December 25, 2016

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

10:00 AM meeting for worship: Stephen and Mary Snyder, musicians; care of meeting, Gayle McJunkin and Judith James

11:00 AM caroling and hymn singing: Stephen Snyder, pianist

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Next Sunday, Jan 1st, at the 10:15 mid-morning program: designed for all ages, queries on home and family – small groups, art materials and more. Led by Mary Snyder.

A threshing session will be held Sat., Jan 7th at 10 am to consider possible ways forward for the Meeting at the time of Pat Jones’ retirement. 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.

Friendly Home Meals are again being organized by the Welcoming and Outreach Committee 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 sheets are on the lobby table. Sign-up deadline is January 15. Contact Keitha with questions.

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.

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.