THE FRIDAY BEE                                                January 16, 2026 

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

10:20am

Greeter

Anne Stassen & Janet Kroll

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

Jonathan Busser

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

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

GMM WORK DAY! This Saturday!

When? Tomorrow, 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!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Food Distribution in front of GMM

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, January 18, 9:30am for set-up & 12:00-3:00pm for distribution (& every 3rd Sunday)
  • Where? In front of Germantown Meetinghouse on Coulter Street

Questions?  Contact Jondhi Harrell 

REMEMBERING YOLANDA WILCOX GONZALEZ

We have recently learned of the passing of GMM Member Yolanda Wilcox Gonzalez on November 25. Yolanda and her family  moved away years ago to New England, where she had a robust career as a much beloved, respected and deeply impactful educator.

  • Her friends at Beaver Country Day School posted some lovely words of tribute to Yolanda here on Instagram, and on an online memory space here.

A Celebration of Life

  • When? Saturday, January 17, 1:45pm
  • Where? St. Michael’s Parish (1445 N 2nd Street – 2nd & Jefferson – Philadelphia)
MAKE MLK DAY A DAY ON – WITH GFS!

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

Where? All over the GFS campus

GFS invites GMM to participate in this Day of Service, including a panel discussion and hands-on volunteer projects.

  • See details listed in the “Germantown Friends School” section below
KENNETH FORD MEMORIAL – CORRECTED START TIME

Friends are invited to attend the memorial service remembering beloved, long-time Attender and friend to GMM, Kenneth Ford, who passed away on December 5, at the age of 99.

When?  Saturday, January 24, 2:00 - 4:30pm – (NOTE: this is earlier than the originally posted start time)

  • A musical prelude begins a few minutes before

Where? Foulkeways at Gwynedd, Main Building Auditorium (1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwynedd, PA)

GMM ADULT CLASS RETURNS!

When?  Sunday, January 25, 9:00 - 10:15am

Where? GMM Social Room

The GMM Adult Class will meet before worship on Sunday, 1/25, from 9:00 to 10:15. January's class will explore "what Quakers believe." We will reflect individually, engage a prominent perspective on the topic, and share insights and experience in small groups. The class aims to deepen understanding through communal inquiry and to build relationships within our Meeting community. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Prompt arrival is requested.

WANT TO READ AND WORSHIP WITH A GFS LOWER SCHOOL CLASSROOM? GMM IS INVITED!

When? Thursdays, 8:30 - 9:30am

Would you be interested in reading and worshiping with a lower school GFS classroom for an informal Meeting for Worship?

On “informal” worship days, the lower school classes worship in their classrooms.

What is required? 

  • Introduce yourself, read the book, and give the kids a query – We can help you with that aspect if you'd like.
  • Kate Garrity, the GFS librarian, can help you choose a book.
  • Here are the dates: 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23, 5/28  

Sign up here or contact Dorothy Cary

GMM MEMBERS IN LOCAL EXHIBITION – JOINED HANDS ARTIST COLLECTIVE

When?  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.

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.

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 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

LOVE AS ACTION: PHILADELPHIA

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, 1:45pm

Where? South facing entrance of Philadelphia City Hall (at Broad Street)

Bearing Witness, Building Hope

Quaker public witness has stood in opposition to cruel and authoritarian actions in our country before. It is time for us to show this love in action again. Please join the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Philadelphia area Friends to bear witness and show resistance to our country's militaristic, authoritarian actions.

Friends, members of other faith communities and people of conscience will gather for one hour of silent public witness, to give hope to all who see us – to show that we can choose resistance - and remind everyone of our moral obligations to one another.

BLACK, GAY & QUAKER – FRIEND IN RESIDENCE LECTURE AT HAVERFORD

When? Friday, January 23, 4:30 - 6:00pm

Where? Haverford College, Stokes Auditorium (370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford) & on Zoom

In this lecture, Rashid Darden, an award-winning novelist, educator, Quaker minister, and outspoken advocate for justice, explores the intersections of race, sexuality, and faith within the Religious Society of Friends. Drawing from his life as a Black gay Quaker, Darden will reflect on how these identities have shaped his spiritual journey, his creative work, and his ministry in Quaker communities. Rashid is currently the Spring 2026 Friend in Residence at Haverford College.

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.

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!

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.  

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

SIGN UP! A DAY ON – JOIN THE GFS MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE

When?  This 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.

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

GFS welcomes GMM to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year.

  • MLK Jr Day Worship Sharing (school-wide), Monday, 1/19 12:00 - 12:30pm Taulane Auditorium in Loeb Performing Arts Ctr
  • GFS faculty & GMM attender Steve Tynan will lead with the query, "How will you continue to serve?"
  • Upper School Worship: Thursday, 1/22  10:10 - 11:00am        

TAKE ACTION!

NATIONAL ACTION - NO WAR ON VENEZUELA

When? Saturday, January 17, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Where? West side of City Hall, Dilworth Plaza, Philadelphia

We will take part in National Actions to STOP US intervention in Venezuela in violation of US and International Laws.

Some of us will hold signs and banners with our message toward the oncoming traffic on Market Street - the rest of us will spread out among passersby at Dilworth plaza and elsewhere to pass out Info/Action sheets urging people to call Congress to stop this flagrant violation of international Law.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 Unitarian Universalists of Mt. Airy every Wednesday afternoon for a 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

MLK JR DAY QUILT-A-THON

When? Monday, January 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm

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

Honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a powerful day of collective service at the "Warming of Our Neighborhoods Quiltathon." This community-wide initiative invites volunteers of all skill levels to join in creating handmade quilts, which will be distributed to provide essential warmth and comfort to our neighbors in need.

  • All materials and guidance will be provided. No experience needed.
  • Read more here
MLK JR DAY OF SERVICE AT HISTORIC FAIR HILL

When?  Monday, January 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where?  Historic Fair Hill (2901 Germantown Avenue)

Join neighbors as we come together for a clean up and share words and songs to commemorate Dr King.

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)