Bulletin: May 6, 2018
May 6, 2018
MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM
TODAY
9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Dan Jensen; Carol Bechtel (mic)
10:15 – 11:00 Terry Kayser went to Nepal for the Alternatives to Violence Project International meeting this past year. Terry will share some of his experiences and visuals from that trip. AVP was developed by Quakers in 1975 and uses Quaker principles as the foundation of the program.
11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Diane Barrett, speaker; Barbara Mohr, musician; care of meeting, Clifford Goltz; Jim Lovestar (mic)
“For Friends, the word ‘simplicity’ describes a way of life that follows naturally from a way of worshipping.”
“I have found that simplicity is an indispensable ally in giving ordinary life extraordinary meaning.”
From “A Quaker Book of Wisdom” by Robert Lawrence Smith
Quaker Etiquette reminder: Settling into worship – stilling the busy-ness in our minds – can be challenging, especially for second worship when the day is less fresh. Please use the hallways and foyer for greetings and bits of business during the 11:00 – 11:15 transition, allowing the meetingroom to become quiet and still, ready for worship.
You are welcome at the potluck TODAY downstairs at the rise of semi-programmed worship. 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
Worship with attention to business is next Sunday, 9:45-11:15. The agenda includes: Transition – our next step(s); discussing an on-going relationship with the Southwest Community Choir; and religious education (youth) advancement.
“The meeting for business, if it be Spirit-filled and properly understood by those present, is a hands-on, laboratory-filled experience in which the whole fellowship comes face to face with the Spirit’s demands for the sacrifice of time, treasure, convenience, and prejudice. When opinions differ widely and the need for spiritual discernment becomes crucial, the best of Quaker business techniques alone will not suffice; then we are driven, as never in a meeting for worship, to seek that spiritual covering which alone can give the fruits of the Spirit, which can sustain harmony while waiting for the right leading.” ~Bill Taber
Mid-Morning Program on May 20th at 10:15: Jacque Wiersma and Ken Solberg will share some of their reflections about their trip to Myanmar with the Nonviolent Peaceforce (nvpf.org) where they met with some of the peacekeepers in the 60 year conflict and worked with the Nonviolent Peaceforce’s efforts to facilitate enforcement of the current ceasefire agreement.
First Day School and the school year worship schedule end on May 20th. The summer schedule, one worship at 10, will begin May 27th: unprogrammed worship on first and third Sundays; semi-programmed worship on second and fourth Sundays.
Read Out of the Silence: Quaker Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Watson reading group THIS Tues at 7 PM in the conference room. No need to read ahead – we’ll read together! One-timers and regulars – everyone is welcome!
Register for Northern Yearly Meeting ASAP! NYM annual session, Hands on Justice: working for a non-violent and restorative justice system in our communities, is over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25 – 28, at the Lion’s Camp near Rosholt, WI. For all ages – information and registration: fgcquaker.org/cloud/northern-yearly-meeting . Online registration is encouraged; paper info and forms available by the bulletins.
The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It will be shown at the meetinghouse on Wed, May 23 at 7 PM. The documentary explores conscientious objectors (CO’s) during WWII and the impact their service had as well as mentions the Nobel Peace Prize given to Quakers for the American Friends Service Committee’s work in 1947. During the discussion time, Allen Gibas will talk about his CO work during the Viet Nam War, and a photo album from Gordy Coffin’s relief work in Europe will be available. Sponsored by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee.
Lend your elbow grease and make the meetinghouse sparkle! Property Committee is organizing our annual spring cleaning for June 24 at the rise of worship. Save the date for some good, clean fun with Friends!
SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 6 and plan to spend the day with Friends at French Regional Park for Fall Together!
OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS
First Monday Friends (not just for Old Friends anymore!), a monthly gathering of area Friends at midday on first Mondays, is organizing a special welcome for all adult Friends next Mon, May 7, noon- 2. Potluck at noon; 1:00 program, Creativity Among Friends, at Twin Cities Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul).
Friends for a Nonviolent World (FNVW) has set aside two board of directors positions for college students and is actively seeking applicants. The term runs from September to May. For more: Jenn or Maddy at 651-917-0383.
REMINDER: FNVW has moved! Its new address is 393 Dunlap Street, Suite 307, St. Paul 55104; www.fnvw.org
Friends School of MN plant sale is next weekend, May 11-13th at the State Fair Grandstand! FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com
People Camp, August 12-18, a program of Friends for a NonViolent World, offers a place to relax, a time to share, and a space to refresh our spirits and build a community of peace and understanding on Fishhook Lake, near Park Rapids. For all ages, no paid staff means all contribute to the work. Morning program series led by FNVW director, Jenn Hamrick, on Advocacy, Identity Politics, and Prison Reform. Other activities include music, singing, dancing, games and interest groups. For more and to register, click on “People Camp” or see brochures on the table in the long hall.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MN Council of Churches and Healing Minnesota Stories once again offer Sacred Sites Tour: May 19, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Learn about MN history from a Native perspective through story-telling and experiencing the site. More at spinterfaith.org
Taking Heart Iftar dinners for Ramadan are being offered. Simply register for your desired date and location: mnchurches.org/takingheart . MN Interfaith Power and Light is also helping host a unity Iftar on May 18. More at: mnipl.nationbuilder.com/iftar2018
Some over 60s in the Twin Cities want to form a group of European-American elders to join the Pipeline 3 expansion and tar sands oil resistance. If you’d like to hear more about the endeavor, contact Richard Fuller. For background, see honorearth.org/sandpiper_line_3_corridor and mn350.org/pipeline-resistance/.
OFFICE HOURS:
Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wed – Fri, 10:30-4:00. Phone messages checked daily. Carolyn will be working ahead in preparation for being out of the office mid-May. If you have items for the May 20th bulletin, please send them in by this Thurs. Someone will check the phone and email for late additions.