October 27, 2013

9:00 AM meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, John Stuart

10:15 AM Mary Jean Port will talk briefly about Minneapolis Friends for Climate Stability, John Stuart will talk about the George and Elizabeth Watson Memorial Discussion Group, and Gib Pellet will talk about the Friendly Philosophers group. Time for questions and discussion. All three groups hope new people will attend.

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

Life is filled with wonder, but most of it we miss. We are surrounded by mystery, but we are quick to find the simple explanations. The ground beneath our feet is firm, yet we keep trying to find something to hold onto.
— source unknown

What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the winter time.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
— Crowfoot, a Blackfoot chief

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Quaker Quest: that we are faithful witnesses to God’s grace, love and presence; that we are discovered by those whose relationship with the Divine might be encouraged and nurtured by being part of this community; that we be authentic.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

Next week, all are welcome to the monthly Sunday potluck lunch. Please label your pot-luck item/s with ingredients (including noting saltiness!) and bring plenty so that there will be enough for visitors or those unable to contribute.

If you are new to the Meeting and Quakerism, we hope you will be able to attend Quaker Quest sessions, the next one this Tues night. The series will start again on Sun afternoons beginning Nov 3. Take a flyer with the schedule for yourself and maybe one to give a friend.
Everyone who comes to Meeting is encouraged to bring any friend who might be interested in “sampling” Quaker life and worship. Pass on flyers and invite or bring someone!

The third Quaker Quest session, Quakers and Integrity, is this Tues, Oct. 29th, 7-9:00. The presenters are Jane Furnas, Terry Hokenson and Jeannette Raymond. Last week’s session had 40 attending, 10 of whom were new. It was a precious opportunity to get to know the panelists, to talk with visitors and one another. Thank you to everyone who has labored with this endeavor!

White Envelope Gift recipient ideas are being sought. The WEG is a special, one-time, designated collection that happens each December. Information for suggested candidates needs to be given to Ranae, Roland or Nancy as soon as possible. There is also a White Envelope Gift file in the blue box where suggestions may be left.

Next Sunday, Nov. 3, at 10:15 adult program, Jim Lovestar will speak: “I’ve come a long way in my relationship to race. From a naive 18-year-old Marine to a still more naive than I’d like 63-year-old Quaker loving in North Minneapolis. I’ll offer a few stories and invite you to join me in considering some questions I’m looking at in my life.

Friendly Philosophers meet at 10:15 every first Sunday (including next Sun!) and every Thurs evening, 7:00, at Gib’s: Bush Terrace Condos: 4014 – 15th Ave. So, Mpls. Everyone welcome!

Save the Date: Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW) Holiday Fair, Fri, Dec 6, 1:00 -9:00 and Sat, Dec 7, 10:00 – 4:00. You are invited and please, invite family, friends, and neighbors to this annual festive event! Great vendors, scrumptious meals, and wonderful live music! FNVW receives 100% profit on all books, crafts, and Value Board items!
CRAFTS: Food items tend to sell well, but sew, knit, or paint to your hearts content! No plants please.
BOOKS: The Book Loft is a huge success each year and needs used books in good shape. Call FNVW offices, 651-917-0383, for drop off times and places.
VALUES BOARD: Donate or solicit gift certificates from stores, restaurants, or theaters you patron. One quick trip and FNVW gets 100% of the selling price!

The George and Elizabeth Watson Memorial Discussion Group will recommence, meeting monthly starting Wed, Nov 13th, 7:00, here at the meetinghouse. There is NO HOMEWORK–we will resume reading Letters to a Fellow Seeker.

Nancy Lichtenstein and the Ariel Trio will perform TODAY at 2:00 at Woodbury Methodist Church. All are welcome!

Judith is doing a memorial altered book for Nancy, a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book in appearance and/or meaning. (Sample on the library table.) Pages need to be 8″ X 5″. Working deadline is sometime in Feb so everyone who wants to, will have time to complete a page.

Fred Harding will participate in a panel discussion on Frac Sand mining in MN at 7 pm, this Tues, Oct 29, at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple Str, Mahtomedi (near east shore of White Bear Lake). Refreshments at 6:30 pm. See mahtomedigreen.org/frac-sand-mining-could-it-happen-here/.

David Zarembka will speak on “Peacemaking after Deadly Conflict: Healing and Reconciliation in Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Congo, and Kenya” 7:00 pm, this Wed, Oct. 30th, here at the meetinghouse. Hear about positive outcomes of the
Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in East Africa. David will also speak at the Interim Sessions in Eau Claire (416 Niagara St., Eau Claire) Friday night. More about David at: www.davidzarembka.com/bio.htm .

Northern Yearly Meeting Fall Interim Session – next weekend, Nov 1-2 in Eau Claire. Mark Helpsmeet has hospitality details and schedule information (helpsmeet(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)usa.net). David Zarembka will be speaking on Fri night! Carolyn is going, if you are interested in carpooling. All are welcome!

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 September, $4,893.44 was contributed to the general budget; an average of $1,223.36 per week. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the Meeting in all manner of ways.

OUR QUAKER WIDER COMMUNITY

Are you interested in connecting with other Quakers in the US about the role that Quakers can and should play in the world of business? Would you like to be able talk to Friends who have a Friendly business point of view? Would you like to encourage young Friends to go into business? Convey your interest by completing a short survey (surveymonkey.com/s/PKDYJGD) so a group can begin to be organized.

The White Privilege Self-Study Group, open to new members, will continue meeting on fourth Mons including tomorrow, Mon, Oct 28, 7-9 pm, at Twin Cities Friends Meeting. Systemic racism is the current focus.

Friends School of MN invites you to a Bluegrass Spectacular gala, Sat, Nov 9 at the Woman’s Club of Mpls. Music from Hey Lonesome, cash bar, themed buffet, silent auction offerings – all to support FSMN! See development(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fsmn.org for registration information. RSVP needed by Nov 1.

Climate Change: Where Faith Leads Us, Sat, Nov 2, 8:30—4:00. The environment, science and the role of faith during times of drastic change. Sponsored by Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), IA Yearly Meeting (Conservative) and Scattergood Friends School. Held at Scattergood, near West Branch, IA. For more: 1-319-643-7600 or development(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)scattergood.org .

Exploring what worked about the Quaker involvement for marriage equality and how we might build on that experience, refocus, and apply it to other justice and social change work, gather for a Pivot presentation, Nov 11, 6:30-8:30 pm, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, 1671 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Liz Oppenheimer, facilitator.

A Quaker Youth Pilgrimage to Bolivia and Peru is planned for July -August, 2014! A group of 16-18 year-olds will travel, worship and work together, experiencing the diversity of Friends’ traditions and strengthening their relationship with God as they explore the regions and meet the Quakers of South America. Pilgrims and adult leaders sought! Leaders, apply by Nov 15 (preference for bilingual English / Spanish skills); pilgrims, apply by Dec 1 (Spanish skills helpful but not a prerequisite.) More at fwccamericas.org/QYP-Andes.shtml

An unprogrammed worship in NE Minneapolis is being held on the fifth Fri evenings – the next one Nov 29th at 6:45 followed by a community meal at 7:30; Grace Center for Community Life, 1500 – 6th Str NE.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

The St. Paul Interfaith Network is offering one more dialogue on Honoring Our Children: Equity and Excellence in Education: tomorrow, Mon., Oct 28, “Early Childhood Literacy vs. Prison Seats,” 6:30-9:00 pm, New Main’s Great Hall, Metro State University, 700 E 7th St, St. Paul. FFI: www.spinterfaith.org . American Friends Service Committee’s Healing Justice director, Sharon Goens-Bradley, has helped plan the series and expects to be at the event.

Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, will present “Dead Man Walking – the Journey Continues” on Fri, Nov 8 at 7, Church of the Annunciation, 509 W 54th Str. in Mpls. Sr. Helen Prejean will speak on her ministry to abolish the death penalty in the US. Refreshments and book signing follow the talk. A poster is on the long bulletin board.

Every Church a Peace Church will host a potluck and discussion on Nov 11, 6:30 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 1000 Long Lake Road in New Brighton. The program: An Introduction to Nonviolent Peaceforce and Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping. Ann Warner and Thor Wagstrom are local leaders of this international organization. The U.S. office is located in Minneapolis.

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and Minnesotans for Responsible Lending and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mpls, are convening a summit to raise awareness about predatory payday lending in MN, Nov 14, 3:30-8:00 pm. Briefing and discussion. Your presence – and your voice – needed for success! RSVP: Emily Shimkus: emily(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)jrlc.org, 612-230-3234.

Overcoming Racism Conference, Nov 15-16, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. Register by Oct 15 for a discounted early bird rate: overcomingracism.org/2013/registration.html

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.