July 20, 2014

10:00 AM meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Barbara Mohr, speaker; Kathy Webster, musician; care of meeting, Dave Bostrom and Tom Ward

In the Quaker practice of group worship on the basis of silence come special times when an electric hush and solemnity and depth of power steals over the worshipers. A blanket of divine covering comes over the room, and a quickening Presence pervades us, breaking down some part of the special privacy and isolation of our individual lives and bonding our spirits within a super-individual Life and Power–an objective, dynamic Presence which enfolds us all, nourishes our souls, speaks glad, unutterable comfort within us, and quickens in us depths that had before been slumbering. The Burning Bush has been kindled in our midst, and we stand together on holy ground.

from “The Gathered Meeting” by Thomas R. Kelly

TODAY

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

Episodes of Years of Living Dangerously will be shown here at the meetinghouse: Episodes 6 and 7 will play TONIGHT, July 20, at 6:30; Episodes 8 and 9 will be shown at 6:30 this Wed, July 23. There will be time for discussion and comment both Sunday and Wednesday. Please come to watch, learn, and support one another in understanding what we can do to minimize our damage to the planet, assist in its healing and adapt to what the future holds for us and the species that surround us.

MEETING MATTERS/CALENDAR

Three people are needed to host/bring snacks for coffee and conversation on August 17th and two are needed August 31st. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin table. Sign up to make this time of informal conversation and connection possible. See Judith or Sandy with questions.

Minneapolis Friends Meeting is looking for someone (or perhaps two people to share the paid job) to clean the meetinghouse on a weekly basis. Hours are flexible, four-five a week. Speak with Joseph or Pat.

Save the date! August 27: Four Rivers Friends (formerly known as the Metro Friends Coordinating Committee) picnic will be held at the Minnehaha Falls Wabun picnic area. More info to follow.

Phena and Joseph thank Friends who got their country on by helping with the community day out at the farm! “It was a great day for people just to gather and listen to each other and play music. Thank you for those who played the instruments, sang songs and read poems. What a great way for friends to gather!!!! Thanks to Annette Smith and Jim Lovestar for organizing the event.” Phena is happy to continue working on the vision of community among Friends, inspired by Nancy Peterson, with anyone interested.

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Please give as you are able.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

People Camp is just around the corner! People Camp is a program of Friends for a NonViolent World and offers an experience of cooperation, community living, and exploration of ideas and issues – and it’s fun!! If you have never experienced People Camp, please consider coming this year! Sun, Aug 10th – Sat, Aug 16th at Northern Pines Camp, near Park Rapids, MN. Details and documents at fnvw.org – go to programs and scroll to People Camp, learn more.

Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) will hold annual sessions this week, July 22-27 at Scattergood Friends School in West Branch IA. A tentative agenda and registration are posted. Some Mpls Friends Meeting people are going.

Iowa Yearly Meeting (Friends United Meeting) will hold annual sessions Wed, July 30th – Sat, August 2nd at William Penn University and College Avenue Friends Church, Oskaloosa, IA. Schedule and registration can be found at iaym.org .

Earlham School of Religion will host their annual Quaker Leadership Conference, “Leading as Servants in the Manner of Friends,” August 15-17, featuring keynote presentations from Alan Kolp and Ann Riggs and a workshop with Gayle McJunkin! Registration and payment form available on-line at esr.earlham.edu/news-events/events/leadership-reg2014

Read what Quaker voices recommend around the crises on the United States border and in Palestine/Israel on the American Friends Service Committee’s website. Click on Key Issues to find action alerts with things you can do to help address these heart breaking situations. Friends Committee on National Legislation has also been following and advising on these issues for decades. Both organizations offer insight and constructive ideas for resolution: afsc.org and fcnl.org

Every Church a Peace Church’s next potluck and program is TOMORROW, July 21st — 6:30 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 29th St and 32nd Ave So, Mpls. John Keller, Executive Director of Immigrant Law Center of MN, will speak on “Immigration Reform: A Christian Response.”

During Ramadan (June 28-July 28, 2014), Muslims observe a month of daytime fasting, breaking their fast with a meal when the sun sets. The MN Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of MN have arranged open houses at mosques where non-Muslims are invited to this fast-breaking dinner, or Iftar. Find dates, locations and register to join your neighbors for a meal at mnchurches.org/respectfulcommunities/interfaithprogramming/takingheart/registration. This is a unique opportunity for people who have never visited a mosque before to attend a dinner at a mosque in their neighborhood.

Fruitful and Multiplying: The Overpopulation Exhibit, artwork which hopes to encourage understanding and engagement around the issue and many global effects of overpopulation, is at the Minneapolis Public Library until July 31st.

Twin Cities Friends Meeting is having an Art Fair at their meetinghouse in St. Paul on Sat, Sept 13th. Artists are asked to donate 10% of their sales. This event offers a wonderful way to share another side of ourselves with each other. So far, there are nineteen talented Friends who are interested in participating, mostly from TCFM. If you are interested, call Fran Martinson at 651-484-7966, or email Brianna McMichael or Richard Fuller at fair(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)tcfm.org; OR, if you know of a someone from one of the other area meetings that we might approach, please let us know. More at: quakercofe.ning.com/events-activities. Others helpers are needed – cashiers, set-up / clean-up folks, etc. Join the fun by contacting the Friends listed above!

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.