Game Night! Saturday, Nov. 9th, 4-7:30 PM. Join Minneapolis Friends Meeting children and families for a rollicking night of fun, games, and new friendships. Bring a favorite game that you/your family enjoy, and a potluck dish to share with others. Also, bring a favorite song you’d like to share with others – you can sing or play it on your phone. Meet at the meetinghouse. Questions to Cathy N..

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November 10, 2024

MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

TODAY

9:00 – 9:40 meeting for worship (unprogrammed): care of meeting, Lin Butler; Zoom host – Marilyn J.

9:45 – 11:15 monthly meeting for business: Stephen Snyder, clerk; Tom Ward, recording clerk; Zoom host – Sandy O.

11:15 – 12:00 meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Jules Howard – speaker; care of meeting, Mary Bosserman; Zoom host – Sandy O.

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

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Those who are feeling hopeless and those who are fearful of violence, and loss of rights and freedoms in the aftermath of the election; particularly young adults.

Those who are 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

Feeling stressed? Discouraged? Fearful? Come to mid-week worship, Wed nights, 7PM. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org by noon Wed for the link.

Mid-Morning Program next Sunday at 10:15: MFM Technology: Updates, Pointers and Tips. Come for an interactive forum on meeting the needs of the Meeting. It won’t be techy!!

Sign up for the Thanksgiving potluck at the meetinghouse! All are welcome to the warmth and support of this Friendly feast and worship!

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.

MFM Movie Night – Landfill Harmonic: The recycled orchestra of Cateura – at the meetinghouse or via Zoom – Fri, Nov. 22, 7PM. The movie follows a Paraguayan orchestra whose instruments are made entirely out of garbage. The orchestra goes viral and attracts global fame. During a natural disaster in Paraguay the orchestra struggles to stay intact and remain a source of hope for their town. The movie portrays a symphony of the human spirit. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCjbd21fYV8 Popcorn provided (courtesy of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee) at the meetinghouse. Available via zoom – but without free popcorn: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87228134585?pwd=GOEhGjKOG5D944L54jbqhYQidvJVd2.1; ID: 872 2813 4585; Passcode: 205779

Friends are invited to the launch of Joanne Esser’s new book of poems from Fernwood Press, All We Can Do Is Name Them, Sun, Nov 17th, 3PM, here at the meetinghouse. Poets Jane Downes and Mary Logue will be reading in addition to Joanne. All three have recent poetry books. Reading, refreshments, book signing, and camaraderie. Save the date!

John Cutler is directing “Just For Us” at Six Point Theater, running through Nov. 10. Read a review here: https://www.startribune.com/review-its-goose-steps-versus-guffaws-in-six-points-theaters-witty-comedy-just-for-us/601171899

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 Mary G, and Jimbo L.

Contributions update: Thank you, Friends, for your generous financial support. Contributions to General Funds from April 1 to October 31 totaled $74,480.53. Contributions of $11,571 per month, through March, are needed to meet the curtailed budget ($132,335.) Contributions of $14,368 per month, through March, are needed to fund the aspirational budget ($146,320.) If you would like to set up automatic contributions to the meeting, contact Mike F. or Carolyn V, co-clerks of Stewardship and Finance Committee.

SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES AT MINNEAPOLIS MEETING

Come to thirty minutes of Lectio Divina, Divine Reading, followed by worship sharing on ZOOM. Each Tuesday at noon we will hold a very brief reading from the Bible, Quaker, or other spiritual text to see how it might speak to us today. Contact Mary of Stephen S. for more and the link.

The Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice group meets every second Tues night, 7-8:30 and is exploring and practicing the inner and outer work of direct action using Resmaa Menakem’s book The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating our Nation’s Upheaval and Racial Reckoning. There is a core group; visitors / newcomers are warmly welcome. Contact Nettie S. for more and for the link.

Small group line-up: Lectio Divina – every Tuesday noon; Writing Group – first Monday night; Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice Group – second Tuesday night; Reading Group – fourth Tuesday night; Conflict Soiree – last Tuesday afternoon.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER WORLD OF FRIENDS

It’s not too early to be thinking about the Friends for a NonViolent World Holiday Fair, this year on the SECOND weekend of Dec, the 13th and 14th, at Friends School of MN in St. Paul! Plan what crafts or food you can contribute; start collecting books to donate to the book sale; identify small, giftable items that need new homes (Quaker Treasures); hold space in your schedule to be a musician, help set up, and/or clean up; and for sure invite friends and relatives to meet you there for shopping and eating! This is an important fund-raiser for FNVW and a lovely opportunity for community. Put your holiday dollars to work for peace and justice! Consider distributing a flyer in your neighborhood! Download and print at https://tinyurl.com/FNVW-Holiday-Sale
Not quite sure what Friends for a NonViolent World does? Listen to this Northern Spirit Radio (NSR) interview with Leah Robshaw Robinson, recently-retired executive director of FNVW. You can listen at this NSR link.

Toward Healing: How Churches Face Accountability for their Indian Boarding Schools. Many Christian church denominations operated Indian boarding schools during the 19th and early 20th centuries, in collaboration with the federal government’s policy of forced assimilation. Now they are re-examining the roles they played, the harms that were done to Native families and nations, and the ongoing impacts in Native communities today. Representatives of Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Quaker faith communities will share how they are conducting research and approaching questions of accountability, apology, reparations, and healing. Sun, Nov 10th, 7-8:30pm(CT). Offered by Friends Peace Teams’ Toward Right Relationship. Register at https://friendspeaceteams.org/accountability-boarding-schools-2024/

Friends General Conference is offering Silence & Light for Quaker Newcomers eRetreat, Saturdays from Nov 9 – Dec 14; 1 – 2:30PM (CT). This session is offered for people curious about Quakers or new to Quakerism and will explore the basics of Quaker theology and practice. Come explore and practice the experience of Quaker worship and silent waiting; the inward encounter with the Inner Teacher who leads, guides, and transforms us every day. More at https://www.fgcquaker.org/event/silence-light-for-quaker-newcomers-eretreat

Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples – Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change workshop: Experience the history of the colonization of Turtle Island, now known as the United States, told through the words of Indigenous leaders, European/American leaders, and Western historians. Engage with this history through experiential exercises and small group discussion. And consider how we can build relationships with Indigenous peoples based on truth, respect, justice, and our shared humanity. Facilitated by Toward Right Relationship’s Native and non-Native teams. Appropriate for high school students and adults. Sat, Nov. 16th, 3-5PM (CT); register at https://friendspeaceteams.org/trr-workshop-nov-2024/

Friends General Conference Annual Gathering, A Spring Whose Waters Never Fail, will be February 1-9, online only. As of 2024, on-site Gatherings occur in even years while online Gatherings are held in odd years. Smaller, Young Adult & Youth (YAY) events are also held during odd years to offer continuity of programming for younger friends. Everyone – newborns to nonagenarians; life-long Friends to Quaker newcomers – are welcome to attend the Gathering of Friends. In structure, it’s part conference and part family camp. In content, it provides an abundance of opportunities to learn about Quakerism, foster spiritual life, and have fun. More at https://www.fgcquaker.org/fgcprograms/the-gathering/

The Middle East
* from American Friends Service Committee – urge Congress to act now and stop the slaughter of a deadly regional war.
* No New Weapons to Israel: Senators Bernie Sanders (VT), Peter Welch (VT), and Jeff Merkley (OR) introduced resolutions to block arms shipments slated to go to Israel. Contact your Senators today and urge their support for these resolutions at https://fcnl.quorum.us/campaign/75157/ Find a supporting document to offer your Congresspeople at https://www.fcnl.org/resources/no-new-weapons-israel
* join AFSC every Friday at 11AM for an Action Hour for a Cease-fire Now.
* worship with attention to peace in Palestine and Israel with Friends across the U.S. every Thurs, online, at 4:30PM. Sign up to get the link at https://afsc.org/events/meeting-worship-attention-peace-palestine-israel

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

WAMM and the Antiwar Committee and will sponsor a press conference protesting “13 Months of Genocide Against Palestine’s Children,” Nov 9 (Sat), 11AM. Meet at 26th and 10th Ave S; 11:30 press conference at Stewart Park, 2700 S 12th Ave, Mpls. Info at https://womenagainstmilitarymadness.org/events/childrens-press-conference/ Charlie Underwood (Twin Cities Meeting) has put together a googledoc of activites and resources about the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and peace. Find it here.

Mayim Rabim’s Fall FUNdraiser – Cabaret & Silent Auction, Nov 16th, 6:15-9:15 at the meetinghouse! Come for an intimate evening of performance, silent auction, and light refreshments. This family-friendly event features Mayim Rabim members singing, dancing, strumming, and hamming it up. You’ll be able to take home art, crafts, and fine goods and services donated by members of our community. Suggested donation $18—more if you can/less if not; Also available via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82799945148?pwd=xgUynQSBnydEva0GAWhGwoHxORNOGT.1

Despite bipartisan support, House leaders have yet to schedule a vote on The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, even though it would likely pass with overwhelming approval. The bill passed unanimously through the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in 2023. Congress reconvenes on Nov 12th. If this bill isn’t passed by the end of the year, we’ll have to start all over again. Call and urge your House and Senate leaders to bring the Truth and Healing bill to the floor for a vote:
https://boardingschoolhealing.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2409f90592cd87d4d9c47cad&id=9829d669dc&e=f15eb9f575.

OFFICE HOURS

The Meeting Coordinator, will be in the office Wed – Fri afternoons. 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).

The Children and Families Coordinator, will be available: Mon and Wed, 2:30-5PM; Thurs, 3:30-5PM; Sun. morning at the meetinghouse.