THE FRIDAY BEE                                                         February 28, 2025

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 2

10:20am

Greeter

Becky Johnson / Fellowship Committee

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

Anna Burke & TJ Rafferty

11:40am

Refreshments

Chili Lunch – Fellowship Committee

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

CHILI LUNCH AT GMM – THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 2! – ALL ARE WELCOME

When & Where? Sunday, March 2, 11:45am … in GMM Committee & Social Rooms

Nothing like a warm bowl of chili and fellowship to fight the winter chill!

ASSISTANCE DRIVE CONTINUES THROUGH MARCH at GMM!

OK…We got off to a slow start, but let’s make March even more generous!

Please bring critical, basic supplies to Meeting to support the Germantown Community.

When?  Throughout March …bring something to share whenever you come to Meeting!

This is an easy ask – please bring soap, shampoo, TP, etc. (see list below) to Meeting during February.

We are supporting the work of Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry - to support neighbors in need. Show some love!

Items most needed: 

• Unopened soap, toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, body lotion, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish detergent, band-aids, vitamins, gloves, new socks, scarves, hats and shopping bags.

Where to bring items?  Marked boxes in the Meeting Social/Committee Rooms

CHILDCARE POSITION OPEN – AT GERMANTOWN MEETING

If you know of any responsible, caring person(s) who are available to join our Child Care team to care for our members’ and attenders’ children during weekly Meeting for Worship and monthly Meeting for Business, please contact our member Lois Volta: loisvolta@gmail.com for details. Coverage required weekly for Meeting for Worship. Periodic coverage required for Meeting for Business. Child care clearances required.

QUAKERISM 101: DISCERNMENT – SAVE THE DATE: March 23, 9:00am

Thanks to all who gathered for last Sunday’s Quakerism 101 session, led by Michael Moulton.

The next session will be on March 23, at 9:00am, led by Dorothy Cary.

• Topic:  Discernment: Individuals Within a Community

HELP NEEDED FOR REFRESHMENTS - Particularly on MARCH 23! ☕🍪🍎

We need folks to help with Refreshments in late-March (3/23), when many folks are away for Spring Break (school vacation).

To sign up, please contact Becky Johnson. Many thanks!

Also consider these available dates:

•  April 13 - April 27

2025 MOTTO CALENDARS ARE HERE! – $1

These handy, inspirational calendars are available while supplies last. Cost: $1

They will be in a box on the back counter of the Committee Room during Refreshments on Sundays. Please put $1 in the small wooden donation box on the wall leading to the Social Room. Enjoy!

From January: The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it. - Amanda Gorman

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

QUAKER VOLUNTARY SERVICE (QVS) - Looking for a way to make an impact?

9.5-month Fellowship program for young adults (21-30 yrs)  in Boston, Philadelphia, Twin Cities (MN), & Portland, OR

This well-established program guides Fellows through an experiment at the intersection of transformational spirituality and activism. Fellows live in intentional community, work for social justice nonprofits, and engage in Quaker spiritual practices. After doing our program, we find that Fellows have created relational networks that support their personal and professional development for many years.

• Apply for the QVS 9.5 month Fellowship  – Application due date is tomorrow – March 1, 2025

QUAKER VOLUNTARY SERVICE (QVS) - New in 2025 – Summer option for 18-20 year olds!

Quaker Voluntary Service is launching a 5-week summer program in Philadelphia for young adults aged 18-20 years old.

Summer Fellows will be on site July 7 - August 10, to do service projects together, live in intentional community, and participate in workshops and spiritual deepening activities. Fellows will also be involved in shaping the program through a process of group discernment conducted in the spring through five virtual pre-sessions. In this way, our program will be by young adults as well as for young adults.

• Apply for the QVS Summer Lab – Application due date is tomorrow – March 1, 2025

SUCCESS UPDATE IN PYM LAWSUIT AGAINST HOMELAND SECURITY

PYM shares, “The US District Court of Maryland ruled in our favor by blocking the Trump administration’s policy that permitted indiscriminate immigration enforcement actions in houses of worship.” A temporary, but “crucial step in upholding the right of all people to worship without fear.” Read more here

• PYM webpage with ongoing updates on the lawsuit.
• Ways that Monthly Meetings can support the lawsuit
• What to Do If ICE Shows Up at Your Quaker Meeting

GUIDANCE FROM GMM’s ANTI-RACISM DISCUSSION GROUP

For Friends who feel that their ministry calls for them to be more actively involved in responding to the current political situation, The Anti-Racism Discussion Group has a couple of possible ways to do so:

Supporting and taking action with some organizations devoted to social justice issues and concerns:

• Friends Committee on National Legislation: https://www.fcnl.org
• Southern Poverty Law Center: https://www.splcenter.org
• Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: https://hias.org
• American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.org
• 5 Calls   https://5calls.org (from their site): “5 Calls makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress and make your voice heard. We research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a progressive position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices. All you have to do is call.”

WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW — LINKS FROM FGC

Friends General  Conference (FGC) shares some resources/links for ways we can stay informed and make an impact:

• George Lakey, a Quaker and founder of Training for Change, wrote A Manifesto for Nonviolent Revolution. It is free in PDF format.
• The NAACP has launched a Black Consumer Advisory with information on supporting Black businesses.
• The National Council of Churches has put together a list of immigration resources, including how to prepare for encounters with ICE.

“We can't do it all, but each of us can do a little.” – Rashid Darden, FGC

PYM SPIRITUAL FORMATION COLLABORATIVE SPRING RETREAT - Save the Date

When & Where?  April 4 - 6, at Pendle Hill

The Spiritual Formation Collaborative of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting invites you to spend a weekend of spiritual deepening, nurturing your Spiritual center, and sharing the peace and hope that lies within each of us.

• Register Here

RSVP – AUTHOR EVENT: PETER BEINART DISCUSSES HIS NEW BOOK -

Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza - A Reckoning

When?  Monday March 17, 7 - 9:00pm - SAVE THE DATE - Register now; space is limited

Where?  Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland Avenue & on Zoom

Mishkan Shalom, our neighboring Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, invites us members of our three area Friends Meetings to attend this interesting talk by Peter Beinert, an American liberal columnist, journalist and political commentator, about his new book. You can attend either in person at Mishkan Shalom or virtually.

• Registration is required – click here

REGISTER FOR PYM SPRING CONTINUING SESSIONS - HAPPENING MARCH 8-9

This gathering invites us to come together as a body, recognizing the vital role each Friend plays in our shared spiritual life. Join in from home or at one of five monthly meetings hosting in person! Together, Friends will explore the new 2025 Sessions theme: Members One of Another.

• More information 
• Register Here

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

• PYM Events Calendar: Check out upcoming and ongoing programs promoted by PYM

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

BLACK STUDENT UNION HONORS TRAYVON MARTIN

The GFS Black Student Union wears their signature hoodie every year on February 26 in honor of Trayvon Martin, who was murdered on this day in 2012. The BSU has done this every year since 2018, which is when it was founded. – @germantownfriends

GFS GIVING DAY SUCCESS!

Many thanks to all who contributed to the 7th annual GFS Giving Day on February 14th! Raising a total of $416,000 from 562 gifts – friends & families from far & wide shared their Valentines Day love toward the GFS Annual Fund, a vital source of operational support.

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

GFS welcomes GMM to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year. Schedule for upcoming week:                

• Middle School Worship: Monday, 3/3, 10:20 - 11:00am
• Lower School Worship: Thursday, 3/6, 9:00 - 9:30am
• Upper School Worship: Thursday, 3/6, 10:10 - 11:00am

TAKE ACTION!

24 HOUR ECONOMIC BLACKOUT – RIGHT NOW!

When? TODAY! Friday, February 28, from 12:01am - 12:00 midnight

• Even if you are just learning about this – you can start participating now.

For one day we show them who really holds the power. (organizers - The People’s Union USA)

What not to do:

Do not make any purchases ◆  Do not shop online, or in-store ◆ No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy ◆ Do not spend money on: Fast Food ◆ Gas ◆ Major Retailers ◆ Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending

What to do:

Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary (Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies) ◆  If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses, using cash.

WHAT YOU CAN DO – More ways to make an impact

Robert Reich’s article, “What You Can Do,” offers 16 broad yet specific ways to participate in a wide range of civic action.

Everyone has power to make an impact; see if any of these speak to you.

ANGRY AT WHAT’S GOING ON IN DC: WRITE OR CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS!

“An old-fashioned printed or hand-written letter, stamped and mailed to the Senator or Congressperson’s office is the most effective way to express your opinion,” as member Bill Cozzens reminds us.

• Bill compiled a handy list with contact information for our US Senators & Representatives – Click here
• Check out “5 Calls” here – A site & app that facilitates communicating with our members of congress – providing contact information, as well as sample scripts on a variety of current event issues.

SUPPORT LOCAL BLACK, LATINO, AAPI & LGBTQ+ BUSINESSES

While some may be participating in the February 28th Economic Blackout, another positively impactful practice is to shop locally and intentionally. As Visit Philadelphia points out, “you can take positive social and economic action by shopping with these independent businesses.” Of course we should visit the business in our immediate Germantown neighborhood. Below are links to additional locations a bit further afield.

• Black, Latino, AAPI owned businesses
• LGBTQ+ owned businesses

TECHNOLOGY DISCUSSION GROUP

When?   Monthly – next meeting is Saturday, March 15 at 3 pm

Where?  Seth Dunoff’s apartment on Greene St in Germantown.

What?    GMM attender Seth Dunoff will host the March meeting of a monthly reading / discussion group on the subject of technology.

The purpose of the discussion group meetings is to begin to formalize an anti-technology political movement.

The reading for this meeting is pages 35 to 52 (parts of chapters 2 and 3) of science journalist Moises Velasquez-Manoff’s 2012 book An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases. This passage presents a brief history of the relationship between hygiene and public health in modern times, and investigates the connection between malaria eradication and multiple sclerosis on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Please email Seth at seth.dunoff@gmail.com if you would like a copy of the passage, are interested in participating, or have any questions about the project.

JOIN THE VIGIL with FRIDAYS AT FETTERMAN’S

When?  Every Friday from 11:15 – 12:15pm

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.

GERMANTOWN & NEARBY

WELLNESS WALKS IN AWBURY ARBORETUM – TWICE A WEEK!

When & Where?  Mondays & Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00am, The Farm at Awbury (6336 Ardleigh St)

Join in to start your day with a Wellness Walk through Awbury’s 56 acres, led by Wellness Director, Megan Do Nascimento. “Immerse yourself in nature as we take a moderately paced stroll through gardens, woodlands, roam around the farm, and our ponds and meadows.”  Questions? Contact the Wellness Director at wellness@awbury.org

WRITING THROUGH OUR GRIEF: A CARESHOP TO TEND THE HEART

When & Where? Saturday, March 8, 1:00 - 3:00pm — at Stenton Museum (4601 N. 18th Street)

In this free careshop, led by certified grief coach Naila Francis, participants will turn to the page to express grief through guided writing prompts. This class is for anyone experiencing a significant loss or change, not just the death of a loved one. Participants will have space to be with their grief in a culture that avoids and dismisses grief, while also finding comfort, support, insight and connection. Please bring a journal to write in.

• Register for the careshop here