THE FRIDAY BEE                                April 17, 2026  

 SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 19 

10:20am

Greeter

Dorothy Cary

10:30am

Child Care

Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway

10:30am

Meeting for Worship

In the meetinghouse for hybrid (in-person & on Zoom) worship.

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

Elissa Berardi

11:35am

Zoom Social Time

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

11:40am

Refreshments

TBD – Might this be you?

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS SUNDAY FOR REFRESHMENTS

We still need folks to pitch in and help serve refreshments this Sunday following worship!

Partner with a friend! Make it a family effort!

First Day School students will be making cookies on Sunday to add to the refreshments.

At the very least, we need someone to make & serve coffee/tea, and put out cookies and crackers that we already have in stock in the GMM kitchen. And then someone to help clean up.

HUGE MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE – Benefitting Bududa Learning Center in Uganda

When? Tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, 9:00am - 2:00pm

Where? 111 Rex Avenue, Chestnut Hill

Household items, china, silver, furniture, clothing (children, men, women), books, jewelry, picture frames, fabric for quilters, 50 cent table, freebies and much, much more!  Come find your treasure!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Food Distribution in front of GMM

When?  This Sunday, April 19 (& every 3rd Sunday)

  • 9:30am for set-up & 12:00-3:00pm for distribution 

Where? In front of Germantown Meetinghouse on Coulter Street

The Center for Returning Citizens (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!

Questions?  Contact Jondhi Harrell 

HELP FOLKS REGISTER TO VOTE THIS SUNDAY @ FOOD GIVEAWAY

Need helpers with laptops!

When? This Sunday, April 17, 12:00pm

Where? On Coulter Street, during the TCRC Food Giveaway

The GMM Anti-Racism Discussion Group is looking for 3-4 volunteers with laptops who can staff an information table where folks coming for the food giveaway can stop and get help registering to vote online.

GMM ADULT CLASS – QUAKER CLEARNESS PROCESS

When?  Sunday, April 26, 9:00am

Where? GMM Social Room

Deborra Sines Pancoe will lead an adult class that will focus on the Quaker clearness process.  We will be looking at how to ask probing, non-judgemental, and open-ended questions and developing skills for deep listening.  Deborra is a member of Abington Meeting and has led the SPARC (Spiritual Practice and Renewed Courage) program for the Friends Council on Education. All are welcome.

  • Child Care will be provided during the Adult Class.

We realize this coincides with the morning session of Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM), happening at Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting. For those who are unable to attend PQM that morning, we hope you will join us in the Social Room to learn about the Quaker clearness process.

HAVE ANY BOARD GAMES YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE TO GMM?

The Fellowship Committee is building a board game collection to use for our occasional and ever-popular GMM Game Nights (and possibly for events like the Retreat, etc.). If you have games in good shape, with all their pieces, that need a new home, please contact Anne Stassen in the Meeting Office to discuss (gmm@germantownfriends.org).

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED FOR REFRESHMENTS!!  ☕🍪

Our weekly coffee, tea & yummy snacks don’t happen by magic.

We need to recruit volunteers from amongst members/attenders to make them happen!

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 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.

LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER!

Sign up to join in one of several small group gatherings!

  • Picnic in front of the meetinghouse
  • Dog Walk in the Wissahickon
  • Two small potluck dinners at GMMrs’ homes
  • Softball & hoagie lunch at Vernon Park after meeting (later in May, or June)

Sign up sheets are available during Refreshments following Sunday Worship.

Or contact the Meeting Office if you are interested (gmm@germantownfriends.org)

QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS

SOJOURN DAY WITH PQM AT PENDLE HILL – Register now; only a few spots left

When? Saturday, May 9, 9:30am - 4:00pm

Where? Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Rd, Wallingford, PA)

Pendle Hill warmly welcomes Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM) and Concord Quarter for a special day of fellowship and exploration at Pendle Hill. This free, small-group gathering (limited to 30 participants) will include worship, a guided campus tour, shared lunch, a variety of afternoon activities, and the simple gift of being present in a beautiful, contemplative setting.

WHICH QUAKER PRACTICES HAVE SHAPED YOUR LIFE MOST DEEPLY? Focus Groups

When & Where?  Choice of April 19, 20, 21 – Virtual groups (e.g. Zoom)

Friends General Conference (FGC) is exploring an opportunity that could help more people experience the depth of the Quaker tradition. We intend to pursue a grant from the Lilly Endowment supporting projects that invite people to experience Christian spiritual practices that deepen faith and nurture Spirit-led community. For Friends, these practices may include waiting worship, communal discernment, nonviolent resistance, retreats, and faithful witness in the world.

In the coming weeks, FGC will host Listening Sessions and provide ways for Friends to share ideas, hopes, and concerns. They want to hear from all who care about the future of Quaker spiritual practices.

DEEPENING OUR WORSHIP DURING QUAKER MEETING

When?  Saturday, April 25, 9:30 - 11:30am

Where? Hybrid – Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Rd, Wallingford) & on Zoom

In this workshop, Ingrid Lakey, Eileen Flanagan, and Dwight Dunston are coming together to bring forth practices and conversations to strengthen the quality of worship for Friends, seasoned and new to Quakerism. Whether you yourself have struggled to stay close to spirit, or you have witnessed the quality of worship impacted by the disconnection from spirit in others, this workshop is for you.

Free and open to the public. Registration required.

REGISTER NOW FOR PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING

When?  Sunday, April 26, 9:00am - 4:30pm

Where? Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting (1501 Cherry Street)

Theme: Called to Repair: Friends Engaging Reparations Work at Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting (PQM)

Friends are invited to a day of worship, fellowship, learning, and shared discernment. The day will include worship with Central Philadelphia Friends Meeting, lunch fellowship, Meeting for Business, and a hybrid, interactive conversation on reparations work led by Green Street Meeting's Reparations Committee. Optional early session (in person only) offers deeper connection for those already engaged in reparations work.

FRIENDS ARE SEEKING HOUSING!

We’ve received separate emails from two local-ish Friends, each seeking housing.

Sharing here, in case anyone has suggestions, insights, opportunities for either of them –

1)  A graduate of Westtown and Berklee School of Music, who was raised in Downingtown Friends Meeting is moving their recording studio business to Germantown this spring, and seeks housing in the area. Please contact Kieran Ferris.

2)  An Attender with Schuylkill Friends Meeting (in Phoenixville) is looking for an apartment to rent. She is chemically sensitive so anything without fresh paint would fit well. Old hardwood floors, not recently refinished, divine. Please contact Jane Klein.

SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL JUNG CONFERENCE with Friends Council on Psychology & Religion

Embracing the Inner Life of the Self: Carl Jung, Psychedelics & the Modern Spiritual Journey

When? Friday - Sunday, May 22 - 24

Where? Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Rd, Wallingford)

Join in a reflective weekend tending to the inner life that steadies us in uncertain times. Explore the many forms of awakening, and explore how those encounters can be met and integrated with integrity.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING (PYM)

GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL (GFS) NEWS & EVENTS

A READING WITH ECO-POET FORREST GANDER 🌳

When? Thursday, April 23, 7 pm

Where? Friends Free Library – across the GFS campus from the meetinghouse

We are honored to welcome Pulitzer Prize winner and translator Forrest Gander to GFS. With degrees in both geology and literature, Gander is a leading voice in "environmental poetics," often exploring the intimate, complex intersections between humanity and the natural world. He will read from his latest work, Mojave Ghost: A Novel-Poem, followed by a book signing.

A SOLEMN DAY AND A MAGICAL EVENING 🌈

Last Friday, GFS observed Day of (No) Silence, a national protest against the silencing of LGBTQIA+ students that the school has been participating in for nearly 20 years. During the day, rainbow ribbons signified a commitment to staying silent. In the afternoon, Upper School students broke the silence in a special Meeting for Worship in the meetinghouse, reflecting on what it was like to experience silence and have loved ones silenced.

That evening, the entire community gathered for the fifth annual Night of Noise, a multi-generational celebration of queer joy organized by the LGBTQIA+ Parents and Friends Alliance, the Upper School Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), and the DEI Office. As part of the festivities, students thanked and honored Cheryl Bruttomesso, a longtime P.E. teacher, coach, and SAGA faculty advisor who is retiring at the end of this year.

ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK

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

  • Middle School Worship: Monday, 4/20, 10:20 - 11:00am
  • Upper School Worship: Thursday, 4/23, 10:10 - 11:00am

TAKE ACTION!

IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY/BYSTANDER TRAINING

When? Sunday, April 19, 3:00pm

Where? Unitarian Society of Germantown (6511 Lincoln Drive)

What did we learn from the people’s resistance to ICE in Minnesota? What does it mean that ICE is now in our airports? How do we prepare if they ramp up their presence and intimidation tactics ahead of the mid-terms? Join the movement. Know your rights. Protect your neighbors. Stand up to ICE.

WE THE PEOPLE WEDNESDAYS – SINGING FOR SANITY!

When? Wednesday, April 22 (and every Wednesday), 5:30-6:30pm, rain or shine!

Where? Returns to the Richard Allen Lane Station (200 W Allens Lane, Mt. Airy)

Sing in community - Listen and Learn - Take action

https://www.wethepeopleweds.org/

SUPPORT WITH COLLECTING DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES

Family Promise of Philadelphia (formerly known as Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network) is running a community Diaper Drive –

Right now, we are experiencing a significant shortage and are in the process of connecting with our community members and partners so we can meet this need for our families. Any contribution, small or big, would make a great difference for the families we serve.

  • Seeking diapers of all sizes & brands (& they can coordinate pick-ups for large donations)
  • Drop off location: Family Promise of Philadelphia (7047 Germantown Avenue)
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.

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

52 WEEKS OF FIRSTS COMES TO GERMANTOWN – First Botanical Garden 1728

When?  Saturday, April 18, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Where? Bartram’s Gardens (5400 Lindbergh Blvd)

Rooted in curiosity, Bartram’s Garden was America’s very first botanical garden, a living laboratory where science bloomed and Philly’s green thumb took root.

For 250 years, Philadelphia has been first — first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun. In 2026, the city celebrates that legacy with 52 Weeks of Firsts, a yearlong, citywide series of events highlighting the groundbreaking ideas, inventions and milestones that began right here.

  • a Once Upon A Nation storyteller sharing the true story behind the First
  • family-friendly activities and games
  • live music and entertainment
  • giveaways and selfie stations

See this & more weekly “Firsts” here

DINAH DAY AT STENTON

When? Saturday, April 18, 12:00 - 4:00pm

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

As America celebrates the Semi quincentennial, Stenton is hosting its own 250th celebration that is even closer to home. Join Stenton and nearby neighbors for our fourth annual Dinah Day! Dinah Day marks the date in 1776 when Dinah was manumitted from slavery. During her lifetime Dinah won her freedom, reunited her family, and saved Stenton from being burned during the Revolution. This celebratory afternoon will include reflection time at the Dinah Memorial, tours, crafts, community healing, and the premiere of the short film “For the Common Good: Women Who Shaped our Nation - Dinah.”

FIREFLY HOURS: CITY NATURE CHALLENGE PREP & GUIDED BIRD WALK

When? Thursday, April 23, 5:00 - 7:00pm

Where? Black Writers Museum, Vernon Park (5800 Germantown Avenue)

Are you ready for the City Nature Challenge? Join TB Wildlife Photography LLC as he shows community scientists like yourself how to observe, record, and share wildlife observations in iNaturalist as part of the 2026 City Nature Challenge. After the brief presentation, attendees will go on a guided bird tour of the beautiful Vernon Park (5800 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144).

  • Attendees should wear comfortable walking footwear and be prepared to walk on cement and grassy terrain.
  • Binoculars provided by Nocs Provisions will be available for use at a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Restrooms are available inside the Black Writers Museum.

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)