December 24, 2017

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Roland Barrett; Keith Herron (mic)

10:15 – 11:00 Carol sing! Bring voices and other musical instruments and make a joyful noise! Potluck finger-food treats and hot and cold drinks too.

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Stephen Snyder, speaker; Kate Coon and Mary Snyder, musicians; care of meeting, Carolyn VandenDolder; Judith James (mic)

Lo, in the silent night a child to God is born
And all is brought again that ere was lost or lorn.
Could but thy soul, dear friend, become a silent night!
God would be born in thee and set all things aright.
–15th Century anonymous

The Winter Envelope Gift is a one-time gift, outside of the general budget, that Minneapolis Meeting makes to chosen organizations. This year’s organizations will be equal beneficiaries of this year’s gift and are:

– Tuscon Samaritans: Tuscon Samaritans provide water, food, and medical aid to migrants crossing the Sonoran Desert in southern AZ. Volunteers travel the desert daily, offering emergency assistance and traveler packs with items needed for survival. Donations purchase food, water, medical supplies, baby care items, vehicle repair.

– Fondo de Resiliencia (Puerto Rico Resilience Fund): The Resilience Fund is a grassroots organization powering local / regional food systems based on sustainable farming practices. Since Hurricane Maria, they are redirecting their efforts toward food and relief for farmers affected by the devastation. This organization was selected over other hurricane relief organizations because they provide support as directly to the people of Puerto Rico as possible, rather than going through a large international organization.

– Line 3 Resistance (Camp Makwa): Camp Makwa is an Anishinaabeg-led group of water protectors dedicated to stopping the construction of the Line 3 tar sands pipeline using non-violent direct action. The Line 3 camp has received less support and publicity than the Standing Rock camp did last year and our donation can be especially meaningful given the lack of media attention.

Makes checks out to Minneapolis Meeting with “Winter Envelope Gift” in the memo line and placed in offering boxes.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Those for whom losses are keenly felt during the Christmas season and those who are feeling isolated.

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

The Nominating Committee will soon begin work for the upcoming year. Please help forward the work of the committee by responding to phone calls and emails inviting you to be part of the Meeting’s work and life. If you would like to become more involved in Minneapolis Meeting, participating in committee work is an excellent way to meet people and learn more about how the Meeting functions. If you would like to know more about committees or the work they do, questions or interests may be directed to Doug, Annamary, Gayle, or Ed. Thank you for your commitment to MFM.

Celebrate the New Year in a meaningful way with a potluck after semi-programmed worship (around 1) NEXT Sun, Dec 31st at Susie’s home, just a few blocks from the meetinghouse! Susie lived in Japan for many years and wishes to share some of the special ways the New Year is celebrated there, including beautiful decorations, noodle soup (believed to give you a long life!), a fun poetry game, music, and lovely wooden plaques where wishes for the New Year are written. Enjoy food, Japanese culture, and each other and share your wishes for the New Year. RSVP by Sun, Dec 24th. Adults only, please.

Dick Magraw, a loved member of the Meeting since the 1950’s, died on Nov 30th. A memorial service will be held at the meetinghouse on January 6 at 1:00. If you are able to help with arrangements and / or the reception following the service, please contact Tom or Nancy.

Interested in trying Experiment with Light meditations with a small group from the Meeting? Let Diane know. On-going groups will be configured in Jan.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Come to the Young Adult Friends dinner! The vegan dinner will be at Matthew and Hillis’s cat-filled house at 6:30 p.m. on Fri, Jan 5th. In a break from tradition, we will not be hosting worship, but simply a dinner. We’re excited to have you come! We have a NEW address, close to both the blue and green lines and very accessible by bus, but difficult to find from the street. Call if you can’t find it. Our house is now a sober space, so please do NOT bring any alcohol. RSVPs heartily encouraged.

Northern Yearly Meeting (NYM) continues to search for a High School Coordinator to provide programming (three retreats and programming at annual sessions) and help NYM High School youth find/participate in new experiences related to spiritual development, service, and leadership. This is a paid, part-time position. Individuals are encouraged to consider if they might be led to share this position, (for instance, by having one person handle the bulk of the administrative duties and another leading the actual retreats.) Details and application information can be found here.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

ISAIAH, Faith in Democracy, will co-host Seeing All God’s Children: An Interfaith Service Embracing Immigrants and Refugees on Sun, Jan 7th at 1 pm, at the Basilica of St Mary, 17th and Hennepin, Mpls. Testimony, prayer and special music and will serve to help remind us of our common bond and dignity as beloved children of God. RSVP here.

Take the next step of resistance: Refuse to fund the destructive military budget with your taxes. Minnesota War Tax Resisters is hosting a gathering to discuss the various methods and consequences of tax resistance and ways to redirect refused taxes to peaceful endeavors. Sun, Jan 21st, 3:30-5 pm at the Wedge Table, 2412 Nicollet Ave, Mpls FFI: Paying4Peace(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com or Paying4Peace on Facebook.

OFFICE HOURS: Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wednesday through Friday, 12:00-4:00. Phone messages will be checked daily. 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.