April 10, 2022

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:40 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Doug Herron; Zoom host – Sandy

9:45 – 11:15 monthly meeting for business: John Kraft, presiding clerk; Tom Ward, recording clerk; Zoom host – Mary B

11:15 – 12:00 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Ellen Swanson – speaker; care of meeting, Barbara Ziegenhagen; Zoom host – Mary B

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

The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man’s heart away from nature becomes hard; he knew the lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for humans too. So he kept his youth close to its softening influence.
~Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

People around the world who are suffering from conflict, racism, colonialism, displacement, loss, and the climate crisis, and all those who are aiding victims and the dispossessed.

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: Native Drum Group. An all-women group will drum using hand-made hand drums and will sing a variety of songs from different tribes. Listen to the heartbeat of the drum and let it resonant within you. Best heard in person!

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.

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 John C. 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 Mid-Morning Program Committee would like your feedback about mid-morning programs this year. Which topics have you appreciated? Which presentations did you find memorable, or helpful for your own spiritual growth? (A list of programs is available from office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org.) As we plan for the 2022-23 year, what subjects or presenters would you suggest? Please send comments and suggestions to: Ellen, Roger, Carol, or Joanne.

Resources for Seniors: Linda H has researched county and state programs that help seniors with a lot of life activities. If you want to see the materials, email John S.

Northern Yearly Meeting Budget Threshing: Please come to assist NYM in discernment about the budget and how it reflects NYM’s commitment to racial justice. NYM Finance Committee clerk Cynthia Bartoo will describe what has been done so far: specifics on the organizations to which we contribute (regarding, their anti-racist stance); review of the current donations budget, with some considerations within that; values or priorities exploration as a basis upon which to make decisions. How do we become an anti-racist organization? April 18, 7PM. Please RSVP by April 13 to office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org .

HEADS UP: CenterPoint is doing extensive work in the neighborhood to replace natural gas lines. Navigating streets and parking near the meetinghouse might prove more challenging than often.

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. Contact Stephen to get the link.

The Right Relationship with Indigenous People group will meet this coming Monday night, April 11, 7PM. Contact Carolyn for the link. Open to all interested, this group meets every second Monday night.

The Deep Inner Work of Creating Racial Justice Group will meet this Tues, April 12, 7-9PM. This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month and is open to all members and attenders, whether you have come before or not. Contact Nettie or Jim for more.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

VOLUNTEER

Quaker Voluntary Service has two program Fridays each month. Could you provide a vegan lunch for seven (and one gluten-free option) on April 15th, or May 13th or 27th? 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.

Friends for a NonViolent World will host a Walkathon fundraiser to support FNVW’s programs teaching alternatives to violence and championing a foundation of nonviolence upon which to build a society that respects the dignity of every human being. Sat, May 21, Lake Nokomis, Mpls, 9:30AM – 12:30PM. More at: Walkathon Sign Up and Pledge Form

Friends Committee on National Legislation peacebuilding: Over three million refugees have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion nearly a month ago. The U.S. has responded with over $5.5 billion in humanitarian assistance there. Afghanistan, Yemen, North Africa, and Central America are facing similar crises with far fewer resources and significantly less attention. An estimated 84 million people are displaced from their homes worldwide, mostly due to conflict and persecution. Ask your representatives in Congress to invest more in supporting local peacebuilders and in training our diplomats to resolve conflicts and prevent them from turning violent. These investments will save lives and avert greater suffering at a far lower cost. Contact FCNL for more and for assistance in reaching out to members of Congress.

WORKSHOPS, FILMS, RETREATS, PROGRAMS, PRESENTATIONS

The 2022 Friends General Conference Gathering, “. . . and follow me” will be July 3-9, in person and online. Early registration April 11 – 29. Advanced Programs with a list of workshops will be available soon here. Learn more and register for the Gathering on the FGC website. Registration deadline for in-person attendance is June 10.

School of the Spirit Contemplative Retreat, “All Shall Be Well: Contemplation in an Age of Crisis,” will be offered Thur – Sun, April 7-10, at the Siena Center in Racine WI. For more, see: https://www.schoolofthespirit.org/ .

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Mosques and Islamic Community Centers throughout the Metro area are inviting their neighbors for a traditional Ramadan Iftar, or fast-breaking meal, April 2 – May 2. More and sign up here.

The Minnesota Council of Churches has commenced a program on Minnesota’s Racial Legacy. The first session, Finally Telling the Truth, is now available to watch / read online: http://www.mnchurches.org/what-we-do/minnesotas-racial-legacy. The intention for the 10-year truth and reparations program mentioned in the introduction can be found 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).