The meetinghouse will be open this Sunday and we will have programming, as we are able.

If you are a vulnerable person, health-wise, (adults over age 50, those with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or lung disease,) you are encouraged to stay home. Do not feel obligated to come because of a prior commitment. If you decide not to come and have made a programming commitment, (musician, microphone carrier, greeter, speaker, mid-morning program, first day school, nursery,) please call and leave a message on the office phone (612-926-6159) by 8:45 AM Sunday so we know not to expect you. If you are sick, please stay home.

If you decide to come for worship and programming this Sunday, use the automatic door opener (with your elbow) and wash or sanitize your hands upon entering the meetinghouse. Hand sanitizer will be available. Door handles have been disinfected this week. And please leave two seats (six feet) between you and the next person as we sit in the meetingroom.

While we cherish being physically gathered together, please make use of other ways to be connected – phone calls, emails, online meetings. In particular, reach out to Barbara and Louise who are now unable to receive visitors. Committees and small groups are encouraged to suspend meeting in person and explore alternative ways to gather.

For more about controlling the spread of Corvid19 and what to do if you are sick, see
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
MN Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html

March 15, 2020

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed)

10:15 – 11:00 Northern Yearly Meeting’s Faith and Practice – Spiritual Beliefs of Friends. Explore the spiritual experience of Friends in Northern Yearly Meeting through reading, reflection and sharing. If you have one, bring your Faith and Practice with you. NYM’s Faith and Practice is in the meeting library and online here. Program offered by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.
10:15-11:00 first day school for grades 1-12

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Paul Erickson – speaker; care of meeting, Gib Pellet

There will be a meeting for those interested in hosting / attending open public worship in the Twin Cities. Where might we feel called to worship? Meet in the conference room. (The most recent QuakerSpeak video speaks to being a Quaker in public: quakerspeak.com/the-power-of-being-quaker-in-public.)

UPCOMING MEETING EVENTS

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: Northern Yearly Meeting’s Faith and Practice – The Spiritual Foundations of the Testimony of Integrity. Explore the spiritual experience of Friends in Northern Yearly Meeting through reading, reflection and sharing. The NYM Faith and Practice is available in the meeting library and online here. Please read the section on Integrity before the mid-morning program (starting on page 31) and, if you have one, bring your copy of the NYM Faith and Practice with you on Sunday.

March 31 is the end of the Meeting’s fiscal year. If you have reimbursement requests to make from this current fiscal year, please submit a request for reimbursement to your committee clerk. Forms are in the top of the blue file box on the long table.

Loaves and Fishes: Monday, March 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 families and individuals at Holy Rosary Church, 2424 18th Av. S, Mpls. Please help if you have a few hours between 2 and PM. 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. If you plan to come, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin table to allow coordinators to know where there are gaps.

Have a wondering about Quakerism, Minneapolis Meeting, Quaker spirituality, or Quaker-something-else and want to talk about it with someone? Sign up for “Coffee with a Quaker.” Fill out a sign-up slip and put it in the coffee can, (both on the elevator table.) A coffee companion will call you, hopefully within a week, to set up a time to meet with you.

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee will show the film, The Report, on Wed, March 25th at 7PM. Discussion will follow. The Report, based on actual events, exposes the moral depravity of and cover-up by the nation’s top intelligence agency following 9/11. Trailer at: youtube.com/watch?v=VHmn9U3c0zA

Friends Committee on National Legislation asks for the discernment of monthly meetings and worship groups each year in setting its legislative priorities for the coming year. FCNL relies on the worship and input of Friends across the country to ground its lobbying. How is the Spirit leading us to influence our government today? Please fill out a survey (available on the elevator table) and return to Doug. The mid-morning program on April 5 will be dedicated to this discernment.

The Watson Reading Group will meet on Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 here at the meetinghouse. Currently we are reading Testament of Devotion, by Thomas Kelly. No need to read ahead; we read aloud and reflect on how these and other texts can help us lead Light-centered lives. Everyone is invited.

Barbara’s residence has been locked down. The celebration of Barbara’s 100th birthday on April 4th has been cancelled. Cards are welcome.

Northern Yearly Meeting annual session is coming up May 22-25 at Wisconsin Lions Camp, near Rosholt, WI. Online registration is now open: fgcquaker.org/cloud/northern-yearly-meeting

A few Friends General Conference Annual Gathering (June 28 – July 4 in Radford VA) advance programs have arrived at the meetinghouse. Friends are invited to take a look at the workshop offerings. Early registration is April 1-14: FGCgathering.org

Quaker Voluntary Service
~ Come to the Contra dance and fundraiser for Quaker Voluntary Service on March 27th, here at Minneapolis Meeting. Enjoy the Quaker Family Band, your favorite Quaker dance callers, and each other! Proceeds benefit Quaker Voluntary Service – refreshments by donation. Questions: Cynthia, Mary Ellen, Tom.
~ 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 a program day? Let Eli know: eli(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org.

OTHER HAPPENINGS AMONG QUAKERS

There is an unprogrammed global meeting for worship (GMFW) on Wednesdays at 1 pm (CT) via Zoom. This worship offers a remarkable worship opportunity with people from four countries and most regions of the U.S. Contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to be put in touch with Larry, the coordinator.

2020 Nightingales Spring Gathering in Ham Lake, MN, April 3-5. Nightengales is an area gathering of (mostly) Quakers for singing, eating, being merry, sleeping, hiking, and singing some more! See posted info for more.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Last week, monthly meeting decided to support NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center’s March Food & Fund Drive. NorthPoint’s goal is to collect 55,000 in dollars and pounds of food. The collection barrel for food donations will be at the main entrance through March 29. Cash donations are also sought (see the poster on the barrel for more)

The Every Church a Peace Church potluck scheduled for tomorrow, Mon, March 16th; has been cancelled.

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition Day on the Hill, scheduled for April 1st, has been cancelled.

OFFICE HOURS – Wed – Fri, 11:00-4. Bulletin deadline, noon Thur.