THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                         April 18, 2025

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 20

10:20am

Greeter

Peter Samuel

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

Dorothy Cary

11:40am

Refreshments

Usha & Norris Childs

11:40am

Easter Egg Hunt!!

In the graveyard across from the Meetinghouse!

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

THIS SUNDAY IS OUR ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT!

When?  This Sunday, April 20 (Easter Sunday)

  • 10:30am – Children in Child Care and in First Day School will gather together in the meeting kitchen to dye Easter eggs and hide them.  
  • The hunt will start after the rise of meeting, so parents should come out to the porch to watch!
GERMANTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL COMES TO OUR MEETINGHOUSE

The Opening Day Concert of this weekend-long festival will take place at Germantown Meetinghouse

When?  Next Friday, April 25, 5:00pm

Performers: Alfie Pollitt Trio, Jim Holton Trio, The Mike Boone Group, Robert Landham Quartet, Germantown Jazz Youth Ensemble

The full Germantown Jazz Festival will take place through the weekend of April 25-27, across several venues

GERMANTOWN MEETING WORK DAY & LUNCH!

When?   Next Saturday, April 26th, 9:00am - 12:00noon

Where?  Inside & around our Meetinghouse!

What?    A few limited projects to give some loving care to our Meetinghouse, and a fun way to get to know (or re-know) fellow Germantown Meeting folks! 

Exact projects are still being determined, but could include such things as – some gardening/landscaping, minor painting and/or staining projects, some simple repairs.

  • Lunch & refreshments will be provided! No experience required! All are welcome! ♥️
QUAKER WALK 2025: NYC to DC — COMING TO GERMANTOWN MEETING ON MAY 10

When? Saturday, May 10, 6:00pm  

What?  A group dinner with Quaker Walkers & GMM at Germantown Meetinghouse 

  • Come join in a casual meal and fellowship with the Quaker Walkers!
  • Want to join in the meal?  Please RSVP here 

What is Quaker Walk 2025? 

In May 2025, Quakers from Brooklyn and Queens are partnering with faith, interfaith, and other groups to organize a 265 mile solidarity walk from Flushing, Queens to Washington, DC. In a time where our democracy and first amendment freedoms are under attack, the goal is to invite faith communities and concerned neighbors across the country to stand in unity with migrants and all individuals who are being unfairly and unconstitutionally targeted by this administration as well as send a message about our shared humanity.

The express purpose of this event is to hand-deliver a copy of the Flushing Remonstrance to members of congress, with their reception of the document symbolizing an extension of the solidarity in witness of our action.

If you are interested in walking for segments of the Quaker Walk, or supporting, or just learning more –

🌷🌻REFRESHMENTS PROVIDERS NEEDED FOR MAY & JUNE!! 🌻🌷

Thank you to those who have been providing refreshments in recent months. You provide the fuel for social hour! We need others to sign up for this rewarding job.

Please consider these available dates:

  • May 4  -  May 18  -  May 25
  • June 8  -  June 15  -  June 22  -  June 29

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

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

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

AUTHOR EVENT – FIERCE VULNERABILITY: HEALING FROM TRAUMA, EMERGING THROUGH COLLAPSE
Conversation with author, Kazu Haga
"In Fierce Vulnerability, Haga invites us to understand that there is no freedom or resiliency in a changing world without telling the truth that our freedom actually means healing. This book is good medicine for those of us on the front lines of liberation work who long to root our work in an ethic of care and healing." Lama Rod Owens 

When?  Wednesday, April 23 @ 7:00pm ET

Where? In-Person: Homewood Friends Meeting, (3107 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218) AND via Zoom

REGISTER NOW FOR PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING

When? Sunday, April 27 (see schedule/timing at link below)

Where? Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting (1500 Cherry Street, Philadelphia) & on Zoom

Meeting for worship, program, business & fellowship. Attend for some or all!

Business Meeting (at 2:45pm), will be preceded by a program (at 12:45) with the Head of Brummana Friends School in Lebanon, who will speak about managing a Quaker School in the Middle East in these troubling and challenging times.

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #3

Following the effort of Friends General Conference (FGC), supporting newcomers as well as offering a refresher for oldtimers, each week there will be a tip from FGC’s New Quaker Checklist – “steps to take to deepen your faith and connect to other Friends in North America.” Try one, or try them all!

JOIN PLANNING COMMITTEE – DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting is forming a working group to plan for an annual Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools (to take place on or near September 30, 2025). Per the organizers –

We envision this as a collaborative effort including the monthly meetings of Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM) and possibly reaching broadly to all PYM meetings; the First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative of PYM; Friends Select School students, teachers, parents and counselors; Friends Counseling Service; possibly representatives from Friends Center, PYM and AFSC; and others.

Quakers played a significant role in one of the first boarding schools that received Indigenous children from near and far, most of them distant from their homes, at Carlisle, PA. Quakers had central administrative roles in about 30 of the boarding schools, altogether.  Children were removed from their families for months or years at a time, and many died at the schools. The U.S. is well behind Canada in acknowledging the federal government's role, and not all Christian denominations have acknowledged their roles in this chapter of our national history. There is a growing movement to support acknowledgment, repair and reconciliation.

Interested in helping to organize the event? Contact:

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

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

  • Middle School: Monday, 4/21, 10:20 - 11:00am                
  • Upper School: Thursday, 4/24, 10:10 - 11:00am
LOWER SCHOOL GREEK DAY – Want to attend?

Are you a GFS alum who fondly remembers participating in Greek Day as a fourth grader? The fourth grade teachers need your help with two items:

1. Do you still have your chiton collecting dust in your house? We have a fourth-grade Greek play next Tuesday (4/22) and are short a few costumes. If you happen to have a chiton collecting dust in your house that you don't mind lending out, please reply to Sarah Pacifico (spacifico@germantownfriends.org) as soon as possible.

2. We have been talking about how school traditions shape our school culture. We are looking for any alums who participated in Greek Day who would like to visit our classes and share their experience.

TAKE ACTION!

SINDYANNA OLIVE OIL OF GALILEE: A JEWISH-ARAB COLLABORATION FOR PEACE

When & Where?  Tuesday, April 22, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm, on Zoom

Equal Exchange presents a live Zoom event with their olive oil partner Sindyanna of Galilee, a female-led nonprofit with a staff of Arab and Jewish women who share a vision of peaceful coexistence and work towards this goal side by side with skill and care.

Established in 1996, Sindyanna of Galilee actively promotes the concepts of “business for peace” and fair trade in Israel. The organization sells olive oil from Arab small farmers and then channels all of the profits back into Arab women's education and other economic activities. This allows Jews and Arabs to reach across the cultural divide to support one another in the areas of sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

Join in for a presentation from our olive oil partner, Sindyanna of Galilee, to learn more about their history and mission as a female-led non-profit promoting business for peace and fair trade in Israel.

WE THE PEOPLE WEDNESDAYS – SINGING FOR SANITY

When?  Every Wednesday at 4:00pm (starting April 23rd)

Where?  Allens Lane Station in Mt. Airy

Join neighbors at the Allens Lane Station in Mt. Airy every Wednesday afternoon for a new protest group!

There will be protest songs led by local musicians each week, speakers describing the cruelty and madness of our F/Elon leaders, and following up with actions.

  • Watch their website for more information on the music & speakers each week: WeThePeopleWeds.org
PLANT A TREE – ARBOR DAY IS COMING ON APRIL 25!  🌳🌳🌳

Daniel Comley on the GFS Maintenance Team announces –

Arbor Day approaches!

Interested in planting a tree? Here are a few resources to get you started!

For more nature-based opportunities – see the “Germantown & Nearby” section below for Earth Day events! 🌎

WRITING FOR SEPTA FUNDING

SEPTA is facing a huge budget shortfall and needs more state funding. To that end, folks are encouraged to write Republican members of the Pennsylvania Senate to support dedicated funding for public transportation, stressing the economic benefits of public transportation to the entire state's economy. Find Republican Senator e-mail addresses here -  http://www.pasenategop.com

LOCAL GROUP ACTIONS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Trying to stay on top of the many events and efforts these days?

Mobilize is a central posting site that has opportunities concerning local actions for protest and in support of social justice.

ORGANIZE YOUR COMMUNITY!

Quaker Coalition for Uprooting Racism (QCUR) invites you to participate in a half-day of community organizing to resist the current rise of fascism in the United. Friends will meet on Saturday, May 10th, 1-5pm ET via Zoom. We encourage Quaker organizations, schools, committees, and meetings to make themselves hubs so people can gather in person to Zoom together.

NEW PRISON OVERSIGHT BOARD  

The Philadelphia City Council has passed a resolution for the creation of a Prison Oversight Board. This will be a nine-member board; four selected by the Mayor and five selected by the City Council.

At the May 20th, 2025, city election, Philadelphians will have the opportunity to vote for a request for a charter amendment to establish the board. The board will have authority to investigate charges of inhumane conditions existing in the city’s five county jails. These conditions include medical negligence, unsanitary conditions, use/overuse of solitary confinement, and denial of required out-of-cell time for incarcerated persons. These conditions have resulted in over 50 deaths in recent years.

FREE ESTATE PLANNING CLINIC FOR BLACK RESIDENTS OF GERMANTOWN

Save the date & spread the word …

When?  Saturday, April 26, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where?  Green Street Friends Meeting, 45 W. School House Lane

Inviting Black residents of Germantown (zip codes 19138 & 19144) to a free estate planning educational presentation by Community Legal Services (CLS) & Philadelphia VIP (volunteer lawyers).

Why Estate Planning?

  • Make sure your assets go to the people you want
  • Expedite Probate
  • Wills, Power of Attorney, Advance Health Directives
  • Protect your assets & your family

Following the presentation –

  • Light lunch
  • Residents will have an opportunity to sign up for one-on-one legal representation by CLS and VIP that will be provided in the weeks following the event.
  • Qualifying residents who cannot be served by CLS and VIP will otherwise be matched with an attorney, free of charge.

Register (requested but not required) here – greenstreetreparations@gmail.com; contact with questions

Visit on Facebook at Green Street Friends Reparations

SAVE THE DATE:  POWER Northwest Housing Justice Town Hall

When?  Monday, May 18, 3:00 - 5:00pm

Where?  St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church (109 E Price Street, Germantown)

Join POWER's Northwest Philly Housing Justice Town Hall to hear stories from our leaders, hear from Councilmembers, and hear about our plans to launch our own agenda for truly affordable communities.

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

EARTH DAY PROGRAMS 🌎🌳🌸

When? Saturday, April 19 

The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 12:00 - 4:00pm

  • Come out for a fun day of volunteering, fun with The Philly Goat Project, live demos, and much more!

Bells Mill Road Clean-Up with Friends of the Wissahickon, 9:00am - 12:00noon

  • Showing some extra love to one of the main roads through our park with a litter clean-up. Register here.
EARTH DAY PROGRAMS AROUND PHILADELPHIA

When?   April 19 - 30

Where?  Across the Philadelphia region

“Earth Day began in 1970 with a demonstration. Today, more than 1 billion people celebrate by working to amplify what’s good for the earth — and to mitigate what’s bad.” The Philadelphia Citizen

QUAKER RESOURCES

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

FOR QUAKER NEWCOMERS: Friends General Conference New Quaker Hub

QUAKER ORGANIZATIONS

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