December 8, 2019

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:40 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Terry Kayser; Sandy Olson (mic)

9:45 – 11:15 monthly meeting for business: John Kraft, presiding clerk; Stephen Snyder, recording clerk

11:15 – 12:00 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Terry Kayser, speaker; care of meeting, Judith James

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 before 10:15 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.

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: Immigration Law Practice in the U.S. Phil Fishman, a practicing lawyer, will explain current aspects of immigration law including an analysis of representing those seeking protection from persecution as well as those seeking to lawfully remain in the US, re-unite with family, or seek employment within the United States. In addition to his work locally he has done pro bono work on the Arizona/Mexico border.
Susie’s mid-morning program about her late husband and WWII last week was recorded. Speak with Frank to access it.

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.

Loaves and Fishes: Monday Dec 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 will be out next week.

The Nursery Committee, on behalf of the Meeting, seeks the right person to work with the little ones in the nursery. The work hours are Sundays during the school year, 8:45-12:30; and 9:45-11:15 during the summer months. The pay is $15 an hour. For more, contact Betsy, Emily, or Sara.

Experiment with Light groups: Since 2016 a number of Meeting Friends have been participating in Experiment with Light groups, using a meditation process developed by Rex Ambler and based on his study of early Friends. During the next month new participants are invited to learn more about the EwL process with the opportunity to join a group for the coming year. There will be an EwL mid-morning program on Dec. 29th. Contact Diane for more.

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 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 for 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(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to be put in touch, or talk with members Dave, Jim, Ralph, Jeff, Ed, John, or Rick.

The Writing Group will next meet on Tues, Dec 17th at 7PM. Starting in Jan, we’ll return to our every-fourth-Tuesday schedule (Jan 27). A fun and informal evening, with no preparation necessary. At each meeting, we write from prompts and share our writing. This leads to getting to know each other better. 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.

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 contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to be put in touch with NYM co-clerk, Kat.

Save the date for the Northern Yearly Meeting high school winter retreat, Jan 24-26th, at the Cannon Valley Meeting in Northfield. Theme: Mental Health. More details coming. Kindly Adult Presences eagerly sought. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to Inquire or RSVP anytime to the HS coordinatior, Cynthia.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

There will be a Christmas Eve worship at Twin Cities Meeting, 1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul, at 7PM, followed by carol singing and a dessert potluck as well as a New Year’s Eve celebration: 5:30 worship; 6:15 potluck dinner; 7:30 – 10:30 games, singing, conversation, fun. Bring your favorite snacks, games, musical instruments or songbooks.

Friends World Committee for Consultation will host an online conference on sustainability Feb 22, 2020, with Friends around the world. Friends worldwide are urgently concerned with the human impacts of climate change and the issue of sustainability in relation to our faith and the underlying spiritual imperative prompting us to take action. See fwcc.world/sustainability/conference2020 for more.

OFFICE HOURS: Wed – Fri, 10:30-4. 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.