December 1, 2019

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Stephen Snyder; Tom Hoey (mic)

10:15 – 11:00 MFM member, Susie Kanemitsu, will read from the journal of her late husband, Hideo Kanemitsu. At 12 ½ Hideo was selected to become a spy for the Japanese army near the end of WWII.

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

You are welcome at the potluck at the rise of semi-programmed worship TODAY! Please stay, whether or not you brought a “pot” to contribute! To regulars: look for ways to help with this do-it-ourselves event, especially tackling the dishes!

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

At November’s monthly meeting for business, a trial schedule change was approved. Starting January 5, 2020, first day school will be at the same time as mid-morning program, 10:15 – 11:00. Families are encouraged to arrive at 10:00 so the meeting’s youth can enjoy programming and each other for the full time. Youth are welcome at both meetings for worship. During semi-programmed worship, there will be activities downstairs for those 12 and under after the speaker / at 11:45.

Next Sunday, 9:45-11:15: Monthly meeting for business. “In order for the meeting to function [in monthly meetings], 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 your experience of the leading of the Spirit in this matter. We listen thoughtfully and respectfully, observing a pause between messages for deeper listening.” PH pamphlet

Winter Envelope Gift: Every winter, Minneapolis Meeting designates organization(s) to receive a one-time gift, outside the Meeting’s usual budget. This year’s organizations are in keeping with the Meeting’s peace and social concerns focus on gender justice and well-being:
OutFront Minnesota – working to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination; a state where LGBTQ individuals have equal opportunities, protection and rights. outfront.org
Mending the Sacred Hoop – a Native-operated non-profit that addresses violence against Native women and works to end it, organizing on issues surrounding violence against American Native women in Duluth and throughout MN: mshoop.org
To contribute to the Winter Envelope Gift, make checks payable to Minneapolis Meeting with “WEG” in the memo line and place in an offering box.

The Friends for a NonViolent World Holiday Fair is NEXT WEEKEND! There are still many volunteer opportunities this week, just waiting for you! Sign up online TODAY! The fair is a great opportunity to work, laugh, and create together, all to support the tremendous work of Friends for a NonViolent World. All jobs are important in making the fair a success. Find the right one for you at bit.ly/holidayfair19 . Questions? Contact volunteer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org or (651)-917-0383. Handcrafted items, canned goods, books and / or baked goods donations can be dropped off this Wed, 10:30AM-7PM; Thurs 10:30AM-
9PM and Fri, 9-11AM.

Donations for the Holiday Fair Quaker Boutique – gently used treasures, especially any legacy items that have stories we can share, jewelry, small giftable items, small art works, intact pottery items, knick-knacks, and antiques you can hold in your hand – may be dropped off at the meetinghouse, (see above for hours).

Loaves and Fishes: Monday December 30th is the next opportunity for MFM, along with other area Friends, the Ismaili Community, (from Edina,) and members from Mayim Rabim, to help prepare and serve dinner to the families and individuals 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: meal prep, 2:00-4:30pm; serving food 4:45-6:30pm; clean up 5:30-7pm. Fresh or dried fruit donations for dessert are needed, too. Sign-up sheet soon.

A new, worship-based, spirit-led Northern Yearly Meeting working group has been created to look at all the work on racism that has been done within our yearly meeting, to consider available resources, and to suggest ways forward to further the ongoing anti-racist work of the Northern Yearly Meeting faith community.. In the next few months it will be exploring its charge and developing a work agenda to be shared at spring Interim Session for further seasoning. If you feel led to participate in this committee or would like to learn more about it, please email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to be put in touch with NYM co-clerk, Kat.

Read the Quaker classic, Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly at the Watson reading group Tues, Dec 17th at 7 PM in the conference room. No need to read ahead – we’ll read together! One-timers and regulars – everyone is welcome!

Every-other Friday, Quaker Voluntary Service Fellows have a development day for programming about Quakerism and other topics. Are you willing to prepare and drop off (vegetarian) lunch for eight on Dec 6th, or 20th? Contact Eli with interest and coordination: eli(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org.

A group of MFM men have been meeting together for twenty-five years, supporting each other in living out Quaker values through a range of life events. The group has a potluck dinner—and sharing of what’s going on with each of us—every month, and an annual three-day retreat. For the rest of 2019, the group is opening to men who want to join. We are open to all with the understanding that the group is built on commitment to long-term relationships and regular attendance. In Jan, the group will re-configure, depending on how many men want to join. E-mail office@minneapolisfriends to be put in touch with the group, or talk with Dave, Jim, Ralph, Jeff, Ed, John, or Rick.

The Writing Group will next meet Tues, Dec 17th at 7PM. Starting in January, we’ll return to our every-fourth-Tuesday schedule (Jan 27). A fun and informal evening, with no preparation necessary – we write from prompts and share our writing. This leads to getting to know each other better and mutual inspiration. Discussion and general merriment continues over tea and homemade cookies. Everyone welcome, no commitment — drop in once or come when you can. If you’ve been thinking about trying it, now would be a great time. We’d love to have you! For questions or directions, contact Jane.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

First Monday Friends’ annual carol-singing session at Twin Cities Meeting, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul, Mon, Dec 2: potluck at noon; carol-singing at 1PM. You are warmly welcome to either or both! Feel free to bring a musical instrument, including piano-playing fingers.

Pendle Hill First Monday Talks – livestreamed from Pendle Hill; register in advance to get the link. Being and Belonging in Beloved Community—An Evening with Rev. Dr. Joni Carley, TOMORROW, Mon, Dec 2, from 6:30 – 8PM. More and to register, see pendlehill.org/events/being-belonging-in-beloved-community/

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Minneapolis Council of Churches: There is a huge need for warm winter jackets, toddlers through adults, in all sizes, for new arrivals to MN. Jackets should be gently used or new, please; also winter hats, mittens, and gloves. We are unable to accept boots or snow pants. Contact rsvolunteers(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)mnchurches.org or 612-230-3219 for more information or to arrange a drop-off.

OFFICE HOURS – Wed – Fri, 10:30-4. Phone messages checked daily. Bulletin deadline, noon Thurs.