April 1, 2018

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Keitha Herron; Carol Bechtel (mic)

10:15 – 11:00 Sharing the hope of spring through our favorite spring poem. Bring a poem to share.

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Stephen Snyder, speaker; Kate Coon and Tom Wells, musicians; care of meeting, Joanne Esser

Quaker Etiquette: Spoken messages during worship are delivered by individuals but are understood to be coming through them from the Spirit. Speaking in worship can feel vulnerable. Please refrain from entering or leaving the meetingroom while someone is offering vocal ministry.

You are welcome at the potluck TODAY at the rise of semi-programmed worship (around 12:30). Please stay, even if you didn’t bring a “pot” to contribute. Everyone is encouraged to look for ways to support this do-it-ourselves affair: replenish plates, silverware, napkins, water when needed; clear and wash tables; wash dishes; put away tables and chairs. Thank you!

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Today marks the first day of the service year with many in new committee roles. Any time is a good time to say thank you to one another for the seen and unseen work and ministry Friends do within and on behalf of the Meeting. For your time and care and the lending of your gifts to committee work, thank you.

Next Sunday at 9:45: Worship with attention to business. On the agenda: discussion and discernment around the options presented last month by the ad hoc Transition Committee (attached to the bulletin); the State of the Society report to Northern Yearly Meeting (SOS reports offer the opportunity for us to reflect on the condition of our monthly meeting — its strengths, challenges, spiritual health); the annual report from the Religious Education Coordinators and more.

There will be clerk orientation meeting at the rise of second worship, downstairs, NEXT SUNDAY, April 8th. All committee clerks are strongly encouraged to attend. If you cannot attend yourself, please find a representative from your committee to attend on your behalf. Questions / conflicts? Contact John.

Ministry and Counsel Committee meets this Thurs evening, 7:00 PM, in the conference room.

Come to a Minneapolis Meeting / Mayim Rabim potluck here at 12:30 on April 15, preceding the 2:00 PM contemplative concert, “The Garden of the Righteous” by NAYE STRUNES (NEW STRINGS) 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 in Jerusalem. Weaving together stories of six fearless individuals with original Yiddish music, the concert offers an opportunity to reflect on stunning examples 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. Musicians: Judith Eisner, Gretta Hunstiger (violin), Beth Albertson (cello), and Stu Janis (tsimbl).
Please label your “pot” ingredients so people can enjoy the meal with confidence! Vegetarian preferred.

Some call it worship sharing, others, lectio divina: You are invited to a half-hour of sitting with a passage – from the Bible or writings of early Friends – at the home of Mary and Stephen Snyder at Kenwood Isles this Wed, April 4, starting at noon. A light lunch will follow. RSVP to Stephen.

Read Out of the Silence: Quaker Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Watson reading group Tues, April 10th at 7 PM 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 film “Food Choices” on Wed, April 11th, at 7:00 p.m. at the meetinghouse. The documentary explores the impact that our food choices have on our health, the health of the Earth, and the lives of other living species. Discussion will follow.

Zephyra and Roland Shepherd created the Shepherd Scholarship in 1977 for the post-secondary education of members or member’s children. 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.

Loaves and Fishes: Mon, April 26th afternoon/evening is the next opportunity for MFM to help serve dinner to people in the neighborhood of Holy Rosary Church, 2424 – 18th Ave S, Mpls. Please dedicate some time that day to help. Sign-up coming.

Wondering if the time is ripe for your inward feeling of connection to Minneapolis Meeting to be outwardly expressed in formal membership? Curious about the membership process? Any attender is welcome to talk about membership with a member of the Ministry and Counsel Committee or the Welcoming and Outreach Committee or anyone who’s been around a while! It can be an informal one-on-one conversation or a more intentional request for a membership clearness committee. There’s a “how to become a member” sheet on the long bulletin board (opposite the nametags). For more about clearness committees in general, check out the Quaker Speak video.

A few advance programs for this summer’s Friends General Conference Gathering, “The Power of Truth,” are on the table in the long hallway. Held in Toledo, OH, July 1-7, early registration opens tomorrow. More at fgcquaker.org/connect/gathering .

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Friends for a NonViolent World Listening Sessions: FNVW is committed to listening to feedback from donors, volunteers, community members, and interested others. Share your thoughts about the direction and work of FNVW – what is going well or opportunities for improvement – with Executive Director, Jenn Hamrick, at a listening session. Scheduled sessions are listed. If none work for you Jenn welcomes setting up time individual meetings: 651-644-5851 or fnvwjenn(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com
Tuesday April 3rd 10:00am-12:00pm FNVW Office, 393 Dunlap Street, Suite 307, St. Paul 55104
Saturday April 7th 10:00am-12:00pm FNVW Office
Sunday April 8th 1:00-3:00pm Twin Cities Friends Meeting, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul
Wednesday April 11th 6:00-8:00pm FNVW Office
Sunday April 29th 12:30-2:30pm Minneapolis Friends Meeting

Friends School of MN plant sale is May 11-13th at the State Fair Grandstand! Catalogues available. Volunteer sign-up has started: 651-621-8930; FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com/volunteer

Friends School of MN invites Friends to a conversation about Quaker values and practice at FSM “A Guide to Quaker Practice at Friends School of Minnesota” will be the basis for small group discussions to help affirm, strengthen, and communicate FSM’s Quaker values and practices. Please RSVP here to attend any of the following sessions: Tuesday, April 10th, 4-5 pm; Thursday, April 12th, 8-9 am; Thursday, April 12th, 6:30-7:30 pm.

For younger Friends this summer:
~ Camp Woodbrooke, a Quaker-flavored overnight camp for 7-15 year olds, has sessions starting June 27. campwoodbrooke.org
~ Friends Music Camp offers musical growth in a caring community for your student, age 10-18 with two, three and four-week sessions at Earlham College starting July 8. More at friendsmusiccamp.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.