THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                        October 17, 2025  

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19

10:20am

Greeter

Karen Lightner

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

Barbara Wybar

11:40am

Refreshments

Joan McIlvaine and Mary Segal

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

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FRIENDS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY! NO KINGS RALLY

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

Friends in Philadelphia are organizing to defend democracy. We are joining together for a major

turnout at the No Kings rally and march on Saturday, October 18, and for the critical election November 4 to retain PA judges, safeguarding the 2026 elections. Together we will plan our continuing resistance.

March with Friends! 

Join us at the Friends Center (15th & Cherry Streets) between 11 and 11:30am. We will celebrate and joyfully march together to City Hall for the rally.

Plan Your Travel 

SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines are expected to be very crowded due to ongoing maintenance issues with the rail cars. For previous rallies, on some lines the trains filled at the first one or two stations, then did not stop on their way to Center City. Take an earlier train or have a backup plan. SEPTA buses into Center City or buses that connect to the Broad Street or Market-Frankford line are good options. The SEPTA smartphone app can help you find the best route.

STAY INVOLVED. Friends wanting to stay involved in further action to protect democracy should add their contact information on the Quaker Action Mid-Atlantic Region (QAMAR) website (https://www.quakeract.org/contact/) We will be sharing information on further actions that we can take, both as individuals and collectively.

NO KINGS RALLIES IN NW PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS – Stand together locally in protest!

When?  Tomorrow, Saturday, October 18

Where?

Mt. Airy: 12:00-2:00pm – Lovett Library (6945 Germantown Ave & Sedgwick)

Chestnut Hill: 4:00pm – Germantown Ave & Cresheim

Germantown: 4:00pm – Market Square (5400 block of Germantown Ave, between Schoolhouse Lane & Coulter St)

  • In Germantown, large colorful banners will be displayed, posters provided. A bell will toll throughout.

If you are unable to attend the big rally/march in Center City, join in & stand up locally. Or combine them! Make some noise!

VIRTUAL NO KINGS EVENT (on Zoom)

Can’t get to a No Kings gathering? Worried about crowds? Introverted? Mobility challenged? Worried about the potential of violence?

Quaker House (in Fayetteville, NC)  is hosting a nationwide virtual gathering.

Join people from across the country to hear about opposing militarism & sharing ideas for action.

When?  Tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, 12:00 - 4:00pm (ET)

Where? On Zoom – Click here for link

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Food Distribution in front of GMM, This Sunday, October 19

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, October 19, 9:30am for set-up & 12:00-3:00pm for distribution (& every 3rd Sunday)
  • Where? In front of Germantown Meetinghouse

Questions?  Contact Jondhi Harrell

GMM YOUNG FRIENDS MEETING THIS SUNDAY

When?   Sunday, October 19, 4:00pm

Where?  GMM Meeting Cottage

Young Friends will be gathering to discuss planning an event in November to learn about Conscientious Objection.

Are you high school aged (or have a high schooler in your family), but haven’t been to Young Friends? Welcome!

  • Interested in attending? Please contact Lois Volta
REMEMBERING ANNE JASVICAS

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Germantown Meeting member, Anne Javsicas, on October 11. Anne had been living at Foulkeways, was married for 46 years to our late member Peter Javsicas, and enjoyed a long and impactful career as an educator and leader in Friends schools. Please hold the Jasvicas family in the Light.

  • Memorial celebrating Anne's life –  

Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm with reception to follow

at Germantown Friends Meeting (47 W Coulter Street)

(Baked goods for the reception welcomed – See next week’s Friday Bee for details.)

COME BAKE WITH LOWER SCHOOLERS -- TO SUPPORT WHOSOEVER GOSPEL MISSION! 🧁

When?  Thursday, October 23, 3:30 - 5:00pm

Where? Meetinghouse Kitchen

Come join GFS Lower School families in making and decorating cupcakes for the men in recovery at the Whosoever Gospel Mission in Germantown.

GMM POTLUCK LUNCH AFTER MEETING – LET’S GATHER! 🥗🍎

When?   Next Sunday, October 26, at the rise of Meeting

Where?  GMM – Committee & Social Rooms

Bring your favorite dish(es) to share with a crowd – and let’s gather together for our first potluck lunch of the year!

Popular items to bring – Salads, casseroles, chili, sandwiches, pastas, desserts, and more!

We will be joined by folks who are attending the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting – All are welcome!

BUMPER STICKERS TO SUPPORT JUDGES

Bumper stickers are available to encourage folks to vote to retain the PA judges who kept the Commonwealth from using the gerrymandered map. A supply of stickers are on the counter in the Committee Room (see Dorothy Cary for more).

GMM READS TO GFS LOWER SCHOOLERS! PLEASE SIGN UP!

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

How does it work? 

  1. View the available dates on this sheet (or click here) -- You can sign up for particular grades if you like, and more than one person can sign up for particular dates since there are many lower school classrooms.  
  2. Contact Dorothy Cary to let her know your preferred date, and she will confirm it & update the schedule.
  3. Choose a book: Or ask librarian Kate Garrity to help you choose a book.
  4. Confirmation Email: Teacher Jenny Goldberg will send an email about two weeks in advance, to confirm volunteers, connect them to a classroom teacher, and let them know the grade level they’ll be visiting.
  5. On your scheduled day: Go to school at 8:30am, where Jenny Goldberg will meet you in the front hall of the Main Building, and take you to the classroom. It is really fun! Please join us.      

Questions? Contact Dorothy Cary

☕ 🍪 VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS FALL! ☕ 🍪

Please 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:

December 14 - December 21

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.

GMM MEETING OFFICE STAFFING HOURS

In-office hours at the Meeting Office will typically be – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays - 10:00am - 1:00pm

Best way to communicate with the Meeting Office is via email and phone –

  • Messages are monitored and responded to regularly and remotely throughout the week.
  • Always a good idea to call/email before coming to the office.
  • gmm@germantownfriends.org
  • 215-951-2235

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING – FALL SESSION … REGISTER BY TODAY, 10/17!

When?  Sunday, October 26, 10:30am – 4:00pm 

Where? Germantown Monthly Meeting (47 W Coulter St)

Program Topic: Outreach, Community Care, and Children

Join Friends for a day of worship, connection, and community! Reflect, share, and learn in breakout sessions on Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Religious Education. Lunch and childcare are provided.

CLIMATE WITNESS WORKSHOP – QUAKER CLIMATE ACTION!

When?  Next Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9am - 4pm

Where? Arch Street Meeting House (& on Zoom)

Friends from across Philadelphia Yearly Meeting will be gathering to confer, learn and plan what we can do in our homes, our meetings and in the greater community to address the climate crisis. For people newly concerned about the climate, energy and the environment, this will be an introduction to different action alternatives available to Friends in our region.

For experienced (and perhaps frustrated or burned out) activists, this will be a chance to network and recharge your energy and enthusiasm for addressing the challenges we face. Participants will have choices of both morning and afternoon workshops, depending on your interests. In both the morning and afternoon there will be a youth track, with the hope of allowing young Friends from meetings and Friends schools in the region to network, share concerns, and build toward collaboration going forward.

PENDLE HILL SPRING TERM RESIDENT STUDENT PROGRAM – INFO SESSION

Pendle Hill’s Spring Term offers a greenhouse – a protected space for Friends and other seekers to Center, discern, and live into the beloved community through the daily rhythms of worship and learning, work and rest.

Information Session about program

When & Where? Tuesday, October 28 @7:30 pm, on Zoom

REGISTER NOW FOR PYM FALL CONTINUING SESSIONS
When? Saturday, November 8 - Sunday November 9

Where? Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch Street & hybrid)

What are "Continuing Sessions?” These are 1-2 day events in November &  March, where Friends attend to the continuing business of the Yearly Meeting and enjoy fellowship across generations.

  • Theme: “Members One of Another” reminds us that each individual is a necessary part of the whole Body, with important gifts to share.
  • Friday Pre-Sessions: on Sharing & Listening and Affinity Groups
  • Register here (free)
PYM YOUNG FRIENDS FALL GATHERING AT CLIMATE WITNESS WORKSHOP

When? Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9am - 4pm

Where? Arch Street Meeting House

Join Young Friends (YF) from around Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the opportunity to participate in workshops aimed at building knowledge, providing resources, and creating a toolkit for action.

  • The day will also include a YF discussion about youth voices in climate justice, group games, and time for just hanging out!
  • Lunch will be a brown bag picnic…bring a snack to share!
  • More information and registration here!
  • Questions?  Contact Ember Eldridge (PYM’s YF Facilitator) eeldridge@pym.org
PYM AGING GRANTS – APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) is accepting applications for Friends ages sixty and older who are in financial need for monthly recurring grants to assist with their basic needs, to make it possible to live in communities, or to remain in their own homes.

Applications may be submitted by Friends themselves, family members, or those serving on a meeting’s committee when a need becomes known. The process is confidential, and all information shared is used only to discern the request.

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #32 – TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT YOUR FAITH JOURNEY

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

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, 10/23, 9:00 - 9:30am
  • Middle School: Monday, 10/20, 10:20 - 11:00am        
  • Upper School: Thursday, 10/23, 10:10 - 11:00am
POSTPONED: MERCER TATE '48 LECTURE BY FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CANADA, DAVID L. COHEN

When?   Stay tuned for new date when it becomes available

Where? Taulane Auditorium, Loeb Performing Arts Center (or by livestream)

Nominated by President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, David L. Cohen served as the United States Ambassador to Canada from 2021 - 2025.

ALL GFS VARSITY TEAMS HEAD TO THE FRIENDS SCHOOL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS! 🏅

For the first time since 2013, every fall GFS varsity team will compete in the Friends Schools League (FSL) playoffs!

Congratulations to our GFS athletes!

TAKE ACTION!

“NO KINGS MARCH” – NATIONWIDE PROTESTS

“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: This 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 

“NO KINGS MARCH” – PROTESTS IN NW PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS
  • See more information posted above in “Meeting News & Announcements” section

If you are unable to attend the big rally/march in Center City, join in & stand up locally. Or combine them! Make some noise!

SUPPORT VERNON PARK - ANNUAL BAZAAR & FLEA MARKET

When & Where?  Saturday, October 18, 9:00am - 3:00pm (Vernon Park, 5800 Greene Street)

Please support central Germantown’s largest open green space. Friends of Vernon Park are holding their annual Bazaar and Flea Market on Saturday October 18 – This event funds our activities and volunteer expenses through the year. Come join us! All are welcome!

COLLECTING CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR FRIENDS OF VERNON PARK

Do you have gently-used children’s books you no longer need?

GMM member Ruth Seeley collects them for the 2 Little Free Libraries in Vernon Park.  

DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION – MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH ☑️

Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard.

Know anyone who isn’t registered? Urge them… Share info on how to register!

BOOK TALK ON PALESTINE –

“Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By: Jews of Conscience on Palestine” with author Susan Landau

When?  Sunday, October 19 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Where? Summit Presbyterian Church (6757 Greene St, Philadelphia)

Susan Landau will talk about and offer several selections for reflection and discussion from her recently published book, Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By: Jews of Conscience on Palestine. The book looks at Jewish dissent to Zionism from the beginning of the movement.  

All are invited to respectful learning and discussion in the parlor after the coffee hour. We’ll have additional light refreshments.

Reading the book ahead of time is not required, but it’s available to read online or download at no charge (and to order) here.

REACH OUT TO STOP TRUMP'S MADNESS, in Chestnut Hill

Reach out against Trump's injustice and brutality against people and our democracy. Posters and banners provided.

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

When?  Next Saturday, October 25, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where? In Chestnut Hill next to the "Welcome to Chestnut Hill" sign, near the 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.

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

FREE YARD TREE GIVEAWAY – HELP “GREEN” OUR NEIGHBORHOODS! 🌳

When?  Saturday, October 18, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Where? Maplewood Mall (2-20 Maplewood Avenue, Germantown)

TreePhilly is the Community Forestry program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, working to plant and care for an equitable tree canopy for all residents. Free trees are available for Philadelphia residents only and must be planted in the ground (not in a pot) on private property in the city of Philadelphia. Register for your tree by October 15th.

Looking for a free street tree to plant along the sidewalk in front of your house or business? Click here for more information on that

TONIGHT: S’MORES & NATURE CRAFTS

When?  Friday, October 17, 5:00 - 7:00pm

Where? Historic Rittenhousetown (208 Lincoln Drive)

Join Historic RittenhouseTown and Philly Free Range for s’mores and nature crafts. Guests will enjoy roasting mallows in their open hearth, hot chocolate, s’mores & popcorn. And have fun painting with natural dyes!  

FALL UPDATES FROM HISTORIC FAIR HILL 🍁

Read about what’s been happening at Historic Fair Hill & learn more about their work

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)