9:00 AM unprogrammed meeting for worship: Gayle McJunkin, care of meeting

10:15 AM Easter brunch hosted by the men of the Meeting

11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Mary Gochnauer, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; Clifford Goltz, care of meeting

TODAY

Today is the close of the Meeting’s business and fiscal year. Any time is a good time to say thank you to one another for the work and ministry Friends do within and on behalf of the Meeting. Many Friends are finishing terms of service now or are continuing with terms of service. For your time, care and the lending of your gifts, we thank you. Thank you also for contributions of money to support the work of the Meeting. Other types of giving, often done in unrecognized ways, make the Meeting what it is, and we are grateful too, for those many acts.

Today is the close of the Meeting’s business and fiscal year. If you have requests for reimbursement for this fiscal year, please submit them promptly to the reimbursement file of the blue box.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

The people of Kenya. Though the polls are closed, many of the candidates’ victories are not yet final and there is still real potential for violence around upcoming court cases challenging the election’s results.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Next week, all are welcome to the monthly Sunday potluck lunch. To regulars, please bring plenty of food so there will be ample to accommodate visitors and those at the end of the line. Most social times at the Meeting are do-it-yourself affairs. Look for ways to help the effort – get more forks, glasses, etc, when needed, offer to make more coffee, help clear and wipe tables, take up a dish towel to dry . . . Many hands make light work for everyone!

Upcoming Adult Programs at 10:15:

*April 7th: Nettie Smith will share her journey around race and racial issues. Nettie was one of the few white children in her largely African-American neighborhood in south Minneapolis. She taught for 35 years in inner city schools in Minneapolis and currently works with two non-profits, Winds of Change and the African-American Registry.”

*April 21st: Terry Kayser will speak about the Alternatives to Violence Project.

*April 28th: Sharon Goens, American Friends Service Committee Director of the Twin Cities Healing Justice Program, will lead a circle discussion on healing justice.

Contribution Update: To meet our budget, (actual spending might be lower,) we need to receive $8,186 in contributions today. If you would like to automate your contributions to MFM for the coming year, please talk to Suzanne, receiving treasurer. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the Meeting in all manner of ways.

Zephyra and Roland Shepherd Scholarship applications are due May 1st. This scholarship for post-secondary education was started by the Shepherds in 1977. Selection criteria and applications are on the long table in the east hall. Applications should be mailed back to the meetinghouse or put in the Shepherd Scholarship file in the blue box.

The George and Elizabeth Watson Memorial Discussion Group will meet on Tues, April 2 at 7:30 pm, finishing before 9. We will read Chapter 2, “Are Quakers Christian?” together so you do not have to read it ahead of time.

Fred Harding and Mary Logue will speak about frac sand mining, 12:30, Apr 28th – what it is and what it means for communities in MN and WI. Bring a bag lunch, a cloth napkin, your own mug and cold lunch items to share.

A Google Group has been formed for those who wish to participate in conversations on climate change and related topics, such as fracking, renewable energy, legislation, etc. Search Google Groups and “Minneapolis Friends for Climate Stability.” Membership is open.

Cannon Valley Friends plan to build a meetinghouse on property they purchased a year ago. You can see the architect’s designs, developed by Anders Matney, and financial planning at cannonvalleyfriends.org under “Meetinghouse Project.” Betsy would also be happy to talk with potential donors.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

A Northern Yearly Meeting weekend retreat for Middle-School youth is planned for April 12-14 at the home of Betsy, Sharon and Audrey! Information is available on the internet, along with registration forms: northernyearlymeeting.org; then select Links; Northern Yearly Meeting Youth; NYM Middle School Web page.

The 2013 Friends General Conference Gathering, “At the Growing Edges of our Faith,” will be in Greeley, CO, June 30-July 6. Registration begins April 3rd – some workshops fill quickly! The Gathering is a dynamic, Spirit-filled week for all ages – spiritually nourishing and exciting and bringing a fuller sense of what it means to be a Quaker. Scholarships available. Program and registration information is on the elevator table; financial assistance info on the bulletin board.

Iowa Yearly Meeting Friends (Conservative) will have their mid-year Meeting, “The Bible in our Midst,” April 20-21 at Bear Creek Meetinghouse near Earlham, IA. A schedule and registration information is posted.

Healing Justice conversation with American Friends Service Committee: Tues, April 23rd, refreshments at 5:30 pm and group conversation from 6 – 8:30 pm at the Minneapolis Urban League (2100 Plymouth Ave. N). Open forum, review of last year’s ideas and recommendations, an update on the work of the AFSC, and strategizing how to work in partnership and prioritize next steps. Healing justice encompasses both healing from harm and the transformation from harm to wholeness. Its focus is on achieving fundamental balance and fairness for all communities. The principles of healing justice are responsibility, mutuality and love. Healing justice calls us to reject violence, domination and exploitation. In preparation for the April meeting, please consider these questions: How can we build on what’s already happening in MN? What updates would you like to share with the group? How can we support each other? How can we work together to achieve a shared vision? The event is free but pre-registration is required: sgoens(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)afsc.org or 651-789-3852.

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) action item: New legislation, S.Res.65, co-sponsored by nearly half the Senate, calls for the US to militarily support a hypothetical Israeli attack on Iran. Colonel Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, stated, “resolutions like S.Res.65 would call for the U.S. to surrender to another country the right to sweep the U.S. into a disastrous war.” Contact your senators. More at fcnl.org/issues/iran .

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.