Weekly Announcements as of 11.12.2023

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:

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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:

  • Joy that the storage pod arrived on November 6 and already has boxes stacked inside. Let’s fill it up with our donations for the Quaker Holiday Market.
  • Joy for the productive AFM Work Day where about eight F/friends gathered and worked together to beautify the grounds, including planting daffodils (about 300) that we will enjoy in the Spring near the sign and near the solar array.
  • Gratitude for the Meeting for Learning about the Triennial where Martha B. hosted, and Sheila M. and Ann R. shared information, photos and impressions of their trip to Kenya for an assembled group of about 18 participants between Zoom and in person.
  • Gratitude for hot coffee on a chilly morning.
  • Joy at seeing Phil C.’s son and grandson at the meetinghouse.

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November Queries & Books to Read

The Library Committee prepared a shelf of books and pamphlets that relate to the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) queries for the 11th month (November). Take a look in the Library for the special rack on the counter. November’s query is on education.  From an early age, Young Friends’ education starts with Friends Schools and then there is education in our meetings, including the Library that has books on a wide variety of topics. Unfortunately, the books listed for the November query in the AFM Collection are already being borrowed and not in the library at this time. There are several Pendle Hill pamphlets available on the rack about education.  AFM supports the BYM camps which are a great form of education. We are educating ourselves on Sundays when we have Meetings for Learnings (MfL) at 9:15 am. Please join in our educational opportunities.

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

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Holiday Sharing 

AFM has participated in the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (DSS) Holiday Sharing program for many years. 

This year we have three families from the Annapolis area who are looking forward to an abundant Thanksgiving meal from Annapolis Friends. We will also have the opportunity to deliver both groceries and appropriate gifts for the children (each family has 2 children) to these same families at Christmas time. (More on that later.)

At this time, we request your help in buying and contributing food for the Thanksgiving baskets. 

  • Sign-up NOW FOR DONATIONS BY CLICKING HERE
  • Drop off your contributions at the Meetinghouse no later than this 1 pm Sunday, November 19.  
    • Please place items requiring refrigeration in the refrigerator and clearly mark the items for Holiday Sharing.
    • Please place the dry goods in the boxes marked for Holiday Sharing.

The volunteer coordinators are Martha B., Jack H., and Kathy T. 

Contact Martha B. and Kathy T. at social-concerns@annapolisfriends.org for more information.

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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.

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Quaker Market Food Sign-up 

If it would bring you joy to help make that Quaker Market food magic happen, please use the online food sign-up to let us know what you will be bringing (QHM Food Sign-up Sheet).

Delivery schedule as follows (or by arrangement): 

  • Baked goods (other than quiches): Friday afternoon (12.01)
  • Baked goods (quiches): Friday afternoon or Saturday morning by 9 am (12.01 & 02)
  • Soups/stews/chili: Saturday morning by 9 am (ideally already hot) (12.02).

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

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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.

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Welcome Light Wednesday

Starting at 7 pm every Wednesday, the Welcome Light Wednesday group will meet via 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.

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Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Pie Pre-Order Deadline

November 15 (Wednesday) is the last day that you can order baked sweet potato pies or frozen pie filling for Thanksgiving. Baked pies (9-inch) will cost $10 each; frozen pie filling for one 9-inch pie will cost $6 per 3-cup jar. The Bakers will be creating pie filling and baking next Monday, 11.20. Once we have all the orders in, we will figure out Friends’ pickup/delivery preferences.

To place your order, to volunteer to help with baking, or for more information, please contact Cairn at market@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.

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.

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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 via 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.

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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.

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Committee Meetings

On November 19 (Sunday) at 9:15 am, most AFM committees meet. Some meet via Zoom and others at the meetinghouse with still others holding blended (online and in-person) meetings. Check with the clerk of the committee to find out the options for participation. 

Committee meetings are important places where most of our Meeting work is done.  Committees form at the beginning of the calendar year. There are Committee Clerks and volunteer committee members and some committees have co-Clerks and Assistant Clerks.  Committees typically meet each month. 

To learn more, check out the AFM website about Committees or contact info@annapolisfriends.org.

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CREC Meeting 

On November 19 (Sunday) at 12:30 pm, the Children’s Religious Education Committee (CREC) will meet in person in the Classroom. They are the Friends who plan for the weekly religious education called First Day School (Sunday School) where lessons are provided by volunteers to school aged children. 

Contact Nancy Jo S. at children@annapolisfriends.org for more information. 

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QHM Sweet Potato Pie Baking (Parts 1 and 2) 

On November 19 (Sunday) at 12:30 pm, the volunteers will be baking pie crusts. 

On November 20 (Monday) at 1:30 pm, the volunteers will be making filling and baking pies.

Both events will take place in the kitchen. 

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

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Communications Committee

The Communications Committee will hold their monthly meeting on November 21 (Tuesday) at 6 pm on Zoom. The Communications Committee manages the Annapolis Friends Meeting website. Our goal is to use online communication to build and maintain a strong community. Meeting recognizes it takes a whole community to listen and speak to one another in an inclusive spirit. The website is one of the tools for accomplishing our goal. The community includes members, attenders, committees, officers, seekers, newcomers and other people who are interested in the work of the Meeting. The Communications Committee coordinates the Meeting’s efforts by compiling relevant, accurate information. On an ongoing basis, the committee seeks to evaluate and improve our means for effectively sharing our information

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

Red Maple Photo credit: Ellen M.