ED STIVENDER’S CHRISTMAS SHOW 🌲

When?   This Sunday, December 14, 2:00pm

Where?  Germantown Meetinghouse & via Zoom (hybrid)

Our longtime 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.

• Click here for the Zoom link

GMM ANNUAL CHRISTMAS POTLUCK & CAROL SING!

When?  Next 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!

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN IN FRIENDS SCHOOLS

Application Deadline: Monday, January 26

Germantown Monthly Meeting members who have children in Friends Schools may apply for tuition assistance from the meeting for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications should be completed and returned via US Mail to Faye Steacy, clerk of the Scholarship Committee, by Monday, January 26.

• Find Faye’s contact information in the Meeting Directory, through the Meeting Office (215-951-2235 / gmm@germantownfriends.org).
• To obtain the 2026-2027 application and guidelines go to – https://www.friendscouncil.org/nfef

LAST SUNDAY TO BRING A CAN OF FOOD OR A BOX OF PASTA TO WORSHIP!!

Our GMM food Food Drive to support Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry continues!!

Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Keep it coming!

Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry (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?   This Sunday, December 14 is our last day of collection for 2025

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)

A REMINDER FROM THE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

A friendly reminder that Germantown Meeting has many expenses such as maintaining the meetinghouse spaces and supporting the numerous programs and causes that Monthly Meeting has approved. Financial support is an integral part of sustaining our Meeting community. We hope everyone will contribute generously to help defray our expenses.

How to donate?

• Send a check to Germantown Monthly Meeting (47 West Coulter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144)
• Donate online through the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) giving portal here 
• Drop a donation in the locked wooden box mounted on the wall between the Committee & Social Rooms.

Contributions of any and all amounts are warmly welcomed. Many thanks for your generosity.

~ Jonathan Rhoads, Clerk of Fundraising Committee

☕ 🍪 VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS WINTER! ☕ 🍪

Please volunteer to provide refreshments after worship in the New Year!

• 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
• February 1 - February 8 - February 15 - February 22

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

MESSIAH SING-IN (who says Quakers don’t sing?)

When? Tonight - Friday, December 12, 7:30pm

Where? Friends Center (1601 Cherry Street)

This year, the beloved Messiah Sing-In — led by George Lakey at Friends Center — is being joyfully revived under conductor Lee Kimball. Bring a score (or borrow one), come early for a seat, and join a warm, no-pressure opportunity to sing.

WELCOME TO QUAKERISM: 10 PECULIAR THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT QUAKERS

When & Where? Thursday, December 18, 7:30pm on Zoom

Take part in an upcoming adult religious education session sponsored by PQM! Attend in any order; no prep or homework. All are welcome; newcomers and seasoned attenders and members alike!

• Click here for Zoom link

REGISTER NOW FOR PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING

When? Sunday, January 25

Where? Green Street Meeting (45 W School House Lane)

Before the holiday rush begins, we encourage you to register and join us for a special day of connection and listening.

The program will feature Chris Mohr, the new General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) and serve as an introduction and a listening session focused on the two yearly meeting-wide witnesses addressing racism and climate change. He is planning a facilitated listening exercise for each quarterly meeting in PYM, and PQM will be the first. We look forward to coming together!

• Register here
• See flyer here

KNOWING PEACE: A QUAKER BUDDHIST EXPLORATION – with Deborah Cooper! (sign up by Jan 8)

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.

• More information here
• Register here by January 8 

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #40 – ATTEND AN FGC SPIRITUAL DEEPENING e-RETREAT

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 #40:  Attend a Spiritual Deepening eRetreat with Friends General Conference (FGC)
• Friends General Conference’s (FGC’s) Spiritual Deepening Program eRetreats and Online Offerings invite newcomers and Friends to build an online spiritual community through an exploration of Quaker thought and practice.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

• PYM Weekly Update
• PYM Events Calendar: Check out upcoming and ongoing programs promoted by PYM

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

UPPER SCHOOL WINTER MUSIC CONCERT 

When?  Tomorrow! Saturday, December 13, at 4 pm

Where?  Loeb Performing Arts Center on GFS campus

The Music Department is pleased to close with a Festival performance of “The Boar's Head Carol.” In addition to inviting everyone to experience the performance, they invite any and all interested faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends to join with the Upper School Chorus and Orchestra to form the 2025 Festival Ensemble.

• Please register to perform by December 7 by filling out and submitting the 2025 Festival Ensemble sign-up form.

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, 12/15, 10:20 - 11:00am
• Lower School: Thursday, 12/18, 9:00 - 9:30am
• Upper School: Thursday, 12/18, 10:10 - 11:00am

TAKE ACTION!

IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS

Weekly Interfaith Vigils

When? Every Monday, 11:00am

Where? In front of the Immigration Offices, 8th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia

• Organized by State Senator Art Haywood who represents Northwest Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County.

When? Every Wednesday, 12:00pm

Where? In front of the Immigration Offices, 8th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia

• Organized by New Sanctuary Movement

Email Governor Shapiro about Immigrants

Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, has organized the past few months to urge members and allies to call and email Governor Shapiro to stop state-level collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

• For more information & a form to contact Shapiro & elected officials 
• Or contact the Governor’s office separately with this form

POWER INTERFAITH ORGANIZING MEETING

When?  Tuesday, December 16, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where?  Germantown Meetinghouse (47 W Coulter St)

Come learn how we can fight for justice and affordability in our city, and show up powerfully at POWER’s citywide assembly on February 1st (see below).

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.

• Sign up here

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.

• See more here, and bookmark their site!

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)

• Read more about the weekly protest here.

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

WINTER MARKET AT GERMANTOWN KITCHEN GARDEN

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Where? Germantown Kitchen Garden (215 East Penn Street)

Wreaths & evergreens. Handmade wares from local makers. Food & drink. Neighbors & Friends.

• More information here

WRESTLING WITH JUSTICE: QUAKERS & NORTHERN SLAVERY

Telling the Truth: Understanding and Untangling Historical Facts & Interpretations

When?   Tuesday, December 16, 6:00 - 8:00pm

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

This facilitated conversation will consider two documents written by white Quaker enslavers in the Logan family, revealing aspects of the lives of two enslaved Black people who labored at Stenton in the 1700s. Free program; refreshments will be served.

• More info & RSVP here

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)