December 2, 2018

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

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

10:15 – 11:00 Joseph Flores – My introduction to Quakerism and what has followed

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Linda Ferguson, speaker; Jacque Wiersma, musician; care of meeting, Clifford Goltz

After the hymnal racks and podium are stored in the closet, please help prepare for the FNVW Holiday Fair by stacking the chairs UNDER THE BALCONY before heading downstairs for the potluck. Thank you Friends!

You are welcome at the potluck downstairs TODAY at the rise of second worship. Please come, even if you don’t have a “pot” to contribute. To regulars – look for ways to help with this do-it-ourselves affair, especially clearing, washing and drying dishes.

Also today Sue has her camera to take pictures for the ID board—for those who do not have a photo there and for those who want to update. She will be available after first worship; after mid-morning program; and after second worship.

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Monthly meeting for business is next week, 9:45-11:15. “In order for the [monthly] meeting to function, the members must share a commitment to spiritual discipline. This discipline is cultivated rather than regulated, and it takes time to acquire . . . We refrain from comments which suggest argument, debate or an attempt to convince, and rather give testimony to our experience of the leading of the Spirit in this matter. We listen thoughtfully and respectfully, observing a pause between messages for deeper listening.” From An Introduction to Quaker Business Practice offered at the World Council of Churches gathering in Damascus.

Ministry and Counsel Committee will meet this Thurs night at 7 PM. Sandy is clerk of the committee.

There will be a clerk’s meeting next Sun in the conference room at the rise of second worship. Questions, contact John.

The Friends for a NonViolent World Holiday Fair is THIS COMING Fri, Dec 7 (1-9) and Sat, Dec 8 (10-4)!
~ Finish up those craft items – donated items allow 100% of the purchase price to go to FNVW. Gently-used items as well as new creations are eagerly sought. Fine quality items may end up in the silent auction.
~ Cull through your personal library for donations to the book loft sale
~ Gather supplies for baked goods to sell or for the Friendly Café
Items may be brought to the meetinghouse this Wed and Thurs.
~ Sign up online to volunteer at fnvw .org!
~ Invite family, friends, neighbors, and work associates to shop at the Holiday Fair with you!

The Winter Gift is a one-time contribution, outside the general budget, that the Meeting makes to chosen organizations. Monthly Meeting approved this year’s gift to go to: Doctors without Borders to help fund their work with Rohingha refugees from Myanmar; Honor the Earth which uses indigenous wisdom to raise awareness and support for indigenous environmental issues; and Better Angels, a bipartisan citizen’s movement to unify our divided nation. Friends may contribute to the winter gift through December by writing a check to Minneapolis Meeting and putting “winter gift” in the memo line.

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.

Paul Buckely, Quaker scholar and author, will visit MFM the weekend of Feb 1-3 to offer presentations and lead discussions on his two recent books: Primitive Christianity Revived (a modern translation of Wm Penn’s classic) and Primitive Quakerism Revived. Buckley identifies ten signs that Quakerism is in need of revival: God is not the center of our lives or our Meetings; being Quaker is not our primary identification; the spread of individualism among Friends; the redefinition of community; being unwilling to say what we believe; ritualizing meeting for worship; encrusting outward characteristics; treating outreach as an activity; accommodating the surrounding culture; and being admired. Intrigued? Disagree? A few copies of Primitive Quakerism Revived are available for purchase here ($15 ea); two copies are in the MFM library.

Loaves and Fishes: Monday December 31st is the next opportunity for MFM to help prepare and serve dinner to the people of the Phillips neighborhood at Holy Rosary Church, 2424 18th Av. S, Mpls. Please help if you have a few hours between 2:00pm and 7pm that day. Volunteers sign up for shifts: chopping veggies or prepping dessert fruit 2:00 4:30pm; serving food 4:45 6:30pm; clean up 5:30 7pm. Fresh fruit donations for dessert are needed, too.

Quaker Voluntary Service: Thank you to Friends who have fed the Fellows on program days to date. It is an appreciated act of care.
QVS Fellow, Angelica, works at Green Central Elementary where they’ve just put together a clothing closet of winter clothes for students who need warm winter threads. There are currently plenty of coats for the older kids, but gloves, mittens, and scarves are needed. Also needed, small coats for the pre-schoolers. Friends may bring items to the meetinghouse until December 18th.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Pendle Hill’s First Monday lecture will be streamed tomorrow night, 7:30-9 PM (EST). Lyn Back will offer Liberated or Unhinged? A Quaker Woman’s Witness to War. One of only a handful of American women to live and work in Serbia and Kosovo before, during and after the NATO bombing, Lyn has a unique story to tell – of conscience, confusion, clearness and faith. Registration required for live streaming. For more and to register, go to: pendlehill.org

Friends School of MN will be hosting the first visitor coffee of the year on Tues, Dec 11th from 9:30 – 11:30AM. Hear an introduction to the school’s mission and philosophy over a cup of coffee, followed by a tour and classroom visits, please call or email Jennifer Bratulich – development(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fsmn.org / 651-917-0708. 1365 Englewood Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Friends for a NonViolent World Movie Night – Come on Wed, Dec 12th at 7pm to see Mapantsula, a 1987 South African film that follows Panic, a small-time thief and hustler in apartheid-era Johannesburg, as he navigates the injustices taking place in his township, Soweto. Written and directed by Oliver Schmitz, a white South African, and Thomas Mogotlane, a black South African who also portrays Panic, the film depicts protest, while being a form of protest itself. The film was made secretly when censorship around apartheid was strict and criticism unwelcome. After the film, there will be discussion including how the film relates to FNVW’s work today. 393 N Dunlap St, Saint Paul MN 55104; fourth floor conference room.

OFFICE HOURS
Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wednesday, 10:00-3:30 and Thurs and Fri mornings. 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.