THE FRIDAY BEE       November 1, 2024

PROTOCOL FOR MEETING FOR WORSHIP (Zoom, hybrid, in-person)

Please maintain silence as you enter the Zoom meeting or the meetinghouse so Friends can center and settle into worship.

Our current COVID-19 safety measures for the meetinghouse are as follows:

• Masks are optional. Feel free to wear one if you wish. We have a supply if you’ve forgotten yours.
• If you have a fever or are feeling unwell, please stay home and join our worship on Zoom.

REMINDER! CLOCKS FALL BACK 1 HOUR THIS SUNDAY! Return to Standard Time

Turn your clocks back one hour this Saturday night (Nov 2) – Get an extra hour of sleep, and don’t miss Meeting for Worship!

GMM FELLOWSHIP AT FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY – This Sunday, November 3

Fellowship/Refreshments after Meeting for Worship this Sunday, November 3 will be hosted by Friends Free Library and will be held in the library immediately after announcements. Hot tea, cider, water, and refreshments will be provided. Stop by, visit, enjoy some refreshments, and check out a few books!

MEMORIAL FOR AARON WUNSCH – This Saturday, November 2, 1:30 pm

This Saturday (11/2) at the Arch Street Meetinghouse will be a Memorial for GMM member Aaron Wunsch.

Music begins at 1:30pm. Can’t make it to the service in-person? It will be available via Zoom as well –

• To register for the Zoom link, click here 
• Once you register, you'll receive an email with a link to the livestream.
• When you join the Zoom room, you will be in a waiting room and admitted a little before 2pm.
• Please remain muted during the livestream.

MEETINGHOUSE OPEN HOURS ON NOVEMBER 6 - The day after the election

GFS has requested that the Meetinghouse be open for several hours during the day on November 6, based on expressed interest in gathering following the 2016 election. GMM folks are welcome to come during these times as well, as needed.

• 7:30 - 8:30 am
• 10:20 - 11:20 am
• 12:30 - 1:30 pm

GAME NIGHT AT OUR MEETINGHOUSE! Saturday, November 9, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Back by popular demand – our Annual Game Night (with Pizza)! Everyone is welcome – all ages!

This wonderful intergenerational event has always been a favorite at GMM. Bring board games, or if you don’t have any - there will be plenty provided. In years past we’ve had multiple tables filled with laughter and friendly competition, with silly singing games, kids playing Twister, chess, Bananagrams, Pictionary, Jenga, etc. etc.

• If you’re able - please let the Fellowship Committee know if you are coming (so we can estimate the Pizza order): click here or leave a message with the Meeting Office (215-951-2235).

GMM MEETING FOR BUSINESS – Next Sunday, November 10, at 9:00am

Minutes from the October Business Meeting went out to members for review. Send any edits to Becky Johnson.

UPCOMING MEMORIAL SERVICES – BOB SEELEY, DICK TAYLOR

Please save the dates for remembering our Germantown Monthly Meeting Members –

• Saturday, November 16 at 2:00pm: Memorial service: Robert Atkinson Seeley 

• At Germantown Friends Meeting & Zoom will be available. Reception will follow.

• Saturday, December 14, at 1:30pm: Memorial Service for Richard (Dick) Taylor

• At Germantown Friends Meeting. Reception will follow

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN GFS 7TH GRADE QUAKERISM CLASS!

The 7th Grade Quakerism class at Germantown Friends School is looking for 6 volunteers to come visit at intervals throughout the rest of the school year. Are you interested in getting to know some students and sharing your experience? Fill out this form and teacher Gabby Goodman will get in touch with you soon to continue the conversation. Or click here for form

SAVE THE DATE! Annual GMM Retreat: May 2-4, 2025 at Camp Dark Waters!

Our annual weekend retreat will be May 2nd - 4th at Camp Dark Waters in nearby Medford, NJ. Join us for a time of spiritual nourishment and community bonding. We will enjoy shared meals, worship, and fun activities for all ages including canoeing, a ropes course, nature walks, and fireside singing. We’re committed to making the retreat accessible for all. Stay tuned for more information regarding costs, financial assistance, boarding (camp cabins or a nearby hotel) and transportation (driving, public transit, or car share). We can’t wait to see you there!

Retreat Committee: David Mettler, Sam Angell, Pamela Williams, Dorothy Cary, Jim Fiorile, Adrienne McDonnell, Caroline Rhoads

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY REFRESHMENTS!    

Thank you to all who have provided refreshments after worship so far this Fall! You have added so much to the fellowship of our community. We hope everyone will volunteer for this a couple of times a year.

Available dates needing Refreshments providers:

• December 1  -  December 8  -  December 29
• January 5  -  January 12  -  January 19  -  January 26

To sign up, please contact Becky Johnson. THANK YOU!!

      Note: Refreshment expenses are reimbursable or can be credited as in-kind donations to GMM (tax deductible).

★ ELECTION DAY – MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE! ☑️🇺🇲This Tuesday, November 5 

• Philadelphia Polls are open 7:00am - 8:00pm
• Mail-in ballots must be received by 8pm on Election Day. Postmarks will not be honored.
• Need help getting to your polling place? Get a free ride!

• Philly Souls to Polls - a Quaker-initiated, interfaith, nonpartisan organization - is offering free rides to the polls on election day to people who need it. You can sign up ahead of time on their website - click here, or call their hotline (215-948-6599), and they will call you and pair you with a driver.
• Volunteer Drivers needed as well! Go to their website to sign-up – Click here.

ANDRE ROBERT LEE (GFS ‘89 & GFS FACULTY) - Central Philly Free Library's Author Series

When & Where?  Wednesday, November 6, 7:30pm ⬥ Parkway Central Library (1901 Vine Street)

A Conversation with the Documentary Filmmaker and Author, André Robert Lee, will happen as part of the Central Philadelphia Free Library’s Author Series. Pay What You Wish: Register here. To read more, click here

MATTHEW COUNTRYMAN (GFS ‘81) INTERWEAVES FAMILY & CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY

“As the featured speaker at the 32nd Annual Mercer Tate ‘48 lecture at GFS, Matthew Countryman ‘81 (and son of GMM member Joan Countryman) presented a few interlocking narratives. These included scholarly reflections on the history of Civil Rights movements, as well as stories of his family’s multi-generational involvement in education and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.” (GFS News) Read full article here.

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

GMM is welcome to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year.

        Schedule for upcoming week 

• Middle School (MS): Monday, 11/4, 10:20 - 11:00 am
• Lower School (LS): Thursday, 11/7, 9:00 - 9:30 am
• Upper School (US) Thursday, 11/7, 10:10 - 11:00 am

★ FREE RIDES TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY – November 5th!

Need help getting to your polling place?  Get a free ride!

Philly Souls to Polls - a Quaker-initiated, interfaith, nonpartisan organization - is offering free rides to the polls on election day to people who need it. Spread the word!

• Sign up ahead of time on their website: Click here, or call their hotline (215-948-6599), and they will call you and pair you with a driver.
• Volunteer Drivers needed as well! Go to their website to sign-up – Click here.

NATIONAL ZOOM CALL FOR WORSHIP - Sunday, November 3, 7:00-8:00pm ET

Join Friends from across the country for a time of worship, reflection, inspiration and preparation two days before the most consequential election of our time. Register here to get the Zoom link.

WORSHIP IN THE 2024 ELECTION SEASON

Quaker groups and organizations offering worship around the 2024 U.S. elections: Click here for calendar & links

A collection of Quaker organizations, upon hearing the concerns that F/friends are holding around the upcoming 2024 elections, are joining together to offer a series of worship for centering, reflection, and listening for the presence of Spirit during this time. Especially in moments like these when emotions are high and the path forward is uncertain, listening with others - and linking that listening across communities - can help ground us as we navigate what this election will mean for us all. – FCNL

GAZA: RAVAGED YET RESILIENT – A Story of a Medical Mission - Sunday, November 3, 12:00pm

Join Voices From the Heart and Prayers for Peace Alliance for a moving event featuring Dr. Sameer Khan and Dr. Ahlia Kattan as they share their experiences from their May 2024 medical mission to Gaza. They will discuss the humanitarian work they carried out in Gaza, the challenges they faced, and the resilience of the communities they served.

• Date: Sunday, November 3, 2024 ~~ 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Doors open at 11:30 AM)
• Location: The Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129
• RSVP: Registration is required for in-person attendance (limited to 200) - Click here
• The event will also be live-streamed on Facebook - click here.

FALL CONTINUING SESSIONS: “CALLED TO HEALING” - November 8 & 9, Arch Street Meeting House

Join us for memorial worship, meeting for healing, and keynote speakers on November 8 and 9. Registration is open, and all are invited to be part of these healing moments. The theme “Called to Healing” acknowledges that this is a vulnerable time in our world and as Quakers, we are charged with joining in the work of healing and renewal.

• Schedule & to register, Click here

SILENCE & LIGHT e-RETREAT - Saturdays, November 9 - December 14 (skipping 11/30), 2:00pm (Zoom)

Explore and practice the experience of Quaker worship and silent waiting, for an inward encounter with Inner Teacher who leads, guides, and transforms us every day. This session is offered for people who are curious about Quakers or new to Quakerism and will explore the basics of Quaker theology and practice. For more information & registration: click here

MORAL INJURY COMMUNITY HEALING CEREMONY - November 21, 4:00 - 6:00pm (in-person only)

From GMM Member Peter Yeomans (who has been involved with this for many years) –

The purpose of the ceremony is to provide Veterans involved an opportunity to both unburden some of the moral pain they carry from their military experiences, as well as an opportunity for their stories to help the public reflect more deeply on the moral complexity of military service and warfare. Thus, as Veterans share their stories, the public is asked to wrestle with the responsibility they may also have for these very same experiences. (More info & registration, click here)

Where:  VA Medical Center in West Philadelphia – 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, 7th floor Community Hall

Advanced Registration Required: Register, click here or call - 215-823-4393

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

• PYM Events Calendar: Check out upcoming and ongoing programs promoted by PYM - Click here.

OTHER (VIRTUAL) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• Pendle Hill – Daily Zoom meeting for worship online from 8:30-9:10 am.
• Friends Council for National Legislation (FCNL) Witness Wednesdays: Weekly worship at 5:15pm (ET)
• Friends General Conference’s (FGC) has many options for worship & discussion, including Newcomers & Seekers, Friends of Color Monthly worship, BIPOC Womxn’s space, White Friends Confronting Racism, Gen X Friends (new), Neurodivergent Friends (new). The offerings keep growing! Click here for the calendar

QUAKER ORGANIZATIONS

Stay connected with news, work and resources of various Friends groups.

Click on the links below (only a partial list), and bookmark them for easy reference!

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM)

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM)

Friends General Conference (FGC)

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)

Friends Council on Education (FCE)

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC

GERMANTOWN AVENUE CRISIS MINISTRY (GACM) – HOLIDAY FOOD & WINTER COAT DRIVES

Winter Coat Drive: Volunteers needed!

• Event Day: November 2, 8:00am - 2:00pm
• Donations of new or gently used items are welcome

Holiday Basket Collection: Volunteer to distribute Thanksgiving & Christmas food baskets to families requesting help. Baskets will include everything needed to prepare a traditional holiday meal.

• November 22 & 25; December 19 & 23 (commit to 2 hours minimum)

To volunteer – Contact GACM: 215-843-2340, and complete Volunteer Application on this page

Learn more about Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministries – click here

MURAL DEDICATION: “THE STRUGGLE FOR ABSOLUTE EQUALITY”-- This Saturday, November 2

When & Where? Saturday, November 2, 3:00-4:00pm  ◆  The Germantown ArtHaus, 6228 Germantown Avenue

Celebrate a one-of-a-kind Mural Dedication; the work of four artists who, since 2021 “have grappled with a creative challenge that sought to visually display the juxtaposition between the loss, rage and despair of this struggle for equality and the undying hope for a future of equality, peace and joy.” The resulting mural “honors the life of a victim of police brutality or gun violence AND points to a future where we need not create a mural like this ever again.” More information: click here