October 1, 2023

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 10:00 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Gayle Dreon; Zoom host – Mary B

10:15 – 11:00 Environmental Education at Friends School of MN. Joe Mueller, Head of School, will describe this is a crucial component of the overall academic program at the school, discussing the “why” behind the “how” and show how deeply integrated environmental education is in the life of the school. Zoom host – Mary B

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Allen Gibas – speaker; Jacque Wiersma – musician; care of meeting, Marilyn Johnson; Zoom host – Kate W-J

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

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~ Micah 6:8

TODAY at the rise of worship – come downstairs for a bag lunch / finger food potluck! Pull up a chair and join the conversation!

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

HEADS UP: The Twin Cities Marathon, with many road closures, is THIS SUNDAY, Oct 1.

Next Sunday at 9:45AM: monthly meeting for business. Friends commit themselves to discovering and implementing the will of God. This is the purpose of the Quaker meeting for business. “Since our method of transacting business presumes that in a given matter there is a way that is in harmony with God’s plan, our search is for that right way, and not simply for a way which is either victory for some faction, or an expedient compromise.” (NEYM F&P) What we call “the sense of the meeting” is not the collected wisdom of those present, but the collective discernment of God’s will. Our bold affirmation is that God does indeed have a will for us, that God is actively trying to communicate that will, and that we are capable, through corporate prayer, to discover that will. A sign that we have achieved our goal of discerning God’s will is the experience of Unity which is recognized and affirmed by those gathered. – An Introduction to Quaker Business Practice, World Council of Churches, 2000

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 Lolly L 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.

Fall Together at Fish Lake, Oct 14th from 11AM – 7PM. Now is a good time to get vaccinated for Covid, flu, and RSV, if you are able. It will make our gathering safer for everybody! On the schedule: a partial eclipse of the sun, a scavenger hunt, singalong, a program, the variety show, and other fun activities. Fish Lake is beautiful and inviting – lovely to share with each other. Children warmly welcome. We’ll be outside, weather permitting, moving inside the Pavillion if needed. Remember to bring a mask if you’d be more comfortable wearing one. Practice your variety show act! Make (or buy) eclipse-viewing safety accessories (https://www.space.com/36941-solar-eclipse-eye-protection-guide.html ) – some supplies for a pinhole and cardstock viewer as well as twenty pair of eclipse glasses will be available at Fish Lake. Plan to come!

The Meeting’s Death and Memorial Committee invite everyone to a Service of Remembrance, October 15th, at 1:30PM held at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. This special worship will be held in memory of friends and family who have died, and to support those who are grieving the death of loved ones. All are welcome. Please plan to allow our community to remember our friends and care for each other. Questions? Contact Tom W or Barbara Z.

LBGTQ+ People Today: Judith J and Bill H will be hosting a discussion at a midmorning program on Oct 22nd on how LGBTQ+ individuals view and confront issues today . They seek other panel members willing to discuss your experience, thoughts, pain, or joys. Because we are a diverse community, they are asking for volunteers to be sure all LGBTQ+ voices within our meeting are represented. Contact Bill H with questions or more.

Save the date! October’s Fun with Friends will be a potluck picnic at Judith J’s farm in Taylors Falls, Sun afternoon, Oct 22nd! More information to follow. Taylors Falls is about an hour NE of the meetinghouse. It’s a pretty ride in the country. Come see what Judith’s been up to on the farm!

Minneapolis Friends Meeting seeks applicants for a Nursery Supervisor to care for children 0-5 years old during Sunday morning worship and programming. This is a part-time position, approximately 3-4 hours on Sunday mornings. Hourly wage is $15-20/hour, depending on experience. Interested candidates should have experience caring for young children, dependability to provide a consistent presence, attentiveness to children’s safety, and ability to communicate effectively. A full job description can be found here. Send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references by email to: office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org, with Nursery Committee in the subject line.

Loaves and Fishes, Oct 30th: Join other metro-area Friends, the Ismaili Community and the Mayim Rabim congregation to provide a meal at Holy Rosary Church in S Mpls, 2424 – 18th Ave S. Prepare dinner (2-4:30); pack up and hand out the meals (4:45-6:30,) or clean up (5:30-7.) Fruit donations needed. Volunteers and fruit donations needed! Email Sue K to sign up for a shift to make sure there is sufficient space or to arrange to drop off fruit. Masks, gloves, and hats required. Sign up to come if you can!

The Care and Counsel Committee facilitates pastoral care for Minneapolis Meeting members and attenders, understanding the Quaker tradition that Friends minister to each other. If you are dealing with illness, grief, a major transition, or a stressful personal problem, we would like to be there for you. Contact committee clerk, Sandy O.
If a confidential discussion would support you as you make a decision, we will set up a clearness committee with you. Email John S. to explore that opportunity.
Other committee members are Connie A, Mary G, and Ellen S.

Need to schedule a Zoom meeting for a committee meeting or Minneapolis Meeting activity? Please send a request, including date, time, and purpose to office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to have it set up.

SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNEAPOLIS MEETING

Established writers as well as dabblers will have an informal writing session Mon night, Oct 2, 7-9PM. This is a chance to connect with one another, writing with prompts and sharing what we write. Serious, whimsical, beautiful and quirky – we’ve enjoyed them all! You are welcome to come laugh, ponder, and create together, whether or not you have participated before! Contact Jane D with questions or interest.

“Safety is not the absence of threat, but the presence of connection “ – Gabor Mate. Feeling distress and concern about the situations we face in our world today? The best way to face these concerns is in community. The Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice group will welcome newcomers, the curious, and returning regulars on Tues, Oct 10th, 7PM, giving each other support and encouragement as we study the book, The Quaking of America. As we engage in the suggested body practices, we build community. Email Jimbo or Nettie for the Zoom link.

Small group line-up: Writing Group, first Monday night; Getting to Know You Group, second Tuesday afternoon; Right Relationship with Indigenous People, second Tuesday night; Reading Group, fourth Tuesday night; Spirituality of Dance Group, last Tuesday morning in odd months. Contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org for contact info for all of these.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

Join the World Quaker Day worship with Friends World Committee for Consultation TODAY, Oct 1st, 6PM (CT). Worship will be a blend of Quaker worship styles practiced by Friends in the Americas. Register here to get the link.

Belonging in Unknown, a Pendle Hill first Monday lecture by Matthew Armstead, will be Mon, Oct 2nd, 6:30PM (CT). Knowledge and being right are highly valued in our world, and not knowing carries risk. How do we welcome ourselves fully when we don’t know? How might we open to live during climate chaos; love as empires crumble; and learn from the darkness as well as the light? More and register here. Hear more from Matthew through their recent Pendle Hill podcast interview.

Chanting Our Own Songs: Listening Inward, Listening Outward, a workshop offered by Maia Twedt and Anne Supplee will be Thurs, Oct 26, 6:30-7:30PM, online. Event link is found here. Explore listening to different forms of chanting and consider: what are the songs within you? What are the songs from your childhood? The songs you present to the world?  What are the songs dancing around inside you but not expressed? Are there others you might join with in song? This session includes chanting listening session, guided meditation, and a facilitated group discussion. Questions? Email wayopeningworkshops(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com.

Save the Date: Northern Yearly Meeting (NYM) Fall Interim Session, Nov 3-5 in Milwaukee. There will be a Fri. evening program; business meeting will be on Sat. Opportunities for other social and educational events on Saturday evening and Sunday are in the works. Watch for details. Updates at NYM; password: quaker2023.

VOLUNTEER

The snow is not yet flying, but it’s never too early to gear up for the Friends for a NonViolent World Holiday Fair!
~ Use those lazy, hazy days of summer to create crafts to be sold or preserve the bounty of your garden! Work on your own or parallel play with a group of friends! Jams, honey and salsa are popular sale items. And of course, it’s always a good time to teach one of your skills to a younger person!
~ Clean up those Quaker Treasures to prepare them for their next life. Items with special meaning and value to the Quaker community are most fun to have.
~ Donate books! (We would also love multi-gallon storage tubs, and a few bookcases!) Contact info(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org to donate.
~ Have ideas of how to make the Fair even better this year? Be part of the planning team! info(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org with questions or to volunteer. Serving on the Holiday Fair Planning Committee is a great way to volunteer with FNVW for a limited period of time.
~ Let us know what you’d like to donate to the sale using this FNVW Holiday Fair Donation Sign Up

WORK OPPORTUNITIES AMONG FRIENDS

Twin Cities Meeting continues to seek an Office Coordinator/Bookkeeper. Applications accepted until the position is filled. The job announcement, including the full job description, can be found at https://tcfm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Office-Coordinator-job-announcement.pdf

Alternatives to Violence Project MN Youth and Adult Program Coordinator at Friends for a NonViolent World. Responsible for the overall coordination of AVP-MN’s workshops and activities, working closely with the Executive Director and AVP-MN Council to expand the capacity and impact of the program. See more here. Interviews have begun.

OFFICE HOURS

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).