9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Mary Gochnauer, care of meeting

10:15 AM Quaker Testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Service. This is the usual list given when someone asks, “What are the testimonies?” But what are testimonies? How did these five become enshrined? Are they required beliefs? Are we expected to live them?

11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Jim Bruener, speaker; Kathy Webster, musician; Clifford Goltz, care of meeting

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

It is the season of snow and ice. Friends are reminded to park at a distance if you can to allow closer parking for those who need it.

Liaison and Review is preparing for the annual review of our Director of Ministry, Patricia Jones. Any and all comments, suggestions or observations about Pat’s ministry may be shared with the members of the Liaison and Review Committee.

Come to storytelling! 7:00 PM this Wed, Feb 20th here at the meetinghouse. Come to just listen or to tell. Just come build community, know, and be known.

New World Rising Up: Minneapolis Friends are sponsoring a talk by Terry next Sun, Feb. 24th, from 12:30-2:30 at the meetinghouse. Terry will speak about the demonstration in D.C. against the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. We will discuss our concerns about climate change and about developing a sane, local response. Bring a bag lunch, a mug, and a cloth napkin.

Congratulations to Nancy Peterson and Judith James who will celebrate the release of their new book, White Women Getting Real About Race, at a book launch at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S, Mpls Thurs, March 7th, 6:30 PM. Readings by authors and refreshments. Please come!

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. At the third quarter’s end, Friends had contributed $79,106.21 toward our budgeted annual expenditures of $114,625. Our weekly contribution average in 2013 has been $1,640.00. To meet our budget, our weekly contribution average for the rest of our fiscal year (until March 31, 2013) needs to be about $3,668. If you would like to automate your contributions, please speak with Suzanne, receiving treasurer. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the Meeting in all manner of ways.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Northern Yearly Meeting’s El Salvador Committee announces two opportunities for El Salvador travel in 2013: An intergenerational trip for Friends ages 15 and older with an equal emphasis on teens and adults. Scholarship assistance available, need dependent; AND a month-long Intercambio to San Ignacio and Soyopango Friends Schools adult Friends, 18 and older. Friends would assist with instruction in conversational English. Application deadline for both is mid-March. More is posted.

Joint Religious and Legislative Coalition 2013 Day on the Hill, this Thurs, Feb 21; 8:30-3:30. State Capitol. Annual policy briefing and lobby day to speak for social justice and to participate in the lawmaking process. Register: jrlc.org/register-for-day-on-the-hill . Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, Islamic Society of North America, the keynote speaker, will speak at 9:00.

Growing Closer to the Divine: Alone and Together, a retreat sponsored by the Northern Yearly Meeting Spiritual Nurture Committee will be offered April 26-28 at the Christine Center, (40 miles north of Black River Falls.) This is a stand-alone retreat – no groups will be formed to meet after the retreat ends. A contemplative weekend retreat grounded in silence and deep listening to the Divine and to one another, this is an opportunity to set aside daily routine and to retreat for personal reflection and spiritual nurturing. Fri night (7:00) through Sunday brunch. Vegetarian meals. Registration and $100 deposit due March 15th. Reg. and more: northernyearlymeeting.org/article/2013-spiritual-nurture-retreat

Friends Committee on National Legislation is now accepting applications for intern slots in its Washington, D.C. office. Applicants must be college graduates or have equivalent work or life experience. The internships last from the beginning of Sept to the end of the July. Interns receive a subsistence salary, health care, a public transportation subsidy, and paid vacation. Interns work with senior staff on issue priorities and the vital activities of FCNL. For more, go to www.fcnl.org Apps accepted through March 15.

Rally against gun violence at the State Capitol Rotunda on Presidents’ Day, Mon, Feb 18th, at 3:00 p.m. An opportunity to stand up against the epidemic of gun violence in our country. For more information, visit Protect MN: www.protectmn.org .

Friends Committee on National Legislation update on anti-military spending initiatives: What you do before the end of Feb could shape which policy initiatives gain momentum in the next four years. Your prayers, protests and engagement with Congress and the administration will change policy. While Congress made a last minute deal on taxes to avert the fiscal cliff, they postponed decisions on spending until March. Members of Congress will have to make significant cuts, and where they fall is up to you. To join the week of action, sign up for email alerts and request a meeting with your members of Congress. More information: fcnl.org/events/week_of_action

MN Peace Team Introductory Training, “Nobody Hurt, Everybody Heard” will be offered here at MFM on Sat, Feb 23rd, 9 – 5:00; $20-$50 (above $20 is tax deductible); lunch included. Registration required – limited to 30. Contact Barbara: gerte001(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)tc.umn.edu or 651-470-7781. Peace Teams offer a non-partisan presence in potentially volatile situations to keep people from hurting one another and to protect the civil rights of everyone involved. The training is an introduction for people interested in serving as a Peace Team member, but all attending will gain skills applicable to life situations. Highly experiential with exercises and role-playing. Open to adults and to teens, 16 (with parental permission) or older. Non-Violent Intervention as a Powerful Tool; Managing Conflict; Working in an Affinity Team and more!

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.

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.