THE FRIDAY BEE                                                             January 9, 2026

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

9:00am

Meeting for Business

Hybrid –

In Committee Room, and use same Zoom link as for worship: Click here

10:20am

Greeter

Jonathan Busser

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

Sarah Kaufman & Duncan Holby

11:35am

Zoom Social Time

Zoom attendees, please stay online to join us in a Zoom social time after Meeting For Worship!

11:40am

Refreshments

Anna Burke & family

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 FOR WORSHIP WITH A CONCERN FOR BUSINESS

Germantown Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

January 11, 2026, 9:00 - 10:15am

Hybrid: On Zoom & in-person. Please use the Meeting for Worship zoom link.

DRAFT AGENDA

  • Query 2 – Faye Steacy
  • Opening worship
  • Review of agenda – Karen Lightner
  • Introduction of Guests: Katy Hineline, Jim Tofani, David Feldman, Dana Weeks, Liz Williams, Marc DiNardo
  • Approval of the Minutes from the November and December 2025 Business Meetings
  • Care and Visiting – Peter Samuel
  • Property & Environmental Concerns Committees -- Rob Smith
  • School Committee -- David Feldman and Dana Weeks
  • Closing Worship

(Attenders are welcome at business meeting. Please notify the clerk (Karen Lightner) in advance if you wish to attend.)

MEETING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

ZOOM WORSHIP ATTENDERS – FELLOWSHIP AFTERWARDS

For those attending Zoom worship on Sundays, please stay online after worship for a bit of social time. It’s a chance for catching up, meeting newcomers, and socializing a bit – as if we were together in the Social Room for post-worship Refreshment time!

GMM ANTI-RACISIM DISCUSSION GROUP MEETING

When? Monday, January 12, 7:00pm, on Zoom

We will discuss the Resistance Table, the first three episodes of the Civil Rights Documentary, Eyes on The Prize, and consideration of other things we might do next.

GMM MEMBERS IN LOCAL EXHIBITION – JOINED HANDS ARTIST COLLECTIVE

When?

  • Opening: Today Friday, January 9, 3:00 - 7:00pm
  • Exhibition runs through January 29

Where? Center on the Hill (8855 Germantown Avenue)

GMM Members Rebecca Hoenig and Ruth Seeley will have work in this exhibition. A collective of women creating art across diverse media - photography, painting, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, ceramics and printmaking.

SAVE THE DATE:  GMM WORK DAY

When? Next Saturday, January 17, 9:00am

The Property Committee invites folks to another Work Day, to address leaky drafts in the Meeting Office.

  • More details to come!
REMEMBERING LONGTIME ATTENDER KENNETH FORD

After a long and full life, longtime Attender and friend to GMM Kenneth Ford passed away on December 5, at the age of 99.

There will be a Memorial Service on January 24 from 2:30 to 4:00pm at the Foulkeways retirement community at 1120 Meetinghouse Road in Gwynedd Pennsylvania.

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.

SAVE THE DATE: GMM CHILI LUNCH – FEBRUARY 1 (note: new date)

Our next GMM Fellowship event will be our classic Chili Lunch!

When?  Sunday, February 1, following worship

Gather for fellowship over a cozy bowl of chili! All are welcome!

Note – the originally posted date for this event (1/25) conflicts with Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting. So we shifted by 1 week.

☕ 🍪 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 18 - January 25
  • 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

PENDLE HILL JANUARY READING GROUP  

When & Where? Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, on Zoom

As part of Pendle Hill and the Quaker Leadership Conference’s collaborative programming for 2026 on the theme of “Sing a New Song,” we will read Carol Conti-Entin’s Pendle Hill pamphlet, Improvisation and Spiritual Disciplines: Continuing the Divine-Human Duet (PHP #288), exploring music and spiritual disciplines, as we lean into the spiritual disciplines of rest and resistance.

WELCOME TO QUAKERISM SERIES: BEYOND SUNDAY MORNING  

When? Thursday, January 15, 7:30-9:30pm ET, on Zoom

Know anyone who is curious about Quaker faith and practice? Welcome to Quakerism is a new adult religious education class meeting on Zoom. Open to newcomers, attenders, and longtime Friends alike. No homework or advanced reading. The next session is on January 15! Please note: sessions are not recorded, so participation live is recommended.

PYM YOUNG ADULT FRIENDS WINTER RETREAT – SPIRITUALITY & THE BODY

When? Friday, January 16 - Sunday, January 18

Where? Providence Friends Meeting (105 N Providence Rd, Media)

This will be a time for fellowship, a workshop, and community building. Young Adult Friends (ages 18-35) will participate in activities focusing on spirituality and the body as we spend the weekend together. There will be time for worship throughout the weekend, ending with us joining Providence Friends Meeting on Sunday.

REGISTER NOW FOR PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING

When? Sunday, January 25

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

Our winter session will feature Chris Mohr, the new General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and will serve as an introduction and a facilitated listening session focused on the two PYM-wide witnesses addressing racism and climate change. Worship, food, and business are included in the day. Come for a little or a lot.

TOGETHER IN SPIRIT: LEARNING FOR LIFE – A RELIGIOUS ED. THREAD GATHERING

When? Saturday, January 24, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Where? Haverford Meeting (855 Buck Ln, Haverford, PA)

Friends are invited to join for a day of sharing, learning, and working together on the topic of Religious education across the lifespan! This day of active learning will provide opportunities to explore topics for adults, youth and intergenerational programming. Topics include deepening worship, integrating youth into the life of the meeting, activities for multigenerational worship, ministry skill-building and more. All are welcome.

GAZA:  PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE  

When? Sunday, February 1st at 1:00 pm

Where? Friends Center (1501 Cherry Street) & on Zoom

Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting (CPFM) is continuing our work on the Middle East by hosting this workshop. AFSC's Jennifer Bing, director of the AFSC Gaza program, and Zoe Jannuzzi who works closely with Jennifer, will present to us about Gaza, Palestine and Israel:  past - present - and, especially, future. CPFM's Peace and Social Concerns Committee will host Jennifer via Zoom and Zoe will join us in person  in the Rufus Jones Room at the Friends Center.  

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #44 – LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLACK QUAKER PROJECT

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 #44: Learn more about the Black Quaker Project 
  • Celebrates the lives and contributions of Quakers of Color worldwide, and documents and addresses their concerns
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.

  • Middle School Worship: Monday, 1/12 10:20 - 11:00am
  • Lower School Worship: Thursday, 1/15, 9:00 - 9:30am
  • Upper School Worship: Thursday, 1/15  10:10 - 11:00am        
SAVE THE DATE: A DAY ON – JOIN THE GFS MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE

When?  Monday, January 19, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Where? All over the GFS campus

All are invited to join us in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service as we honor and commemorate his life and legacy.

The day will kick off with a panel of speakers on the topic of Equity in Education—featuring Michelle Palmer, André Robert Lee '89, and Kate Garrity—followed by a full morning of workshops and volunteer opportunities, including snacks and lunch.

TAKE ACTION!

FAMILIES FOR CEASEFIRE (FFC) SAFETY TRAINING SERIES

Workshop #1 – Know Your Rights with Up Against the Law

When?  January 10, 2-4:30pm

Where?  Germantown Mennonite Church (21 W Washington Lane)

Join a 4-part Families for Ceasefire (FFC) safety training series in partnership with Mennonite Action, Parents for Palestine, Up Against the Law, and the Philly Action Readiness Collective.

We keep us safe. Knowing your legal rights on the street, in your car, while in protest and in your home can help you feel empowered to make informed choices when interacting with various law enforcement agencies or  about your community / civic engagement level. We also review arrest and court processes and how we can effectively support our community through a variety of roles.

FRIDAY FILM SHOWINGS ON VENEZUELA

Global Women’s Strike and Payday men’s network invite you to Film showings on Venezuela.

Learn about this 21st century revolution where women are central, and why the US wants to destroy it.

When? Upcoming January Fridays, 3:30-5pm

Where?  Crossroads Women’s Center (5011 Wayne Ave) and virtual (location and link will be sent when you register)

Films were made by the Global Women's Strike. Please read the GWS statement: Venezuela, Palestine, Haiti…we stand with you against US imperialism and occupation

Also recommended – the gripping documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, which shows the attempted coup against President Chávez in 2002 and how the Venezuelan grassroots overturned it – by an Irish film crew who were there making a film about Chávez.

PHILLY & NYC SOLIDARITY DELEGATION TO PALESTINE REPORT-BACK AND FUNDRAISER

When?  Saturday, January 24, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Where? Unitarian Universalists of Mt Airy (6900 Stenton Avenue); Zoom option too

A group from Philadelphia and New York City traveled to the West Bank in late November to connect with Palestinians, organizations, and grassroots initiatives to deepen our commitment to advancing liberation through people-to-people solidarity. They learned first-hand about daily life and realities on the ground, as well as the everyday work people do to survive and resist the conditions imposed on them. Join in for the report-back to hear more about the delegation’s experience and learn about the movement to end the genocide and occupation.

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

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).

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 – 5:30 - 6:30pm 

Where?  Unitarian Universalists of Mt. Airy (6900 Stenton Ave)

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

JAZZ & GOSPEL MUSIC AT THE WOODMERE

When?

Where? Woodmere Art Museum (9201 Germantown Avenue)

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)