THE FRIDAY BEE                              February 27, 2026

 SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 1 

10:20am

Greeter

Dorothy Cary

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

Vincent McCarthy

11:35am

Zoom Social Time

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

11:40am

Refreshments

Chili Lunch!!

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 CHILI LUNCH 🌶️

When? This Sunday, March 1, after worship

Let’s gather over a cozy bowl of chili! After many postponements, Chili Lunch is finally here!

All are welcome!

BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE MEETINGHOUSE

When? This evening! Friday February 27, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Where? Germantown Friends Meetinghouse

Please join us for a benefit concert raising funds for Juntos (https://www.vamosjuntos.org/) and Gaza Soup Kitchen (https://gazasoupkitchen.org/). This concert and light show will feature local artists (sound generously provided by Germantown Community Radio). Step into the Social Room next door to learn about and connect with a number of local organizations doing immigrant rights and Palestine liberation work.

Helpers needed for –

  • breakdown after the event
  • merchandise table (ideally someone with an iPhone)
2025 MOTTO CALENDARS ARE HERE!

These handy, inspirational calendars are available while supplies last.

They will be in a box on the back counter of the Committee Room during Refreshments on Sundays. While supplies last. Enjoy!

If you feel so moved, $1 donation is welcomed in the small wooden box on the wall near the Social Room.

ZOOM MEETING TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR CONGRESS

Every two years, about 10 months before the US Congress starts a new session, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), our Quaker lobby in Washington, DC, asks meetings, churches and other Friends groups to provide input on what issues, policies or programs should be high priority for FCNL's lobby efforts in the new Congress. Germantown Monthly Meeting's top 5 priorities must be submitted by mid-April. We encourage Meeting members and attenders to participate in the process.

2nd upcoming Zoom meeting to kick off this process:

When? Tuesday, March 3, 7:00pm

  • If you have questions or cannot attend either meeting but are interested in participating in the process, please contact Bill Cozzens
SAVE THE DATE – GMM RETREAT 🌲🛶

Happening May 1-3, 2026 at Camp Dark Waters in nearby Medford, NJ.

Join us for a time of spiritual nourishment and community bonding. We will enjoy shared meals, worship, and fun activities for all ages, including canoeing, a ropes course, nature walks, and fireside singing. We’re committed to making the retreat accessible for all.

  • Registration and additional information coming soon!
HOST A SMALL GATHERING FOR GMM’RS

Volunteers needed to host small get togethers in their homes (8-10 folks?) from our Meeting (GMM). These popular events are fun, casual gatherings, and a fantastic way for us to get to know each other better.

What might these look like?

The options are limitless! A dinner (some of you might remember the old “Friendly 8’s dinners”); an afternoon tea; a wine & cheese gathering; a weekend brunch; anything, really!

These are typically potluck, last for a couple of hours, and can be as casual (or fancy!), as thematic, as family-oriented (or even pet-friendly!), as each host prefers.

Interested in volunteering to host? 

SEND GMM YOUR UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION!

Do you have a new cell phone number? Finally cancelled that landline?

No longer use an old email address? Or have a preferred one?

Have you moved, and not told us?

Please send in any changes to your contact information, so we can update the Meeting’s records:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO PROVIDE REFRESHMENTS THIS WINTER! ☕ 🍪

We all appreciate a cup of coffee/tea and snacks after worship.

These yummy refreshments rely on volunteers to make that possible every week.

Please volunteer to provide refreshments this winter & spring!

We need volunteers on these dates:

  • March 29  ◆  April 19

Please contact Mike Pechter or click here to sign up 

  • You can also use this same volunteer form to sign up to Greet at the door, or Close worship from the facing bench, or provide Refreshments! Many options to participate. THANK YOU!

Note: Refreshments expenses are reimbursable or can be credited as in-kind donations to GMM.

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

CELEBRATION OF 1688 GERMANTOWN FRIENDS PROTEST AGAINST SLAVERY

When? Saturday, February 28, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Where? Historic Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse (6119 Germantown Ave.)

Come to a reading (with re-enactors) of this important document.

The petition, officially named the Germantown Friends’ Protest Against Slavery, is among the many milestones being recognized by the Philadelphia Historic District in 2026 for its “52 Weeks of Firsts” program.

The first religious statement against slavery in the Americas, this petition was written and signed by Quakers. The historic document was re-discovered in 2005 at Arch Street Meetinghouse, and a reproduction hangs on the wall of the GMM Committee Room!

QUAKER ACTION ANNUAL MEETING

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, 9:00am - 2:00pm

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

Quaker Action Mid Atlantic Region (QAMAR) is working to  Defend Democracy, Solve the Climate Crisis and End Gun Violence.  Great speakers including Vicki Miller from Indivisible Philly, PA Rep. Joe Hohenstein, and Bryan Miller, from Heeding God's Call, will help focus on how f/Friends can make a real difference to improve public policy in our states.  All are welcome.  

PENDLE HILL 1ST MONDAY LECTURE: THINGS OF BEAUTY

When? Monday, March 2, 7:30 - 9:00pm

Where? Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Road) & online – Hybrid

Welling Hall, minister, artist, political theologian, will talk about the intersection of beauty, spirituality, and trauma. In this presentation, she will share her journey of becoming an artist through her witness against atrocity as both a spiritual and political act. And she may answer the question, “What is theopoetics?”

COME TO THE PHILADELPHIA QVS SOCIAL!

When? Saturday, March 7, 1:00 - 3:00pm

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

Please come mingle with past, present and future Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) community members, learn about QVS, and get some tasty treats! This is a special opportunity to meet the new QVS Executive Director, Greg Stefanski, and the current QVS Fellows! So many people help to make the QVS program possible, so we hope to bring everyone together for a fun-filled event. QVS Alumni, Local Support Committee Members, Donors, Site Placement Supervisors, Spiritual Nurturers, and anyone interested in learning more. We encourage you to bring a friend!

APPLY FOR QUAKER VOLUNTARY SERVICE (QVS)!

Do you know a young adult who might be interested in living at the intersection of transformational spirituality and activism? Tell them about Quaker Voluntary Service… an 11-month program where Fellows work full-time in professional positions at community based organizations addressing a wide range of issues, while living in a cooperative house and worshiping with, and being mentored by, local Quakers.

DEEP DIVE DISCUSSION: OUR ROLE(S) IN THE STREETS

When & Where? Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 - 8:30pm; on Zoom

EQAT (Earth Quaker Action Team) will host a discussion exploring what we're learning while taking action these days, and how we want to show up individually and as a group. We'll discuss trends and patterns we're seeing in approaching street roles across our movements. We’ll also sink our teeth into a variety of scenario examples and explore how to navigate complex situations and shifting risk assessments.

NAVIGATING THE UNEXPECTED: STREET SKILLS FOR CROWDS

When? Saturday, March 7, 1:30 - 5:30pm

Where? Friends Center (1501 Cherry Street)

In this experiential training, we’ll sink our teeth into a variety of scenario examples and explore how to navigate complex situations including one on one de-escalation, managing large groups in emergent street scenarios, and shifting risk assessments. This training will be led by trainers from Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), and is hosted by Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting. Participants will leave with skills for a variety of marches and actions. All are welcome!

REGISTER NOW FOR PYM SPRING CONTINUING SESSIONS

When? Friday, March 13 - Sunday March 15

Where? All events will take place on zoom in an online-only format.

PYM Friends are invited to join Spring Continuing Sessions! Our theme “Members One of Another” reminds us that each individual is a necessary part of the whole Body, with important gifts to share.

NEW QUAKER CHECKLIST TIP #45 - ATTEND THE WHITE PRIVILEGE CONFERENCE WITH FRIENDS

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 #45: ​Attend the White Privilege Conference with Friends
  • April 22-25, in Seattle – provides an opportunity for participants to discuss how white privilege, white supremacy, and oppression affect daily life, while giving strategies to address issues of privilege and oppression, and advance social and economic justice. We would love to have you be part of the WPC community. 
  • More information & registration here
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, 3/2, 10:20 - 11:00am
  • Lower School Worship: Thursday, 3/5 9:00 - 9:30am
  • Upper School Worship: Thursday, 3/5 10:10 - 11:00am        
EMILY BAZELON (‘89) SPEAKS AT CHRISTOPHER ALLEN ‘09 LECTURE

When & Where? Friday, March 6, 10:15-11:00am | Livestreamed from Loeb

We are proud to welcome Emily Bazelon ‘89 to campus for this third annual lecture series, featuring eminent journalists and writers. A staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and co-host of Slate’s Political Gabfest, Bazelon writes frequently on social issues such as free speech, reproductive rights, and criminal justice. Register here to watch the lecture via livestream.

TAKE ACTION!

ICE OUT:  COMMUNITY TRAINING & LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – MT. AIRY

When? Thursday, March 5, 6:00pm

Where?  Location provided upon RSVP

We want ICE OUT of our city! Join this in-person training to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to defend our communities against ICE. The training covers our rights as people on US soil, the basics of bystander intervention, and steps you can take to prepare your workplace.

Get legislative updates from Councilmember Kentra Brooks & Representative Chris Rabb.

  • RSVP here (for location) — Space is limited
GUIDE TO ICE WATCH HOTLINES AND IMMIGRATION RESOURCES

Provided by GMM member John Colgan Davis; also available at the resource table at GMM on Sundays. 

A list of resources and organizations with guidance on immigration support.

Many of these on-the-ground organizations have been working with immigrant communities for years. They know their needs.

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.

➤ LIST OF ONGOING/WEEKLY SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS

CLICK HERE for a list of ongoing, weekly/regularly scheduled vigils & protests supporting immigrants, Palestine, peace, Constitutional rights, etc.

  • Includes standing events such as — Fridays @ Fettermans, Mondays @ McCormicks, We the People Wednesdays, etc.

(These used to be listed every week in the Friday Bee, but we are consolidating them into their own linked document.)

Have more ongoing protests and vigils to include? Send them to the GMM Office (gmm@germantownfriends.org)

GERMANTOWN & NEARBY

CELEBRATION OF 1688 GERMANTOWN FRIENDS PROTEST AGAINST SLAVERY

When? Saturday, February 28, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Where? Historic Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse (6119 Germantown Ave.)

  • (see more details above in the “Quaker New & Events” section)
FROM OUR HANDS TO HISTORY:CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF BLACK ARTISTRY & HISTORY

When? Saturday, February 28, 12:00 - 6:00pm

Where? The Movement Philly (7133 Germantown Ave)

Get ready to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Black art and history, with artists and makers from across the country. Come shop. Come Learn. Come Connect. Free & Open to all.

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, 12:00noon (ET) 

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)