Sunday, July 27, 2025

TODAY’S WORSHIP AND PROGRAM

10:00 – 11:00 AM – Meeting for Worship – unprogrammed (hybrid)
Closer: Charles Osugo, Zoom host: Rae C

For the link for worship this Sunday, email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org.

11:15 AM – Peace and Social Concerns Committee invites you to a letter-writing / postcard gathering today at about 11:15 AM in the conference room at the meeting house. All are welcome! It will be a hybrid meeting so you can join us from home. (The zoom link is the same as meeting for worship, above.) We will write letters and postcards to legislators, congress members, and letters to the editor. The Friends Committee on National Legislation has provided some recommendations; you can also write a letter to a recipient of your choosing. Questions? Contact Jim H or Nettie S. Don’t worry if you don’t have letter-writing materials – or even ideas of who to write to.

MORE WORSHIP SHARING OPPORTUNITIES AT MFM

Sharing the Spirit, held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, is a brief centering time that is open to everyone. We gather at approximately 8:57 AM for ten-minute worship (online, cameras off) beginning at 9:02 AM. Click here for zoom link; use ID 859 3925 1575, passcode 251345; or paste the following into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85939251575?pwd=1aHrNcUclfw3o99kyDnc9nAwzwkYGU.1.

Mid-week worship is on summer break in July and August. Watch the bulletin in September for an announcement of the date it will restart.

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

Rick V’s sister-in-law and brother, Cheryl and Paul. Their oldest son, Robb, died suddenly last Monday.

Sydney C has moved. She would welcome visits and cards. Please contact office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org for Sydney’s new address.

The Supreme Court Justices, John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, Samuel Alito, Elena Kegan, Amy Coney Barrett, and Clarence Thomas. Apache Stronghold is praying for a miracle to protect its religious freedom, important archeological and cultural land, and the environment as it appeals to the Supreme Court to hear a case against allowing mining in Oak Flats. If no legal action is taken, Resolution Copper will take possession of Oak Flat on August 19.

Happy birthday David B (August 10), Mary S (August 12), Rae C (August 13), Paul K (August 28), and Bill H (August 30)! Let Friends celebrate YOU! If you would like to have your birthday acknowledged by meeting Friends, please send the month and date of your birth (no year necessary) to Judith J.

MFM ANNOUNCEMENTS

There will be a memorial service for Scott Wright on Saturday, August 23 at 1:00 PM at the meetinghouse. You can also attend on zoom (click here for the zoom link, or use ID 822 1471 8362, passcode 671707, or copy and paste the following into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82214718362?pwd=dDQaZ2c3T09mUmYP9jlO3h682j5c18.1).

Peace and Social Concerns Committee is supporting a volunteer effort: Do you feel called to walk alongside others in a spirit of deep listening and mutual growth? Hennepin Connections is looking for dedicated mentors to accompany Minneapolis College (MCTC) students during the next school year as they grow personally and professionally. Your experience and guidance can have a lasting impact. Learn more and sign up on the website of Hennepin Connections’ partner organization The Basilica of St. Mary (click here). Whether you’re rooted in a particular faith tradition or simply led by a spirit of service, all are welcome. The deadline to apply to be a mentor in this program is August 1. You can also contact Lynda G for more information.

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.

New directories are available. Those listed in the directory may have an electronic directory sent to them. Email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org to request one. Paper copies are available at the meetinghouse. Ask presiding clerk, Steve, for details.

Contributions update: First quarter contributions totaled $26,217, which is about 19% of our budget. Giving is often lighter in the summer months. We are almost on track to meet our annual budget. Thank you, Friends, for your generous financial support of the meeting. There is now a donate tab on MFM’s website (click here). If you would like to set up automatic contributions to the meeting, contact Carolyn V, clerk of Stewardship and Finance Committee.

UPCOMING MFM EVENTS

Schedule update – Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice group is on summer break. There will NOT be a gathering on August 12, and it will resume September 9. The group usually meets monthly on second Tuesday nights, 7:00 – 8:30 PM.

July 28 (online). The Peace and Social Concerns Committee meets on fourth Mondays, 7:00 PM via Zoom. If interested in Minneapolis Meeting’s peace and justice focus and witness, you are warmly welcome! Join by Zoom (click here) or use ID 899 1439 1038, passcode 455959.

August 1 (in person). Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art with Joyful Aging, a joint group of Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Mayim Rabim, on Friday August 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. MIA is free to the public. We will meet in the coffee shop. If you need transportation please call or email Mary B.

August 3 (in person). All-Meeting Potluck is once a month on first Sundays. In the summer, it takes place 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Linger after worship for friendly food and conversation at the potluck downstairs! New attender or seasoned member – all are welcome whether you brought anything or not! (If you brought a dish, please label ingredients so everyone can participate without worry!)

August 4 (online). Writing Group: Established writers and dabblers will have an informal writing session on Monday, August 4, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. This is a chance to connect with one another, writing with prompts and sharing what we write. Serious, whimsical, beautiful and quirky – we enjoy it all! You are welcome to come laugh, ponder, and create together, whether or not you have participated before. Contact Jane D with questions. The group meets monthly on first Monday nights. Click here for zoom link or use ID 882 1594 6063, passcode 573695.

August 15 (in person). Joyful Aging is having coffee hour on Friday, August 15 at 10:00 AM at Turtle Bakery (W 44th Street & Beard Ave S, Minneapolis). Come see all your friends AND people you don’t know yet. Contact John S for more.

August 20 (in person). LGBTQ+ Group meets monthly, every third Wednesday, in person. The group requests that attendance be limited to those who are part of the LGBTQ community at this time. You can text or email Bill H for more information. Hope to see you there!

August 23 (hybrid). Memorial service for Scott Wright at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 23 at the meetinghouse. You can also attend on zoom (click here for the zoom link, or use ID 822 1471 8362, passcode 671707, or copy and paste the following into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82214718362?pwd=dDQaZ2c3T09mUmYP9jlO3h682j5c18.1).

August 24 (in person). Ice cream social! Welcoming and Outreach Committee invites everyone to the annual ice cream social on Sunday, August 24 from 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM.

August 26 (online). Watson Reading Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00 – 8:30 PM via Zoom. We are starting Becoming Wise, An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, by Krista Tippett. 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.

August 31 (in person). Children will lead semi-programmed meeting again, celebrating our summer ending. Families will bring kites to MFM that day to fly one block away at our closest park. Contact the chidren and families coordinator, Cathy N, with questions.

October 11 (in person). Fall Together, an annual retreat held by MFM, is a wonderful opportunity to gather with Friends and rest, relax, renew, re-connect and relish time together in the great outdoors. This year’s retreat will be at Fish Lake Regional Park in Plymouth, MN, a beautiful setting familiar to those who have attended Fall Together in recent years.

Other groups on summer break: Conflict Soiree, which usually meets monthly on last Tuesdays at 3:30 PM, is on break for the summer. Lectio Divina, which usually meets weekly on Tuesdays at noon, is also on break. Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice, usually meets monthly on second Tuesday nights, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, will resume on September 9.

QUAKER RESOURCES

August 2 (online). Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns hosts two regular events online (click here for zoom link). There is a monthly worship on first Saturdays at 4:00 PM (CT), and a monthly worship sharing on fourth Saturdays at 4:00 PM (CT) – the next being Saturday, August 2. There is also a Listening Line (listening support to queer Friends), 4:00 – 11:00 PM (PDT) every Saturday. Additionally, Canadian Friends (U.S.ers invited) have a Queer Gender group. Email clerks(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)flgbtqc.org for more.

August 3 (online). The Quaker Call to Action will host Eileen Flanagan at its next Zoom call, Sunday, August 3, 6:00 – 7:30 PM (CT), speaking on “Resisting the Divide and Conquer Game: How Quakers Can Help the Broader Pro-Democracy Movement.” Click here to register under “National Zoom Calls.” Eileen, the former campaign director of Earth Quaker Action Team, has trained people across the US in nonviolent strategies for change as well as training coordinators for Choose Democracy. Also available is last month’s presentation by Daniel Hunter, co-founder of Choose Democracy; click here for the recorded presentation, click here for the presentation slides, and click here for a document with suggestions.

August 4 (online). 80 Years of Resistance Against Nuclear Weapons, a Pendle Hill First Monday Lecture, will be offered on Monday, August 4, 6:30 – 9:00 PM (CT). You can learn more and register on Pendle Hill’s website: click here.

August 8 – 10 (in person). Are you working with Quaker youth or young adults – or feeling a strong leading to do so? The Midwest Youth & Young Adult Worker Gathering will be held August 8 – 10 at Quaker Hill in Richmond, Indiana. Whether you’re a volunteer, staff member, or simply discerning a call to this ministry, this weekend is for you. Send questions to Tom (tom.s(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)westernyearlymeeting.org).

August 10 – 16 (in person). People Camp. There is still time to register! We’ll gather at beautiful Northern Pines Retreat Center near Park Rapids, MN. George Lakey plans to be in attendance, and our program will be on nonviolent direct action campaign strategy, with facilitators from Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW) and Earthcare Quaker Action Teams (EQAT). This is a great setting for families to enjoy the north woods, meet new people, create more community, and hone our skills for creating new structures for the challenging times we are experiencing. Click here for the registration form. MFM’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee has funds for nonviolence resistance training. Contact Nettie S about P&SC helping finance your participation.

August 11 (online). A monthly worship for Newcomers and Seekers, offered by Friends General Conference (FGC), introduces Quaker worship practices as well as allowing for questions and reflection. Every second Monday evening from 5:30 – 6:30 PM. Click here to register on FGC’s website.

August 17 (online). A monthly worship for Friends of Color, offered by Friends General Conference (FGC), is held on third Sundays at 7:00 PM. These worships offer a place for Friends of Color to come together in community and worship. Click here to go to FGC’s website for more and to request the link.

August 21 (online). Becoming the Quakers the World Needs is a monthly worship-sharing opportunity offered by Northern Yearly Meeting for Friends seeking community, spiritual guidance, and nurture in this time of social, climate, and political instability. Come every third Thursday, 7:00 – 8:00 PM. To join by zoom, click here or use ID 824 8501 6662, passcode 929041.

October 31 – November 1. Save the date for Northern Yearly Meeting (NYM)’s Interim Session, held from a Friday evening through Saturday at the Milwaukee Meeting house. Everyone is invited to this Yearly Meeting Session where we will do business of the Yearly Meeting, as well as enjoy sharing, fellowship and some good meals together. Overnight hospitality in local Friends’ homes will be provided.

Ongoing advocacy opportunities:

* Witness Wednesdays, a time for silent reflection, is held every Wednesday, 4:00 – 5:00 PM (CT). For more and to register, go to Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)’s website: click here.

* Worship with attention to peace in Palestine and Israel with Friends across the United States every Thursday at 4:30 PM (CT). Sign up for the link on American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)’s website: click here.

* Action Hour for Palestine provides weekly updates on what’s happening in Gaza and an invitation to take action by calling Congress, every Friday at 11:00 AM (CT). Register on ASFC’s website: click here.

* Rise, Resist, and Build, a monthly webinar, brings together AFSC constituents every third Tuesday, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (CT). Learn how to support just peace, just migration, and just economies. Register on Mobilize’s website: click here.

* FCNL continues to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza to allow adequate relief to enter all areas. The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is failing to deliver sufficient food. The people of Gaza also lack fuel, water, and medical care. There are credible reports of children starving to death. Senators Smith and Klobuchar and Representatives McCollum and Omar are co-sponsoring bills to allow for a surge of relief. The FCNL Twin Cities Advocacy Team asks Quakers to thank these members of Congress and to urge others to speak out.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

August 2 (in person). Middle East Peace Now, which hosts well-known, respected Jewish, Palestinian, and American historians, social justice advocates, and political advisors to the Middle East speaking on the recent crises in Palestine, will host an in-person panel discussion on Encountering Difficult Questions on Saturday, August 2, noon – 3:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. Ruben Slomianski, Julie Elhard, and Ariella Tilden are the panelists. Click here to fill out the registration form.

OFFICE HOURS

The Office Manager is typically in the office Thursday and Fridays 12:30 – 5:00 PM and Sundays 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Bulletin deadline: noon Thursday. Phone items in to the office (612-926-6159) or email (office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org). Name update: The Office Manager, who introduced himself to the meeting as Asher E, is going by the name Ariel E.

The Children and Families Coordinator, Cathy N (canagler(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)gmail.com), can be reached: Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30 – 5:00 PM; Thursdays 3:30 – 5:00 PM; Sundays 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the meetinghouse.