Weekly Announcements as of 02.26.2023

Weekly Announcements

Reminder:

If you know of an event that you would like to see in the Weekly Announcements, please send the information to communications@annapolisfriends.org.

Coming Up:

The list of events below can also be viewed on the AFM website’s homepage or on the AFM Calendar.

Note: Titles link to the AFM Calendar for greater detail and the word Zoom contains the link to the online meeting. 

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Uphold Ukraine Daily

Friends House Moscow supporters in the U.S.A. are running an international online Meeting for Worship, to join other Friends holding in the Light all the people affected by the current crisis in Ukraine.

This meeting will run EVERY DAY. The start time depends on your time zone. It starts at 9:00 am PDT (12:00 pm EDT).

Click on THIS LINK, which is the Friends House Moscow Cloud Meeting. This link was revised as of 04.10.2022. Or use Meeting ID: 416 500 5614; Passcode: 182805

Contact Ann R. at ministry@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Quakers in Kyiv Sunday MfW

The Quakers in Kyiv meet on Sundays at 1:00 pm EDT in silence. For Zoom information, go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/QuakersKyivUkraine/. 

On Zoom: Meeting ID: 852 8396 7313; Passcode: 2022

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Urgent Humanitarian Need – Turkey 

Over the past several days, the AFM Peace & Social Concerns (PSC) Committee has considered a number of requests from Friends (beyond PSC) to make some level of contribution in support of the millions of folks in Turkey and northern Syria whose lives and homes have been shattered by the repeated earthquakes, not to mention further devastated by the winter storm and (for Syrians) ongoing civil war.

After discernment, PSC Friends have decided that we’d like to send money from the AFM Emergent Social Concerns fund as follows:

1) $500 to the Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA)– tpfund.org — where new AFM Friend Joe Miller (who also has many personal ties in Turkey) is a board member; and

2) $250 for Syrian Relief  to the Syrian Civil Defence organization (aka “White Helmets”) which is a cause that is recommended by the Brookings Institute — their webpage is https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is in the process of organizing a relief effort. 

In addition, Friends are invited to join in donating directly to these causes, as led.

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Arthur Morgan School Overnight

On March 4 (Saturday) at 9:00 am until Sunday (March 5), Arthur Morgan School, a small friends school in Celo, North Carolina will be holding an overnight retreat at the AFM Meetinghouse. Every year, the leaders of the school take their students on an 18-day long trip to explore a variety of subjects. This year, the students have a theme on Art and Advocacy. They will be visiting Annapolis from March 4-5 (for one night). AFM will be hosting 9 middle schoolers (ages 12-15) and three adult teachers on the AFM meetinghouse floor in exchange for some kind of work-trade. The Meetinghouse & Land Committee has developed plans for the work-trade efforts. They indicated that they bring a variety of skills, from drywall repair to landscaping, and that they appreciate our hosting their retreat and look forward to being with us for that one evening.

For more information, contact Karen C. at clerk@annapolisfriends.org.

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Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

Please participate in the March 5 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business at 9:00 am. This is an opportunity to practice several of our testimonies as we carry out the practical work of maintaining our faith community. We seek to be Spirit-led in our work, with as much efficiency as possible, achieving a sense of what Friends call “right order.” This will be a blended meeting where there will be participants in person at the meetinghouse and on Zoom.

For more information, contact Karen C. at clerk@annapolisfriends.org.

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Potluck – Social Time

Following the Meeting for Worship (MfW) on March 5 (Sunday) about 12:15 pm, there will be an occasion for everyone to have an opportunity to socialize. There will be both an in-person Potluck and a virtual potluck. Please get or bring some food (or not! There will be plenty of food) and join us for either a virtual or an in-person potluck.  The Zoom link for 11:00 am Worship will stay open for this informal gathering. 

For more information, contact info@annapolisfriends.org.

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North County Meeting for Worship

We will meet outside wearing masks at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 7. All are welcome! The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) call worship events Meetings for Worship (MfW) rather than services. This is a silent, centering Quaker meeting for worship where a group of people sit for an hour in silent, centering worship. Come sit with us.

For more information, contact Diane E. at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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Black History – Let’s learn more and share more

There is a post on the AFM News section of the website with a list of resources about Black History and many more on the AFM Discuss email list. The next step is to have conversations about what we’ve learned and continue to teach each other. To that end, a poll will be circulated soon, so that you can select a date when you would be available to enjoy a potluck and conversations. Check out the News Post HERE to review the list of resources. Many found the “Birth of a White Nation” to be very informative. Also, consider the following dates. If you want to send your date preferences for the potluck and conversation, please do so by emailing info@annapolisfriends.org The possible dates for this one-time gathering are: March 14, 16, or 27. Also, let us know if you are interested in participating, but will not be available on any of these dates. All are invited. 

For more information, contact info@annapolisfriends.org.

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Sacred Chant and Dance

On March 12 (Sunday) at 9:15 am in person, everyone is warmly welcome to join, in person at our meetinghouse, our sacred circle of chant and dance. If the weather is nice, we may be outdoors. There is no need to be a singer or a dancer to enjoy this easy and gentle spiritual practice in community with others. It is an ancient way of celebrating community and togetherness. Through our gentle movement and very simple chants, the body, mind and heart tend to become integrated while we connect with our Center and the other dancers. It is a spiritual and interfaith practice in which one may experience a deep sense of the Divine. So, come, relax, and find the joy and beauty of the Light within, between, and all around us. If needed, masks and physical distancing will be used for everyone’s safety and comfort. There will be no Zoom connection.

For more information, please contact Sylvia O. at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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Spiritual State of the Meeting – March 19

On March 19 (Sunday) during Worship at 8 am, 11 am and during the First Day School session, we will engage in worship sharing on the Spiritual State of the Meeting (SSoM). This is an annual tradition that began in the beginnings of Quakerism where Monthly Meetings reported on how they were doing with regards to what is going well to enrich our spirits, what is not going so well and any other inspirations. The format is “worship sharing” where we listen deeply to what Spirit (a.k.a., the Light, God, Love, the Divine, etc.) is providing us based on specific queries and share them aloud. 

Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM), the larger Quaker group that AFM is a part of, provides queries each year that are meant to be read thoughtfully in the Light without any self-criticism or judgment, but to answer from within based on an open heart and with integrity. This practice helps us recognize the movement of Spirit within us and our Monthly Meeting. 

THE QUERIES for reflecting on 2022 in your Meeting:

  1. How has your meeting addressed the issue of racism as a spiritual concern?
     
  2. How does your meeting strengthen the sense of worship during your Meeting for Business?
     
  3. What tests the unity of your meeting community? How does it fare? What’s building the community up and what is stressing it?
     
  4. If you could put a sign out in the front of your Meeting House, what would it say?

Friends will take notes on March 19, so that a draft report can be developed. After AFM approves the 2023 SSoM, the final 2023 AFM SSoM Report will be sent to BYM where the AFM report will be included with all the other Monthly Meetings within BYM, as well as a collective report for BYM. To view past SSoM reports from AFM and other Monthly Meetings, The Spiritual State of the Yearly Meeting.

For more information, please contact Ann R. at ministry@annapolisfriends.org.

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Afghan Women’s Fund – Potluck

On March 19 (Sunday) at about 12:30 am in person, everyone is invited to an informal fundraising potluck. In light of the Taliban’s recent decision to ban women from attending universities and working at domestic and foreign NGO’s, two AFM committees, Quaker Market and Peace and Social Concerns, will co-host a special fundraiser for the Afghan Women’s Fund. The fundraiser would consist of a cooking class on Saturday, March 18, and an informational potluck on Sunday, March 19. Funds will be collected by Cairn K. through April 2, with checks made out directly to the Afghan Women’s Fund.

For more information, please contact Cairn K. at info@annapolisfriends.org. 

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The AFM Library – Monthly Queries

The March book selection and the queries for the month are posted on the library shelf. Great thanks to the Library Committee who is providing the selection of books that relate to the monthly queries. This is a great way to learn more about Quakerism and practices unique to Quakers. 

Contact Martha L. or Nan E. at library@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Photo Wall 

There is a photo wall and it is being updated with fresh, new photos of those associated with AFM who would like to have their photo displayed at the meetinghouse. It is a great way to identify people and to be able to put a name to a face. 

Please contact Bonnie P. who will take your photo and post it with all the other smiling faces. Reach out to Bonnie at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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Wednesday Meditation Group

Starting at 7 pm every Wednesday, the Meditation Group will meet on Zoom and we will sit silently for the first 40-minutes followed by a book discussion based on a selected book.

For more information, contact Patty R. at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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5th Night Light – Every Thursday evening

From 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm every Thursday, the AFM community engages in a spiritual practice that acknowledges the Light of God within each person and that to be in community is to actively care for one another. During that time, Friends hold people and situations who need additional spiritual support in the Light. Friends will pause wherever they may be, read the list of names, and hold each person or situation in our hearts and in the Light. On Wednesday, the list of names or situations are sent out to the AFM-Announce list.

For more information, contact Pastoral Care at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org.

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Winter Relief – Evening Chaperones Needed 

The “Winter Relief” is an annual effort alongside friends from Magothy United Methodist Church (UMC) in Pasadena. This is an opportunity to provide assistance to people who would otherwise be exposed during the coldest months with temporary housing in the multi-purpose room at the UMC church. There may still be a need for volunteers to chaperone during the evenings of Monday (3/20) through the morning of Monday (3/27). Most slots are filled (So Much Gratitude Here); however, you still have a chance to join in and help. Chaperones may be needed for Tuesday (March 23) from midnight to 6 am, Sunday (March 26) from midnight to 6 am, and Sunday (March 26) from 7 am -10 am (including breakfast on this early shift).

The “chaperone” will stay in the shelter with the homeless on shifts. Each night (7 pm to midnight) and early morning (midnight – 6 am). If you would like to volunteer to contribute food (more entrees and desserts are needed) or chaperone, please email Phil C. and let him know your preferred dates, as well as what you are willing to do.

Contact Phil C. at pcaroom@gmail.com for more information.

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Quaker Market – Causes for May 

The AFM Quaker Market Committee is currently requesting that Friends send their ideas by Sunday, March 5, for worthy causes to be recipients of the proceeds from the Quaker Spring Market (May 6). The committee discernment will be presented at Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, Sunday, April 2. 

Send your suggestions to Cairn K. at market@annapolisfriends.org.

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First Day School – Earth As Our Home

The First Day School (Sunday School) has a rich lesson plan this year focused on Earth As Our Home. Check out the news article about the curriculum and stop by the classroom to see what they are doing. Volunteer teachers are providing delightful and enriching lessons. You can join the pool of teachers by Signing Up. Use the same link to learn about the topics that are scheduled. On March 5, the lesson will include a hands-on project: Helping kids start flower seeds indoors for Mother’s Day / Quaker Market.

Contact children@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Meetings for Worship

There are two options for Sunday worship with Annapolis Friends Meeting:

  1.     Weekly at 8:00 am. This Meeting for Worship is in person (no technology) and held outdoors in good weather. Masks and social distancing are optional inside the meetinghouse.
  2.     Weekly at 11:00 am. This Meeting for Worship can be attended in person at the Meetinghouse, or remotely on Zoom (Phone: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 650 269 455, Passcode: 241727). Nursery care is available; please email us at children@annapolisfriends.org if you would like to bring your child/children to our nursery. First Day School (a.k.a., Sunday School) is available for school age children in person.

Other options that you can attend for Meetings for Worship include: 1) a gathering in spirit only, physically apart and without technology, in communion with friends at the Meeting House at 8:00 a.m. This option was created to link Friends in worship in the early days of the pandemic, and often Friends are at their own homes.  2) In North County, on the First Tuesday of each month, at 7 pm (please see North County Meeting on the calendar). 

For more information, send an email to info@annapolisfriends.org.

For additional information about Annapolis Friends Meeting go to the homepage or for events click here for the calendar. 

Photo credit: Ellen M.