February 11, 2018

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:40 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Tom Ward

9:45 – 11:15 worship with attention to business: Linda Coffin, acting clerk; Stephen Snyder, recording clerk

11:15 – 12:00 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Mike Huber, speaker; care of meeting, Judith James

Mike Huber, Quaker Voluntary Service Director, will visit with Friends at a simple potluck TODAY at the rise of semi-programmed worship. Come with your questions about QVS or your interest in getting more involved!

A lobbyist from Friends Committee for Legislation is meeting with interested Friends TODAY, 1-4 at Twin Cities Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul) to develop and equip a cadre of Friends to regularly visit senators and representatives around issues of interest to Quakers. Make the best of your time and learn the most effective techniques of influencing legislators!

Housekeeping: It’s the season of grit, sand, salt and snow. Please clean your boots/shoes well upon entering the building.

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: Help set Friends Committee on National Legislation’s Action Priorities. Every two years, Quaker meetings across the country are asked to help set priorities for the lobbying work of FCNL. Doug will lead us in sorting out what Minneapolis Meeting Friends understand to be the priorities for the next legislative session.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MEETING ATTENDERS AND MEMBERS TO INFORM THE MEETING’S FUTURE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, Sat, Feb 24th, from 9:30 – noon at the meetinghouse. Please participate to inform the meeting’s next steps around its leadership structure. AGENDA: The ad hoc Transition Committee will summarize the community’s experience since Oct 1, 2017. The Friends gathered will further reflect on the experience and discuss possible next steps. The ad hoc committee will bring forward options to the March monthly meeting for business. Questions? Reflections on your experience in the Meeting since October? Ideas for the Feb 24th agenda? Please contact someone from the ad hoc Transition Committee directly or leave a message on the Meeting office phone and someone will get back to you. Committee members are Tom, Roland, Maddi, Renae, Jeannette and Evelyn.

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore Quakerism and what it means to be a Quaker by attending sessions offered Sun afternoons or Tues evenings in March. Whether you’ve been coming to meeting for years or have only just discovered it, please come lend your insights and help us get to know one another. Topics will be Quaker worship, testimonies, business process and Quakerism in daily life. Brief presentations followed by discussion; childcare provided. Flyers are available on the table by the elevator. You can sign up to attend and for childcare there also. Sessions are offered by Ministry and Counsel and Welcoming and Outreach Committees.

Read Out of the Silence: Quaker Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Watson reading group THIS Tues at 7 in the conference room. No need to read ahead – we’ll read together! One-timers and regulars – everyone is welcome!

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee will show The Mask You Live In at the meetinghouse at 7 PM on Tues, Feb 20th. The documentary explores how our culture’s definition of masculinity is harming our boys, men, and society at large and gives ideas of what can be done about it. The film is not suitable for children and teens under the age of 16.

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 6 and plan to spend the day with Friends at French Regional Park for Fall Together!

Friends are welcome to an evening with Prospect Hill Friends and Mike Huber, Director of Quaker Voluntary Service TONIGHT at Twin Cities Meeting. Worship at 4, forum at 5, and a potluck following at 6. Mike might also have time tomorrow or Tuesday to meet with those who wish. For more, talk to Minneapolis Meeting members of the working group – Lin, Judith, Ed, and Carolyn.

OPPORTUNITIES AMONG QUAKERS

Quaker Voluntary Service’s Minneapolis / St. Paul House is opening this autumn! Know a young adult (age 21-30) who is yearning for a year of exploration and spiritual growth? Encourage them to look at QVS! Application and references due March 15th QVS information is posted at the meetinghouse and online: quakervoluntaryservice.org .

Young Adult Opportunities with Friends Committee on National Legislation:
Spring Lobby Weekend (March 17-20, 2018) will draw some 450 young adults to Washington to be trained to lobby Congress on a just and fair immigration system.
Young Fellows Program (paid, full-time, late August 2018-July 2019) brings recent college grads to work full-time in our Washington, DC office learning how to change the world. Nearly 200 young adults have come through this program over the last 40 years, and they’ve gained a keen appreciation for the power of effective, principled advocacy whether they go on to a career in law and policy change or in another field. Apply by February 12.
Summer Internship Program (June and July 2018) is a 2 month long internship in the FCNL office. This opportunity provides experience working with our Quaker lobby in Washington, DC. Apply by March 5.
Advocacy Corps (paid, part-time, August 2017-May 2018) includes a 10-day training in Washington, DC followed by nine months of part-time, paid consulting work (25-35 hours per month) organizing locally on police militarism. Apply by April 9.

Friends over the age of 21 and in need of financial aid to prepare for teaching or to continue their teaching careers can apply for a grant from the T. Wistar Brown Teacher’s Fund. Applications due March 10 for summer term; June 10 for fall / winter terms. More at twbfund.org

Friends World Committee for Consultation administers the Elizabeth Ann Bogert Memorial Fund for the study and practice of Christian Mysticism. Grants up to $1000 are awarded each year to individuals, groups, or institutions. Apply by March 1. Diane received a grant last year as she explored Rex Ambler’s Experiment with Light. See posted pamphlet for more.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Love to sing? Sign up to join the new Southwest Lakes Community Choir – a fun, non-auditioned, mixed choir. Rehearsals at MFM 7-8:30 on Thursdays, Feb 22 – May 17. There is a participation fee. Register online here.

Song Circle, an open group for those who enjoy singing and making music will meet Feb 17th at Marilyn and Dave’s home. Bring songbooks and instruments if you have them and snacks to share. Questions to Marilyn or Dave.

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (the largest public interfaith interest group in MN) is having its Day on the Hill on Tues, March 13th at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street and the State Capitol. This is a chance to go to the State Capital and speak to your Congressional Representatives as a member of a faith community. It is a half day agenda with a cost of $45. More information can be found at jrlc.org.

OFFICE HOURS

Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wed and Thurs only, 10:30-4:00. Phone messages are 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.