THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                         May 2, 2025

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 4

10:20am

Greeter

Anthony Stover

10:30am

Child Care

Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway from Meetinghouse

10:30am

Meeting for Worship

(NOTE: This week worship will only be in-person or on Zoom; no hybrid option)

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

Wendy Wells

11:40am

Refreshments

Wendy Wells

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

GMM WORK DAY SUCCESS & GRATITUDE!

We had a great crew of Germantown Meeting folks gather last Saturday for our Spring Work Day at the Meetinghouse! A dedicated bunch cut down the sickly bushes surrounding the Meeting Office, the oven door in the kitchen was repaired, benches were moved back after the Friday night Jazz Festival, the gutter on the corner of the meetinghouse was cleared out, lightbulbs were changed, and the Pride flag was hung up on the pole near the driveway exit. Fueled by coffee & morning treats, the group got to work, and enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards.  Many thanks to all who pitched in! 

Keep your eyes open for future weekend Work Days.

And if anyone is interested in joining the Property Committee, contact David Mettler or TJ Rafferty.

NO HYBRID WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY — Only In-person OR via Zoom

Because our members that support our meetinghouse AV needs will be attending the GMM Retreat at Camp Dark Waters this weekend, we will not have a hybrid option for Meeting this Sunday. Worship will take place either in-person or on Zoom (at the usual Zoom link listed above). We will resume with hybrid next week. 

QUAKER WALK 2025: NYC to DC — COMING TO GERMANTOWN MEETING ON MAY 10

When? Next 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 –

QUAKER WALK INFOSHARE AND Q & A SESSION (virtual/online) – This Sunday, April 27, 1:00pm 
  • See more information in “Quaker News & Events” section below
GMM MEETING FOR BUSINESS - NEXT WEEKEND

When?  Sunday, May 11, 9:00am

Members should expect to see draft April minutes by email early this week, and the agenda will be in the next Friday Bee email. As always, Attenders are welcome at business meeting. However, please notify the clerk (Karen Lightner) in advance if you wish to attend.

🌷🌻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 18
  • 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

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #5 - Follow Quaker organizations on Social Media

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!

This is a way to keep up with what is happening most currently with organizations.

And FGC conveniently compiled a list of Quaker social media accounts in one place!

QUAKER WALK BEGINS THIS SUNDAY – NYC TO DC

Beginning May 4, a group of New York City Quakers from Brooklyn Monthly Meeting’s Peace and Social Action committee will be leading The Quaker Walk to Washington, An Interfaith Pilgrimage for Migrant Solidarity and Universal Freedoms. The group will walk 300 miles from Flushing, Queens to Washington D.C. and expect hundreds to join along the way while drawing attention to migrant persecution and free speech rights.

ORGANIZE YOUR COMMUNITY!

When? Saturday, May 10, 1-5:00pm via Zoom

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. We encourage Quaker organizations, schools, committees, and meetings to make themselves hubs so people can gather in person to Zoom together.

FRIEND SEEKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Jesse White, former Clerk of Frankford Meeting and Art teacher at Pendle Hill is seeking affordable housing in the Germantown area. She’s open to a room, a studio, or a 1-bedroom. She has excellent credit, references, savings, and limited (but growing) income. Currently, she can afford up to maybe $750 or $800. She has a part-time position at a gallery/frame shop and is growing her transitional life coaching business. No pets currently, but would love to adopt a cat in the future, if possible.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY EVENT
Philadelphia Horticultural Society Presents: Germantown Growers Panel Discussion with Bakari Clark

When? Saturday, May 3, 4-6 p.m., Friends Free Library

This free event includes a dialogue with undergraduate researcher and land activist Bakari Clark, and a panel of gardeners and growers who have made a change in Germantown’s community gardens and food systems. Fellow community growers can learn about the ways they can get involved in developing safe, culturally rich, and fun third spaces in their neighborhood. Audience questions will be collected throughout the evening, and following the Gardener Panel, there will be a Q&A. Registration is required.

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

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

  • Middle School Worship: Monday, 5/5, 10:20 - 11:00am                
  • Upper School Worship: Thursday, 5/8, 10:10 - 11:00am

The entire school gathers, from the smallest preschoolers to upper school seniors, for worship outside together.

Let’s hope for good weather!

RSVP for the All School Commons Grand Opening Celebration🎊🎈

When? Friday, May 16, 5:30-8 pm

GFS is thrilled to invite everyone to the grand opening celebration for the All School Commons. This salon-style reception will feature performances, art exhibits, a guided wine tasting, and much more! Please RSVP.

TAKE ACTION!

WE THE PEOPLE WEDNESDAYS – SINGING FOR SANITY

When?  Every Wednesday at 4:00pm 

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
SAVE THE DATE – LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK 🌳🌿🌷

When?  May 10-18

Where? In Germantown & all over Philadelphia!

The Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy are excited to announce that volunteer registration for Love Your Park Week is officially open!

Plan to join our Germantown Meeting members at –

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.

FILM SCREENING & MASAFER YATTA SOLIDARITY FUNDRAISER – GET TICKETS NOW

When?  Monday, May 19, 7:00-10:00pm

Where? Ritz 5 (214 Walnut Street, Philadelphia)

Prayers for Peace Alliance—alongside IfNotNow Philadelphia, and the Center for Jewish Nonviolence—will host a powerful evening of community and action. Join us for a screening of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” followed by a panel discussion and fundraiser in support of the Masafer Yatta Solidarity Fund.

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

EXHIBITION AT HISTORIC GERMANTOWN –
Cardboard Genius: The Architectural Marvels of Kambel Smith

When?   March 29 - June 29, 12:00 - 4:00pm, Thursdays - Saturdays

When?   Historic Germantown, 5501 Germantown Avenue

“Features 11 works by Germantown-based self-taught artist Kambel Smith, who is known for his use of found materials, especially cardboard, in his intricate recreations of architectural landmarks. Smith, who ‘views his autism as a superpower,’ creates these masterpieces entirely from memory, and often draws inspiration from the built environment around him in Philadelphia.”

MT AIRY DAY

When?  Saturday, May 3, 11am - 5pm (Rain Date: Sunday, May 4),

Where? Mt Airy, typically between Johnson & Upsal Streets

Come celebrate Spring with neighbors! Food vendors, entertainment, crafts, music!

Note – this festival will mean that the area will have some street closures

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

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)