September 1, 2013

10:00 AM meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Anne Lawton and Clifford Goltz

TODAY

Everyone is warmly invited to the potluck at the rise of worship today – whether or not you brought food. It is a time of relaxed fellowship, good food and good conversation. If able, please label your pot-luck item/s with ingredients or your name so that those with allergies, sodium restrictions, vegetarians, etc, can be comfortable participating.

Farewell to Judy as she re-settles in Duluth. This is Judy’s last Sunday worshiping with us. We are so grateful to have had you as a part of Minneapolis Friends Meeting for the last few years!

All parents, teachers, and Minneapolis Friends are invited to share thoughts about the first day school program during today’s potluck. Fresh ideas welcome as we seek paths to strengthen the community of children and young adults, avenues of service, and meaningful curriculum supporting Quaker history and testimonies. Meet in the Middler room.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

The Alternatives to Violence Project workshop at Hennepin Men’s Workhouse next weekend, September 6-8.

MEETING MATTERS/CALENDAR

When Friends have time-sensitive announcements that pertain to the entire Meeting, please give these announcements at least five minutes before worship, in writing, to the people who have care of the meeting. Friends are encouraged to place announcements in the printed bulletin rather than making them aloud after worship. Bulletin deadline is Thurs. noon.

The preliminary Quaker Quest session is NEXT SUNDAY, Sept 8, from 9:00 am to 3:15 pm. Please remember to come earlier than our recent start time of 10:00. Coffee at 9:00; worship 9:30-10:00. Everyone is welcome at worship – even if you cannot stay for the Quaker Quest program. Friends are invited to a potluck dinner with Rachel and Kristen, the Friends General Conference Quaker Quest session facilitators, Sat, Sept 7, 5:00, 5136 York Ave So, Minneapolis. RSVP (nice but not required!) to Carolyn.

Roadway warning for next Sunday: Lake Harriet Parkway and Lake Calhoun Parkway will be closed from 6:30am to 12:30pm for the City of Lakes 25K and 5K.

The fall schedule begins Sept 15: 9 – unprogrammed worship; 10:15 – adult program; 11:15 – first day school and semi-programmed worship. First day school officially begins Sunday, September 15! This community of learners is open to any child or young adult, age 5 – 15. The time will be the same as last year, during the 11:15 semi programmed worship. Registration forms are available on the table by the elevator.

Minneapolis Friends for Climate Stability will meet on Sun, Sept 15th, at 12:30 (after worship). Light refreshments will be offered. This informal group attempts to work on climate issues from a Quaker perspective and came together in response to climate stability concerns that arose in worship. Are you led to work on this issue too? Everyone is welcome.

The Twin Cities Friends Mtg White Privilege Self-Study Group plans to reconvene on Mon Sept 23, 7:00-9:00 pm. It will meet monthly on fourth Mondays, beginning with a focus on systemic racism. This group is open. Place TBA.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Average contributions of $9,725 per month ($2,431 per week) are needed to meet our budget. In August, $3,894.00 was contributed to the general budget; an average of $973.50 per week. If you would like to consider automating your contributions, ensuring a more regular flow of funds to meet the Meeting’s operating expenses, please talk to Mike or Suzanne, receiving treasurers.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Annie and Peter Blood-Patterson, musicians and song-writers and creators of the widely-known compilation songbook, “Rise up Singing,” will be featured at a Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) benefit sing-a-long at Twin Cities Friends Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul) this Sat, Sept 7 at 6:30 PM. First half hour, songs for children. $20 donation, (suggested.) Great music and fellowship!

From Friends for a Non-Violent World: FNVW has supported the Syrian nonviolent movement’s struggle from the beginning. Throughout this struggle FNVW has opposed the United States, any other country or organization, sending weapons and/or troops to any of the parties in the conflict. Today, more than ever, Friends for a NonViolent World affirms that the United States must remain solely committed to diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve this crisis. For the complete FNVW statement on Syria, see: nonviolent.nonprofitoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B8182BD6D-7C3B-4C35-B7F8-F4FD486C7CBD%7D/uploads/FNVW_Syria_Statement_8-29-13.pdf

From Friends Committee on National Legislation: The on-line version of the Friends Committee on National Legislation newsletter includes an article about the violence in Egypt and a call for letters to the editors of news media, “encouraging the administration to withdraw military aid from Egypt responsibly so that U.S. policy does not further undermine efforts for peace and stability in Egypt.” http://fcnl.org/resources/pubs/enews/082113/. In another action alert, FCNL urges people to write letters to President Obama about the need for a changed approach to Syria. Information and assistance here: http://www.capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=62857456&type=PR.

Quaker EarthCare Witness Steering Committee sessions will be October 24-27 in Chicago. This meeting will cover three areas: the impact of population growth on climate change, national climate change policy and politics, and dealing with climate change at the local level. All Friends are invited for some or all of the planned sessions. Climate change discussions will be Fri evening, Sat afternoon, and Sat evening. Prepared addresses and round-table discussion both. Registration opens at the end of August. Learn about QEW and join Friends who share a deep concern for the Earth. Please come! See the website for details: quakerearthcare.org/event/qew-steering-committee-annual-meeting-gathering.

OFFICE HOURS

Pat Jones will be in the office 2-5 on Wednesday and at other times 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.