June 30, 2024

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

10:00 – 11:00 AM meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Lin Butler; Zoom host – Kate Wolfe-Jenson (651-402-5927)

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

Friends are reminded to silence your cell phone before entering the meetingroom.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

the political health of the U. S.

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

NEWS FOR MINNEAPOLIS MEETING FRIENDS

SPECIAL EVENTS

Hibbing native Jeff Halper will give a talk, “From Genocide in Gaza to Decolonizing Palestine: Towards a Democratic State for All Between the River and the Sea,” at 11:00 am following worship NEXT Sun, July 7th. Jeff is an Israeli anthropologist who is a founder of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions and the Palestinian-led One Democratic State Campaign. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize by the American Friends Service Committee in 2006 and has taught at the Friends World College (headed by George Watson before he came to Minneapolis Meeting.) His visit is being organized by the Minneapolis WAMM (Women Against Military Madness). A potluck will follow the talk. Available via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87395438569?pwd=sJa5MEzTnjPcdjZ8RbcHSIQidCMeCa.1; ID: 873 9543 8569; Passcode: 740961. In preparation, an AFSC-recommended film, Where Olive Trees Weep, is available to view online at https://whereolivetreesweep.com/. Where Olive Trees Weep offers a window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation, exploring themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice.

Meeting children and youth will attend the Twins vs Cubs baseball game on Aug. 4th! Get your picture taken at the game in front of the Twins scoreboard displaying: Welcome Quaker Youth from Minneapolis Friends Meeting! The first 5,000 youth age 12 and under will get a free backpack; concession food is half price for kids; AND you’ll get a chance to walk around the bases on Twins field! Adults without children are welcome to attend too! Let Coordinator, Cathy, know how many adult tickets ($18.00) and children (free) you want to reserve for this Aug 4th event. Our seats are reserved viewing third base and the Twins dugout. Come make a memory!

NEWS

Stay next Sunday for the potluck, following our special guest speaker, Jeff Halper. Potlucks here are do-it ourselves affairs. Look for ways to help the effort – replenish plates, tableware, water pitchers, help clear, wash and put away dishes, tables, and chairs. To regulars – brings lots so we can feel confident inviting visitors to stay!

The asylum hearing for Ayuk will be Mon, July 8, from 8:30 to 10AM in the chambers of Judge Audrey Carr at the Whipple Building. Ayuk has spoken to Minneapolis Meeting about the civil war in his homeland of Cameroon, his dramatic journey to Ecuador, through the Darien Gap (on foot) and to the U.S. In the five years since his arrival, he has earned computer and human relations certifications, he has acquired a job at Boston Scientific, and he has been consecrated a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Approval rates for asylum in Minnesota are under 20%. The presence of observers at asylum hearings, however, tends to increase the chances of asylum being granted. Friends are urged to attend this hearing, an important juncture in Ayuk’s life. If Ayuk was to be sent back to Cameroon, it would be to the only airport which is in enemy territory. It would likely result in his death. To get to the Whipple Bldg (2 Federal Drive, St. Paul,) from Mpls, head east on Crosstown and take the right-hand exit at Bloomington Road (not Ave,) before the airport. Please see or talk to John D. if you have questions.

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.

Minneapolis Meeting needs you! The Tech Committee will offer regular AV training and refresher sessions through this summer. Running the AV system is not about technology, it’s more like following a recipe. We’re making the process easy with step by step ‘recipe cards’ to operate the system. This is a call to a ministry of making connections – helping connect people remotely with the meetinghouse and back again. Willing to help? Contact Marilyn J. or Roger M.

We are grateful to be welcoming new children and families and offering relationship, care, and planned programming during worship! Additional adults are needed to help with programming. Take the opportunity to get to know the young folks now attending meeting! Email Cathy with interest. Haven’t gone through the clearness process to work with children of the meeting? Contact Rae Beth C, Child Welfare Coordinator.

Monthly Meeting approved a curtailed 2024-25 budget. In order to meet the curtailed budget, contributions will need to increase 10% over those of last year, and Meeting will still need to use $25,000 of general fund reserves. If we are to make our usual contributions to other organizations and support MFM programming at the usual level this year, contributions will need to increase by about 24% in addition to using the $25,000 reserves. As this year progresses, Meeting will convene one or more threshing sessions to discern how we can best balance our vision for the future with our energies and finances. Progress Report: Contributions to the general fund in the first quarter so far total $29,586.50. First quarter contributions usually cover 12-18% of the total budget. Contributions so far are 22.3% of the curtailed budget; and 19.6% of our aspirational budget. Thank you, Friends, for your generous support of the meeting! A cautionary note – some Friends have made their annual contribution to the meeting in the first quarter rather than the third quarter. This will not necessarily result in an increase in total contributions.

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 co-clerks, John S. or Ellen S.
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, Jill F, and Jimbo L.

SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNEAPOLIS MEETING

Established writers as well as dabblers will have an informal writing session TOMORROW night, July 1st, 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! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87325724605?pwd=yMsUgPpvuSMffVRf3HgvFMOj8SI7yV.1; ID: 873 2572 4605; passcode: 839578. Contact Jane D. with questions or interest.

Please join the monthly “Conflict Soiree,” meeting on Zoom , Wed, July 3rd, 2PM. This is an ongoing group and drop-in’s are always welcome! We explore conflict and difference in our individual lives and in the meeting. We propose that becoming more skillful and comfortable with difference might cause us to be more authentic peacemakers everywhere we go. Contact Nettie S. for a Zoom link. Questions: Ask John S., Kate W-J or Nettie.

Small group line-up: Writing Group, first Monday night; Conflict Soiree, first Wednesday afternoon; Getting to Know You Group, second Tuesday afternoon; Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice Group, second Tuesday night; Reading Group, fourth Tuesday night.

OPPORTUNITIES AMONG FRIENDS

Friends for a NonViolent World – Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) – MN Youth and Adult Program Coordinator Job opening. FNVW seeks a passionate and motivated individual to join our organization! The AVP coordinator is a dynamic role, 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 our AVP program. The primary focus will be implementing our AVP youth workshop initiative with Minneapolis Public Schools this fall and continuing to coordinate workshop opportunities for youth in Hennepin County. Full position description here. This is a Part-Time / 20 hours a week position with opportunities to facilitate youth workshops for additional weekend hours. For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume to Leah Robshaw Robinson at: info(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)fnvw.org by July 7th.

Register for Friends for a NonViolent World People Camp, Aug 11-17. People Camp is a rich experience of shared community life and work, recreation and connection, social justice learning and action opportunities for children and adults at the North Pines Retreat Center in Park Rapids.. Find out more and register here.

Plan ahead to join your kids at Camp Woodbrooke’s Family Camp, near Richland Center, WI, for Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Sat. lunch through Mon. breakfast. Rustic cabins accommodate up to eight family and friends. Start your family camping experiences by embracing quiet nature, bushcraft, and stewardship. Swim, hike, crew, craft, play, garden, eat, rest, and enjoy summer fun and fall reflections. Details and registration at campwoodbrooke.org.

Quaker Indian Boarding Schools Research Network will offer a webinar on Mon, July 15th, 6:30-8PM. During the 19th century, almost all Christian denominations collaborated with the U.S. government’s policy of forced assimilation by operating “Indian boarding schools.” The Quaker Indigenous Boarding Schools Research Network (QIBS) is a group of volunteer researchers who are gathering information about Quaker-operated and Quaker-influenced boarding schools. Their research will be made available to Native American tribes and family members, DoI investigators, and the public. In this webinar, QIBS researchers will share some of their findings and discuss their research process. Interested researchers are invited to join them in this work of truth-telling, accountability, and collaboration. For background, watch this slide presentation. Register for the webinar at https://friendspeaceteams.org/qibs-presentation-jul-24/

Quaker Call to Action’s Steering Committee’s offers this List of Priority Actions (HERE,) short-term actions that can be taken in the months leading up to the November elections.

Did you know there is a feast of Quaker podcasts? FGC’s Quakers Today podcast (https://quakerstoday.podbean.com/,) Thee Quaker podcast (https://quakerpodcast.com/listen/,) FNVW’s Everyday NonViolence podcast (https://fnvw.podbean.com/,) Pendle Hill’s The Seed: Conversations for Radical Hope podcast (https://pendlehill.org/learn/podcast/,) AFSC’s On the Issues podcast (https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/afsc,) and, in the same vein, QuakerSpeak (https://quakerspeak.com/) Think about tuning in to one of these next time you’re elbow-deep in dishes or laundry or driving across town or weeding or . . .

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Healing Minnesota Stories Dakota Sacred Sites Tours have been scheduled for this summer on July 27, 9AM-1PM; and August 27, 10AM-2PM. The Dakota Sacred Sites Tours help people today more deeply understand the history and living legacy of Dakota Sacred Sites around the Twin Cities. These two just-announced tours are open to the public. Register here: https://www.mnchurches.org/what-we-do/healing-minnesota-stories

Donations for refugees needed! MN Council of Churches programs help new arrivals adjust to their new home. One easy way to extend a welcome to our newest neighbors is by donating hygiene and household products. There are gift registries with Amazon and Target with the items that are included in every welcome kit. If you already have supplies that you are looking to donate, bring them by the MCC offices, located at 122 Franklin Avenue W, Suite 100, Mpls, 55406. MCC is also looking for bicycles to give to refugee families! For almost all our clients, finding regular transportation can be a barrier to feeling at home in the Twin Cities. Not only can a bicycle help them commute to work, but it can also give families a way to explore with comfort and confidence. Do you have an adult bike (in good condition!) that’s been sitting in the garage all winter that you’re interested in donating? Reach out to Noah at noah.wilkerson(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)mnchurches.org or 651-724-0944, or feel free to drop it off between 8AM and 6PM weekdays at the above address.

OFFICE HOURS
The Meeting Coordinator will be in the office Wed, Thurs and Fri, afternoons. Phone messages checked daily. Bulletin deadline, noon Thur.