THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                September 26, 2025  

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

10:20am

Greeter

Ed Stivender

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

Lois Volta

11:40am

Refreshments

Becky Johnson

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

BUILDING A DATABASE OF PEACE & RESISTANCE

GMM Member, John Colgan-Davis is gradually compiling a list of social justice/action/resistance organizations, efforts and events in which Germantown Meeting folks are involved, to share information about ways to be impactful.

Information Table at Refreshments on Sunday, September 28

  • Stop by and read about some of the organizations
  • Contribute information about additional resources to add to the database/list

Have organizations/efforts/events to share?

  • Email them to John Colgan-Davis
  • Write “Resistance” in the Subject line of the email 
LET’S WELCOME GFS FAMILIES TO GERMANTOWN MEETING!

All GFS families are warmly invited to a Fall Day of Welcome at Germantown Friends Meeting.

When?  Next Sunday, October 5

  • 9:30am – Join us for light breakfast followed by a brief introduction to Quakerism and Quaker worship with time for questions.
  • 10:30am – Meeting for Worship, with childcare provided.

While everyone is always welcome at Germantown Monthly Meeting, this is a special chance to gather in community with other families and experience Quaker worship together.

GMM READING/BOOK GROUP

One Day I’ll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman: A Mother’s Story, by Abi Maxwell

From GMM member Kelley White –

I hope Friends will join me in reading and discussing this book.

  • I was startled to learn of this book, a memoir of a family's challenges in raising a transgender child in which my beloved home town in New Hampshire is the villain.
  • Reading it brought on several kinds of anger, frustration, and sadly, not enough hope. I knew Abi Maxwell a bit as she was my neighbour and a town librarian during my return to Gilford from 2008-2018; I remember her child as a toddler. The book deals with tough issues: it broke my heart on several levels.
  • The book is available at Friends Free Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia (where it is available as an audio download.) I will have a couple of copies of the book available to loan.

Interested in reading/discussing this book together?

  • Please contact Kelley White
  • A date/time in the next several weeks will be set when Kelley knows how many people are interested
☕ 🍪 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

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

PENDLE HILL’S 95TH ANNIVERSARY GATHERING WEEKEND

When?   September 26 - 28

Where?  Online & on-campus (338 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA)

Whether you were a resident student for years, or attended an online program once, join us to connect, renew, and imagine together in community as we celebrate our 95th Anniversary.

More information here 

WRESTLING WITH JUSTICE, Part 3: QUAKERS AND NORTHERN SLAVERY

When?  Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where? Stenton Museum (4601 N. 18th Street, Philadelphia)

Wrestling with Justice, is a series that challenges widespread assumptions about northern slavery and create an interpretive framework, programming, and exhibits to explore untold stories of enslaved and free people at Stenton, and evolving and complicated Quaker attitudes toward enslavement in the 18th century.

In this third and final session "Taking It To The Streets," Stenton wants to hear from the community on how to reimagine their house tours and future exhibitions to better include narratives of enslavement. This follows the second session that focused on having tough conversations, in which GMM Clerk, Karen Lightner spoke on Quaker worship.

PYM CONNECT - Helps Friends Stay Connected

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has an online forum to facilitate conversation on relevant topics – PYM Connect.

PYM Connect is a tool that is perfect for this moment, when our Presiding Clerk is asking PYM Friends and meetings how we are called at this moment, when so many people and our planet are deeply impacted by recent changes in the United States. A platform designed for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Friends to foster an online community dedicated to building deeper relationships.

Please use Connect to test, follow, and support ministry!

QUAKER QUESTION OF THE WEEK –

How can we support fearless conversations about race in my community?

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #29 –
ATTEND VIRTUAL WORSHIP FOR FRIENDS OF COLOR OR FOR WHITE FRIENDS CONFRONTING RACISM

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!

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

BOOKS AT FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 📚

Friends Free Library at GFS has curated a digital display of books for readers of all ages to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Germantown Meeting members & attenders are welcome at Friends Free Library, everyday after school – Mon-Fri, 3:30 - 6:00pm

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

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

  • Lower School: Thursday, 10/2, 9:00 - 9:30am
  • Middle School: Monday, 9/29, 10:20 - 11:00am        
  • Upper School: Thursday, 10/2, 10:10 - 11:00am

TAKE ACTION!

REACH OUT TO STOP TRUMP'S MADNESS, IN CHESTNUT HILL

Join this monthly "Reach-Out" to speak out against Trump's injustice and brutality against people and our democracy.

What?  Reach-Out to generate protest to Trump's assault on justice and peace everywhere.

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, from 10 am - 12 pm

Where? In Chestnut Hill next to the "Welcome to Chestnut Hill" sign, near the very busy intersection at Cresheim Lane & Germantown Avenue (across from the Peace Park and the Saturday Farmers Market).

What to bring yourself and friends. Sunscreen, water, and a lawn chair if you wish to sit. Banners supplied.

Sponsor: The Brandywine Peace Community

Questions? Call 215-843-4827

'NO KINGS' DEMONSTRATION AT GERMANTOWN FESTIVAL

Join a demonstration alongside the Germantown historic festival in anticipation of the upcoming "No Kings Day" Mass Protest on October 18 in Philadelphia.  

What:   "No Kings" message at 2025 Revolutionary Germantown Festival

When:  Next Saturday, October 4, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: In front of Cliveden Park, 6401 Germantown Avenue

For more on the background of the festival and a complete schedule, click here.

SAVE THE DATE: “NO KINGS MARCH” – PHILADELPHIA, PART OF NATIONWIDE PROTESTS

In Philadelphia, No Kings Day, Part 2 will be a march from City Hall to Independence Mall.

“No Kings” is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together. March with other protesters on this important day to show our determination and power.

What:  Mass Protester March,No Kings Day, Part 2, from Philadelphia City Hall to Independence Mall

When: Saturday, October 18, 12:00 - 3:00pm

Where: Gather for rally at 12 noon at City Hall, 15th Street & JFK Blvd., and march to Independence Mall. Ends at 3 p.m.

To sign up and find out more, go to https://mobilize.us/s/fnJSwE 

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

MT AIRY ARTS FESTIVAL

When?  Saturday, September 27, 11:00am-4:00pm

Where? Allens Lane Park (601 W Allens Lane, Philadelphia)

Live music, food trucks, artisan booths & art stations, performances

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)