THE FRIDAY BEE                                                  May 29, 2026
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 31
10:20am		Greeter		TBD
10:30am		Child Care		Starts in kindergarten building across the driveway
10:30am		Meeting for Worship		THIS SUNDAY – Outdoor worship in Harkin’s Garden on GFS campus! ☀️ And a separate, concurrent Zoom worship (not hybrid)
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		Moira Duggan
11:35am		Zoom Social Time		Zoom attendees, please stay online to join in a Zoom social time after Meeting for Worship!
11:40am		Refreshments		Mara Lemos-Stein & Kate Jones
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
☀️ OUTDOOR WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, MAY 31  ☀️🌳 This Sunday we will worship together outside in Harkin’s Garden on campus!  Seating will be set up. Zoom worship will happen separately (not hybrid). Reminder – No parking will be available in the Common, but the lot across Coulter will be open.
ADULT CLASS THIS SUNDAY – VINCENT MCCARTHY: THE JESUS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS When?   Sunday, May 31, 9:00am Where?  GMM Social Room – and Child Care will be available in the kindergarten Logistics reminder – no parking on the Common this Sunday. Parking lot across Coulter Street will be open for us, as well as street parking. Jesus of Nazareth (4 B.C.?-29 C.E.?) is mentioned from time to time at First Day Meetings. And while his life and death are reasonably well attested, ideas about him and his teachings have varied from the time of his death by Roman crucifixion. Since the late 1700s, increasingly careful text studies have led to significant questions and stimulating theories about the approved gospels. (Even Thomas Jefferson had thoughts on the subject and produced a highly edited ‘Jefferson New Testament.’) Just don't expect any definitive answers. Case in point is the fine 2025 book by Professor Elaine Pagels of Princeton University, Miracles and Wonders, which continues in a long line of New Testament text scholars and sceptics. Did Jesus really say all the things attributed to him? How accurate can ancient oral traditions and writings be, and specifically the four Gospels? They emerged in written form 40 to 70 years after Jesus’ execution, and each contains and/or lacks significant episodes when compared to the others, not to mention variants. This is not at all unusual for ancient oral and subsequently written traditions. To what extent might some of them hint at an agenda while also exhibiting literary and metaphoric language, perhaps even poetic license? Vincent McCarthy, a member of the Religious Society of Friends since 1980, transferred Membership to GMM in 2025. He has been a professor of philosophy and religious studies for nearly 50 years, holds a M.A. in Religious Studies and a Ph.D. in Philosophy after graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary and Stanford University and subsequently did post-doctoral studies at Yale University, the University of Paris, and the University of Tübingen.
ANNUAL GMM PORCH POTLUCK PICNIC!! ☀️ When? Sunday, June 7, at the rise of worship Where? Our meeting house porch! Always a favorite event – join together for a picnic lunch following worship. Mark your calendars now, and start planning to bring your favorite picnic dishes to share with a crowd. Need ideas on what to bring? Click here for some classic potluck dishes.
TENT SET-UP ON COMMONS — MAY 31 - JUNE 11 ‘Tis GFS Commencement season! With that means the giant tent will be set up over the Commons, across from the meeting house. Therefore … No parking on the Common during that time, including Sundays: 5/31/26 and 6/7/26. The parking lot across Coulter Street will be open for us to use on those Sundays.  And let’s keep the spots immediately behind and around the meetinghouse available to those of us who need them most.
HELP GMM REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT! Our Fundraising Committee recently reminded us that our Meeting has taken on a new campaign – to raise funds to facilitate reducing our carbon footprint… a challenge posed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM), and heartily embraced by our Environmental Concerns Committee and Monthly Meeting. This week we learned that PYM will contribute some funding. Thanks to Rob Smith and all who contributed to that PYM grant application! In addition, donations of any size to this effort help unlock an additional $50,000 matching grant! Be a part of reducing our carbon footprint. A gift to our meeting, and to our global environment. HOW TO DONATE? Send a check to Germantown Monthly Meeting (47 W. Coulter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144) Give online through Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s donation portal - Click here  Put a contribution in the Donation Box on the wall between the Committee & Social Rooms Gifts of all sizes make an impact. Really. We want everyone to participate! Many thanks to those who have already contributed, and to all of you who plan to do so.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR REFRESHMENTS IN JUNE & JULY!!  ☕🍪 Our weekly coffee, tea & yummy snacks don’t happen by magic. We still need to recruit volunteers from amongst members/attenders to make them happen! Please contact Mike Pechter or click here to sign up There are plenty of dates available! Thanks in advance!
QUAKER NEWS & EVENTS
QUAKER CALL TO ACTION – NATIONAL ZOOM CALL Faithfully Protecting Democracy: A Conversation with Maria J. Stephan When & Where?  Sunday, May 31, 7:00 - 8:30pm ET, on Zoom Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this discussion.  She is an author and organizer whose work has focused on the role of nonviolent movements world-wide advancing human rights, democracy, and peace. Maria emphasizes the centrality of faith in the struggle for democratic rights and human dignity.  She will be right at home among Quakers and other people of faith. Read more here This zoom session will be run as a conversation offering you an opportunity to ask your questions of a deeply caring, knowledgeable, faith-based political scientist and nonviolence strategist. Please join us. Click here to register
PENDLE HILL – FIRST MONDAY LECTURE: Non-Creedal Genders: Quaker Spirituality and A Love Letter to Trans Kids When?  Monday, June 1, 7:30 - 9:00pm Where? Hybrid – at Pendle Hill (338 Plush Mill Road) and on Zoom Drawing from their experience of Quaker spirituality, youth worker and transgender advocate Kody Gabriel will share a love letter to trans young people and the inner child in gender-nonconforming adults. Their talk will explore the spiritual gifts of trans identity, put Quaker theology and gender liberation in dialogue, and offer practices of resilience for keeping ourselves whole in the face of political and social oppression. Free and open to the public. Registration required More information & registration for Zoom link here
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
GFS RELEASES FIVE-YEAR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN Learn more about GFS' Five-Year Sustainability Plan, created by Francine Locke, GFS’ Director of Sustainability, in collaboration with the Stewardship Committee and leadership team, and with the input of student leaders in the Upper School Environmental Action Club. This work builds off generations of sustainability and stewardship work across the school community. Read more about it here!
GFS GRADUATION IS COMING! 🎓 Saturday, June 6th, 11:00am will mark this year’s commencement, celebrating the graduating class of 2026! Many congratulations to all Seniors on the completion of their GFS journey… as well as to the children moving up to Kindergarten, Lower, Middle and Upper School (all of whom have their own celebration ceremonies as well)!
VOLUNTEER WITH BREAKTHROUGH THIS SUMMER Volunteers are critical to Breakthrough Philly’s program content and delivery. From field trip chaperones to guest speakers, admissions interviewers to fundraising activation, Breakthrough volunteers bring their deep and diverse experiences to inspire Scholars and Teaching Fellows, and help us execute events and programming. Breakthrough’s summer program, as well as throughout the school year, takes place on the GFS campus. Interested in volunteering your time and talent?  Please complete this brief two-minute survey and Breakthrough will be in touch!
ATTEND GFS MEETING FOR WORSHIP DURING THE WEEK GFS welcomes GMM to attend Meeting for Worship during the school year. That said – Final Meetings for Worship happen this coming week, some at different time slots than during the year, and tend to be packed with family and messages for and from students graduating and moving up.
TAKE ACTION!
COME TO PROJECT RUMMAGE RUNWAY! When? Saturday, May 30, 12:00noon Where? Crossroads Women’s Center (5011 Wayne Avenue) A slow-fashion show where local designers and models are coming together to showcase upcycled and sustainable designs from our Community Rummage & Thrift. Through this event we're hoping to challenge the pervasiveness of the exploitative, polluting and wasteful fast fashion industry while promoting affordable fashion, creativity, community, and caring for people and the planet. Over the past month, we have hosted sewing and mending workshops, had an outdoor movie night and a "film and sew" event, took a trip to the Resource Exchange with the designers, and more. We are so excited to see the final looks on the runway! And volunteer help is always needed! Click here to register, to volunteer, donate, or walk the open runway!
EFFECTIVE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TRAINING When?  Saturday, May 30, 2:00 - 6:00pm Where? First United Methodist Church of Germantown - FUMCOG (6001 Germantown Avenue) As we prepare for potential action this summer in Philadelphia, this training is an important opportunity to build shared understanding, strengthen preparedness, and equip those considering future engagement. See information flyer here Register for the in-person training here
VOLUNTEER WITH BREAKTHROUGH THIS SUMMER Volunteers are critical to Breakthrough Philly’s program content and delivery. Read more in the “Germantown Friends School News & Events” section above.
TELL THE PA LEGISLATURE: TAKE ACTION TO END GUN VIOLENCE Calling on the Pennsylvania House and Senate to pass a ban on untraceable ghost guns, a ban on deadly machine gun conversion devices, and require secure firearm storage. On June 2nd (see below about End Gun Violence Advocacy Day), we'll deliver a coalition letter to the legislature, urging them to pass and send these critical life-saving laws to the governor's desk. Click here to add your name, so lawmakers understand the size and power of the statewide movement to end gun violence.
SIGN UP FOR END GUN VIOLENCE ADVOCACY DAY 2026 When?  Tuesday, June 2, 9:30am -  3:30pm Where? Pennsylvania State Capitol (501 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA) Gun violence is a slow moving massacre, taking the lives or injuring 4,600 Pennsylvanians every year, impacting every single community in the state. Join CeaseFirePA and partners in Harrisburg to lobby, rally, and send a powerful message to lawmakers: prioritize public safety and pass life-saving gun violence prevention laws. RSVP Here
RECLAIM PHILADELPHIA – GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! Reclaim Philadelphia builds community power to win change, reclaim government for the people, and advance economic, racial, and gender justice. Neighborhood Chapters are our community hubs, organized by volunteer leader teams. These hyper local organizing groups focus on building community within Reclaim’s base and connecting with community groups and neighbors. Learn more about the neighborhood chapter near you HERE!
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. Click here to read more!
TRYING TO FIND SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS? Mobilize is a central posting site with opportunities for local actions for protest and in support of social justice. See more here, and bookmark their site!
➤ 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
TULPEHOCKEN STATION HISTORIC DISTRICT HOME & GARDEN TOUR When?  Sunday, May 31, 12:00 - 4:00pm Where? Starts at Aulenbach House, 29 W. Tulpehocken St. This walking tour will feature homes and gardens found within the Tulpehocken Station Historic District, one of Philadelphia’s first ‘suburban’ neighborhoods.  Featuring properties dating from the late 1840s through the 1880s,  it’s your opportunity to see some of Philadelphia’s finest examples of Victorian eclecticism, Gothic revival, Italianate revival, Queen Anne, Tudor revival, Second Empire and Colonial Revival, as well as gardens that have been years in designing. The tour is self-led, go at your own pace. When you arrive you will receive a map of the homes and gardens on the tour. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. More information & ticket purchase ($35) here (ticket purchase closes Sat 5/30 at 5pm)
BEGINNER BIRDING WITH JOSEPH E. COLEMAN LIBRARY When?  Saturday, May 30, 10:00am - 12:00pm Where? Joseph E. Coleman Library (68 W Chelten Ave) Join Friends of the Wissahickon, The Free Library of Philadelphia, and Friends of Vernon Park for a beginner’s birding stroll through Vernon Park—no experience or equipment needed. We’ll meet at the Joseph E. Coleman Library to go over some basics, then make our way over to the park to see which backyard birds have made their home in this urban green space. More detailed information and Registration (free) required 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, 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)