September 17, 2023

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:55 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Benton Randolph; Zoom host – Bill H

10:10 – 11:10 FAMILY FEST! a welcome back celebration, brought to us by the Children and Families Committee; Zoom host – Kate W-J

11:20 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Diane Barrett – speaker; Jacque Wiersma – musician; care of meeting, John Kraft; Zoom host – Kate W-J

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

“One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.” ~ “We Were Made for These Times”, by Clarrisa Pinkola Estes

“‘Frederick, why don’t you work?’ they asked. ‘I do work,’ said Frederick. ‘I gather the sun rays for the cold dark winter days.'” ~ Frederick by Leo Lionni

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

People recovering from the earthquake in Morocco and from floods in Libya and others around the world who are grieving or suffering from the climate crisis, conflict, racism, colonialism, displacement, and loss, and all those who are aiding victims and the dispossessed.

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

From Ministry and Counsel Committee: “The vitality of Meeting for Worship depends on having a healthy balance between deep, silent worship and vital Spirit-led vocal ministry. When Meetings insist too much on enforcing silence, they may stifle authentic and needed ministry. When messages become too frequent, too personal, or too intellectual, the depth and quality of worship may suffer.” ~ LA Quaker: Eldering and Vocal Ministry: Guidelines for the Vexed and Perplexed

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: George Lakey, How NonViolent Campaigns Succeed in Polarized Times. From his first arrest in the Civil Rights era to his most recent during a climate justice march at the age of 83, George Lakey has committed his life to building a better world through non-violent movements. He has worked in the United States with mineworkers, steelworkers, and civil rights leaders, and, internationally, with South African anti-apartheid activists, Cambodian human rights organizers, and many others. An author and teacher, in 1992, he founded and served as executive director of Training for Change, an organization internationally known for its leadership in creating and teaching strategies for nonviolent social change. George will remain open to the Spirit as he approaches his time with us. His topic may not end up being reflected in the title above.

There is online mid-week worship every Wed night, 7PM. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org by noon Wed for the link.
On Wed, Sept 27th, instead of the usual online-only unprogrammed worship, George Lakey will facilitate a panel, How We Win: Organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice, available both in person at the meetinghouse and online: link here; ID: 849 3825 7185. See below for more.

George Lakey, well-known Quaker activist, teacher, and author, will be in the Twin Cities next week!
Events:
~ How NonViolent Campaigns Succeed in Polarized Times – mid-morning program at 10:15AM on Sun, Sept. 24th at MFM
~ Prophetic Quakerism Tackles the Climate Crisis – Sun, Sept 24th at 2PM at Twin Cities Meeting in St. Paul;
~ Dancing with History – bookstore event, Tues, Sept 26th, 7PM at Magers and Quinn Booksellers on Hennepin Ave, Mpls
~ How We Win: Organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice panel with local organizers Joe Vital (East Phillips Neighborhood Institute) and Nazir Kahn (MN Environmental Justice Table) Wed, Sept 27th 7PM at the meetinghouse (zoom link here; ID 825 2369 0843; passcode 817454)
~ Justice Unbound: Building Race and Class Solidarity with Minister JaNae Bates, songsby Good Trouble – Thurs, Sept 28th, 7PM East Side Freedom Library, St. Paul, MN. Register for zoom link here.
~ Walk for Peace and Justice – Sat, Sept 30th, 10AM at Brackett Park, Minneapolis. Click here for more and to sign up.
More details about George’s visit here.

Fall Together at Fish Lake: The Fall Together Committee is planning a mostly outdoor gathering at Fish Lake Regional Park on Sat, Oct 14 from 11AM – 7PM. 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, and it would be lovely to share time with each other, enjoying the park. 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. Check your email for a full schedule and other information. Practice your variety show act! Make (or buy) eclipse-viewing safety accessories (https://www.space.com/36941-solar-eclipse-eye-protection-guide.html – some materials to make a viewing box will be available at Fish Lake.) Plan to come!

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.

The Meeting Coordinator will be out of the office Sept 22-26. Please plan accordingly.

HEADS UP: The Twin Cities Marathon will be Oct 1. Please take that into consideration when coming to meeting!

SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNEAPOLIS MEETING

The Right Relationship with Indigenous People group will meet this coming Tues night, Sept 19th, at 7PM: link here; ID: 846 7907 2882; passcode 482476. Open to all interested, this group meets every third Tues night.

The Watson Reading Group will meet this Tues night, 7-8:30PM via Zoom. We are starting Ranae Hanson’s Watershed, taking turns reading aloud with time for discussion. Most participants have a copy of the book available to them, but it is not mandatory. If you have interest in joining, please let John D know. The group usually meets on the fourth Tues of each month.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

Shelley Tanenbaum has guided Quaker Earthcare Witness for ten years! She will be retiring at the end of the year. Come hear her speak on “Insights and Inspirations: Ten Years as General Secretary” on Sept 19, 6-7PM(CT). Register here.

Nonviolent Approaches to Protect Civilians in Ukraine, Thurs, Sept. 21st, at noon (CT). Friends Committee on National Legislation will host this online conversation with experts from Nonviolent Peaceforce who are working to protect civilians in Ukraine and around the world through unarmed strategies. Register at this link.

Cannon Valley Meeting invites Minneapolis Meeting Friends to a UN International Day of Peace celebration Thurs, Sept 21, 5-7PM in Central Park, Northfield. Music, dancing, food trucks, and keynote speaker Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (at 5:45). AFSC, QVS, FCNL, and FNVW will be there too!

Join the World Quaker Day worship with Friends World Committee for Consultation on Sun, 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.

VOLUNTEER

Walk for Peace & Justice Sept 30th! Challenged by violence across the Twin Cities, the Walk is a fundraising event to bring together and support the people and organizations working to create a safe and healthy Twin Cities where we all can thrive. Friends for a NonViolent World walkers will be raising funds to support FNVW’s advocacy work and its Alternatives to Violence (AVP) program. Find out more and sign up here. Register to walk or support a walker at this link.

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! Contact 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 seeks an Office Coordinator/Bookkeeper. 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 will begin the second week of Sept.

Thee Quaker Podcast is hiring a Social Media and Newsletter Coordinator. Learn more here. Deadline is Sept 18.

Friends School of MN Development Director – someone who is excited about FSMN’s values, a good storyteller, is comfortable reaching out to new audiences, has a wide range of fundraising experience, and is interested in helping to lead the school’s first major capital planning effort in a decade. More at this link.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Song Circle, a friendly group of singers including some MFM folks, will meet at 5PM, Sat, Sept 16, at Thompson County Park, in West St. Paul, weather permitting. Sing first while there’s light, and then eat snacks or real food – up to you. Bring voices and instruments, song books or song sheets, and something to eat with and food or drink to share, if you’d like. Meet in the shelter if available; bring lawn chairs and blankets just in case we need to set up nearby instead. There are restrooms: 360 Butler Avenue East, West St. Paul, MN 55118. The picnic shelter is called the North Shelter: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/Gathering/Picnics/Pages/north-picnic-shelter.aspx

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota found in their investigation of the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department that there is reasonable cause to believe that the City and MPD engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates people’s constitutional or federal rights. These offices are seeking community input about improvements we would like to see as they work with MPD and the City to resolve the identified violations and implement remedial measures through a consent decree. A listening session for the public is set for Sept 18, 7-8:30PM(CT). Register here. Can’t attend on the 18th? You can leave a comment at Community.Minneapolis(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)usdoj.gov or leave a message at (866) 432-0268. The DOJ’s full report is available here; a video of the announcement is here, and a published summary is here.

OFFICE HOURS

The Meeting Coordinator will be in the office Tues – Thurs afternoons. Phone messages checked daily; email checked T-Th. 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).