December 18, 2016

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 AM meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Jeannette Raymond and (microphone,) Doug Herron

10:15 AM Christmas sing, coffee, cider, and pot-luck treats

11:15 AM meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Jane Furnas, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein and Kate Coon, musicians; care of meeting, Lolly Lijewski

“Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them you may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them to bless you.” – George Fox

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Schedule next Sunday, December 25th:
10:00 – worship (beginning with two hymns, then unprogrammed worship)
11:00 coffee and hymn-singing

The Envelope Gift is a designated, one-time, winter contribution, outside of the operating budget. This year’s gift recipients are Doctors Without Borders (in Haiti,) Standing Rock pipeline resistance, and Urban Homeworks (working in No Mpls to provide dignified housing opportunities, create space for construction training, intentionally weave together a network of engaged neighbors, and to mobilize volunteers.) Envelope Gift checks should be made out the Minneapolis Meeting with “Envelope Gift” in the memo line.

Liaison and Review Committee, in preparation for Pat Jones’ retirement, is planning a threshing session for Sat., Jan 7th at 10 am. When a Quaker community or Meeting faces a complex issue where there are likely to be differences of feeling or understanding, a threshing session, free from the necessity of reaching a decision, offers a time at which different, sometimes controversial, opinions can be openly expressed to help the process of mutual understanding – a time where, under God’s guidance, chaff might be threshed from the grain of truth, preparing the way for later action. Please plan to participate.

The Welcoming and Outreach Committee is again organizing Friendly Home Meals so we can get to know each other over a relaxed meal in a home. Groups of 5 or 6 people, of different configurations each month, will meet in Feb, March and April. Those who sign up to participate for all three months will be expected to host one meal in their home. Individuals and couples (including significant others) may sign up. If you are an individual who doesn’t have room to host, you are encouraged to find another Friend to sign up and co-host a meal with you. If you can’t participate for all three months, sign up as an “on call” participant to fill in as needed. Sign-up, starting today, on the sign up sheet on the lobby table. Sign-up deadline is January 15. For comments or questions, contact Keitha.

Friends Journal is hosting its fourth annual Student Voices Project. All Quaker middle school and high school students are welcome to participate! 2016-17 Student Voices Project prompt: Dear Mr. President. Write a letter to President-elect Donald J. Trump suggesting what you think he should focus on during his first year. Find more information on the website, including a list of six ideas to get started: friendsjournal.org/studentvoices. Handwritten as well as typed submissions accepted electronically or via post; 100-500 words; deadline, Feb. 13, 2017.

Might you be interested in serving as a Minneapolis Meeting representative to Northern Yearly Meeting? This involves participation at Northern Yearly Meeting annual sessions Memorial Day weekend in Rosholt WI and in NYM interim meetings in the autumn and spring. Pat, Carolyn or John can tell you more!

Jeff Naylor co-authored a Star Tribune commentary article available at: m.startribune.com/the-political-divide-two-neighbors-two-ideologies-but-common-ground/406382776/?section=opinion. Mary Jean Port offered planned vocal ministry at semi-programmed worship in October. What she said, “Darkness and Light” appears in the December issue of Friends Journal. A copy is on the library table.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Alternative to Violence Project is offering a Basic Workshop Fri, Jan 20th, Noon-8pm and Sat, Jan 21st from 9am-8pm at Twin Cities Friends Meetinghouse, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul. AVP workshops develop effective ways to deal with conflicts creatively and explore a variety of nonviolent solutions to many possible situations. Come realize your own power to transform conflicts and create solutions; learn nonviolent communications skills; enrich family and community relationships; practice living peace and justice. To Register, contact Hannah at 651-644-5851, fnvwhannah(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com; or register online at surveymonkey.com/r/VTZS9S5 . Cost is $150. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

American Friends Service Committee is developing work on Islamaphobia, and offers Five Things your Congregation Can Do to Stop Islamophobia at: afsc.org/5-things-your-congregation-can-do-to-stop-islamophobia

COMMUNITY EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE for the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition’s Day on the Hill, Thurs, Feb 23rd, 8:30-3:30. The JLRC is supported by the MN Council of Churches, the MN Catholic Conference, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Islamic Center of MN. Let your faith speak by lobbying for justice and dignity for all Minnesotans!

Please help warmly welcome new neighbors by donating to MN Council of Churches’ welcome kits, easing the strain of resettlement: shampoo, stock pots or sauce pans with lids, silverware, measuring cups and spoons, can openers, sharp kitchen knives, and tupperware with lids. For more: mnchurches.org/refugeeservices/get-involved/donation-needs.

TODAY: the MN chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ MN) will meet, 2:30-5:00 pm at Blake School, 511 Kenwood Pkwy, Mpls. Break-outs include #NoDAPL solidarity action group; and how to have difficult conversations about the presidential election.

Mayim Rabim has invited Odeh Muhawesh, a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of St. Thomas and a renowned scholar, will share his insights into the historical, cultural and theological underpinnings of the roots of extremism in Islamic communities, Sun, Feb 12th here at the meetinghouse. Everyone interested in the topic is welcome to attend. The time will soon be announced.

OFFICE HOURS

Pat Jones’ work week is Wed-Sun. She will be in the office Wed. from 2:00-5:00 and other times Wed, Thurs, Fri. and Sat.

Carolyn VandenDolder, the Administrative Assistant, will be in Wed. 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.