Sunday, March 8, 2026

TODAY’S WORSHIP AND PROGRAM

For the Zoom link to Sunday programming, please email office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org.

9:00 AM Unprogrammed Meeting for Worship
Zoom host: Lavender

9:45 AM AM Monthly Meeting for Business
Clerk: Stephen Snyder; Recording Clerk: Tom Ward
Zoom host: Sandy O

11:15 AM Semi-programmed Meeting for Worship
Speaker: Rick VandenDolder, Care of meeting: Carolyn VandenDolder
Zoom host: Sandy O

Children’s First Day School takes place every week in the lower level during 11:15 AM meeting for worship.

MORE WORSHIP 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

HOLD IN THE LIGHT

The people of Iran, and all people in the world suffering from acts of war.

MFM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8. Be sure to put a reminder on your calendar to turn your clocks forward an hour.

May we take your photo? Welcoming and Outreach is photographing individuals and families in order to refresh the portraits on the bulletin board in the meetinghouse. Please meet Sue K in the south hall immediately after semi-programmed meeting for worship this Sunday March 8, or next Sunday March 15, and she’ll take your photo. We’d love to include as many members and attenders as possible, to help folks recognize others in community.

March 31 marks the end of the current fiscal year. If you have reimbursements requests for the current fiscal year, please submit the request to the appropriate committee clerk (for their initial) and to the Office Manager so reimbursement can happen before the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement request forms are in the top of the blue box on the long table in the east hallway. Thank you, Friends!

Budget Matters: Preliminary numbers show that contributions to the general fund from April 1 through March 1 totaled $125,908 – about 91% of the total budget ($138,000). We are about $12,000 short of meeting our budget obligations. There is a donate tab on the MFM website (click here), offering boxes are at the entrances of the meetingroom, and checks can be received by mail. If you would like to set up automatic contributions to the meeting, contact Carolyn V, clerk of Stewardship and Finance Committee. THANK YOU, Friends, for your generous support of the meeting!

Care and Counsel Committee facilitates pastoral care for Minneapolis Meeting members and attendees, 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 to explore that opportunity. Other committee members are Mary G, Jeff N, Mary B, and Jimbo L.

MFM EVENTS

Below you’ll find special events held by Minneapolis Friends Meeting. In addition to events detailed here, there are ongoing groups in the meeting. Pick up a flyer about these ongoing groups from the information table in the meetinghouse hallway, or email the office to request a copy. Ongoing groups’ meetings include:
Deep Inner Work of Racial Justice (online), 2nd Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Next: March 10
LGBTQIA+ Group (in person), 3rd Wednesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Next: March 18
Joyful Aging coffee hour (in person), 3rd Fridays, 10:00 AM – noon. Next: March 20
Peace & Social Concerns Committee (online), 4th Mondays, 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Next: March 23
Watson Reading Group (hybrid), 4th Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Next: March 24
Writing Group (online), 1st Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Next: April 6

March 13 (in person): Pack the courtroom. Three local religious groups filed a case against DHS for not providing pastoral care for immigrant detainees in Minnesota. Click here for information from MPR News, and here for Religion News. The groups hope to pack the court with a visible faith presence for the preliminary injunction hearing on Friday, March 13 at 10:00 AM. The hearing will take place in Courtroom 7A at the St. Paul federal courthouse (316 North Robert Street).

March 15 (in person). Minneapolis Friends of all ages are invited to join Mayim Rabim for Puppet Making with In the Heart of the Beast! Gather with friends and family to spend time together as we make simple puppets from recyclable materials. Make a puppet from a recycled toilet paper roll, a crankie from a tissue box or make a mask into an animal character. Possibilities are endless! We will bring a variety of supplies and ideas to engage different ages! Let your imagination be your guide and you will be surprised how fast the afternoon flies in good company as your creative juices flow! Our storyteller and puppeteer will guide you in your creative process and might even do a few puppet shows (we never know what to expect when we are around her!) We will be supplying materials but you are welcome to bring recyclables as well. This activity will take place on Sunday, March 15, 3:00 – 5:30 PM, at the meetinghouse.

March 15 (hybrid). Making a Welcoming Environment for the LGBTQ+ Community, continued. The second part of this two-session Mid-Morning Program will feature a panel of LGBTQ+ individuals from within our meeting. You’re invited to listen with open hearts as they share their stories, discuss what drew them to Minneapolis Friends, and reflect on how their identities help shape their spirituality and their participation in community. After semi-programmed worship, join Matt Lewellyn-Otten and others from our LGBTQ+ group for cookies, refreshments, and conversation downstairs.

March 22 (hybrid). Listening session on FCNL priorities. Doug H and Jim H are gathering views of Meeting members and attenders for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), the Quaker lobby in Washington D.C. Every two years, FCNL defines its priorities for lobbying the next Congress on peace and justice issues. Doug and Jim continue to collect written surveys. On Sunday, March 22, they will hold a listening session from 12:30 – 1:15 PM in the main Meeting room, with hybrid Zoom, using the same link as other Sunday programming. They invite all who wish to add their opinions about these priorities.

March 30 (in person). Loaves and Fishes has ended their 40-year relationship with Holy Rosary Church due to cost concerns. They’re working on finding another meal site in south Minneapolis, but have not identified one at this time. We still plan to serve a meal March 30; more information will be forthcoming. Choose a shift: 2:00 PM prep ingredients, 4:00 PM assemble meals, 5:00 PM serve and clean up — or stay all afternoon. Contact Greg L with questions.

WIDER COMMUNITY

In the NYM Journal, Clerk Robin Greenler wrote an essay about how Minnesotan Quakers engaged in Spirit-led work in response to the ongoing ICE crackdown. Click here to read it.

March 10 (in person). Meet for lunch at Taqueria Los Ocampo. Join friends from Twin Cities Friends Meeting and MFM to support our immigrant business community along the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis. We’ll do this by meeting for lunch on Tuesday, March 10 at noon at the Minneapolis location of Taqueria Los Ocampo (801 E Lake Street). Questions? Contact Becky F.

March 21 (in person). Love as Action, an AFSC invitation. On Saturday March 21, 1:30 – 3:00 PM, Quakers will stand in Silent Worship for a Quiet Public Witness to hold our world in the Light and prayer, seeking love as guiding forward our work for our Immigration Neighbors in these dark hours. We will be silent as we acknowledge we are standing in the dark, seeking Light in our resistance actions. Meet at the southeast corner of Grand and Snelling (a busy spot) on the sidewalk in front of Nothing Bundt Cake. Please bring a sign or small candle to ground yourself. If asked why we are doing this, in quiet conversation we will inform people of our what we are doing and then return to Silence. No chants, talking or strategizing. This is a silent public witness of strength, courage and love. Join us and invite others. Questions? Contact Becky F.

March 27 – 28 (online). Northern Yearly Meeting (NYM) Annual Session will meet, online-only, on Friday, March 27, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, and Sunday, March 29, 1:00 – 5:00 PM. There will be two optional social hours: Friday 6:00 – 7:00 PM, and Sunday noon – 1:00 PM. In order to allow people to be involved in their local No Kings rallies and events on Saturday, there will be no Saturday programming. Click here to register to attend. Please complete one registration form for each person attending. Questions? Contact NYM Clerk Robin Greenler (clerk(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)northernyearlymeeting.org).

April 11 (in person). Join with other past and prospective People Campers for song, games, and a potluck at Twin Cities Friends Meeting House (1725 Grand Ave, St Paul) on Saturday, April 11, from 3:00 – 6:30 PM. Renew past friendships and invite others who may be interested in joining our summer community in refreshing our body, minds and spirit of Peacemakers. Everyone has been under stress with recent events, so come ready to relax and laugh with kindred spirits. The schedule is: meet and greet and setup 3:00 – 3:30,, singing and games 3:30 – 4:30 PM, potluck meal 5:00 – 6:00 PM, cleanup 6:00 – 6:30 PM. Questions? Contact Karen V.

May 22 – 25 (hybrid). Northern Yearly Meeting Annual Session is a great opportunity to meet with Quakers around our region! Join the gathering over Memorial Day weekend to explore the theme Courage in Witness, Stronger Together: How do we partner to make change in the world as Quakers? We’ll hold business meetings; enjoy the company of old and new Friends; rest; seek spiritual growth; and enjoy campfires, walks in the woods, boating, swimming, singing, and much more. Children and youth participate in a lively and popular program. Attendance via Zoom is available for key portions of the weekend. Click here for more information on NYM’s Annual Session website. The brochure and registration materials will be available by late March. 

OFFICE HOURS

The Children and Families Coordinator, Cathy N, has the following schedule:
Wednesdays 2:00 – 5:00 PM available by phone, text or email, working from home.
Thursdays 2:00 – 5:00 PM available by phone, text, or email, working from home. 
Fridays 12:00 – 3:00 PM available by phone or in person at Minneapolis Friends Meetinghouse.
Sundays 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM available in person or by phone at Minneapolis Friends Meetinghouse.

The Office Manager, Ariel E, will be in the office on Monday, March 9, noon – 5:00 PM; Thursday, March 12, noon – 5:00 PM; Friday, March 13, noon – 5:00 PM; and Sunday, March 15, 8:30 AM – tbd. Is there something you’d like included in upcoming bulletins? Weekly deadline for bulletin items is noon Thursday. Please call the office (612-926-6159) or send your announcement by email (office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org).