THE FRIDAY BEE                                                       December 20, 2024

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

10:20am

Greeter

Bobbie Horowitz

10:30am

Child Care

Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway from Meetinghouse

10:30am

Meeting for Worship

(Hybrid: In-person & on Zoom)

10:50am

First Day School

Older children attend Meeting for Worship with their families until 10:50 am, when their teachers will lead them to the Committee Room. Questions? Please contact Carla Childs. Note: Children of any age are always welcome to join their families in Meeting for Worship.

11:30am

Introductions & Announcements

Lois Volta

11:45am

Refreshments

Caroline Rhoads & Jacob Katz Boyd

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.

MEETING NEWS & EVENTS

GMM CHRISTMAS POTLUCK & CAROL SING!
Tis the season! Let’s gather together to celebrate the holiday season with good cheer!

Bring your favorite dish(es) to share as we enjoy a festive potluck meal together by candlelight, and then sing Christmas carols with Caroline Davidson at the piano. All are welcome!

WHEN?    Next Sunday, December 22, starting at 6:00pm

WHERE?  Meetinghouse Social Room

Volunteer helpers needed – to help set-up, breakdown, so everyone can have a chance to enjoy the festivities. Many hands make light work! Contact Anne Stassen with questions or to volunteer

GMM OFFICE HOURS

The Meeting Office will not be staffed in person during the holidays, from 12/23/24 - 1/5/25. Email and voicemail will be checked periodically, and an abridged Friday Bee will go out on 12/27 & 1/3. If you have any pressing needs during that time, however, please feel welcome to contact the Clerk of Office & Records, Moira Clare Duggan by phone.

New Office Hours in the New Year!

Beginning January 6, 2025, the Meeting Office will be open during these hours, except on holidays:

Mondays:          10 am to 1 pm

Wednesdays:    10 am to 1 pm

Thursdays:          9 am to 4 pm

GMM BOOK GROUP FORMING IN THE NEW YEAR!

A group is forming to talk about the novel “The House in the Cerulean Sea.” Good Reads describes it as “[a]n enchanting story, masterfully told . . . about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.“ The hope is to pair this book (which is an easy and lighthearted read) with a series of more serious articles like this, for example, that raise current and troubling issues about how we face, talk about, and support all members of our community.

GMM WORSHIP SHARING ON WEDNESDAYS (ON HOLD)

Wednesday Worship Sharing will be on hiatus starting in this holiday stretch, and is being re-evaluated for the New Year. Stay tuned for any updates.

SEELEYS HONORED FOR VERNON PARK STEWARDSHIP

Congrats to GMM member Ruth Seeley who was honored, along with late husband & GMM member Bob, with the Park Legacy Award for their dedicated advocacy, stewardship and devotion to Vernon Park. Go to the Friends of Vernon Park Facebook page to see a couple sweet photos!

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE FOR CHILDREN IN FRIENDS SCHOOLS

Deadline:  Monday, January 27, 2025

Germantown Monthly Meeting members who have children in Friends Schools may apply for tuition assistance from the Meeting for the 2025-2026 school year.  Applications should be completed and returned to Faye Steacy, clerk of the Scholarship Committee, by Monday, January 27. Please send these to Faye through the U.S. Mail.  Find her contact information in the Meeting Directory or through the Meeting Office at 215-951-2235 or gmm@germantownfriends.org.

To obtain the 2025-2026 application & guidelines packet, click here.

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR 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:

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

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

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

TEACHING QUAKERISM AT GFS - Watch video with the teachers!

By continuing to evolve Quaker education at GFS, teachers and students are staying deeply engaged in a communal search for truth. Following a Quaker Self-Study concluded in 2022, Head of School Dana Weeks recently gathered with teachers to discuss how GFS is addressing the study findings, which illuminated focus areas for innovation. As we head into the winter break and this season of light, it was a good time to reflect and share. (GFS Family News)

Note: Includes GMM member Liliane Sharpless, and her beautiful, new children's book: Going to Meeting for Worship!

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

GFS welcomes GMM to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year.

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

OPEN HOUSE AT JOHN WOOLMAN MEMORIAL

When?   Sunday, December 15, Noon-4:00pm

Where?  John Woolman Memorial; 99 Branch St. in Mount Holly, NJ

John Woolman was an 18th century Quaker from Mt. Holly, NJ, who is best known for his spiritual and political anti-slavery beliefs and actions. His journal is still widely read. The house will be decorated for the holidays and tours will be available. The director, Charles Bruder, will be on hand to share information about the property and the life and writings of John Woolman. Questions, RSVPs (although not required) - woolmanmemorial@gmail.com (609) 267–3226

SAVE THE DATE: PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING

When?   Sunday, January 26, 2025

Where?  Chestnut Hill Meeting – Details on program - TBA

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

TAKE ACTION!

KITE FLIGHT IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE

When?   Saturday, December 21, 2:00pm

Where?  Vernon Park Playground, 5800 Germantown Avenue

Join Families for Ceasefire Philly for kite decorating and flying, hot cocoa, and community.

JOIN THE WEEKLY VIGIL with FRIDAYS AT FETTERMAN’S

When?   Every Friday from 12:15 – 1:15pm

Where?  In front of Senator Fetterman’s office (230 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia)

What?    Join together with people committed to a Middle East peace solution to urge Senator Fetterman to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Fridays @ Fetterman’s is supported by the AFSC, Brandywine Peace Community, Granny Peace Brigade, IfNotNowPhilly, Prayers for Peace Alliance, the Simple Way and The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Phila. Branch.

SAVE THE DATE: POWER Climate Justice & Jobs Convening: Visioning Our Future

When?  Monday, February 17, 2025, 9:00am - 4:00pm, 

Where? Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N Broad Street, Philadelphia

They need veteran Climate Justice and Jobs member/leaders:  your experience and knowledge are foundational. They ALSO need folks new to this work:  you bring fresh perspectives and important questions.  Everyone's insights and expertise are crucial as we build a strong and impactful strategy for the year ahead. They will take stock of who they are as a team in this political moment and set priorities for 2025. All are welcome!

GERMANTOWN & NEARBY

FAIRMOUNT PARK HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

OK, it’s not exactly Germantown & vicinity, but it’s such a great Philadelphia treat – everyone should try  this.

Head down to visit one or several of the beautiful, historic 18th & 19th century houses in Fairmount Park – all decorated for the holidays, and with fascinating docents on site to give tours. (Strawberry Mansion is also serving Tea on 12/22)

Ormiston Mansion, Laurel Hill Mansion, Woodford Mansion & Strawberry Mansion – all open, 10am - 4pm.

Check here for specific dates for each house. $5/house; children 12 & under are free!

QUAKER RESOURCES

OTHER (VIRTUAL) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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)