THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                      🌞  July 18, 2025  🌞

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, JULY 20

10:20am

Greeter

Phyllis Taylor

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

On recess for the summer.

Older children attend Meeting for Worship with their parent(s) until 10:45am, when someone will stand up and lead them to the kindergarten or playground for supervised play.

Questions? Contact Lois Lois Volta. Children of any age are always welcome to join their parent(s) in Meeting for Worship.

11:30am

Introductions & Announcements

Sam Angell

11:40am

Refreshments

Teodora Nedialkova and Jim Fiorile

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

HELP NEEDED IN THE MEETINGHOUSE THIS SUNDAY @ 10:00am

Are you able to help put the Social & Committee Rooms back together this Sunday at 10:00am before worship?

The carpets in the Committee & Social Rooms were shampooed, and the wooden chairs were moved out (while the carpets dry.)

  • If you’re able to help, call Dorothy Cary.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Food Distribution in front of GMM, This Sunday, July 20

TCRC Community Healing Center Food Distribution takes place every 3rd Sunday out on Coulter Street, in front of the Meetinghouse. Helping hands are needed and always appreciated!

  • When?  This Sunday, July 20 & August 17 (every 3rd Sunday from 12 pm-3 pm)
  • Including, they can use help with set up before worship!
  • Where? In front of Germantown Meetinghouse

Questions?  Contact Jondhi Harrell 

GMM WORSHIP IN AUGUST – on Zoom

During the month of August the GMM meetinghouse will be closed and some repairs will be made to the building.

We will continue to hold Meeting for Worship on Zoom (using the usual link), which all are invited to join.

Those Friends wishing to experience worship in person are encouraged to visit other nearby meetings —

  • Chestnut Hill and Green St are air conditioned and meet at 10:30 am;
  • Abington has both indoor and outdoor worship at 10:00 am;
  • Plymouth Meeting has in-person worship at 10:00 am and hybrid worship at 11:15am;
  • Merion Meeting worships in their 1695 meetinghouse at 11:00 am.  

If we learn about August childcare and/or FDS at these other meetings, we will let families know.

If you visit another meeting, be sure to bring with you greetings from Germantown Meeting!

NOTE:  The TCRC Food Giveaway will still be happening in front of the Meetinghouse

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #18 - READ FCNL’S STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

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!

  • Tip #18:  Read FCNL’s Statement of Legislative Priority
  • FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation) is a national, nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
LOOKING FOR SUMMER & FALL HOUSE, PET & BABY SITTING HELP?

A Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) Fellow, Susan Robinson-Cloete, who lived in the Philadelphia QVS House this past year, is remaining in the area to continue her work with Body Empowerment Project, providing important healthy eating support in the Philadelphia schools.

  • She is also available for house, pet & baby sitting in the area! 

Interested? Reach out to Susan here

JOIN QVS SUMMER RESIDENTS IN WEEKLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH ATTENTION TO GAZA & PALESTINE

When?  Tuesdays, July 29 & August 5 at 12:00pm (ET)

Where? On Zoom – link here

  • Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) hopes that folks will join their weekly worship while the Summer QVS Residents are there!
REGISTER NOW FOR PYM ANNUAL SESSIONS: MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER 

When & Where? Annual Sessions happen July 23-27

  • Weds & Thurs, July 23 & 24:  Zoom only
  • Fri - Sun, July 25 - 27:  Hybrid; on Zoom & at Cheyney University

GMM folks are involved!

  • Ayesha Imani – Keynote Speaker on evening of Wednesday, July 23
  • Karen Lightner –  Co-presenting the new LGBTQIA+ Minute of support that the Sprint created for PYM on Friday, July 25 at 2:00; and convening an LGBTQIA+ Affinity group during lunch on Saturday, July 26

What are Annual Sessions? 

A longstanding Quaker tradition, yearly meetings gather once a year to bring together members & attenders from their local meetings, providing a space for collective discernment and spiritual renewal. Friends can expect keynote speakers, opportunities for fellowship, learning, worship, and thoughtful attention to the work of the yearly meeting.

Youth programs, intergenerational gatherings, affinity groups, breakout sessions, business meetings, and even games!

BOOK TALK WITH DR. HAROLD D. (HAL) WEAVER, JR. of THE BLACK QUAKER PROJECT

When & Where?   Thursday, July 24, 7:00pm (ET) – on Zoom

  • A conversation with Hal Weaver & FGC’s Rashid Darden, discussing the making and audiobook of Black Fire: African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights, a seminal work co-edited by Dr. Weaver (together with Stephen Angell - brother of GMM member Sam Angell!).
  • Weaver was introduced to the Religious Society of Friends and Quakerism at Westtown School and Haverford College. He combined his faith and political activism to produce several publications important to Quakers, including Black Fire.

Register for Zoom link here

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA – at GFS – IS 30 YEARS OLD!

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, one of Germantown Friends School’s signature community education programs, is celebrating its 30th anniversary! From its inception in 1995 as “Summerbridge” (thanks in part to former GFS Head Dick Wade and his wife Dr. Cheryl Wade) to 2025, Breakthrough’s dual-mission program has provided exceptional tuition-free academic enrichment programming to 1,600 student Scholars and hands-on training and classroom experience for 500 Teaching Fellows.

This year’s cohort of 200 students, and their team of enthusiastic Teaching Fellows, are currently on campus enjoying the summer program!

TAKE ACTION!

FILM SCREENING:  SABBATH QUEEN

When?   Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 pm & Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 pm

Where?  Film Society East/PFS East Theater 2 (125 S 2nd Street, Philadelphia)

Filmed over 21 years, SABBATH QUEEN follows the epic journey of Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie on his lifelong quest to creatively and radically reinvent religion and ritual, challenge patriarchy and supremacy, champion interfaith love, and advocate for peace and gender equality. SABBATH QUEEN powerfully interrogates what Jewish survival means in a difficult and rapidly changing 21st century.

Director Sandi Dubowski will be present for a Q&A following both screenings. On July 19th he'll be joined by special guest Rabbi Deborah Waxman, President and CEO, Reconstructing Judaism. Chris Bartlett, Director Emeritus, William Way LGBT Community Center, will moderate on July 20.

RICE & BEANS COMMUNITY FAIR AND COOK OFF – Hosted by Women Count/Women in Dialogue

When?  Saturday, July 26, 2:00-5:00pm (Cook Off, 3:00-4:00pm)

Where?  Crossroads Women’s Center (5011 Germantown Avenue)

Help judge “best vegetarian rice and beans in the city!” Share cultures; get recipes to make affordable, healthy and tasty meals at home; find out about efforts to protect SNAP, Medicaid and Tax Credits so we can afford better food. Also raffle, rummage and children’s activities.

Supported by The Philadelphia Food Justice Initiative.  Hope you can join us!

TRYING TO FIND SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS?

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

MONDAYS @ MCCORMICK’S

When?  Mondays, 12:00noon - 1:00pm, rain or shine

Where?  2000 Market Street, Senator McCormick’s Philadelphia office

Join in weekly to assemble peaceably - as is our constitutional right - outside Senator McCormick's Philadelphia office until he agrees to meet with us and support our demands: (These will change as conditions develop)

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
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)

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  🌳

When & Where?  Thursday, July 24, 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

CARILLON RECITAL SERIES @ Wyck

When?   Monday evenings in July, 7:30pm – July 21 & 28, rain or shine*

Where?  Wyck Historic House | Garden | Farm (6026 Germantown Avenue)

Bring a blanket or yard chair and come sit in Wyck’s yard to enjoy the multiple concerts being played at the First United Methodist Church (FUMCOG) just across the street! Programs and seating are available in the Wyck yard.

*Note: In case of extreme weather or thunderstorms, please go inside FUMCOG for the concert. Wyck grounds are not open during extreme weather.

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
  • Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) Worship with Attention to Gaza/Palestine: Tuesdays at 12:00noon (ET) on Zoom

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)