March 4, 2018

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Gayle McJunkin

10:15 – 11:00 Muhammad Jiwa, MN Interfaith Power and Light organizer in the Muslim community, will share from his personal journey as a Muslim in the Twin Cities as well as offer some vignettes from others’ experience. There will be time for questions.

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Terry Burke, speaker; Stephen Snyder, musician; care of meeting, Joanne Esser

You are welcome to stay for potluck at the rise of semi-programmed worship today! To regulars, look for ways to help this do-it-ourselves effort – refresh plates, silverware, pitchers of water when needed; help clear and wash dishes and wash and put away tables. Many hands make light work! Staying for the intro session? Move downstairs quickly at the rise of worship so you have time to eat!

The series on Quakers/Quakerism starts TODAY at 1 in the conference room and Tues at 7. It’s not too late to take this opportunity to explore Quakerism and what it means to be a Quaker. For newcomers and old-timers, the simply curious and the seasoned Friend, come discover, come lend your insights, and come to know one another. Topic today /Tues: worship.

Directory updates, cumulative since the 2015 photo directory, are available today on the bulletin table. Don’t have a photo directory? Find Carolyn VandenDolder to get one.

Housekeeping: It’s the season of grit, sand, salt and snow. Please clean your boots/shoes well upon entering the building. Boot trays are available on the entry landings. Also, please lift items moved in the meetingroom to help spare the floor.

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Worship with attention to business next Sunday, 9:45-11:15: “The Quaker corporate decision-making process is a spiritual discipline needing trust, patience, a willingness to listen, mutual forbearance, a concern for and openness to others with differing views, and the grace of humor. The care with which we conduct our decision-making is often critical to the enduring harmony of the entire meeting. At its best, the result reflects the transforming power of the love of God, an exhilarating and joyful experience.” ~Northern Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice
On the agenda: A final Nominating Committee roster proposal for committee service; a final budget proposal from Stewardship and Finance Committee; discernment for the meeting’s next step, facilitated by the ad hoc Transition Committee; a unique request for the State of the Society report to Northern Yearly Meeting; Dick Magraw’s memorial minute and more.

Ride Share Request from Seward Neighborhood: If you are willing to provide a ride to either unprogrammed or semi-programmed worship for someone in the Seward neighborhood, please contact Scott . Ride Share for Minneapolis Meeting: Do you need a ride to Sunday worship or other meeting events? Or are you willing to provide a ride to another, occasionally or regularly? If so, please contact Scott.

Zephyra and Roland Shepherd created the Shepherd Scholarship for the post-secondary education of members or member’s children in 1977. Applications and eligibility criteria are available on the long table in the east hall. Applications should be mailed to the meetinghouse or put in the Shepherd Scholarship file in the blue box. Application deadline is April 15.

Northern Yearly Meeting is offering two retreats in March: a high school retreat NEXT WEEKEND March 9 -11 in Madison (1704 Roberts Ct); and a middle school retreat March 30 – April 1 at Minneapolis Meeting.

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 so it’s not too soon to start! Find more QVS information posted or online at quakervoluntaryservice.org .

NAYE STRUNES (NEW STRINGS) will offer a contemplative concert, “The Garden of the Righteous” at 2:00 on April 15th, here at the meetinghouse. More than 21,000 non-Jews risked their lives during the Holocaust to save innocent people whom they didn’t know. Designated as Righteous Among the Nations, trees were planted in their honor in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Weaving together stories of six fearless individuals with original Yiddish music, the concert will give attenders an opportunity to reflect on their stunning example of courage and compassion in dark times. Free-will donations to support Doctors Without Borders medical teams who help people regardless of politics, religion, or race. Sponsored by Mayim Rabim and Minneapolis Meeting, members from both are invited to a 1:00 potluck preceding the concert. Please list the ingredients of your pot-luck contribution so everyone can enjoy the food with confidence.

Read Out of the Silence: Quaker Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Watson reading group Tues, March 20th at 7 PM downstairs. No need to read ahead – we’ll read together! One-timers and regulars – everyone is welcome!

A few advance programs for this summer’s Friends General Conference Gathering, “The Power of Truth,” have arrived and are on the table in the long hallway. Held in Toledo, OH (comparatively near!) July 1-7, some of the workshops offer opportunities we have expressed yearning for: Clerking with Joy and Confidence (Arthur Larrabee); Building a Culture of Multiage Inclusion (Emily Provance); and for Friends who want to embrace their imperfections (diminishments included?), Make Big Shadows I Can Move In (LVM Shelton). More at fgcquaker.org/connect/gathering .

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Friends for a NonViolent World Annual Meeting and Open House next Sun, March 11th. See the new space (393 Dunlap St, Suite 307), hear about the great work done in ’17, and learn what’s in store in ’18! 1-2 pm open house; 2-4 Annual Meeting.
Friends for a NonViolent World has Moved! The new address is 393 Dunlap St, Suite 307, St Paul, 55104. Until mid-March, please send all FNVW mail to P.O. Box 4564 St Paul, MN 55104 to ensure that it doesn’t get lost.

Northern Yearly Meeting Spring Interim Session will be at Milwaukee Meeting, 3224 N Gordon Place, Milwaukee, March 16 – 17. All are welcome. If you would like to inquire about housing accommodations, transportation needs, and information about dining venues while in Milwaukee, contact the meeting office.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Just Solar Coalition and MN InterFaith Power and Light are hosting Just Solar: A People’s Movement Assembly next Sat, March 10th at Metro State University in St Paul. The solar industry is poised for rapid growth, but is it ready to advance equity and opportunities for all? MN solar installers, collaborating with diverse voices in the community, will define what a truly “Just Solar” industry looks like, driving the industry to improve hiring practices and access. Speakers from the Environmental Justice depts of the NAACP and Sierra Club; Better Futures Project; Community Power; Renewable Energy Partners; and a national Environmental Justice Labor Consultant. Ralph Jacobsen of Prospect Hills Meeting will be leading an afternoon session. More at: mnipl.org/what-we-do/take-action/just-solar

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (the largest public interfaith interest group in MN) is hosting Day on the Hill on Tue, March 13th at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar St and the State Capitol. This annual lobby day brings clergy and lay people from across the state together to show interfaith commitment to social justice and to participate in the lawmaking process. Half-day agenda with prayer, issue briefings, legislative district meetings, and action; cost of $45. More at jrlc.org.

OFFICE HOURS

Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wednesday through Friday, 10:30-4:00. 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.