May 19, 2019

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Mary Logue

10:15 – 11:00 Writing as a Spiritual Practice with Jane Downes

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Mike Meland, speaker; Tom Wells, musician; care of meeting, Clifford Goltz

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE. STARTING NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 26th, THERE WILL BE ONE WORSHIP AT 10:00 EACH SUNDAY.

THANK YOU to the students, teachers, and families who created a wonderful year in first day school!

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Those in political leadership whose actions profoundly affect the well-being of people, animals, plants, soil, water . . .

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

BE AWARE: New carpet will be laid in the meetinghouse this week, May 20-24. Though the glue chosen for the job is eco-friendly, there will likely be off-gassing from the carpet itself for a time.

Read Primitive Quakerism Revived by Paul Buckley at the Watson reading group Tues, May 21st at 7 PM in the conference room. No need to read ahead – we’ll read together! One-timers and regulars – everyone is welcome to this rich time of sharing and discussion.

Minneapolis Meeting, along with the Mayim Rabim congregation, invite Friends to a potluck and a Naye Strunes (New Strings) contemplative concert on Sun, June 2 at the rise of worship (potluck starts around 11:30; the concert, Garden of the Righteous, around 1,) to commemorate Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day. More than 21,000 non-Jews risked their lives during the Holocaust to save innocent people they didn’t know. They are designated as Righteous Among the Nations, and trees were planted in their honor in the Yad VaShem Garden of the Righteous in Jerusalem. Weaving together stories of six fearless individuals with original introspective Yiddish music, the concert offers an opportunity to reflect on stunning examples of courage and compassion in dark times. Free-will donations benefit Doctors Without Borders medical teams, who help people regardless of politics, religion, or race.

Sunday Hosts: One of the most delightful parts of the summer schedule is the opportunity to enjoy a short social time after worship. Social Committee is asking volunteers to prepare a simple table with a drink, (juice, water, coffee or tea,) and a bar, fruit, or bread. Many signed up to help when the schedule was passed at monthly meeting. There remain three Sundays which still need hosts: June 23 (one person still needed), June 30 (three people needed), August 18 (one person). Please email Rae Beth or Nancy if you are available to help.

Would you like to have coffee with a Quaker (it doesn’t have to be coffee)? Sign up slips are now on the elevator table. Please fill one out and place it in the coffee can. Slips will be collected weekly and you will be contacted to make arrangements. ~ Welcoming and Outreach Committee

Letters from Child Welfare Committee: The Child Welfare Committee is updating the list of individuals who have been cleared to work with Meeting children / youth. Some who were previously cleared are missing documentation required by law. These Friends will be receiving letters inviting them to go through the clearness process again. If you receive a letter, please contact Rae Beth as soon as possible. We hope you will want to continue offering your talents and spirit with the youth here.

Spiritual Nurturers for Quaker Voluntary Service Fellows 2019-2020: Please contact a Spiritual Nurture Anchor (Judith, Lin, or Mary Ellen) to learn more about the role of Spiritual Nurturer for QVS Fellows. This important part of the QVS program provides a listening ear and spiritual friendship for a Fellow during their program year. It is expected that the nurturer meet each month (at least), Sept – July, with their Fellow and will gather with other nurturers in check-in meetings, as arranged, at least three times during the year. There will be a Spirit-led matching process in early summer to identify nurturers for the six new Fellows.

Quaker Voluntary Service Local Coordinator sought. The position includes significant interface and facilitation with QVS Fellows, local Quakers, and area non-profits. Seeking a motivated, Quaker / Quaker-Friendly, self-directed individual who feels passionate about supporting young adults in spiritual deepening and immersion in justice issues. Applications accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to those received by June 5. Position begins in July. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to QVS Director of Program, Mike Huber, mike(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org Full position description here . A heart-felt thank you and fare-well to the current coordinator, Sonja, who has played such an integral part in the successful launch of the Minneapolis / St. Paul QVS program as she takes a position at Scattergood School.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

Northern Yearly Meeting’s annual session, “Speaking with a Holy Voice–Using Human Words to CommunicateDivine Truth” is at the Lions Camp in WI NEXT WEEKEND. Register at northernyearlymeeting.org.

Three guests from El Salvador will attend Northern Yearly Meeting and are in town this week, May 19th – May 24th. The guests include the directors of the two Friends Schools and an English teacher serving as a translator, all here to experience both education in the U.S. and the Quaker community. There are two potluck opportunities with them THIS WEEK: 6:30 PM Mon, May 20th at Ralph’s home and 5 PM Thurs, May 23rd at the Juliusson home, both in St. Paul. Spanish not required. Plenty of translators will be available as well as an English teacher looking to use her English.

Join a call with former Rep. Ryan Costello (a key person for the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s work to foster bipartisan climate change action in Congress) and Emily Wirzba, FCNL legislative representative for sustainable energy and environment THIS Wed, May 22 at 8 PM to discuss the importance of grassroots advocacy for bipartisan climate solutions as well as FCNL’s strategy for climate action in the 116th Congress. Extended question and answer period. Go to fcnl.org/updates/let-s-talk-climate-solutions-with-rep-costello-2076 to register and submit questions.

The 2019 Friends General Conference Gathering in Grinnell IA, June 30 – July 6! Workshop info and registration at: fgcquaker.org/connect/gathering . A few paper programs and registration forms are on the elevator table.

SAVE THE DATE: Sat, June 1, 7-9 PM, Contradance fundraiser for Quaker Voluntary Service! Location to be confirmed. Come to kick up your heals; hear from some of the Fellows and Local Support Committee members about how the 2018-2019 Minneapolis-St. Paul Quaker Voluntary Service program year has gone; get early news about plans for the 2019-2020 year; eat snacks, celebrate, and enjoy the company of F/friends from around the metro area.

Friends School of MN will be hosting a final all-school worship Wed, June 5th, 9-11 AM. Friends are warmly invited. 1365 Englewood Ave, St Paul.

Friends for a NonViolent World’s Annual Picnic will be June 8th, 9:30-12:30 all ages; 12:30-2 PM adults 18+. This schedule accommodates both families with children and those whose conditions of release from prison do not allow them to be around minors. Food, conversation, games. Free BBQ entrée with vegan/gluten free options, optional potluck salads, side dishes and desserts appreciated but not required. Location: Hidden Falls Park, 1313 Hidden Falls, St. Paul MN 55116.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Every Church A Peace Church potluck supper TOMORROW, May 20th, 6:30 potluck followed by Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer speaking on “Building a Movement of Movements: Our Role as Peacemakers.” In our permanent warfare state, can we build a movement of movements that unites people with diverse sets of concerns to build a more peaceful, sustainable and just world? Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer’s life and work over the past thirty years have focused on addressing the political, economic, faith, and foreign policy dimensions of hunger and poverty. St. Joan of Arc Church (4537 Third Ave. S, Mpls);

Energy Efficiency, Solar, and More. MN Interfaith Power and Light will host a conversation about your energy consumption, and how you can transition to solar power in a way that works for you! Groups participating include the Center for Energy and the Environment (home energy audits), Apadana Solar (roof-top solar), Citizens Utility Board (understanding your energy bill), and Cooperative Energy Futures (community solar). Bring your energy bill so that you get the most out of this great evening. THIS Tues, May 21st, 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the MNIPL Office, 4407 E Lake, Mpls. RSVP here .

Minneapolis Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Representative Frank Hornstein, and other leaders will participate in a Conversation on Environmental Justice – a discussion on how we fight for social justice through climate change, zero waste, and the Green New Deal. The event is free and open to the public. Tues, May 28th, 6-8 PM. Advance registration is required, RSVP for address here .

Ramadan this year is May 5 – June 4. Fasting during Ramadan is performed to learn compassion, self-restraint, and generosity. Taking Heart Open Houses, coordinated by the MN Council of Churches and the Muslim American Society of MN, are again being offered. MN mosques and Islamic community centers welcome their non-Muslim neighbors for a traditional Iftar for a time of encounter and learning. Register for one or more events at: TakingHeartRegister.

OFFICE HOURS

Carolyn VandenDolder, the interim Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wed – Fri, 10:30-4. Phone messages checked daily. Bulletin deadline, noon Thur. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office (612-926-6159), emailed (office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org), or written and put in the bulletin file of the blue box.