April 9, 2017

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 AM meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of worship, Tom Ward

9:45 AM worship with attention to business: Ranae Hanson, acting clerk; Tom Ward, recording clerk

11:15 AM meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Stefanie Shryock, speaker; musician: Nancy Lichtenstein; care of meeting, Clifford Goltz

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

The meeting has appointed an ad hoc Transition Committee to develop a process to assist Meeting with the transition as Pat Jones retires. After a brief first meeting, the committee met a second time March 27th. We reviewed Meeting activities to date regarding a transition, explored assumptions around this process and the committee’s charge, and briefly discussed possible ways to move forward. We are clear that we are not a decision-making group but will shepherd a process for Meeting. Tom Wells will give an update at monthly meeting today and will ask for guidance on a time line for the committee’s work. Committee members: Tom, Jeannette, Renae, Roland, Maddi, and Evelyn.

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday, April 16, at 10:15: Share a cup of coffee and your Quaker story. If you are a newcomer, what drew you to the Meeting? If you’ve been here awhile, why do you keep coming back? Facilitated by Jim Lovestar and Keitha Herron from Welcoming and Outreach Committee.

Haven’t signed up for the Minneapolis Meeting Google Group yet? Find guidelines at minneapolisfriends.org in the “How To” section. Emails sent so far include notice of a program on hope with Ted Bowman, sanctuary training, and a green mutual fund.

Read and discuss Out of the Silence: Quaker Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counseling with the Watson Reading Group Thurs, April 20th at 7 PM in the conference room. No need to read ahead! One-times and regulars – everyone is welcome!

Peace and Social Concerns Committee would like to sponsor someone from MFM to represent our community at the DC People’s Climate March April 29th, covering the $280 cost. Bus transportation organized by MN350.org. Let the office or P&SC know if you are interested.

Finding, Following, and Sharing Your Social Justice Leading: Peace and Social Concerns Committee asks F(f)riends to complete a five question worksheet – providing you with an opportunity to think about your leadings more deeply and helping the committee better support you, and build a directory of social justice issues. You can fill out the worksheet online at tinyurl.com/mfmleadings. Paper copies are on the bulletin table.

Fall Camp Committee has sent out an email survey to those who attended Fall Camp 2016. The committee is trying to make sure to address any concerns about the facility, and make Fall Camp 2017 as terrific as possible! Look for the survey in your inbox, coming from Wina, and please reply. Never gone to camp and want to say why? You may call Wina to take the survey or talk over issues, or simply approach someone from the committee here. And everyone, mark your calendars for September 30-October 1, and plan to come to Fall Camp 2017!

Jim invites Friends to join him for Good Friday worship at 6:00 PM on April 14th. Semi-programmed worship – reading of St. Matthew’s passion and planned music of spirituals – with a simple meal to follow. RSVP helpful so Jim can plan, but not necessary for participation.

Yom Ha’Shoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day observance, here at MFM, Sun, April 23rd, 2:00. Quakers performed deeds of courage, conviction, and compassion during one of the darkest periods in history. Learn more in a talk by Judith Eisner, and listen to Yiddish music for meditation on violins, mandolin, bass, and tsimbl. Donations accepted for Doctors Without Borders. Simple lunch provided after 11:15 worship and before the concert for MFM Friends who RSVP to Carolyn. Can’t make it Sun? Twin Cities Mtg is offering the same program on Fri, Apr 21st, 7 PM, in St. Paul.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Friends School of MN seeks names of local Quakers to consider for service on its School Committee or standing committees. School Committee is responsible for the governance of the school, stewardship of the mission and sustainability of the school, strategic thinking, and policy development. Standing committees address issues such as donor development, the financial health of the school, the Quaker identity of the school, and equity and justice. FSM would like to draw on the resources within the Quaker community to further develop FSM’s Quaker identity and to deepen connections between the school and local meetings. Forward recommendations, suggestions, or volunteer yourself to Cathy (co-clerk of the Committee on Trustees and Twin Cities Meeting attender) by TOMORROW.

Sign up to volunteer at the Friends School Plant Sale, May 12-14! FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com Plant catalogues are available.

NorthernYearly Meeting High School Retreat in Eau Claire, WI, Fri, April 21st – Sun, April 23rd. Theme: Living Equality and Equity in a Personal and Global Perspective. RSVP by Wed. April 19th to Brianna.

Friends General Conference Gathering, July 2 – 9 at Niagara University, Niagara Fall, NY registration has begun. Some advance programs are scattered around the meetinghouse. See more at fgcquaker.org/connect/gathering

Pendle Hill: register now for Expanding Democracy in an Age of Polarization and Resistance. With the shift in the political landscape has come the possibility for real alternatives to business as usual. Lifelong activists and social change theorists Ricardo Levins Morales and George Lakey with leaders of new dynamic movements will demonstrate how to organize for a deeper and more inclusive democracy. May 11-14; sliding scale fee: pendlehill.org/learn/expanding-democracy-conference .

Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas, is organizing a volunteer corps of Spanish- and English-speaking Friends to send as traveling ministers throughout the Section, crossing Yearly Meeting lines and other divisions among Friends. FWCC seeks Friends who express concerns that are deeply rooted in the Spirit and who can transcend differences and division to seek broader unity in the Light. FWCC will provide training, support, and accountability for those Friends who are chosen to travel in this ministry. Funding is available to support the travel expenses of the traveling ministry corps members. First round applications due by Sept 30. More at travelingministry(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fwccamericas.org. Monthly and Yearly Meetings in the Americas can request a traveling ministry visit.

Love to sing? Nightingales, mostly Quakers from WI and MN, gather over a weekend three times a year to sing. The spring gathering, open to newcomers, is Fri, April 21 – Sun, April 23 at Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek, WI. Details posted.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Join hundreds of Minnesotans for the People’s Climate March, April 29th. Gather in Washington, DC with people from all walks of life to organize, to build power, to confront the fossil fuel industry, and to continue the shift to a just, safe, peaceful world. Bus / housing information and more at: mnipl.org/take-action/people-s-climate-march-2

Linden Hills UCC will be holding a rapid response training on Tues, April 25, 6:30-8:00 covering best practices when documenting ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity and raids. The training is also good for anyone supporting sanctuary and wanting to get an idea of the situation on the ground for our neighbors who are undocumented or whose documentation is under threat. 4200 Upton Ave. S. Mpls.

Fundraiser for Syrian Refugees with Hello Psychaleppo, Pocket of Resistance, and special guests, organized by Committee in Solidarity with the People of Syria (CISPOS); Fri, April 28th; 6–10:30pm; 274 Fourth St E, St Paul. More at: goldenslowertown.com/event/fundraiser-for-syrian-refugees

Create a Weather-Resilient yard. Metro Blooms Workshops are being offered, giving an overview of MN’s changing weather patterns and ways to mitigate the impact on your yard – options for mowables, native alternatives, turf, raingarden basics, other resilient yard practices. April 18th at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Mpls, and May 24th at the Edina Public Works Building. See metroblooms.org for full listing or call 651-699-2426.

OFFICE HOURS
Pat Jones will be in the office Wed. from 2:00-5:00 and other times Wed, Thurs, Fri. and Sat.