9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Phil Simard, care of meeting
10:15 AM John Stuart will speak about his work and racial justice. John works as a State Public Defender.
11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Ed Souther, speaker; Dave Bostrom, care of meeting

The mind wanders and will falter again and again… But it is foolish to allow failures in concentration to plunge us into profitless self-condemnation. A mother does not condemn her child who is struggling with many a failure to learn how to walk, but rather she is pleased by each successful effort… I like to believe that God is similarly pleased with our effort and understanding of our many failures. What matters is whether or not the will, like a compass needle when deflected, is so pivoted that it can swing back to the true direction.
St. Francis de Sales is reassuring: When your heart is wandering and distracted, bring it back quickly to its point, restore it tenderly to its Master’s side, and if you did nothing else the whole of your hour but bring back your heart patiently and put it near our Lord again, and every time you put it back it turned away again, your hour would be well-employed.
– Thomas F Green, 1952; Quaker Faith and Practice, Britain Yearly Meeting, 2:49

TODAY

VOTE!
Information on both the marriage amendment and the voter ID amendment are on the counter near the upstairs sink. Help yourself to the materials and make sure you understand what is at stake this election day.
If you need a ride to the polls on election day or need assistance to vote early, let the office know: 612-926-6159.

You are welcome to the monthly Sunday potluck lunch today at the rise of semi-programmed worship. Please label your pot-luck item/s. There will be an opportunity to talk about revisions / changes to the Northern Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice draft chapter on Community during the potluck. Copies are available by the bulletins.

White Envelope Gift nominations will be considered TODAY after semi-programmed worship. A recommendation will be brought to monthly meeting for business next Sun. If you still have an organization to propose, place the name and address of the organization along with a brief description in the White Envelope file of the blue box by 12:30.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

MFM has agreed to host NYM Executive Committee’s autumn meeting, Nov 16-17. If you can host overnight or bring bread, fruit, cheese, lunch meats, soup and/or desserts to the meetinghouse, please contact the MFM office: 612-296-6159. Local Friends are invited and encouraged to attend, especially lunch on Sat. Come, attend some of the meetings, and see if you would like to be the MFM representative!

Winona Preparative Friends Meeting invites MFMers to their Thanksgiving gathering next Sun, Nov. 18th. Worship at 10 a.m, Thanksgiving potluck to follow, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, corner of Lafayette and Broadway in Winona. On-street parking and a lot behind the church. Worship upstairs; meal prep and eating in kitchen and hall. First day school and childcare available.

*Worship in Bloomington will be next Tues, Nov 13th, at 7:00 at the home of Louise.
*The George and Elizabeth Reading and Discussion Group will next meet on Tues, Nov 13th at 7 at the mtghs. Topic of discussion: The Little Blue Book by George Lakoff and Elisibeth Wehling. All are welcome.

Adult Program Nov 18th, 10:15: On the Experience of Worship, sponsored by Ministry and Counsel. Led by Steve Snyder, there will be worship-sharing on queries: What gifts do I bring to corporate worship? How do I prepare for meetings for worship? What do I receive in worship from the faithfulness of others?

A Thanksgiving Day planned potluck will begin with worship at 3:30, final prep at 4, feasting at 4:30, and hanging out for conversation, games, and (of course) clean-up into the evening. A sign-up sheet is available on the table by the elevator. You may bring others who do not attend meeting.

Human Rights Shabbat – Mayim Rabim again invites us to participate in their human rights service, in recognition of Human Rights Day, on Friday, Nov 30, 6-8:30. Service, study session and vegetarian / dairy potluck. If you would like a formal role in the service talk to Pat Jones.

CONGRATULATIONS to Tom and Darlene who celebrated their 60th anniversary last month!

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Average contributions of $9,725 per month are needed to meet our budget. First and second quarter contributions total 30% of our approved budget.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Hear Brian Young, pastor at Berkeley (CA) Friends Church, as he urges us to consider what practices or actions can help the Living Water of spiritual vitality flow more freely in us, in our communities and in the wider world – Nov 10 and 11, Madison Friends Meeting. (Flyers on bulletin table.) Brian grew up in the unprogrammed tradition and has spent his adult life among pastoral Friends. He is a 2008 graduate of the Earlham School of Religion and is entering his fifth year of service as pastor at Berkeley Friends Church, part of Western Association of Friends. His article, “Finding the Words” appeared Quaker Life (fum.org/finding-the-words-september-october-2012/).

Vigil in support of marriage equality, Plymouth Church, Mon, Nov 5th, 8 PM through Tues, Nov 6th, 8 PM. RSVP to www.plymouth.org

Northside Achievement Zone Ball is at the Depot! Sat, Nov 10th, 7-12 PM. Gorgeous and historic space – dance through the night on spacious dance floor with the city skyline as our backdrop. Tickets online: the-naz.org . The NAZ Promise Neighborhood is a collaboration of over 50 organizations and schools who work with children and families in a geographic area, or “Zone,” of North Mpls to build a culture of achievement so all youth graduate college-ready. NAZ is designed to replicate the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone. It is both an organization and a collaborative effort that brings together neighbors, (including parents and youth), schools, service-providers and government.

Final Healing MN service at Plymouth Congregational Church next Sunday, Nov 11th, 7 PM.

OFFICE HOURS
Pat Jones will be in the office Wednesday from 2:00-5:00 and other times Wed, Thurs, Fri. and Sat.
Carolyn 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.