9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: care of meeting, Doug Herron

10:15 AM What do we mean when we say we are “holding you in the Light”? What is our experience of doing or receiving that? Sponsored by Ministry and Counsel

11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Carolyn VandenDolder, speaker; Kathy Webster, musician; care of meeting, Mary Leikvold

TODAY

See new photos on the bulletin board from Friends Fall Camp and the “Love Free or Die” movie night with Mayim Rabim. Thank you to Sue Kearns for the delightful photos and the lovely presentation.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

First Day School students and teachers as the winter quarter begins an exploration of Quaker history and testimonies.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Members and attenders are encouraged to note the location of hand-held fire extinguishers in the meetinghouse:
1. Upstairs – South end – on ramp wall below coat hooks near lift
2. Upstairs – North end of meeting room in alcove below balcony (by front double doors)
3. Downstairs – South end – by lift at foot of stairs
4. Downstairs – North end of common room near exit
5. Kitchen – inside the door opposite the counter – two units

Next Sun, Jan 27th, at 10:15 – Open time for any committees to meet. Please call the office this week to schedule your committee meeting space. In the meetingroom – Let Your Voice Be Heard at the MN Legislature. Phil Simard and others will talk about the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition’s (JRLC’s) Day on the Hill. Quakers don’t have a Friends Committee on MN Legislation, but the wonderful interfaith organization, JRLC, promotes the same values. Get better acquainted with JRLC, get briefed on this session’s issues, then get busy and see your legislators Thur, Feb 21, 8:30-3:30.

Lunch Bunch will meet this Wed, Jan 23rd at The Commons, 10030 Newton Ave S, 11:30. Call Louise by Tuesday to make a reservation.

Metro Friends is sponsoring another poetry jazz cabaret – an evening of music, poetry reading by kids and adults, and homemade desserts this Sat, Jan 26, at MFM. Tom Wells and friends will play jazz between poetry selections through-out the evening. To read your favorite poem or your own original, contact Nancy.

A huge and hearty THANK YOU! to Mary Snyder, the lead teacher, and Allen Gibas who served both as a helping teacher and musical guide this fall in first day school. And to Susie Kanemitsu, Steve Snyder, Sigurd Hoppe, Suzanne Ferguson, Bird Anderson, and Betsy Souther who also shared their talents. Thanks to all for sharing your light!

SAVE THE DATE: for storytelling! 7:00 on Wed, February 20th.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Average contributions of $9,725 per month are needed to meet our budget. If you would like to automate your contributions, please talk to Suzanne, receiving treasurer. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the Meeting in all manner of ways.

THE WIDER MINNEAPOLIS FRIENDS MEETING COMMUNITY

Living into an uncertain future with hope and faith. Preoccupied with peak oil, climate change, and economic collapse? TCFM’s Betsy Raasch-Gilman will lead a six-week class to examine our sources of faith and hope as we respond to this triple challenge. Classes start tomorrow, Monday, 1/21, and run until 2/25 from 7 to 9 p.m. each week. Class size limited to 25; please make plans to attend every session.

Mayim Rabim is offering free study sessions on Reconstructionist Judaism led by Rabbi Sharon Stiefel. Topics include: What is Reconstructionism? What does it mean to approach Judaism through a Reconstructionist lens? What makes Mayim Rabim a Reconstructionist congregation? Explore the core thoughts and practices of this fourth and newest major Jewish movement in North America. No prior knowledge necessary. Remaining sessions: Thurs, Feb 7th, 7:00-8:30; Sat, March 2, 5:00-6:30. Check the Mayim Rabim website (mayimrabim.org/) for additional info and updates.

Friends for a Non-Violent World annual meeting will be here Sun, Feb.10th, 1-3. Introduction of new staff; report of 2012 program activity; financial status summary; nomination of new board members; stimulating conversation and more!

FCNL’s Climate Briefing included members of Congress, faith leaders and environmentalist Lester Brown. FCNL Executive Secretary Diane Randall stated, “The solutions will be difficult, but I’m convinced that if we start from a position of faith, of agreeing that we need to address the threat to God’s creation, we can and will act in 2013.” For more on FCNL’s climate change work:fcnl.org/issues/energy and/or see the Nov-Dec newsletter (posted and online at fcnl.org/resources/newsletter/novdec12/ .) Information on FCNL initiatives, resources and opportunities and registering for FCNL’s Spring Lobby Weekend, March 16 – 19: fcnl.org/resources/pubs/enews/121812

MFM’s Barbara Mohr will sing with the Twin Cities Women’s Choir’s “Criss-Cross: Perspectives on Community” with local singer-songwriter Ann Reed on Sat, Feb 2nd, 4:00 at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Ave, St Paul. Tickets may be ordered online twincitieswomenschoir.org or purchased at the door. (They’re cheaper if you get them in advance.).

Joint Religious and Legislative Coalition 2013 Day on the Hill, Thurs, Feb 21; 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. State Capitol.
Annual policy briefing and lobby day for clergy and lay people from across the state to speak for social justice and to participate in the lawmaking process. Register: jrlc.org/register-for-day-on-the-hill . Early bird rate through Feb 1.

Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Concerns Midwinter Gathering – Bryn Mawr Mountain Retreat and Conference Center, Poconos, PA, Feb 15-18. Spiritual growth and renewal through unprogrammed worship, learning, fellowship, and play. Niyonu Spann, founder Beyond Diversity 101 workshops, will attend. For more and to register: flgbtqc.quaker.org/ ; click on Midwinter Gathering or email, flgbtqcmidwinter(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com or 267-713-8694.

Friends for a Non-Violent World will host an event with award winning journalist Reese Erlich, “The Arab Spring in Syria, Egypt and Gaza,” Feb 25, 6:30 PM at Twin Cities Friends meetinghouse.

From Friends Committee on National Legislation: Public support is vital to move gun legislation forward. Join FCNL in calling for stricter gun control – contact your members of Congress today. FCNL makes this easy: fcnl.org/resources/pubs/enews/121812/

The 14th annual White Privilege Conference is being held in Seattle, April 10-13. Friends General Conference is organizing a significant discount for those who register through FGC. FGC’s connection to the WPC: fgcquaker.org/events/2013-white-privilege-conference-wpc14. Conference details: whiteprivilegeconference.com/.

Young Adult Friends (age 18-35) Conference on Simplicity June 14 – 19 at Pendle Hill. Be part of an intensive six-day conference focused on the simplicity testimony – inspirational speakers, workshops and trainings, worship and worship-sharing, fellowship, discernment of gifts and ministry, and service. For more, go to: pendlehill.org/yald/overview

THE WIDER COMMUNITY

The Iraqi American Reconciliation Project, The Advocates and the International Leadership Program at the U of St. Thomas are hosting a reception for refugee, immigrant, and veteran authors and filmmakers who participated in the Veterans Book Project. An opportunity to meet the artists as well as view the books and short films (3-8 minutes ea.) they created. Jan 24th, 7-9 PM, U of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, Schulze Hall Atrium, 1000 LaSalle Ave, Mpls.

From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Reflections on Everyday Peacemaking Mon, Feb 4, 8:00 PM, Quad 264, Saint John’s U and Tues, Feb 12th, 7:30 PM, Anderson Student Center 378A, U of St. Thomas. Why does conflict arise among individuals and among religious, political and ethnic groups? What contributes to resolution of conflict in the world and our lives? How can each of us serve peace? Rabbi Eilberg will explore in light of Judaism’s sacred texts on peace and peacemaking.

Is the chocolate we eat produced with the use of child labor and trafficked children? It may be a hard truth to swallow but it is a reality that can no longer be ignored. Award-winning Danish journalist Miki Mistrati investigate the rumor in his compelling documentary, “The Dark Side of Chocolate”, Tues, Feb 12th, 7- 9 pm, Eastside Coop, 2551 Central Ave NE.

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.