October 29, 2023

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

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

10:15 – 11:00 the Minneapolis Friends Meeting Story with Linda Coffin; Zoom host – Mary B

11:15 – 12:15 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Kate Wolfe-Jenson – speaker; Jacque Wiersma – musician; care of meeting, Jim Haefemeyer; Zoom host – Bill H

For the link to Sunday morning worship and mid-morning program, email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org.

We need to think of simplicity not as an impossible demand, but as an invitation to a more centered, intentional, and fulfilling Spirit-led life . . . It is less a matter of doing without, than a spiritual quality that simplifies our lives by putting first things first. –Richard Barnes

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

People around the world who are under threat of violence, those who have had to flee their homes, those grieving the death of loved ones, those fearful of the safety of friends and family, those devastated by need of electricity, food, water, and/or goods, and those in positions to change many of these conditions.

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

GRANDKIDS’ DAY and POTLUCK! Bring your grandchildren at 11AM next Sun, Nov 5th to enjoy puppets, singing, a taste of first day school, and the potluck! The potluck next Sunday will make full use of the kitchen, dishes, and cutlery! Bring kid-friendly fare and don’t forget the vegans and gluten-intolerant among us!

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: Solar Power at MFM. Rick VandenDolder and Roger Miller will describe the year-long research accomplished around reducing the carbon footprint of Minneapolis Monthly Meeting – the progress and problems in going solar and reducing our consumption of fossil carbon.

Loaves and Fishes, TOMORROW, 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. Covid-19 has created more need and fewer volunteers (and fruit donations.) 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. This remains a COVID risk. Sign up to come if you can!

Instead of mid-week worship this Wed night, the Peace and Social Concerns Committee will present a program on Asylum Seekers in Minnesota – 7PM, in person and online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84938257185; ID: 849 3825 7185.

Come to a How We Deal with Conflict and Difference in our Individual Lives and in our Meeting Life Soiree on Mon, Oct 30, 1PM! All are welcome; no commitment, just drop in! Those interested will meet monthly. Since the topic can be challenging, it might be uncomfortable sometimes – but we plan to have fun, too! We hope to become more authentic, effective peacemakers in the world by becoming more skilled in dealing with differences in our daily lives. Email Nettie S. for the link; learn more from John S, Kate W-J, Nettie, or Jim L.

A Lifetime Gift: We plan for so many things in our life – weddings, children, school, college, buying a home, vacation, retirement… but we are not particularly good at planning for death. And yet, it is the one thing we are all guaranteed. On Tues, Nov 14th, 6 – 7PM (CT), a number of MFM F(f)riends will hear Shelly Halverson share her personal experiences, research, and training to help you prepare for the end of life. You’ll learn how to express your wishes, provide your family with a guide, and receive a comprehensive toolkit filled with checklists, resources, and information on life summary, pet care, finances, medical history, and more. This webinar is designed to give you comfort, confidence, and ease the burden on the loved ones you leave behind. Learn what steps can be taken now to avoid stress later. Free and open to all ages and stages. Register by Nov 7 and include your mailing address to receive your toolkit prior to the event. Please register each participant in your household, so you each get a kit: https://bit.ly/3Qc1Ixn

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.

Being a Zoom Host or a substitute A/V Tech is a great way to support the Meeting’s worship. Interested in being trained for either of these positions, or just finding out more? Contact Marilyn J.

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.

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.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

Friends Committee for National Legislation offered a “Calling for a Ceasefire: Israel-Palestine Briefing” last Wed night. You can watch and share the recording of this powerful conversation here. The transcript of the chat is available here. An FCNL toolkit for calling for a ceasefire can be found here. The American Friends Service Committee has a Gaza resource page available here.

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, too. Zoom-only participants are asked to register so we can make sure you get Zoom information or other updates you may need. Register here: https://forms.gle/B4JZ1iJ6T1cvrXrp6

Friends Committee on National Legislation’s (FCNL) Annual Meeting & Quaker Public Policy Institute 2023 will be Nov 15 – 19, in person in D.C. and online. Each year hundreds of Quakers and friends join in fellowship and worship at this event to seek unity around decisions about organizational priorities, bylaws, and budget for the coming year. Through the Quaker Public Policy Institute, hundreds of advocates lobby their federal officials to advance just public policies. Workshops, plenaries, worship sharing, and other events bring the work of FCNL to the wider Friends community and offer an opportunity to meet the dedicated FCNL staff who work every day to lobby for legislation that reflects Quaker values. Go to fcnl.org to learn more.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

CANCELLED: The community sing, All Souls Sing, at Lakewood Cemetery today.

“Lakota Nation vs United States,” will have a one-night reprise, offered by the MSP Film Society, with a post-show director Q&A at the Capri Theater in north Mpls on Thurs, Nov 2nd. Tickets, $5. Details and trailer here.

Living Lightly – Water heaters are one of the largest energy-consuming appliances in modern households, constituting an average of 18% of your total utility bill. To help your water heater run more efficiently: turn the thermostat to 120 degrees, down from the factory setting of 130-140 (saves 3-5% on water heating costs); invest in a tankless water heater (can save up to 40%); make sure your water heater is the right size – an undersized water heater is overworked, the burner constantly running. If your hot water heater is constantly going, it may be time for an upgrade; drain your water heater tank once or twice a year (according to manufacturer’s instructions) to keep it sediment-free and efficient; insulate your tank and pipes; install a volt timer on electric water heaters to turn the heater off overnight; use less hot water by taking baths, shorter showers, using cold water wash cycles for clothes, and using the energy-efficient setting on your dishwasher.

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).