January 16, 2022

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Bill Hendricks; Zoom host – Stephen

10:15 – 11:00 Let’s play! Alternatives to Violence facilitators will lead us in some fun games and exercises as we explore ways to bring lightness to ourselves and our meeting. Zoom host – Stephen

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): John Kraft – speaker; care of meeting, John Dunham; Zoom host – Stephen

Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org for the link worship and mid-morning program January.

Northern Yearly Meeting will offer a first day school opportunity for young Friends, ages 6 – 11, on TODAY, 10–11AM. The theme, Quilting Together: Stories of Black Americans. Children will introduce themselves and share a fabric item (clothing, blanket, toy, etc.) they really like. We will read Belle, The Last Mule at Gee’s Bend, (Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud / John Holyfield, ill.) We’ll also share poems from Stitchin’ and Pullin’ a Gee’s Bend Quilt, (Patricia McKissack / Cozbi A Cabrera, ill.). We will create a Community Quilt by each child decorating a unique quilt square, then virtually “collaging” them together. Finally, we’ll make and enjoy an easy snack. Please come! Register here to get a heads up on materials needed and the link. Please tune in by 9:55.

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: My Journey. Roland Barrett will share some things about himself, his spiritual journey, and his Quaker identity. Late breaking news – Jan 30th mid-morning program, Friends Committee on National Legislation’s report on what’s really happening in Yemen.

There is mid-week worship every Wed night, 7PM. Email office@minneapolisfriends by noon Wed for the link.

Ministry and Counsel Committee (M&C) asks individuals who feel led to share a prepared message or a reading during semi-programmed worship, to contact Bill H or other members of M&C. M&C is also looking for closers for both worships. Serving as a closer is a ministry of service to the meeting.

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee’s MOVIE NIGHT presents The Biggest Little Farm, Jan 20th, 7PM, a hopeful, inspirational story of John and Molly who quit city life to move to a barren farm of 200 acres. Their dream to live in harmony with nature leads them to uncover secrets of biodiversity that transcend their wildest imagination! Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org by noon Thurs for the link.

Loaves and Fishes needs volunteers and fruit donations for Mon, Jan 31st. Join area Friends along with the Ismaili Community and Mayim Rabim to provide a nutritious meal at Holy Rosary Church, 2424 18th Ave, S. Volunteers are needed: 2PM (prep of burritos, fruit, and salad); 4PM (making burritos and serving); and 5:15PM (clean –up in the kitchen and serving area). Instead of serving meals in the dining room, meals will be to-go, increasing the work of serving but reducing cleanup time. Contact Sue K to sign-up for a shift, ask questions, or to discuss fruit donations! If you’re interested in helping at other times please contact loavesandfishesmn.org. Masks, gloves, and hats required. This remains a COVID risk. Sign up to come if you can!

SMALL GROUPS OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNEAPOLIS MEETING

Join Lectio Divina at 11:25AM on Wednesdays. Hold a short reading from the Bible, Quaker, or other spiritual text to see if and how it might speak to us today. Followed by a time of worship sharing. Email Stephen for the link.

Police Reform Group will meet on Tue night, Jan 18th. Email John S.for the link.

IN THE WORLD OF FRIENDS

MFM Friends are welcomed to Twin Cities Meeting’s online workshop, Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change, a Paula Parker workshop, on Sat, Feb 26, 2-4PM (CT). Learn the real history of this country through the voices of Native Americans, Euro-American colonists and historians; experience the history anew; understand why this history matters; and interact with Native and non-native people to build relationships based on truth, respect, and justice. Register here. Space limited

Friends Journal announces the annual Student Voices Project. The youth-led movement to demand action on climate change has exploded in recent years. More and more, young people are witnessing the consequences of the climate crisis and choosing to get involved in sustainable solutions. For this year’s Student Voices Project, we’re asking young people: What has been your personal experience with climate activism and sustainability? We welcome essays (300 to 900 words) from students between sixth and twelfth grades. Deadline for submissions is Feb 14. Click here for more.

Check out the Friends for a NonViolent World Everyday Nonviolence podcast. The most recent episode, Elizabeth Lamin, Assistant County Attorney, Ramsey County, on Why and How our Criminal Justice System Needs to Change. Convinced that the traditional and prevailing emphasis on “accountability” for crime has failed, Elizabeth Lamin explains how she is incorporating methods such as focused deterrence and restorative justice in her work: https://fnvw.podbean.com/.

The Quaker Parenting Initiative will host a series of discussions focusing on each of six testimonies as guides to parenting and family living starting on Jan 18. For more, check out the QPI website or email: harriet.e.heath(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com. Also available through QPI – Tea and Chat with Quaker parents, every Thursday evening at 7PM (CT). Email Harriet for more.

Quaker Voluntary Service News and Needs:

~ COVID has come to the QVS house. Fellows would be grateful for any meals (vegan for seven, with one gluten-free option,) dropped off at the house during their isolation and recuperation. Contact Miranda with offers: miranda(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org . THANK YOU, Friends, for this gesture of care and support.

~ Learn more about Quaker Voluntary Service, the program that offers young adults a year of service learning, Quaker spirituality, and community living, on Wed, Feb 2nd, 7 PM, via Zoom. Come hear about the impact this vibrant experience has on the Fellows who participate as well as on those who work to support the program – from Mpls/St. Paul alumni, national alumni, staff, and local support committee members. There will be a little entertainment, an opportunity to hear from Fellows about life after QVS, and a chance to talk in small breakout groups! Contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to get registration info. Plan to come!

~ QVS Fellows seek craft supplies, crafting partners for a virtual craft night gathering. Supplies for knitting/crocheting, weaving with a loom, painting (canvas, paints, brushes, plain t-shirts or pants,) embroidery, and other related arts are of most interest. Skills related to any of these are welcome too! Contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org with interests, offers, or ??s to be put in touch with QVS Fellow Sophie. Thank you, and we hope to see your faces soon!

~ QVS is seeking applicants for 2022-23! QVS is a year-long Fellowship program in which young adults (age 21-30) build intentional community, work full time at social service and social change agencies, and explore themes of spiritual and personal growth with local Quakers. QVS currently has houses in Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Portland OR. Applications for next year (late Aug – early July) are due Feb 28. Click for Fellow job description and testimonials, current service partners, and the application portal. Invite young people in your life to apply!

IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

The MN Council of Churches adopted an initiative in 2020 to move member congregations forward in the area of racial justice – a program including truth-telling and reparations for the African American and Native American communities in MN. Come hear more, Jan 18, 2:30PM: TRUE Tuesdays: Healing Minnesota Stories .

Introduction to Mindfulness Practice – eight Tues evening classes, Jan 18–March 8, 6:30-9PM with a Sat retreat (March 5, 9AM-3PM) – all on Zoom. Course includes an individual pre-interview with the instructor, a copy of the book Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn, four mp3s, and PDF handouts; CEUs are available; fee of $350 includes materials; recommended by Mary Jean and John. Register here.

OFFICE HOURS

Carolyn VandenDolder, the Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wed – Fri afternoons. Phone messages checked daily; email checked W-F. Bulletin deadline, noon Thur. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office (612-926-6159) or emailed (office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org).