THE FRIDAY BEE                                                🦃 November 28, 2025  🍁

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

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

Anthony Stover

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

ENGAGING IN GRATITUDE MEANS ENGAGING WITH QUAKER VALUES

“Gratitude is not, strictly speaking, one of the commonly cited Quaker values. But, when we engage in gratitude, we engage more deeply with the Quaker values we do hold. When we are grateful for the actions or kindnesses of others around us, we are more connected to Community, and more invested in it. When we are grateful for the natural world, we notice and connect to it, and can be more interested its Stewardship. When we stop to be grateful for the roof over our heads, we have awareness and empathy for those without this blessing in their lives and can re-commit ourselves to Service.” – from Daily Quaker Message

  • Query of the week – How do you share your gratitude with others?
GMM FOOD DRIVE – SUPPORTING GERMANTOWN AVE CRISIS MINISTRY

Our Racial & Social Justice Committee approved a Germantown Meeting-wide Food Drive to support the efforts of Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry (GACM). In addition to their annual call for donations for the holiday season, GACM is finding increased demands on their Food Pantry for everyday needs. They have put out a call to everyone in the area to help bolster their diminished supply of food.

Let’s take this opportunity to extend the wonderful nutritional support that Jondhi’s monthly food giveaway already provides, and contribute non-perishable food items for the GACM Food Pantry!

When?   Now through Sunday, December 14

Where?  Contribution boxes in the GMM Committee Room

What?   Please refer to this list of acceptable non-perishable food items, provided by Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry (GACM)

ED STIVENDER’S CHRISTMAS SHOW

When?   Sunday, December 14, 2:00pm

Where?  Germantown Meetinghouse & via Zoom (hybrid)

Our Attender, Ed Stivender, will present his Annual Christmas Show (again) in the Committee Room on December 14th!

A Fundraiser for Project Home, admission is free, and the presentation will be available on Zoom via the Link below.

The Show, "Home for Christmas, Really!" will consist of traditional and original holiday Stories and Verse as well as "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry and a Folktale for Hanukkah. The whole family is welcome.

GMM BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP – ONE DAY I’LL GROW UP AND BE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

When?   Saturday, December 6, 7:00pm

Where?  Beth Rafter’s home in Germantown **

A book discussion group will gather next weekend to talk about “One Day I'll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman.” Kelley White has a copy of the book available to share.

     ** For details about the gathering, contact Kelley White

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – GMM ANNUAL CHRISTMAS POTLUCK & CAROL SING! 🎄🎵

When?  Sunday, December 21, 6:00 - 9:00pm

Where? Germantown Meetinghouse, Committee & Social Rooms

Tis the season! Let’s gather together to celebrate the holiday season with good cheer!

Bring your favorite dish(es) to share with a crowd as we enjoy a festive potluck meal together by candlelight, and then Caroline Davidson will be at the piano to lead us in singing Christmas carols. All are welcome!

☕ 🍪 VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS WINTER! ☕ 🍪

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:

  • January 4 - January 18

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

FIRST MONDAY LECTURE:  A RADICAL SIDE OF THE EARLY QUAKERS

When? Monday, December 1, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where? HYBRID - Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA) & on Zoom – Free

A First Monday Lecture on the zealous and radical early Quakers of mid-seventeenth century England.

How far did early Quakers go to save souls and live out their spiritual convictions?

QUAKER PUBLIC WITNESS/NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION — Support Immigrants

When? Saturday December 6, 12:00noon

Where? Love Park (16th Street & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia)
Friends will gather at Love Park for one hour of silent public worship and community fellowship, while holding signs and banners (homemade & printed) that express our unwavering support for immigrants in our communities.

This is the first of what is hoped to become a series of actions in future months all across our country, showing love in action as a public witness of our Quaker values in a time of rising fascism.

  • If you plan to attend, please register by sending an email with your Name, Affiliation (i.e. name of your meeting or organization) and Email Address to: QPWA@afsc.org. Registration will allow us to keep you updated on vigil plans, and to ensure we have enough supplies for attendees upon arrival.
S­T­R­O­N­G­E­R W­I­T­H I­M­M­I­G­R­A­N­T­S W­E­E­K O­F A­C­T­I­O­N­

When? December 10 - 18

From December 10 (International Human Rights Day) through December 18 (International Migrants Day), people across the U.S. are coming together to demand dignity, safety, and freedom for all. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is organizing actions to denounce immigration raids, detention, and deportation—and to affirm everyone’s right to safety, belonging, and justice.

Organize an event in your own community. Or check back with AFSC Action Week to find an event near you.

SAVE THE DATE: KNOWING PEACE: A QUAKER BUDDHIST EXPLORATION – with Deborah Cooper!

When & Where?  January 15 @ 6:00 pm - January 18 @ 1:00 pm, at Pendle Hill
GMM member Deborah Cooper will be co-leading an experiential weekend workshop at Pendle Hill, combining early Quaker practices and insight meditation, with George Schaefer (Abington Friends Meeting). Learning from the teachings of early Friends and practices from insight meditation, the weekend will include opportunities for meditation, silent worship, and discussion.

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #38 – FIND CONNECTION & SUPPORT

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 #38: Find affinity groups and communities within Friends (locally, regionally and nationally) for support & connection!  
  • Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) Affinity Groups – “Friends who share an identity, a life experience, or a role to be in fellowship together. Some call these Peer Groups; others say Affinity Spaces or Role Groups. All names point to the same purpose: helping Friends connect within the larger yearly meeting community.”
  • Friends General Conference (FGC) Calendar shows Virtual Worship & discussion opportunities for groups such as – Friends of Color, BIPOC Womxn, Neurodivergent Friends, White Friends Confronting Racism, & Newcomers.  
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, 12/1, 10:20 - 11:00am
  • Lower School:  Thursday, 12/4, 9:00 - 9:30am
  • Upper School: Thursday, 12/4, 10:10 - 11:00am
FILM SCREENING OF “CITIZEN GEORGE” AT FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY

When?  This Tuesday, December 2, 7:00pm

Where? GFS/Friends Free Library (5418 Germantown Ave or across campus from meetinghouse)

Documentary of Quaker activist George Lakey. Organized by the GFS Environmental Action Club.

A Q&A session with George Lakey and filmmaker Glenn Holsten will follow the screening. Light refreshments will be served.

AUTHOR TALK AT FRIENDS FREE LIBRARY — JOHN FABIAN WITT (GFS ‘90)

When?  Thursday, December 4, 7:00pm

Where? GFS/Friends Free Library (5418 Germantown Ave or across campus from meetinghouse)

Accomplished author and Yale University law professor and historian, John Fabian Witt ’90, will be speaking as part of the Community Writers Series. Witt will discuss his critically acclaimed new book, The Radical Fund and the talk will be followed by a Q & A session with the author. Light refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase at the event.  

TAKE ACTION!

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, November 29, 10:00am - 12:00pm

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

What to bring: Yourself and friends. Dress warmly and in layers.

Sponsor:The Brandywine Peace Community

  • Questions? Call 215-843-482
HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY NOW – DONATE FOOD &/OR FUNDING

You can help your fellow Pennsylvanians battling food insecurity by donating to food banks and community pantries in your area. Advocates encourage making monetary donations, which can have a much greater impact than donating food from your pantry.  

  • Search map of food pantries in Philadelphia – Click here
  • Mamatee Fridges around Philadelphia – Click here for list
  • Search for food banks and community pantries around Pennsylvania – Click here

Local food pantries & fridges include –

Financially support organizations fighting food insecurity –

TCRC Community Healing Center Food Giveaway at GMM (every 3rd Sunday)

  • Venmo: @tcrcphilly
  • Paypal: Paypal.ME/tcrcphilly
  • CashApp: $TCRCHC
  • Check made out to TCRC Community Healing Center and mailed to:

Jondhi Harrell

TCRC-CHC Director

3981 Nice St.

Philadelphia PA 19140

Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry

  • Donate here
  • Food collection boxes in Germantown Meeting Committee Room (see more in “Meeting Events & News” above)
SAVE THE DATE: POWER PHILADELPHIA CITY-WIDE ASSEMBLY ON AFFORDABILITY

When?  February 1, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Join POWER Philadelphia and 40+ congregations for an assembly of people of faith concerned with affordability and cost of living in our city. We will build relationships, meet with elected officials and discuss solutions, and strategize on how we will build people power to make our city work for us. Final location and time to come- register to save the date and confirm your spot.

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

CAMPFIRE, SMORES AND LOTS MORE AT WEAVERS WAY FARM AT AWBURY - A few spots left! RSVP now!

When? Saturday, December 6, 3-5:00pm

Join the Weavers Way Farm Team at our Mort Brooks Memorial Farm site for some fire-side sharing about how we are using our new “caterpillar tunnel” hoop houses to extend our growing season and grow food through the winter.  Camp fire, smores and hot-chocolate will be provided. This event is FREE.  Please consider bringing your own chair and plenty of warm layers.  ALL ARE WELCOME!

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

When?  Saturday, November 29, all day

Where? Everywhere – Below are some local options, as well as further-afield around Philly!

Feeling the holiday shopping urge? Skip the big stores, and online shopping, and turn to local, small businesses this weekend!

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)