9:30 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Mary Logue on the facing bench
11:00 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Lolly Lijewski, reader; Kathy Webster, musician; Joanne Esser on the facing bench

“Something inside me said that there was more to life than what was on the surface. I didn’t really understand it but it was a loud voice. Later, I came under the influence of a man at the Seeing Eye who turned me on to Quakerism. It talked to my spiritual yearning, my God hunger. It spoke to me. It seemed real. It led me to the warmth and compassion of Quaker meetings. I felt very comfortable with silent worship, with no altar, no symbols, encouraging us to seek within ourselves for inner light. This is a big part of my life, both at the Seeing Eye and at home. These moments of inspiration, short at times, are where my spiritual life is. These moments make it real. In sharing, there’s a confirmation of an inner light, of love.”

– Peter Lang from a book entitled: “A Matter Of Dignity,” by Andrew Potok

TODAY

Willing to water plants around the meetinghouse while you are here on Sun (or other times too)? Talk to Susie downstairs.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Storytelling this Tuesday, July 17th, 7:00 PM at Walker Place – 3701 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis. All are welcome at this casual gathering – whether you are a first-time visitor to meeting or a life-long member; very young or with years of life experience; coming to share or just to listen. It’s a great opportunity to get to know each other!

The Quaker Women’s Group (Crones) is hosting a potluck and program this Wed, July 18th, 12-2:15 here at MFM. After a healthy potluck lunch, Connie Archbald, Annette Smith, and Aimee McAdams, who attended this year’s Friends’ World Conference in Kenya, will speak of their experience. Hear stories, look at pictures, be inspired! All are welcome!

The annual Metro Friends potluck picnic will be Thurs, July 26th, 4-10:00 at Wabun Picnic area of Minnehaha Falls Park. This year’s theme: local communities preparing for an era of scarce fossil fuels: urban agriculture, community energy production, town planning and more. Come to meet and learn what your neighbors are creating! Also great wading pools and playground! Metro Friends events facilitate networking and friendship building between and among Friends in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.

Loaves and Fishes dinner served by metro area Quaker meetings is Monday, July 30th, 2-7 pm. Holy Rosary Church, 2424-18th Ave S, Minneapolis. Another great opportunity to meet Friends from area meetings while being of service to others. Child helpers welcome. Food prep (2 pm), serving (4:45 to about 6:30 pm) and/or cleanup (6-7 pm). Dessert donations of fruit or baked goods requested. See sign-up sheet on bulletin table.

MFM will offer special meetings for worship for healing around the marriage amendment the fourth Thurs of each month until Nov when the amendment comes to the ballot. Worship at 7:00 p.m. followed by worship -sharing, discussion and social time with refreshments. The next worship will be this Thurs, July 26th. All are welcome.

Book News:
A book recommendation from Phil Simard: Surprised by Faith by Dr. Don Bierle.
A picture book recommended by Susie Kanemitsu: Faith by Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, and Cynthia Pon.
Stephanie Watson, who spent some of her growing-up years at MFM, has a website introducing her creations as well as a story you can read online: stephanie-watson.com/books-other-projects

George Watson loved to read and discuss social issues with Friends. If you would you be interested (this fall) in a “George Watson Memorial Friends’ Reading & Discussion Group”, please call John Stuart at (612) 920-1735 or e-mail john.stuart(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)mnpd.us If a few names come in, John will organize an organizational meeting.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. To meet our budget obligations, we need to average $2,204.00 in donations per week. In the month of June, we received $5087.25; an average of $1271.81 per week. If you would like to consider automating your contributions, ensuring a more regular flow of funds to meet the Meeting’s operating expenses, please talk to John Kraft or Suzanne Ferguson, receiving treasurers.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

The Spiritual Nurture Program for Northern Yearly Mtg is intended to aid those who feel a longing to live a life more centered in the Spirit and who want to experience deeper spiritual community. Two retreats: Sept 7-9, 2012 and April 26-28, 2013 at the Christine Center in Willard, WI. Participants join with small spiritual nurture groups and meet at least Sept through June. For more: Elizabeth Evans, elizabevans(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com . Register by Aug 1. Annamary Herther, from MFM, would love to share rides to the two retreats. Email ajherther(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)yahoo.com if you’re interested in joining her.

There are two posted part-time positions open at Twin Cities Friends Meeting: a rent exchange Resident Caretaker, 12-15 hours/week and a temporary Office Assistant, 8-12 hours/week. Send resumes to anne-supplee(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)juno.com by August 1.

Friends for a Non-Violent World’s People Camp will be Sun, Aug 12 – Sat, Aug 18 at Northern Pines, near Park Rapids, MN. Founded by Quakers and welcoming everyone, People Camp is an experience of cooperation, community living, and exploration of ideas and issues for people of all ages. This year’s focus: raising awareness and skills regarding local food self-sufficiency. Not only will we be preparing our own meals and planning our own menus (as always) – but we will be looking ahead to a time when it may be necessary for us all to produce the food we eat! Workshops given by experts on the production, harvesting, preserving and marketing of food in our own yards and communities and preparing, menu-planning, and cooking with local, seasonal produce. A Tai Chi instructor will lead sessions throughout the week in addition to the usual chance to sing, make music, play board games, get immersed in nature, enjoy campfires, and indulge in folk, contra, and swing dancing, tie-dye, swim ‘cross the lake, and enjoy a talent show. Visit fnvw.org to register!

The American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker peace and justice organization, is seeking a qualified person to be the Healing Justice Program Director in the Twin Cities. Using convening skills, support collaboration among restorative justice workers and volunteers to rebuild the movement for healing justice and advocate for systems and communities that respond to harm primarily with healing practices, not punitive ones. Facilitate training and shared learning about healing justice. Submit resumes along with cover letter by midnight, CDT, August 13, 2012 to jobs-afsc.icims.com/jobs/1249/job.

Sacred Harp singing school at the TCFM meetinghouse, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul, on Sat, July 21 from 1-5 pm. The first half of the school will show “Awake My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp” documentary, a beautiful introduction to the music, history, and community of the Sacred Harp. Basic instruction in shape note singing offered in the second half. Books available to borrow or purchase. No charge. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t think you can sing.

Sarah McClellan (of MFM) is Director at the Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center in Frontenac MN (15 miles south of Red Wing). Minneapolis Friends are welcome to overnight accommodations at the Villa in exchange for gardening and painting help in July and August; one overnight for four hours of labor. Call Sarah, 651 345 4582 for more.

The Iraqi American Reconciliation Project will honor Sami Rasouli at a dinner Tues, July 17, 6:00-8:30 PM at Crescent Moon Banquet Hall, 2339 Central Ave NE, Mpls. Come acknowledge those who risked much in choosing nonviolence in Iraq. The program at this Middle Eastern dinner will include live music by Amwaaj, a reception with and an award presentation to Sami, brief talks by Sami and others, and a silent auction with local and Iraqi items. Guests will also include Iraqi participants in the Songs of Hope performing arts summer camp. For seats ($40) or table (of 8, $320), mail a check to IARP, 416 E. Hennepin Ave. #116, Mpls, 55414; put “dinner” in memo line. All profits support IARP and Sami’s organization, Muslim Peacemaker Teams.

Nightingales Summer Gathering Fri, July 27 – Sun, July 29 at Robin and John Greenler’s farm near Stoughton WI. Nightingales are Friends who gather to sing, hike, cook, eat, sleep and visit over a weekend. All Friends who like to sing are welcome, including families with children. If interested, contact Joelyn Malone: 952-926-3872; jkmalone(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)comcast.net

Save the date: the annual Living Spirit (aka Oakland Ave UM Church) barbeque will be July 28th.

The Pendle Hill board and a working committee have developed vision and mission statements through a thoughtful seasoning process. Join in reviewing the statements prior to further consideration by the board: reflecting upon the fundamental reason we come together as a group, the mission of Pendle Hill, as well as the vision of what we want to become in the future. To add your input, just click on this link: surveymonkey.com/s/K5KZ6Y8.

OFFICE HOURS

Pat Jones will be in the office 2-5 on Wednesday and at other times on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sunday.

Carolyn Sherer VandenDolder, the Admin Assistant, will be in Wed. afternoon and Fri. Bulletin deadline, noon Thurs. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office, emailed or written and placed in the bulletin file in the blue box.