THE FRIDAY BEE                                                                        October 24, 2025  

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

10:20am

Greeter

Phyllis Taylor

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

Peter Samuel

11:40am

Refreshments

GMM Potluck! (& PQM meeting)

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

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

When?   This 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 Friends who are attending the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting.

Let’s show our guests (& each other) a robust Germantown Potluck lunch! All are welcome!

REMEMBERING ANNE JASVICAS

There will be a hybrid memorial service for Germantown Meeting member Anne Jasvicas, who passed away on October 11.

When?  Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm

Where? Germantown Friends Meetinghouse (47 W Coulter Street) & on Zoom (Link coming soon!)

Reception to follow memorial - in the Committee & Social Room

COOKIES & BROWNIES WELCOMED FOR MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Funeral Arrangements Committee warmly welcomes baked goods for the Memorial Service remembering Anne Javsicas, on Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm.

  • Please drop off in the Meetinghouse kitchen prior to 2:00pm when the Memorial service begins. Many thanks!
CALENDAR OF GERMANTOWN MEETING FELLOWSHIP EVENTS

The Fellowship  Committee has compiled a calendar of monthly events that will be happening this year, including Game Nights, Chili Lunches & Potlucks, and small dinner gatherings. More to come throughout the year. Calendar is  posted on the Committee Room bulletin board and at the Welcome Table.

Anytime we gather – that’s Fellowship! Help us promote more togetherness!

Interested in adding an event to the calendar? Theater going? Discussion Group? Hike in the Wissahickon? Something else?

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).

☕ 🍪 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.

MEETING COORDINATOR HIRED

The Office & Records Committee is pleased to announce that Anne Stassen has accepted the position of Meeting Coordinator. Anne has been serving as Interim Meeting Coordinator since June 2024.

Anne’s primary mission to date has been to bring GMM’s office procedures and systems up to date and draft protocols for all office functions. This allows the Meeting office to operate with increased efficiency and make the best use of available technology. In addition, Anne has updated and corrected our entire member database, Breeze. She also staffs the Meeting Office part-time, serves as a Friendly presence at the Meetinghouse for visitors, and helps nurture and steward the School-Meeting relationship

Next, Anne and the Office & Records Committee will solicit suggestions from Committee Clerks regarding how the Office can better serve and support the Meeting’s committees.

The Meeting Coordinator position replaces and supplants the “Meeting Secretary” position. Friends are asked to use the new title, which acknowledges and honors the broad range of duties the position entails.

Congratulations and abundant thanks go out to Anne!

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 wise to call/email before coming to the office.
  • gmm@germantownfriends.org ⬥ 215-951-2235

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING – FALL SESSION

When?  This 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.

🌳🌿LEARNING AND ACTION IN FIVE AREAS OF CLIMATE CARE 🌳🌿

Creating a Playbook for Climate Action has guided Friends and meetings in five areas: activism, education, reducing carbon footprints, finances, and mourning loss & instilling hope. It encourages Friends to set goals, share ideas, and track progress and connect directly with the themes shaping upcoming workshops.

The playbook connects with Climate Witness: Let Our Actions Speak! Thread Gathering on Tomorrow, October 25, at Arch Street Meeting House with participation also available online.

CLIMATE WITNESS WORKSHOP – QUAKER CLIMATE ACTION! 🌎

When?  Tomorrow, 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 – taking action together to address the climate crisis.

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 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 #33 – STAY AT A QUAKER HOUSE WHEN YOU TRAVEL

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:        

  • Middle School: Monday, 10/27, 10:20 - 11:00am        
  • Lower & Upper School Worship: Not in Meetinghouse this week
NATIONAL SCROLLATHON ART PROJECT MAKES A STOP AT GFS (& THE GMM MEETINGHOUSE)

On Monday (10/20), Scrollathon, a nationwide collaborative art-making project came to GFS. Throughout the day, the artists led workshop sessions in the Meetinghouse Social Room for Upper Schoolers, faculty, and students from regional Friends schools.

Participants created scrolls out of rolled fabric scraps to represent personal stories, which were tucked into tins as take-home pieces. Some volunteers shared their story with the group. Everyone then crafted a second scroll for the Collaborative Masterwork, a huge collection of scroll art that will be on display this summer in an exhibition at the Kennedy Center celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. GFS' André Robert Lee '89 is running the video portion of the project.

TAKE ACTION!

NOWAR2025 CONFERENCE -- EXPLORING ABOLITION MOVEMENTS

When? Friday, October 24 - Sunday, October 26

Where? On Zoom

How do we move towards a world without wars, weapons, police, prisons, the death penalty, and borders?

How can we work towards our collective liberation, recognizing that oppressions are interconnected?

Come to #NoWar2025 to explore how we can join in solidarity across movements and borders to abolish these interwoven systems and build a world based on common security — “no one is safe until all are safe.” Several excellent speakers and panel discussions.

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?  Tomorrow - 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.

24-HOUR PEACE ENCAMPMENT FOR GAZA

When?  Friday, October 24, 1:00pm - Saturday, October 25, 11:00am

Where? In front of Senator Fetterman’s office (230 Chestnut Street)

Following its 100th Consecutive Friday Peace Vigil for Gaza, Friday @ Fetterman’s is establishing a 24-hour peace encampment for Gaza with teach-ins, art and music sessions, community meals, and a fellowship of resistance, resilience, and reimagination.

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY SUMMIT

When?  Saturday, October 25, 1:00 - 3:30pm

Where? Germantown Friends School – Taulane Auditorium

Join Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia and moderator Dr. James Peterson, WURD Radio for a panel discussion to explore pressing issues surrounding educational equity and diversity, highlighting innovative approaches, systematic challenges, and actionable solutions to promote inclusivity in education systems and communities. This event aims to foster dialogue among thought leaders, policymakers, educators, and media in Philadelphia and neighboring regions.

  • Register here (FREE) – it says deadline by 10/15, but they appear to still be accepting registrations
FRIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS DAY OF ACTION – PLANNED PARENTHOOD, Philly

When? Wednesday, October 29, 2025 6:00 -  7:30pm ET

Where? Address sent upon RSVP

Halloween is almost here, and while the season brings fun and costumes, the fears we face about losing health care and seeing our rights questioned are very real. This Halloween season, PPSP invites you to face these fears together for a “Fright for Our Rights” Day of Action. Learn about the issues we’re fighting for, and how you can use your own experiences to be an effective advocate for the future we deserve.

Join us for tips and tricks (and maybe even some treats!) on how to successfully engage with elected officials. We’ll go over what to expect in meetings, the impact of sharing your story, and even do some role play! While we’ll mainly focus on our “I’m For Philly Phunding” campaign, you’ll be able to use many of these skills to engage with other elected officials.

EMPTY BOWL DINNER  – TO END FAMILY HOMELESSNESS

When?   Wednesday, November 5

  • Two seatings: 5:00 - 6:30pm or 6:30 - 8:00pm

Where?  William Penn Charter School (3000 W School House Lane, Philadelphia)

An all-you-can-eat feast of fresh soups, breads, and desserts - all proceeds support Family Promise of Philadelphia’s (FPP) mission to end family homelessness, one family at a time. While the guests are eating, we share information about our work and send them home with a handmade ceramic bowl as a reminder of our work to help families in need.

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.  

 🌳 SAVE THE DATE: VOLUNTEER FOR NICETOWN TIOGA TREE TENDERS FALL BLITZ PLANTING! 🌳

When?  Saturday, November 15,10:30am

Where? Meeting @ 4300 Germantown Ave (Furtick Farms)

Join volunteers plant 24 trees throughout the neighborhood!

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

HARVEST FEST @ AWBURY ARBORETUM

When?  Sunday, October 26, 11:00am - 4:00pm

Where? The Farm at Awbury Arboretum (6336 Ardleigh St)

Celebrate the season at Awbury Arboretum’s annual Harvest Fest! Gather with friends, family, and neighbors for a day filled with autumn fun across the farm. This year’s festivities include: food trucks, crafts, hayrides, and more.

Harvest Fest is free and open to the public.

GREEN STREET MURAL DEDICATION

When?   Thursday, October 30, 1:00 - 3:00pm

Where?  Greene Street Friends School (20 W. Armat Street)

Join the dedication of an inspiring mural, Frances E. W. Harper: We Are All Bound Up Together, by Athena Scott, honoring the life and legacy of one of the most influential Black women of the 19th century, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

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)