Weekly Announcements as of 11.05.2023

Weekly Announcements

Reminder:

If you know of an event or a joy 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 information down below for  greater detail and the word “Zoom” in the Coming Up section contains the link to the online meeting. 

Additional Topics:

*********************

What’s News, Joys and Life Happenings

Friends are invited to share their News, Joys and Life Happenings with each other during Meeting for Worship, through the Weekly Announcements email, and on the AFM-Discuss. If you have joys to share, please contact Ellen M. at communications@annapolisfriends.org and the sharings will be added to our news, joys and life happenings section. It should be noted that inaccuracies may exist in the information given due to sound quality or receiving is not always precise. The recent joys and happenings we’ve learned of are:

  • The glorious Fall light brought joy.
  • Patty R. thanked us for holding her in the Light. It is a joy to know that there are people who are concerned and care. The surgery went well, chemo is nearly finished, and the statistics indicate that she will be fine because the cancer was found in the early stages.
  • Joy was expressed by Friends to see Patty R. at the meetinghouse in person.
  • Tim M. shared the joy of two of our Young Friends. Trent is assembling a group of young friends (Scouts) and people in the community to work on his Eagle Scout service project to benefit the West River Quaker Burial Ground in Galesville where he and his team designed and built three straight benches and two hexagon shaped benches that will go around trees. We are invited to come see the benches. Eagle Scout is the seventh and highest rank of Boy Scouts. Trent’s younger brother, Chris, wants to get his Eagle Scout before he turns seventeen and would like to renovate the AFM Young Friends Playground for his service project after he meets with the Meetinghouse & Land Committee. Currently, Chris, was elected to be a Senior Patrol Leader. Tim is very proud of these two Scouts and all the Scouts because the group is growing. The young people are bringing in more young people. There are about 26 Scouts right now.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Holiday Sharing – getting organized

Each year, AFM has participated in the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (DSS) Holiday Sharing program. This year, volunteer coordinators are needed and F/friends are being asked to step up because the Friends who have served as Holiday Sharing coordinators in the past will unfortunately be out of town this time and / or are otherwise unavailable. If you are interested in ensuring that the Holiday Sharing continues with AFM’s help, please speak up.

Contact Phil C. at social-concerns@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Storage Pod – Quaker Market

There is a Storage Pod in the parking area at Annapolis Friends Meeting where Friends can bring their donations for the next Quaker Market. AFM holds two markets each year, on the first Saturdays of May and December. Many shoppers are drawn to Quaker Markets for our flea market treasures, constituted by items in good condition that AFM community members, friends, neighbors and strangers have decided that they no longer need, or that no longer bring them joy. For the list of items that we accept, please refer to the Quaker Market Donation Guidelines provided on the AFM website. Click on the blue words above.

In order to maintain the meetinghouse in good order, we will hold off on collecting donations inside the meetinghouse (front porch, etc.) until setup day, November 26. If it would be helpful for you to bring donations sooner, a temporary storage pod is now available in our parking lot. To ask questions regarding donations (especially furniture), to request help transporting your donations, or for any other questions, please reach out to the clerk of Quaker Market Committee at market@annapolisfriends.org.

Reminder: Quaker Holiday Market will be December 2, 2023.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Worship in North County

On November 7 (Tuesday) at 7 pm and each First Tuesday of the month, an in-person worship opportunity is held on a Friend’s back porch in northern Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie). Masks are required. All are welcome! Come sit with us!

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

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Welcome Light Wednesday

Starting at 7 pm every Wednesday, the Welcome Light Wednesday group will meet on Zoom with 20 minutes of silence to start followed by spiritual readings and then listening to our spiritual journeys. Time will be given to hold friends in healing Light. In the past, this group was called the Wednesday Meditation Group.

Contact Patty R. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Spiritual Friends Group

The Spiritual Friends Group will meet on November 9 (Thursday) at 4 pm. The Spiritual Friends Group is under the umbrella of the Pastoral Care Committee and meets via Zoom on the 2nd Thursday of each month to nurture our spiritual lives and, if requested, to ask the group to hold us accountable to our individual intentions. Current question: How is your spiritual journey going? Everyone is welcome. Quakers and non-Quakers!

Contact Barb T. at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

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.

Friends are invited to share their request for a person or situations to be held in the Light by contacting the Pastoral Care Committee.

Contact Pastoral Care at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Ministry & Worship Committee Meeting

On November 10 (Friday) at 7:30 pm, the Ministry & Worship Committee will be meeting via Zoom.

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

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Workday at the meetinghouse

On November 11 (Saturday) at 9 am, Friends will gather at the meetinghouse to beautify the grounds and complete indoor maintenance. Morning snacks and coffee will be provided.  

For more information, contact Kim F. and Jeanne W. at meetinghouse@annapolisfriends.org.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Children’s Books in the Library Collection

The Library Collection has grown by more than 400 books!! The recently added books are the ones located in the Classroom and in the Nursery. Martha L. recently cataloged all of these books and the titles have been uploaded to the existing online Library Collection. A big thank you to Martha for her diligent and tenacious work! 

The whole online collection can be searched by Title or Author.  You can also sort the whole collection by Title or Author. Click on this link: Library Collection.

Have you read  Henry Climbs a Mountain, Using Your Values to Raise Your Child, The Other Way to Listen, We’re Going to Meeting for Worship, The Kids’ Guide to Social Action, or any of the other wonderful children’s books? They are there to be taken off the shelf and absorbed. Enjoy!!!

For more information, contact Nan E. or Martha L. info@annapolisfriends.org.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Meeting for Learning: Kenya Triennial Update

On November 12 (Sunday) at 9:15 am, there will be a Meeting for Learning (MFL) where Friends Sheila M and Ann R will share their experiences and learning from their travels to the 2023 Triennial in Nakuru, Kenya this past July. Co-sponsored by Friends United Meeting (FUM); Quaker Men International; and United Society of Friends Women International, theTriennial gathered over 600 Quakers from several nations around the globe. This will be a blended session with participants gathered in person in the classroom and others via Zoom.

Contact Martha B. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Baby Shower

On November 12 (Sunday) from 2 pm to 3:30 pm, the Annapolis Friends Meeting and their co-sponsors, the Annapolis Unitarian Universalist Church, will host a baby shower for the refugee family that the two churches have sponsored and supported for the past couple of years. This being their fourth child, the whole family will be excited to share their latest joy with us at the AFM meetinghouse.  They now have three boys and one girl.

The celebration will include light food and gifts. The family says the baby can use diapers (size 2 and 3) and new winter clothes. Books, educational toys, gift cards or other favorite gifts would be most welcome, too.

Please RSVP to Margaret H. at info@annapolisfriends.org if you plan to attend.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Quaker Market Committee Meeting

The Quaker Market Committee will be meeting via Zoom starting at 7:30 pm on November 14 (Tuesday). Among other activities, the Quaker Market Committee helps Annapolis Friends and the larger community practice being spiritual in our material world, especially through the Market process from preparation to conclusion using the Quaker testimonies (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship) along the way. The next market will be on Saturday, December 2.

Contact Cairn K. at market@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

The Friendlies (a.k.a., Friendly 8s Group)

On November 17 (Friday) at 6 pm, The Friendlies will be meeting on Zoom. Quakers get together for a variety of reasons and getting to know each other a little better is the purpose of Friendly 8s 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. The Friendlies are a largish group of more than 10 and meet on Zoom. If you are interested, we are an open group and invite you to join us.

Contact Ellen M. at info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Adult Religious Education Committee

On November 17 (Friday) at 7:30 pm, the Adult Religious Education (ARE) Committee will be meeting via Zoom. The ARE is a sub-committee of Ministry and Worship and they focus on planning Meetings for Learning (MfL) and other spiritual enrichment events for AFM.

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

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Thanksgiving Potluck – Friday (11.25)

On November 25 (Friday) at 1 pm until 4 pm, there will be a Thanksgiving Potluck with leftovers (or fresh food), music, prayers and conversation. That is the Friday after Thanksgiving in-person at the meetinghouse. Family, friends, visitors, adults, and children are all welcome to join in the festivities.

Contact Barb T. at pastoral-care@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Quaker Market Set-Up Afternoon 

On November 26 (Sunday) at 1 pm, Friends are invited to join in on transforming every room of our meetinghouse into Quaker Holiday Market mode. Tasks range from light work, such as covering display tables with tablecloths and posting signage, to the heavier work of bringing display equipment down from the attic. Friends are also welcome to join in on a light lunch following 11 am meeting for worship. Cairn will be bringing soup, and others are invited to bring something to share, as way opens. Typically, some Friends are at the meetinghouse until 5 or 6 pm, others participate as their schedules permit. 

Prior to 11 am on November 26 (Sunday), donations need to be dropped off in the Storage Pod located in the parking lot, preferably in boxes. After 11 am on November 26 (Sunday), donations will be accepted inside the meetinghouse. See the AFM website Quaker Market Donation Guidelines to learn more about what to donate.

Contact Cairn K. at market@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Uphold Ukraine Daily Meeting for Worship

  • Daily Meeting for Worship: EVERY DAY, Friends House Moscow supporters in the U.S.A. host a daily international online Meeting for Worship while joining other Friends who are holding in the Light all the people affected by the current crisis in Ukraine. For Eastern Standard Time, the meeting starts at 12:00 pm. Click on this Zoom link, which is the Friends House Moscow Cloud Meeting. Or use Meeting ID: 416 500 5614; Passcode: 182805
  • 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.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

AFM Meetings for Worship

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

8:00 am weekly: This Meeting for Worship is in person (no technology) and, in good weather, is held outdoors, but will be indoors when the weather is not as kind. Masks and social distancing are optional inside the meetinghouse. Also at 8:00 am, Friends can worship in communion with the friends at the Meetinghouse from wherever they are and without technology. This option to gather in spirit only while being physically apart was created to link Friends in worship in the early days of the pandemic, and often Friends are at their own homes.

11:00 am weekly: 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 during the school year (September through May). In the summer (June through August), AFM offers supervision and reading/drawing supplies for school age children. 

There is an opportunity to worship on the First Tuesday each month at 7 pm in person that is held on a Friend’s porch in northern Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie). Please see North County worship on the calendar. 

Contact info@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

↪Scroll Down for More ↩

Care of Meeting 

The AFM meetinghouse is a precious place and the AFM Community cares for the building and property in many ways, including weekly care of the meeting that includes accomplishing certain tasks. There is a Committee Schedule for Care of Meeting indicating when the committee takes a turn to be responsible for cleaning up the meetinghouse and they may ask for help from others, as needed. The Care of Meeting Checklist helps to ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done. For the month of November, the Stewardship & Finance (S&F) Committee has responsibility for the care of the meetinghouse. All are welcome to help out at any time!

  • The Stewardship & Finance (S&F) Committee (P&SC) prepares AFM’s annual budget for consideration of the Business Meeting, reports the Meeting’s financial needs, and reminds members and attenders of their financial responsibility to support the Meeting. S&F reviews the Treasurer’s books and records, and those of any other group or individual having charge of expenditure of funds. S&F plans fund-raising programs and works closely with MHL in making decisions with financial implications. Because S&F has so few members, it is requested that Friends volunteer to assist S&F with the care of the meetinghouse.

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