updates: FGCgathering.org . Registration begins April 4. The Gathering is a dynamic, Spirit-filled week for all ages. Northern Yearly Meeting has scholarship funds available. A note of support from MFM is required; funds distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

There will be a NYM senior high retreat at MFM NEXT weekend, Feb 24-26, exploring our ties of friendship and love, especially relating to spirituality. Email NYMHighSchool(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com with questions or to be added to the email list.

“Quakers for Marriage Equality” t-shirts are now available, $12. Call John Stuart to order, 612 920-1735.

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.

The next Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill, “And What Does God Require?,” is March 20, 8:30-3:30.
Clergy and lay people from across the state come to show interfaith commitment to social justice and to participate in the lawmaking process. Registration is required. Gather in the morning at RiverCentre for inspiration and issue briefings. Buses then take you to the Capitol for a short rally and meetings with legislators in the afternoon. Buses shuttle between RiverCentre and the Capitol until 4 p.m. Early-bird pricing ($30/$15 student and low-income) will be available through March 2: jrlc.org/register-for-day-on-the-hill.

Not About Bombs – an exhibit of contemporary works by eminent female Iraqi artists runs through March 3rd at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave S in Mpls. Sponsored by the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project. More at: intermediaarts.org/catalyst-series-not-about-bombs1.

Data suggest that Mpls is the US’s eighth worst city for trafficking juveniles. MN law enforcement says that sex trafficking of girls is in every city and every county in MN. Learn more about the issue and local efforts to combat this modern form of slavery by attending a panel discussion, Protecting Dignity, Ending Slavery, on Mon, Feb 27th at 6:30 at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles in Burnsville.

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.