February 2014 Newsletter
(Second Month)
(Second Month)
Meeting for Worship
& First Day School
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Midweek Meeting for Worship,
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Spiritual Life
Advices:
The life of the spirit gains
depth and vigor through devotional practices, prayer, study and meditation.
Take time regularly for individual and family worship, discussions, readings
from sacred texts, and other spiritual refreshment in order to live a more
centered life and to bring a deeper presence to the Meeting for Worship.
Friends believe that the
spiritual path is best found in community. Create opportunities in your
Meetings for people of all ages to explore and express their evolving
relationship with the Divine, their spiritual highs and their doubts. If
different metaphors and language interfere with communication, listen more
deeply, honoring the Spirit in which the thought and words have their
beginnings.
Queries:
Do I live in thankful awareness
of God’s constant presence in my life?
Am I sensitive and obedient to
the leadings of the Holy Spirit?
When do I take time for
contemplation and spiritual refreshment?
What steps am I taking to center
my life and to stay open to continuing revelation?
Do we share our spiritual lives
with others in the Meeting, seeking to know one another in that which is
eternal?
Does the Meeting provide
religious education including study of the Bible and Friends’ history and
practices?
[Public (electronic)
version slightly edited for privacy reasons. Full version available at Meeting for Business and in
Meeting archive.]
After a
period of worship, Meeting for Business began at 1:00 pm with 22 people
present. The clerk read a passage from the PYM Advices & Queries on Meeting
for Worship. The reading was followed by silent reflection and vocal ministry.
Approval of
Previous Months’ Minutes
1-01: Meeting approves the minutes of November 10 and December 8,
2013, as presented.
Nominating
Committee Appointments
1-02: Meeting approves Chad Stephenson to serve on Nominating
Committee through 12/31/2015.
1-03: Meeting approves laying down the Ad Hoc Naming Committee
consisting of Owain Elliot-Sowaal
and Ann Marie Snell, with appreciation.
Ministry & Oversight
Committee
M&O
co-clerk David Matchett reported on the committee’s continuing discernment of
ways to nurture the spiritual life of the meeting:
●
M&O is looking for ways to
balance the needs of newcomers and regular attenders at our weekly meetings for
worship. One way to bring a warmer feeling to the close of meeting was adding a
“Joys and Concerns” reflection time at the end of meeting for worship, to be
tried for a month and reevaluated.
●
At the February 2nd
potluck, M&O will host a ‘topic table’ on membership, for attenders
interested in finding out more about membership in the meeting and the Society
of Friends.
●
Membership
Transfer Matters
Clerk
Stephen Matchett reported that Pete Anderson’s (now Pete Pilliod) and his
husband Jim Pilliod’s transfers to Redwood Forest Monthly Meeting were accepted
in November 2013. Also, Stephen reported the receipt of a certificate of
transfer for Keith Wedmore from Marin Monthly Meeting which he will refer to
Ministry and Oversight Committee. Finally, Stephen read an e-mail (with
accompanying photographs, which he passed around) from long-absent meeting
member Mary Golden, now living in Boulder, Colorado, catching us up on her life
and activities and requesting a transfer of her membership to Boulder Monthly
Meeting. This request was at
M&O’s solicitation and therefore did not need to be referred back to the
committee and could be acted on immediately.
1-04: Meeting approves the transfer of Mary Golden’s membership to
Boulder (Colorado) Monthly Meeting (Intermountain YM).
(Stephen
noted that he recently wrote to a number of meeting members who have moved away
and with whom M&O determined it was time to seek clearness about their
continuing membership. These
included Mary, whom he encouraged to request a transfer to her local meeting
or, if no longer worshiping with Friends, to consider whether it might not now
be appropriate to lay down her membership. As it happened, his letter to Mary went astray, and she
actually had not received it when she made her e-mail request for a
transfer. Mere coincidence, or
moving of the Spirit?)
Property &
Finance Committee
P&F
clerk Philip Gerrie reported that attender Dalton Tedford has found full-time
employment elsewhere and that the search had been on for someone to take on the
task of cleaning the meetinghouse sidewalk, as of this year a
five-mornings-a-week task.
Attender Sam Price has taken on this work for the time being.
Regarding
the kitchen, Philip reported that attempts to connect with Philanthropy by
Design (see 2013 minute 5-05) have been unsuccessful, and the committee is now
looking to complete the kitchen conversation/meeting space without their
assistance. The plan is to install
a bookshelf and an upholstered bench, along with other comfortable seating.
Meeting has received the earlier reported bequest from the estate
of Jan de Beers. Additionally,
Jack de Beers’ estate has notified us that it is prepared to transfer a
quantity of securities to the meeting in fulfillment of his bequest. Treasurer Amy Baker will work with the
executors to see how best to convert these stocks into a cash donation. Stephen
has written the family to express our gratitude.
After a
period of announcements and sharing of joys and concerns, Meeting closed with
worship at 2:12 pm with 23 people in attendance.
Respectfully
submitted,
Blake
Arnall, Recording Clerk
Stephen
Matchett, Clerk of Meeting
Annual Retreat May 23-26
Please mark your calendar to reserve Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-26, 2014) for the San Francisco Friends Annual Retreat at Quaker Center in Ben Lomand. Continuing traditions include meal preparations by a professional cook (along with attender assistance and cleanup) and full run of Quaker Center factilities. We are planning to offer new activities at the upcoming Retreat and perhaps some more serious programs. Your suggestions are welcome, now and in the coming months.
Meeting Queries and Responses
Please mark your calendar to reserve Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-26, 2014) for the San Francisco Friends Annual Retreat at Quaker Center in Ben Lomand. Continuing traditions include meal preparations by a professional cook (along with attender assistance and cleanup) and full run of Quaker Center factilities. We are planning to offer new activities at the upcoming Retreat and perhaps some more serious programs. Your suggestions are welcome, now and in the coming months.
Meeting Queries and Responses
Summary of Queries
We asked people to consider the following four
queries, and provided large index cards and pens for written responses, which
folks had the option to make anonymously (and most people chose this
option). We posted the queries in
a prominent place after several Meetings for Worship, this fall. Two members of our Ministry &
Oversight Committee read the written responses and provided the following
summaries. We have also printed
out the actual responses from the original index cards, for everyone who wants
to read more and ponder. We thank
people who took time and care to participate in the exercise, and welcome
comments and thoughts about how to continue to deepen and extend our rich
sharing of thoughts and feelings.
What role does Meeting for Worship play for you and your
family during the week?
Responses
pointed to Meeting for Worship as a life-line, a way to stay centered, to get a
fresh “start” to each week, to replenish drained spirits, to clear up tangled
feelings and thoughts. Meeting for
Worship reminds people throughout the week about God, Spirit, and Divine
connections.
Is there anything that you and
your family do to prepare for Meeting for Worship on First Day?
Responses
indicated practices of reading (spiritual material, especially), walking,
gardening, meditation, fasting, reflection, visualization, and making sure to
get adequate sleep the night before Meeting for Worship.
Does
the idea of a Sabbath resonate with you and if so, how?
Responses
primarily indicated that yes, the idea of Sabbath resonates (as rest,
recuperation, gratitude, calm, spiritual nourishment and simply “taking a day
off), though some responses indicated little connection with the concept, and
others indicated that people need and want help, support, and inspiration with
observing a Sabbath; several responses
indicated a desire to “turn off” electronics!
If
you needed Meeting in a time of challenge and/or crisis, what was that
experience like for you?
Responses
conveyed the sense that Meeting has provided people with the blessings of
comfort, safe space, care, accompaniment, support, witnessing, love,
understanding and attention during a time of grief, crisis and suffering, while
at least one response reminded us that “the hardest thing is to ask for
help.”
Below
are four queries developed this year by Ministry & Oversight Committee to
post during and after several Meetings for Worship and for Business, and
people’s signed or (mostly) anonymous responses.
1. What role does Meeting for
Worship play for you and your family during the week?
Card:
Meeting for Worship plays a major role in my life. It grounds me, keeps me alive. I await First Day and Fourth Day
(Wednesday) worship. It’s
significant—a blessing.
--
Card:
I try to avail myself of as many worship opportunities as I
can during the week: Sunday,
midweek, committee or other meetings, Friends’ School…
More worship means more grounding, more messages (heard, or
opened within).
--
Card:
Meeting for Worship is a way of centering and having our
days have smaller connections.
Taking a moment before meals.
Times of silence [are] a way that worship is brought into
our daily lives.
--
Card:
I am usually shocked at mid-week Meeting for Worship how
far I have drifted from First Day worship. Meeting for Worship helps me remember to keep Spirit at the
center of my life.
--
Card:
Meeting for Worship is like control/alt/delete—the reset
button. It is where I shed the
tangle of the prior week and replenish for the upcoming week. If I can’t go too
many weeks in a row, my life feels jumbled and unsettled. It nourishes me.
--
Card:
Meeting for Worship is a reminder of the divine we
share—that each of us is sacred and we are not separate. We are a community with deep roots out
of which may come calls of service in peace or social justice that may stretch
us, but with Divine Leading we can do.
--
Card:
My husband and I pray before meals and often before we go
to sleep. I pray and meditate
through the day, often alone, though sometimes with friends in another
spiritual fellowship.
--
Card:
It helps remind me what is--or ought to be--central in my
life. Internally--or in
conversations with others--I can return to the messages that were delivered in
Meeting for Worship, whether spoken aloud or felt in silence.
--
Card:
Meeting for Worship gives every week a fresh start. I feel drained after worship, which forces
me to slow down. I find when I
miss Meeting for Worship, I am more likely to be irritable during the week and
tasks become more burdensome.
2. Is there anything that you and your family do to prepare for
Meeting for Worship on First Day?
Card:
Attend Thursday study group and Bible study.
Some prayer at meal and other times during the week.
I ought to do more.
At some periods, I have done more reading, or preparation to teach,
which involves worship and prepares me for worship, or other prayer/worship
between Sundays than I do now.
I do go to Christian Friends conference, with its extended
worship periods, approximately 3 times a year; and to other Quaker committee
meetings that include worship.
--
Card:
Readings and prayer throughout the week.
Trying to be clear of life’s distractions on Sunday.
--
Card:
The mornings when I have time to read and reflect lead to a
deep sense of connection at Meeting.
I feel remiss or like I’m cheating myself if all I’ve done is some
project or read the paper.
--
Card:
I sit quietly imagining members of Meeting and visualize a
ribbon of light going in and around each one to focus on this being a corporate
practice (not a personal meditation).
--
Card:
I don’t prepare, per se, but somehow I put myself in a
slightly different frame of mind, on First Day. I feel more centered and conscious of prayer.
--
Card:
This week I fasted before Meeting as part of my preparation
for Meeting.
I would like more information about fasting as part of a
spiritual discipline.
--
Card:
I like to read the Tao te Ching right before Meeting, and
for the first 15 minutes of worship.
--
Card:
I try to read a text which I think will nurture my
experience of worship. Walking to
Meeting, watering my garden, help me remember to prepare for worship.
--
Card:
I don’t do any particular thing to prepare for First Day worship,
but I try to make sure I get enough sleep the night before and organize my time
that morning to get to Meeting on time.
When I have time I sometimes read the Bible or a poem or something else
that I think might prepare me for worship.
--
Card:
I am reading the bio of Elizabeth Frye as well as the
newcomer folder. My husband will
read the folder when I am done.
We read books to our daughter that have Quaker themes.
We reflect on Meeting on our way home from 1stDay
Meeeting.
--
Card:
We prepare by talking about Momma needing quiet time, about
kids needing quiet time, listening, God, Jesus, and this week about Egypt and
Syria.
--
Card:
Sunday morning before Meeting is the best time for me to
read Quaker writing—it’s the most meaningful to me then.
--
Card:
We “clear the decks”—tidy up the house, turn down social
engagements and disconnect from the world and its chores. We (my daughter and I) arrive holding
hands, with open hearts and open minds.
--
Card:
The Meeting for Worship does not play much of a role in my
weekly life, but I do think of it a lot.
--
Card:
Daily spiritual practice: prayer, meditation, reading.
--
Card:
I sit, slow down, and enter a quiet and silent state prior
to Meeting for Worship.
--
Card:
Preparation is I walk through the door with no
expectations—pre-planned or prepared never comes to pass.
--
3. Does
the idea of a Sabbath resonate with you and if so, how?
Card:
I try to create time for meditation on a daily basis. Sometimes I read. I try to do a gratitude journal and a
list of those who need prayer. I
notice that if I’m creating space on a regular basis the time for worship goes
by much faster and is richer.
--
Card:
I have considered declaring Sunday a day free of electronic
communications—turn off the cell phone, no email, etc. But I haven’t actually done this yet.
--
Card:
The idea of a Sabbath is very appealing to me. I feel I need spiritual direction in
how to engage in a Sabbath.
I believe that taking a break from “doing” and “improving”
in order to just “be” and appreciate the richness of life would be very
nourishing.
--
Card:
Not a lot, except that I do try to prevent or avoid family
gatherings, paid work, or other activities that could interfere with my
attention to Meeting for Worship or First Day.
--
Card:
Taking a day off from some things is healthy. I try to stay off my computer from
sundown on Saturday to sundown on Sunday.
(The choice of which day is practical or arbitrary: we esteem no one day over another!)
--
Card:
Sabbath is a day where I can be thankful and give back my
time to God.
Worship is something I like to do daily, but life/work are
so distracting.
A day that God is first reminds me how thankful I am for
everything.
--
Card:
Yes, it resonates, but I rarely honor it. Or I find myself being very busy,
trying to cram in all the things I want to do before the week begins
again. Some of those things are
very Sabbath-like—long walks on the beach, basking in the sun with coffee—but
there is a feeling of hurry—that the day will be over before I have had time to
fully enjoy it.
--
Card:
I am not certain that I fully understand the meaning of a
“day of Sabbath”; however, it is not a word I use or feel drawn to. I do find it helpful to have a day of
collective worship, though I do not understand that day to be more blessed than
any other. I see every day as a
chance to witness through my life, my experiences, my actions. Every day, for me, is when I try to set
my mind, heart and actions to that of the Light within me and others. Therefore, I am not certain that
“Sabbath” is particularly meaningful to me, except as the organization around
which we agree to meet to witness together, AND, importantly, the common device
by which I may communicate my witnessing to other religious people as a
legitimate expression of faith.
--
Card:
Not formally, but Sunday has always felt different from
other days, because of Meeting.
--
Card:
I would like to expand it.
I would like to expand it.
--
Card:
It seems like my only Sabbath happens during Meeting. It feels like “down-time” is something
that only comes when everything is finished or caught up. I do recognize a need to have a longer
Sabbath in the middle of a chaotic time.
--
Card:
Having time for rest and reflection seems important in our
busy, busy world, but “Sabbath” seems a little old-fashioned to me.
--
Card:
I try to make Sunday a different kind of day—more
God-centered, less busy. I don’t
succeed all the time but I aim for less activity, more love and gratitude.
--
Card:
The idea of a Sabbath became important to me some years ago
when I decided to take a day of the week without work seriously. I am inconsistent in how well I observe
it. I would like to learn to be
better at making the whole day an opportunity to worship more intentionally.
--
Card:
A “Sabbath” resonates with me. It is letting go of the week’s worries and activities, of
reflection and prayer, of inventory and care. I strive to avoid the phone, email, and internet, and to
spend time outdoors.
--
Card:
I like the idea but have never practiced it. I do now have a Sabbath day to fast,
which I enjoy.
4. If you needed Meeting in a
time of challenge and/or crisis, what was that experience like for you?
Card:
I felt carried by the Meeting community, in the best sense
of the word, when my personal life was in crisis. I am profoundly grateful.
--
Card:
I remember going straight to the Meeting House on Sept. 11th,
2001. It was a huge comfort to see
other people there, who’d had the same reaction!
--
Card:
I have been supported with care, attention and great love
by [a] Care Committee at [the] time of my late wife’s illness and death.
This felt like it held my life together for many years.
--
Card:
At one point an unexpected job loss put an enormous strain
on my marriage. Sensing troubled
waters, M&O [Ministry and Oversight] approached me and offered to reconvene
our Clearness Committee to support us both through it. We never took them up on it but having
that in our back pockets and knowing that support was available made a world of
difference.
--
Card:
The willingness to provide a space for and then sit with
difficult emotions/issues.
--
Card:
After my father passed away, Friends from Meeting came to
my home to worship with me on three afternoons in a row.
On the evening after I was in a car accident, a Friend
[from] Meeting came to my house and sat with me.
--
Card:
Ministry and Oversight was helpful to me and was in communication
with me and with my ex in the wake of the break-up of our relationship.
Ministry and Oversight was supportive and worked to create
a safe place for me in two different difficult situations with Meeting attendees,
once with a person seriously disrupting a study group, and once [in] a more
one-on-one interaction.
--
Card:
I have both witnessed and experienced the love and support
of Meeting(s) during times of need.
I think it is one of the things we do best. The hardest thing to do is ask for help.
--
Card:
It was a blessing, a true blessing. The support I felt, the love, understanding
my grief patterns. In particular
the passing of my niece was when Meeting lifted me up.
--
Card:
When people check-in or speak with me after I have shared
something (usually at retreat) that was difficult.
--
Card:
When I have had a challenge, I have turned to members of
Meeting to accompany me in making decisions. In sitting in grief, in recuperating from illness. It’s like an extended family. Meeting is with me for the long haul.
--
Card:
Friends sharing—helpful hearing other Friends’ messages
during Meeting for Worship—bringing up their concerns—comforting to know I’m
not alone.
Let The Living Water Flow! FWCC Regional
Consultation in Sacramento March 14-16
As recently announced at Meeting, Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas is holding four regional consultations this spring, at different locations in North, Central and South America, in place of its usual single annual conference. We are fortunate that one of these is planned very close by, in Sacramento, the weekend of March 14-16, hosted by Sacramento Friends Church.
FWCC is a worldwide organization that promotes fellowship among all the branches of the Religious Society of Friends. FWCC Section of the Americas spans from the Arctic to the Andes, and comprises Quakers representing a rich diversity of regional cultures, beliefs and styles of worship.
This is your invitation to consider taking advantage of this good opportunity to meet and interact with Friends from different places and traditions for a weekend of worship, fellowship and exploration of differences and commonalities. Added bonus for many of us will be to see our former member Robin Mohr, who is the Section's Executive Secretary and will be in attendance.
As recently announced at Meeting, Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas is holding four regional consultations this spring, at different locations in North, Central and South America, in place of its usual single annual conference. We are fortunate that one of these is planned very close by, in Sacramento, the weekend of March 14-16, hosted by Sacramento Friends Church.
FWCC is a worldwide organization that promotes fellowship among all the branches of the Religious Society of Friends. FWCC Section of the Americas spans from the Arctic to the Andes, and comprises Quakers representing a rich diversity of regional cultures, beliefs and styles of worship.
This is your invitation to consider taking advantage of this good opportunity to meet and interact with Friends from different places and traditions for a weekend of worship, fellowship and exploration of differences and commonalities. Added bonus for many of us will be to see our former member Robin Mohr, who is the Section's Executive Secretary and will be in attendance.
Registration is $200, and
is due by Feb. 28.
Meeting can provide a certain amount of assistance, talk to Stephen
Matchett, Markley Morris or Krista Barnard.
Three workshops are on offer as part of the gathering:
1. Conflict Transformation: led by the New York Yearly Meeting Committee on Conflict Transformation. (Full day) Many Monthly Meetings are troubled by tensions among members. These may be experienced as “problems with difficult Friends;” or a newcomer inattentive to the Meeting’s traditions; or a personal animosity that spills over into Quaker worship; or a Friend who is led to offer ministry in ways the Meeting perceives as outside our traditions. Frequently Meetings feel that, “if only that Friend would stop, things would be better and we could go back to the way we were.” This one-day Workshop will explore these commonly-arising incidents and share insights into how they can be acknowledged; how they can be addressed; and how the Meeting can use conflict as an opportunity for advancement and transformation.
note: participation limited to 30.
2. Intercultural Communications: “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Full day) with Alan Amavisca, EFC-Southwest YM. This workshop will explore the challenge of listening to understand in those circumstances where each party brings a different background to the conversation. How do we discern our own presuppositions and train ourselves to listen with a “new set of ears”? Why should we even try? How can adopting a learner role shape our soul and prepare the way for transformative conversation? We will consider the significance of the Incarnation, conflict mediation tools, and the art of listening on our efforts to listen across social, ethnic or linguistic boundaries.
3. Quaker Leadership for the 21st Century (half day) and Local Community Service Project (half day). Brothers Mark and Tim Almquist, students at George Fox University and members of Northwest YM of Friends aim to generate an open discussion about leadership and what it has the potential to look like for current and future Friends. They will share their experiences of being in positions of leadership in the Friends church as young people, touching on leadership development, holistic leadership, humility, and submission to the way of Christ’s dynamic leadership. The workshop seeks active participation in true discernment and for all participants to constructively share leadership experiences, ideas and visions.
The 2012 Kabarak Call for Peace and Eco Justice reminds us that "we must become careful stewards of all life...a light in the darkness of greed and destruction...we are called to see what Love can do - for the earth and all peoples. When the Living Waters flow through us, Friends are called to serve God's purposes. Friends have long been called to service grounded in our testimonies. For this portion of the program we will learn about foot washing with the homeless, why it is done, how, how it is received. As part of this we will look at our attitudes about providing such a personal service as well as being reminded of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Materials will be available at both sites to share with your home meeting.
For more information, and to register, please go to http://fwccamericas.org/events/2014-Consultations.shtml.
Three workshops are on offer as part of the gathering:
1. Conflict Transformation: led by the New York Yearly Meeting Committee on Conflict Transformation. (Full day) Many Monthly Meetings are troubled by tensions among members. These may be experienced as “problems with difficult Friends;” or a newcomer inattentive to the Meeting’s traditions; or a personal animosity that spills over into Quaker worship; or a Friend who is led to offer ministry in ways the Meeting perceives as outside our traditions. Frequently Meetings feel that, “if only that Friend would stop, things would be better and we could go back to the way we were.” This one-day Workshop will explore these commonly-arising incidents and share insights into how they can be acknowledged; how they can be addressed; and how the Meeting can use conflict as an opportunity for advancement and transformation.
note: participation limited to 30.
2. Intercultural Communications: “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Full day) with Alan Amavisca, EFC-Southwest YM. This workshop will explore the challenge of listening to understand in those circumstances where each party brings a different background to the conversation. How do we discern our own presuppositions and train ourselves to listen with a “new set of ears”? Why should we even try? How can adopting a learner role shape our soul and prepare the way for transformative conversation? We will consider the significance of the Incarnation, conflict mediation tools, and the art of listening on our efforts to listen across social, ethnic or linguistic boundaries.
3. Quaker Leadership for the 21st Century (half day) and Local Community Service Project (half day). Brothers Mark and Tim Almquist, students at George Fox University and members of Northwest YM of Friends aim to generate an open discussion about leadership and what it has the potential to look like for current and future Friends. They will share their experiences of being in positions of leadership in the Friends church as young people, touching on leadership development, holistic leadership, humility, and submission to the way of Christ’s dynamic leadership. The workshop seeks active participation in true discernment and for all participants to constructively share leadership experiences, ideas and visions.
The 2012 Kabarak Call for Peace and Eco Justice reminds us that "we must become careful stewards of all life...a light in the darkness of greed and destruction...we are called to see what Love can do - for the earth and all peoples. When the Living Waters flow through us, Friends are called to serve God's purposes. Friends have long been called to service grounded in our testimonies. For this portion of the program we will learn about foot washing with the homeless, why it is done, how, how it is received. As part of this we will look at our attitudes about providing such a personal service as well as being reminded of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Materials will be available at both sites to share with your home meeting.
For more information, and to register, please go to http://fwccamericas.org/events/2014-Consultations.shtml.
February 2014 News from AFSC
Privatization vs. Labor
Rights, Human Rights and The Environment - the case of the Veolia Group
Saturday, February 8th, 2014.
1:00pm - 9:00pm
A unique one-day conference
bringing together activists from all around the world involved in union
organizing, Environmental protection and Palestine solidarity to confront the
French multinational Veolia/Transdev and build community resistance to
privatization, union busting and corporate profiteering form human rights
violation. Evening show and film screening.
Winning Divestment: Student
Struggles for Peace
Wednesday, February 12th, 2014.
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Dedicated to the memory of Nelson
Mandela. A panel discussion will bring activists to address the power,
controversy and effectiveness of divestment as a tool for economic activism in
different movements: the movement against apartheid in South Africa, the
struggle for Palestinian rights, the global movement to avert the climate
crisis. Film clips and movement posters, followed by an open conversation.
All events are free or sliding
scale, no one turned away.
Contact us: AFSC Middle East
Program, MEPeaceSF@AFSC.org, (415) 565-0201 ext. #30
Solitary Confinement Healing
Join AFSC and many other groups
in Sacramento, Tuesday, February 11, 2014, for a hearing on new policies
related to solitary confinement in California. The hearing is a joint hearing
of the Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees, and will be held in room
4202, starting at 9:30 a.m. We hope people who attend will visit some
legislative offices in the afternoon. If you are interested, contact Laura
Magnani at lmagnani@afsc.org.
February 2014 News from Ben Lomond Quaker Center
Join Michael Birkel, Quaker
Studies professor at Earlham College, and author of many books including, The Genius of the Transcendent and Mysticism and Activism from January
24-26th to explore the writings of Quakers and Other Mystics. We have already received a number of
registrations for this program so go to http://www.quakercenter.org/quakers-and-other-mystics/
and register soon to join us.
Parent and grandparents of any
and all ages of children are welcome to join us for Parenting Supported by Friends Beliefs, Testimonies, and Practices.
We will engage with parenting at every stage with Harriet Heath, author and
founder/coordinator of the Quaker
Parenting Initiative (quakerparenting.org), which supports parents by
raising questions that they can use as they seek the path best suited for
themselves, their children and their family. Please register early so that we
have plenty of time to hire enough childcare providers and so that Harriet can
adjust the weekend schedule based on the ages of the children. http://www.quakercenter.org/parenting-supported-by-friends-beliefs-testimonies-and-practices/
Childcare will be available for
all Quaker Center programs with at least one week advance notice.
College Park Quarterly Meeting
The upcoming College Park Quarterly
Meeting will be May 16 - 18 (Fri-Sun) at Ben Lomond
Pacific Yearly Meeting
The upcoming Pacific Yearly
Meeting session will be July 14-19,
2014 at Walker
Creek Ranch in Petaluma,
CA
Submissions to the newsletter are
due by the next-to-last First Day (Sunday) of each month in the News Committee
mailbox at the meetinghouse, or by e-mail to news@sfquakers.org.
This newsletter is also available for reading or downloading on our website at http://www.sfquakers.org/news.html.
Members of the News Committee are
Kate McCarley (clerk, editor), Eli Bishop (web servant), Catherine Fox
(production), and Noel Schwerin (distribution)
(all events at 65 9th St., unless noted;
*see details elsewhere in newsletter)
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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26
9:15
Non-Violent Comm. Practice Group
11a Meeting for Worship
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27
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28
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29
6p Meeting for Worship
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30
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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31
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1
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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2
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship, Community potluck following
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3
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4
7p Property & Finance Mtg
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5
8:30a
SFFS Community Mtg for Worship†
6 Meeting for Worship
7p Ministry & Oversight Mtg
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6
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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7
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8
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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9
11a Meeting for Worship
1p Meeting for Business
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10
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11
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12
6p Meeting for Worship
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13
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
|
14
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15
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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16
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship
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17
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18
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19
6p Meeting for Worship
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20
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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21
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22
10:30a-1p Food 2antry
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23
9:15 Non-Violent Comm. Practice Group
11a Meeting for Worship
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24
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25
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26
6p Meeting for Worship
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27
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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28
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1
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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‡Federal Building, Golden Gate Ave. and Larkin St. †San Francisco
Friends School, 250 Valencia St.
