Weekly Announcements as of 03.05.2023

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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Humanitarian Need – Turkey & Syria 

Recently, the AFM Peace & Social Concerns Committee recently sent funds from the AFM Emergent Social Concerns fund to the following organizations. If Friends feel called to continue to help with the ongoing needs in both Turkey and Syria, these organizations might be considered.

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/

In addition, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) website has a means to donate, also. 

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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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Spiritual Friends Group

On March 9 (Thursday) at 4 pm, the Spiritual Friends Group will meet on Zoom. The group meets online on the 2nd Thurs. of each month to nurture our spiritual lives and, if requested, to ask the group to hold us accountable to our individual intentions. Everyone is welcome. Quakers and non-Quakers!

Contact Barb T. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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Black History – Let’s learn more and share more

Please complete the poll that was sent via the AFM-Announce email. The date for an event where we can share what we’ve learned from our explorations during Black History Month (February) is being planned and the poll will help to identify the day that most of us are available to participate. Let’s have conversations about what we’ve learned and continue to teach each other. To that end, please click on this link to provide your dates on this poll: Poll – Black History Conversation & Potluck. The dates under consideration 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.

Check out the News Post HERE to review the list of resources. 

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, sharing our sense of Spirit’s leadings 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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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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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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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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Friendly 8s – The Friendlies

Quakers get together for a variety of reasons and getting to know each other a little better is the purpose of Friendly 8 Groups. Typically, there are 8 people who share a meal, stories and have a relaxed, informal opportunity to socialize. It is great fun and there have been stimulating conversations. 

On Friday, March 17 at 6 pm, the current Friendly 8s group called The Friendlies will be enjoying their meals wherever they are and sharing each other’s company on Zoom.

For more information, contact Ellen M. at info@annapolisfriends.org.

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Meeting For Learning – March 26 

The Adult Education Committee will be providing a Meeting for Learning (MfL) on March 26 at 9:15 am about Easter. Ann R. will be presenting a content heavy, informational, reflective sermon with photographs and poetry on the subject of Easter. A question and answer period is planned into the presentation. All are welcome.

Contact Ann R. at ministry@annapolisfriends.org if you would like additional information.

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Earth Day – April 22 

The Outreach Committee is planning on hosting a table at the Earth Day celebration that will be held at Quiet Waters Park on April 22 and will need AFM volunteers to help out. A banner will be provided by Bonnie P. and volunteers will be needed to organize materials and staff the table during the event.  Outreach will be collecting paper cups, seeds to plant in pots (paper cups), soil, coloring books, and reading materials for the event.

Contact Joan or Cecile at outreach-team@annapolisfriends.org if you are interested in helping or for more information.

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Quaker Market – Causes for May 

Deadline Extended to March 12 (Sunday)!!! The AFM Quaker Market Committee is currently requesting that Friends send in their ideas by Sunday, March 12, 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. 

 

South River from Quiet Waters Park
Photo credit Ellen M.