July 14, 2013

10:00 AM worship (semi-programmed): there is no planned speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; care of meeting: Connie Archbald and Carolyn VandenDolder

11:00 AM worship with attention to business: Ranae Hanson, clerk; Tom Ward, recording clerk

TODAY

Child care today is in the lower level with Susie Kanemitsu.

Minneapolis Sister Cities Day Celebration and Ice Cream Social is TODAY, July 14th, 1-5 at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. This free family event features entertainment (dancing and live music!), activities, ice cream and refreshments (while supplies last) in celebration of our sister cities: Santiago, Chile; Kuopio, Finland; Ibaraki City, Japan; Novosibirsk, Russia; Tours, France; Harbin, China; Uppsala, Sweden; Eldoret, Kenya; Cuernavaca, Mexico and Najaf, Iraq.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. They are to decide this Wed whether or not to allow Enbrige to run even more tar sands oil through their pipe which crosses northern MN. The meeting is at 121 Seventh Place E., Suite 350 in St. Paul. They will consider this issue sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

The Quaker women’s group will meet this Wed, July 17th, 12:30 PM at Twin Cities Friends Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul). Discussion on writing about family relationships and related topics. If you are free in the middle of the day, you are welcome! Bring cookies or fruit to share and a mug for coffee or tea, (hot drinks provided,) and a bag lunch, if you wish.

Minneapolis Friends for Climate Stability will host a discussion next Sunday, July 21st, after the rise of worship until about noon. The topic: How have you (or people you know) been affected by climate change? All are invited. We extend a special welcome to those who resist thinking about the topic. Meet downstairs; light refreshments offered.

Friends are needed to help prepare and serve the Loaves and Fishes dinner on fifth Monday, July 29th. The meal is served at Holy Rosary Church, 2424 – 18th Ave So. The shifts are: 2:30-4:30, cooking (5 needed); 4:45-6:45, serving (10 needed); 5:30-7:00, clean-up (5 needed). Also needed, 20 batches of cookies (4 dozen to a batch), delivered to the meetinghouse on the 28th, or brought to Holy Rosary by 5:00 on the 29th. (Fruit / cookies or bars on the healthier side encouraged!) Help needed in all areas! Sign up on the sheet by the bulletins.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Average contributions of $9,725 per month ($2431 per week) are needed to meet our budget. In June, $5941.32 was contributed to the general budget; an average of $1485.33 per week.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is changing the lives of Minnesotans! This is a testimonial from an AVP participants: “When I showed up, I saw the volunteers. Most were women and small compared to me, a guy who is 6’3”, 210 pounds. They were so kind and didn’t show any fear. They treated us like humans. After the weekends and then becoming a facilitator, I had really learned that violence was more than physical – it could be verbal. Suddenly the way I talked to people even changed. Knowing that these people could do this, that they had the respect and they carried their lives in what seemed to be a very nonviolent way. I wanted that to be mine. I started communicating more positively and really, in a way I think, made all my relationships stronger…” -Always Aaron
If you want to be a part of this movement, creating change in our community, contact AVP at avp.jvang(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com or call (651) 644-5851. You can also visit FNVW.org . AVP is a program of Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW).

Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) believes it is time for President Obama to lead a serious unilateral initiative on reducing US nuclear weapons. FNVW members are urged to e-mail the President and call for the U.S. to unilaterally:
reduce its strategic nuclear warheads, regardless of any decisions by Russia; formally renounce a policy of first use on nuclear weapons; pursue Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. E-mail President Obama at: www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments . An excellent opinion article, Letting Go of Our Nukes, offers background information: nytimes.com/2013/07/07/opinion/sunday/letting-go-of-our-nukes.html?ref=global&_r=1&

MN350 will hold an open meeting this Wed, July 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Kenwood Community Center, 2101 Franklin Ave, Mpls. Newcomers welcome! There will be a briefing on the climate movement and information on how to join it. (Climate change can bring up despair. That can be worked with too!) Laughter and snacks promised.

Our Muslim neighbors are preparing for Ramadan and will host a series of open houses at area mosques. Ramadan is the month in which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset to learn compassion, self-restraint and generosity. Each evening the fast is broken with a meal called Iftar. If you would like to participate in an Iftar dinner and conversation, registration is required: mnchurches.org, (click on “Register to Attend Taking Heart Ramadan Dinners”.) Dates: July 18, 22, 24, 25 and August 1.

Nightingales Annual Summer Gathering: Fri, July 26 – Sun, July 28, at the home of Susan and Lee Greenler in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Nightingales are mostly Quakers, mostly from WI and MN, who gather to sing over a weekend three times a year. Anyone who likes to sing is welcome – it’s okay to come for part of the weekend. Food will be potluck – meals prepared from everyone’s food contributions.

People Camp 2013 is coming, Sun, Aug 11 – Sat, Aug 17, Northern Pines Camp, near Park Rapids, MN. People Camp, a program of Friends for a Non-Violent World, is an experience of cooperation, community living, and exploration of ideas and issues – for adults, teens, and children. Workshops, children’s program, recreation, education. Years ago many Mpls Friends attended. Want to go again? Or try it for the first time? Registration form and brochure available: fnvw.org . If you have never attended, take a look at the brochure and go this year!

American Friends Service Committee seeks a Midwest Regional Director, headquartered in Chicago and covering twelve states; one of four regions that together oversee all AFSC activities in the U.S. Submit resume and cover letter by Sun, July 28th. Details posted on the long bulletin board or at: jobs-afsc.icims.com/jobs/1274/regional-director.

OFFICE HOURS
Pat Jones will be in the office on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sunday.
Carolyn Sherer VandenDolder, the Admin Assistant, will be in Wed. afternoon and Fri. Bulletin deadline, noon Thurs. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office, emailed or written and placed in the bulletin file in the blue box.