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

10:15 AM *Death and Memorial Committee presentation, Caring for Yourself, Caring for Loved Ones, in the meetingroom: Reflect on hopes, fears, values and choices related to medical procedures, pain management and your emotional/spiritual well-being at end of life. Capture your thoughts and feelings on paper using a health care directive that is becoming the state standard so your loved ones and medical personnel will understand your wishes, (this is different from a living will.)
*Quaker Quest brainstorming session in the conference room: Are you media savvy? Do you enjoy social media? Would you like more people at MFM? If so, please come!
*The Friendly Philosophers downstairs: integrity – how to lead an honest life in a shifty world.

11:15 AM semi-programmed meeting for worship: Susan Hoch, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; care of meeting, Carolyn VandenDolder

TODAY

~Tom Ward will speak on “The Disaster and Disruption of Hurricane Sandy: Is This Our Future?” in the meetingroom today at 12:30. Tom volunteered last fall with the American Red Cross working with Sandy victims and will speak of his experience dealing with urban disaster and societal disruption in NYC.
~Fred Harding will speak about frac sand mining, 12:30, April 28th. Friends interested in learning about frac sand mining prior to Fred Harding’s talk on April 28th can attend a screening of the film “The Price of Sand” at the Grandview Theater, St Paul, March 28th, 7 PM.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

There will be a semi-programmed worship this Friday, Good Friday, March 29th, 6:00 PM, here at the meetinghouse. Open worship, Bible reading and music including spirituals. A simple meal will follow.

Next Sunday, Easter, March 31st at 10:15, Do you remember the great brunch hosted by the men of the Meeting we enjoyed last year? If you are male, talk to Jim about bringing a dish, serving or cleaning up next Sun!

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.

To meet our budget, (actual spending might be lower,) we need to contribute $12,285 before March 31; $6,143 per week. The first week of March, Friends contributed $3,702. The second week,$1,410. Last week, $1,152. Thank you! If you would like to automate your contributions, please talk to Suzanne Ferguson, receiving treasurer. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the Meeting in all manner of ways.

The end of March 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.

Minneapolis Friends for Climate Stability will host a community building/planning meeting at the meetinghouse this coming Tues, March 26th, 6 PM. Bring your own bag supper. You don’t have to be a political animal to be part of this process. Everyone is welcome. Please come!

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.

Lunch Bunch will meet Wed, March 27th, 11:45 at Presbyterian Homes, 10030 Newton Ave So, 11:30. RSVP to Barbara by Tues, March 26th. If you are available in the middle of the day, consider coming! It’s a great opportunity to deepen relationships with and bring news to those not able to come to worship every Sunday.

The George and Elizabeth Watson Memorial Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, April 2 with a new starting time of 7:30 pm. We will finish before 9 pm. We will read Chapter 2 entitled, “Are Quakers Christian?” together so you do not have to read it ahead of time. Nancy Helfrich will lead the discussion.

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.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Friends School is seeking teachers for next year. Applications due April 1. More posted, middle section, bulletin board.

An unprogrammed worship in NE Minneapolis is offered on the fifth Fri evenings – the next one is this coming Fri, at 6:45 followed by a community meal at 7:30; Grace Center for Community Life, 1500 – 6th Str NE.

The 2013 Friends General Conference Gathering, “At the Growing Edges of our Faith,” will be held 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. Meetings recognize that Friends find the Gathering spiritually nourishing and exciting, bringing a fuller sense of what it means to be a Quaker. Scholarships available. Programs are on the elevator table, financial support details are 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.

Friends School of MN Plant Sale is coming. Volunteers are needed: FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com .

OFFICE HOURS

Pat Jones will leave for vacation late morning today and will return to work Wed, April 3.
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.