March 13, 2022

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:40 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Jeannette Raymond; Zoom host – Tom

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

11:15 – 12:00 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Bill Hendricks – speaker; care of meeting, Diane Barrett; Zoom host – Sandy

Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org by noon Friday for the link to Sunday worship and programming.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

People around the world suffering from conflict, racism, colonialism, displacement, and the climate crisis as well as the people of Ukraine and Russia and all those who are aiding victims.

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

Minneapolis Meeting has resumed in-person, public worship and mid-morning programming. Hybrid worship is now supported so those unable to, or uncomfortable with, coming to the meetinghouse can worship via zoom with those gathered here. Link above.

Mid-Morning Program next Sun, March 20th, at 10:15: Nonviolent Peaceforce in the Twin Cities: Hope for our Future. Following the call of activist and organizers to re-imagine community safety, lessons learned through protection work in the Global South are being applied in the context of the United States. Grounded in the strengths and needs of local community partners, NP is building relationships with community members, leaders, and organizations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to identify gaps and approach safety and security from a holistic perspective. The work is informed by understanding what communities need to feel safe and secure—to feel affirmed and a sense of belonging— which includes and goes beyond physical safety. Marna Anderson and William Wallace will speak about their experience with this international-turned-local organization.

There is mid-week worship every Wed night, 7PM. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org by noon Wed for the link.

Northern Yearly Meeting will offer online first day school on March 20th, 9:55-11:10AM, for children, ages 6 – 11. The lesson, Life is rising! will explore the spring equinox and customs of new beginnings. Registration is required: https://forms.gle/HQNAH5SUztyiRdVm9 More details next week. Please plan come!

Care and Counsel Committee is making a list of those who, on occasion, would be able to bring meals or offer rides to those in need. It could be as simple as ordering pizza or other food and having it delivered. Or bring a yummy hot dish. No obligation, just let us know if we can contact you as needs come up. Email or phone Nettie, C&C clerk, if you’d like to be on the list.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Peace and Social Concerns Movie Night will feature The Burning Times, on Tues, March 22, at 7PM via Zoom. The documentary takes an in-depth look at the witch hunts that swept through Europe just a few hundred years ago, which one historian called “a holocaust of women.” Discussion will follow. Some images and descriptions may be disturbing. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org for the link.

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.

The Right Relationship with Indigenous People group will meet this coming Monday night, March 14th, at 7PM. Open to all interested, this group meets every second Monday night. Email Rick, Carolyn, Ralph, or Roland for more.

Quaker Voluntary Service has two program Fridays each month. Could you provide a vegan lunch for seven (and one gluten-free option) on March 4th, or March 18th? Sign up with Miranda, QVS Local Coordinator: miranda(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org . THANK YOU, Friends, for this gesture of care and support.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

WORSHIP

~ American Friends Service Committee: In our fractured world, we see too much destruction and violence: the devastating conflict in Ukraine and people around the world suffering as much from conflict, racism, colonialism, displacement, and the climate crisis. And we know many people in communities around the world are taking bold risks to stand up for peace, justice, and human dignity. It is good to be together to lift our hearts to God, praying for a better way forward. Join a virtual worship with colleagues and volunteers at AFSC who are standing up against militarism and oppression. Mon, March 14, 2-3PM. Link here.

~ Quakers Of Kyiv, Ukraine / Квейкери Києва, given power and internet, invite Friends worldwide to join them for worship Sundays at 8PM their time (noon CT) Link here; ID: 829 8497 8940; Passcode: 586154. Check for updated information at fb.com/QuakersKyivUkraine .

~ Friends House in Moscow daily worship with a concern for Ukraine, 11AM (CT) Click here to go to online worship ; ID: 416 500 5614; Passcode: 182805

VOLUNTEER

Quaker Voluntary Service has two program Fridays each month. Could you provide a vegan lunch for seven (and one gluten-free option) on March 18th, April 1st, 15th, or 29th? Sign up with Miranda, QVS Local Coordinator: miranda(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)quakervoluntaryservice.org . THANK YOU, Friends, for this gesture of care and support.

There’s never been a better time to join the Friends for a NonViolent World Board of Directors! The Board develops, defines and reviews FNVW’s mission and provides overall leadership and strategic direction. Be part of creating a nonviolent tomorrow. More by contacting current Board Clerk, Miike: board(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org.

Friends School Plant Sale – signing up to volunteer has begun: FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com/volunteer / (651) 621-8930. The Plant Sale will be held May 6-8 at the State Fair Grandstand. Volunteers are needed! Volunteers shop early! Catalogues are coming this month; online version available March 16: FriendsSchoolPlantSale.com.

WORKSHOPS, FILMS, RETREATS, PROGRAMS, PRESENTATIONS

International Climate Policy: From Quiet Diplomacy to Youth Activism, presented by Quaker Earthcare Witness, Tues, March 15 at 12PM noon (CT). More information on presenters and registration (free, but required) here .

Take advantage of the virtual Alternatives to Violence Combo Workshop March 18th – 20th! Discover your power to build safer communities and transform conflict and frustration in your life – all in the context of a supportive community. More at FNVW.org

Spirit-Led Climate Action Among Quakers: Learn more about how Quakers are taking action to mitigate climate change. Speakers: Hayley Hathaway, communications director for Quaker Earthcare Witness and Paul Chistiansen, member of East Side Meeting, Bellevue, WA, who travels in the ministry with a concern for climate change. Sat, March 19, 3-4:30PM. Offered by Friends World Committee for Consultation; register here.

The Northern Yearly Meeting Anti-Racism Working Group wants to hear how things are going in your Monthly Meeting/Worship Group. On March 24, at 7PM, it’s your turn to share. What has worked for you? What barriers have you encountered in your efforts to transform into an anti-racist faith community? How have you, personally, been impacted by this work? Let’s talk: Zoom link here ; ID: 841 0595 3283; Passcode: 681240

Friends General Conference Children and Youth retreat opportunities:
~The Family Place – a virtual retreat for children, ages 0-5, March 20, 2:30-4PM (CT): More here.
~Many Hands Make Light Work: Quaker Business as Spiritual Practice for ages 12-35, online March 20 and April 3; in-person at Arch Street Mtg Apr 23. The responsibility of Quaker business falls to the entire community, not just the clerks. Participants are expected to attend all three sessions if possible. High School participants are invited to stay overnight at Arch Street for fellowship. Contact Marian Dalke mariand(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fgcquaker.org with questions. More here.
~Virtual Retreat for Youth of Color, April 2-3: https://www.fgcquaker.org/event/virtual-retreats-for-youth-of-color/

Plan to attend Friends for a NonViolent World’s annual meeting Sat, March 26th, 9:30-11:30AM. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to connect with the FNVW community, hear about the work FNVW has accomplished in 2021, welcome new board members, and help discern the direction of future programming! Hybrid meeting – in person at Twin Cities Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul); via Zoom: click here ; ID: 845 9012 4846; passcode: 904019.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition’s Virtual Day on the Hill is March 15! Tune in for the evening program, 6:30PM Tues, March 15, with opportunities for legislative visits the days and week following. Keynote speaker, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director of the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council, will inspire courageous action using the theme from the book of Esther, For Such a Time as This. JRLC counts on your engagement to shape, influence, and support public policies for dignity, justice and the common good. Be a change agent and ally for and with struggling Minnesotans! Minneapolis Meeting is a member of JLRC. More here .

In Feb, Friends of the Falls and the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) held the first of five Community Conversations. A recording of that conversation can be found at: youtube.com/watch?v=zV5aLXmC8eU The second Conversation, centering on the River, its role at this place, and its relationship to people through time; the interconnected themes of ecology, history, rights of Water, and reciprocity with the River from an Indigenous perspective, will be on Wed, March 16, 5-7PM in person or virtually. More here.