THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                      🍎  September 5, 2025  🍎

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Welcome back to in-person worship at Germantown Meetinghouse!!

10:20am

Greeter

Jonathan Busser

10:30am

Child Care

Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway

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

Karen Lightner

11:40am

Refreshments

Maureen Carr, Janet Kroll & Anne Stassen

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. Masks are optional in the meetinghouse. 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 & ANNOUNCEMENTS

☀️WELCOME BACK TO GERMANTOWN MEETINGHOUSE! 🍁🌿

Come this Sunday, 9/7 at 10:30am for worship… connection… and coffee & bagels (afterwards, of course)!

It will be lovely to see everyone after a long summer, as we start our “year” back together in-person (& hybrid).

THIS SUNDAY (9/7) – CARS NEED TO MOVE FROM THE COMMON BY 1:00pm

There is a GFS student event happening on the Common this Sunday afternoon (9/7) – and they need to start setting up at 1:00pm.

If you park there during Sunday worship & social hour, please move your car by 1:00pm. Many thanks!

CONNECT WITH OUR NEIGHBORS - VOLUNTEER: GERMANTOWN FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

When?   Tomorrow!  Saturday, September 6, 12:00 - 6:00pm

Where?  At our corner! Germantown Avenue between Coulter Street & School House Lane

Join the inaugural Germantown Avenue Food Truck Festival! This exciting back-to-school celebration will bring together families, food trucks, live entertainment, and community partners for an afternoon of fun, music, and giving back. With over 1,500 attendees expected, the festival will feature school supply giveaways, activities for children, and opportunities to support local businesses.

Germantown Friends School (GFS) will be participating, and donating 300 backpacks and school supplies for children in the community.

Volunteers needed: The organizers welcome participation for any of us in a variety of ways, including: assisting with event setup, transporting backpacks to the Information Booth, helping with backpack distribution, and cleaning up.

JOIN BILL COZZENS & OTHERS AT “WE ARE AMERICA MARCH/WALK”

When & Where? Tomorrow! Saturday, 9/6 at Independence Mall

See description of the event & links in the “Take Action” section below.

GFS FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY POP-UP AT GMM 📚📖

When? This Sunday, 9/7 after worship, in Social Room

Kate Garrity, GFS Librarian & GMM attender will have a cart of books from the Friends Free Library in the Social Room during Refreshments after worship this Sunday. Stop by to say hi, and to browse some great reads!

SAVE THE DATE – ANTI-RACISM DISCUSSION GROUP STARTS UP IN SEPTEMBER!

When?  Tuesday, September 16, 7:00pm – on Zoom

The Anti-Racism Discussion Group is having its next meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at 7PM via ZOOM. We will discuss people's involvement in local and national political and social justice issues over the summer and what we as a group should  do next.

☕ 🍪 VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS FALL! ☕ 🍪

It’s not too early to volunteer to provide refreshments after worship in the Fall.

  • Make it a family activity
  • Partner up with a friend
  • Make it a Committee activity, while promoting your committee's work?

Please look ahead and pick a date:

September 28

October 12  -  October 26

November 2 - November 9 - November 16 - November 30

December 7 - December 14 - December 21 - December 28

Please contact Becky Johnson. THANK YOU!

Thanks to all who provided refreshments over the past year!

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

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

STEPHEN G. CARY MEMORIAL LECTURE (Hybrid) – with MAX CARTER

When?   This Monday, September 8 @ 7:30 pm ET

Where?  Hybrid – on Zoom & at Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA)

What?    “Earthquake, Wind, and Fire – Seeking the Calm Center,” with Max L. Carter (retired professor & William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies at Guilford College)

We are living in a time of “earthquake, wind, and fire.” Many of us are searching for “still, small voice of calm,” a Living Center, where we can hear the voice of the Divine and find the strength to carry on.

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #26 - Join a committee at Meeting: Get involved!

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 #26:  Join a committee at your meeting to get to know others and participate in the life of the meeting.
  • We are as strong, engaged and active as our collective participation in committee work! Without the professional administrative structure in other churches, Friends meetings get work done through committees. There are many ways for newcomers and old-timers alike to get involved in the life of the meeting.

Curious about GMM Committees? 

SUPPORT THE QUAKER VOLUNTARY FELLOWS (QVS)
   & BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS FROM OTHER MEETINGS IN PYM!

The Local Support Committee for Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) is looking for new members.  

Each year QVS brings young adults to Philadelphia to live in community and work for a non-profit. Philadelphia QVS is unique because multiple Meetings support the house, thus the Local Support Committee (LSC) comes from a variety of Meetings. The LSC works with the Philadelphia QVS coordinator to support the fellows.

A MORAL MINUTE – A PASTORAL LETTER

Shared by GMM members – Posted last week by a group of pastors, moved to speak out.

[August 28th was] the 70th anniversary of the murder of Emmett Till - a horrific act of violence that exposed the spiritual rot at the heart of Jim Crow authoritarianism and, because of the courage of Till’s mother, who demanded an open casket funeral, gave birth to a moral movement to save the soul of America. Which is why this is also the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington. One lesson we take from this history as pastors is that too many pastors were silent for too long as power was abused by people who were spiritually sick. In the tradition of nonviolent work for the transformation of individuals and society that we learned from veterans of the civil rights movement, we are sharing this pastoral letter to Donald J. Trump. We invite you to join our prayers for him and for this nation, and we encourage anyone who may have opportunity to offer him spiritual counsel to share this invitation with him.

SAVE THE DATE – PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING FAMILY PICNIC!

When?  Saturday, September 20, 10:00am - 2:30pm (Rain Date: September 27)

Where? Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground (2901 Germantown Avenue)

Includes a guided tour & outdoor worship in the morning, followed by lunch and a fun-filled afternoon. Bring the whole family! It’s a wonderful chance to relax, connect, and be in community together.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

GMM IS INVITED TO READ TO GFS LOWER SCHOOL CLASSES!

Once again, GMM has the opportunity to read to Lower School students on the Thursdays when they have "informal meeting for worship" when teachers have flexibility in how/where the students worship. Meeting members are invited to join by reading books that illustrate any of the Friends’ testimonies, and then staying with the class for the worship period. 

Interested? Questions? Contact /span>Dorothy Cary

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: Monday, 9/8, 10:20 - 11:00am        
  • Upper School: Thursday, 9/11, 10:10 - 11:00am
SUPPORT THE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR NEIGHBOR SCHOOLS

When?   Tuesday, September 9

Where?  Meetinghouse Porch, morning & afternoon (see below)

Please join GFS in supporting the local Germantown community at our upcoming school supply drive, benefitting neighborhood elementary schools.

Items of highest need include loose-leaf paper, pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, highlighters, two-pocket folders, composition books, tissues, and cleaning wipes.

  • Items may be dropped off at the Meetinghouse Porch during morning arrival (8:00-8:30am) & afternoon dismissal (3:00-3:30pm)

TAKE ACTION!

WE ARE AMERICA – WALK TO WASHINGTON – KICK OFF EVENT, TOMORROW, SATURDAY, 9/6

Creating Community - Defending Democracy

When & Where? Tomorrow - Saturday, 9/6, 9:30am @ Independence Mall

About 60 Americans from all across the United States are walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC over the next 14 days to deliver copies of the US Constitution to members of Congress (with the not so subtle message that they need to do their jobs!). There will be a kickoff ceremony at Independence Mall tomorrow, Saturday, at 9:30am, with the actual march starting around 10:30.

It is too late to sign up for the full march, but they will welcome supporters and companions to march with them for several hours, or a day or more.

Bill Cozzens, possibly some other members of Germantown Meeting and definitely several members from Green Street and Chestnut Hill Meetings are going to the kickoff ceremony and marching with the group from Independence Mall through west Philadelphia and Darby toward Chester, the first night's destination. Depending on your blisters and your weariness, there will be many public transit opportunities to wish the marchers well and return home.Please join us!

POWER Interfaith AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAMPAIGN COMMUNITY EDUCATION MEETING

When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Where: Green Street Monthly Meeting (45 Schoolhouse Lane, Philadelphia PA 19144)

Who: NW Philly Quakers (Friends from Chestnut Hill MM, Germantown MM and Green Street MM)

Why: Learn about the current financial landscape of the city of Philadelphia, the impacts of the recent business tax cuts, and POWER Philly’s strategic bet -- a revenue fight that will fund housing programs. Get involved in the campaign to fund more affordable housing in Philadelphia.

POWER Interfaith is a multi-faith, multi-racial organization. We organize in neighborhoods and congregations to build power for regular people in our city, so we can win the things we want for ourselves and the people we love.

For more information, contact Jayson Massey (Germantown) , Robin Mohr (Green Street) , or Meg Cruz (POWER organizer for NW Philly) mmalkemes@powerphiladelphia.org 

LOCAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAYS & WHERE TO FIND THEM

To help families meet their needs for a successful start to the year, various community groups and institutions offer giveaways of essentials, including backpacks, notebooks, food, SEPTA cards, and even haircuts for your young ones.

The Germantown Info Hub team has compiled a list of these givebacks happening around the neighborhood over the next month.

There are at least 6 more giveaway events happening in the remainder of August!

Share this information with any families who might be interested.

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.

ONGOING – 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)

ONGOING – 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
ONGOING – 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

GERMANTOWN FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL – See Meeting News & Announcements Section above

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, 9/6 12:00-6:00pm

Where? At our corner of Germantown Avenue & Coulter Street!

See Meeting News & Announcements above for more information on getting involved!

BIKE RIDE FOR A SAFE GERMANTOWN

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 10:00am

Where? Begin at Fernhill Park (meet at corner of Morris & Abbotsford)

Join State Rep Andre Carroll, representatives from the City of Philadelphia, and community groups for a press conference and bike ride. Enjoy a tour of this historic neighborhood to highlight the current state of road infrastructure and behavior in Germantown and the need for greater traffic safety measures.

🐝 PHILADELPHIA HONEY FESTIVAL @ WYCK  🐝

When?  Tomorrow, Saturday, September 6, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Where? Wyck (6026 Germantown Avenue (at W. Walnut Lane) – Enter through Walnut Lane entrance

The Philadelphia Honey Festival at Wyck is our sweet finish to the summer season! Hosted in partnership with the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, the festival offers a variety of activities that celebrate and educate about our important friend, the honey bee!  This always-popular event includes honey tastings, extractions, presentations, bee-bearding, a mead and beer garden, and much more!.

SAVE THE DATE – GERMANTOWN ART DISTRICT FESTIVAL – on our corner!!

When?  Saturday, September 13, 12:00-6:00pm

Where?  Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane & Coulter Street

Hosted by the Achievement Foundation, this back-to-school celebration will bring together families, food trucks, vendors, resource tables, school supply giveaway, live entertainment, and community members for an afternoon of fun, music, and neighborhood.

QUAKER RESOURCES

OTHER (VIRTUAL) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  • Pendle Hill – Daily Zoom meeting for worship online from 8:30-9:10 am
  • Friends Council on 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)