December Query & Announcements

Query for December:

• Do we each take an active part in the life of our Meeting?
• How do we recognize the varied skills & spiritual gifts of our members & attenders?
• How do we nurture their use & growth?
• In what ways are we bringing together members & attenders, young & old, in love & community?

Announcements:

• Tues, Dec. 1, 7:00: Sewing Circle at Dixie's.
• Sun, Dec. 6, noon: Worship Fastluck--broth & bread; $ contributions to benefit Degage Ministries.
• Fri, Dec. 11, 7:00 p.m.: Carol singing at Betty Ford's.
• Sun, Dec. 13, noon: Holiday potluck at Pliml's; "international gift shop"--bring homemade items for sale/auction to benefit Heifer International.
• Thurs, Dec. 17, 7:00: Sewing Circle at Jenn's.

November Programs

Nov. 15, 11:45 a.m.
Simple Gifts for this season but also our special gifts throughout the year. Facilitated by Mark Post.

Nov. 29, 11:45 a.m.
What are Meetings for Clearness and how do we conduct them? Interactive practice. Facilitated by Kim Ranger.

November Query & Announcements

Query:

• What efforts are made to help all Friends feel valued by the Meeting, and confident that their concerns will be heard?
• How is the meaning of Meeting for Worship communicated to the children and newcomers among you?
• What do you think children can get out of Meeting for Worship?
• What ministries and gifts can your children contribute to the life of the Meeting?

Announcements:

Heartside Neighborhood Talent Show: Friday, November 13th, 8: 00 at the Wealthy Theater.

Sewing Circle: will meet Tuesday, November 6, 7pm at Roberta Rossi's home. The Sewing Circle will also meet Thursday, November 19, tentatively at Jenn Seif's home. To both Sewing Circles bring sewing, crafts, mending, or whatever.

Friends Book Group: will meet Friday, November 13th, at Roberta Rossi's. We will discuss more of our “thoughts” about the Inner Light and also discuss and appreciate Kim Ranger's article in the September Friends Journal.

Well House: will host a Post Election Neo-holiday Art & Bake Sale on November 5th, 6th and 7th.

A Benefit for Healing the Children Injured in US Conflicts: Thursday, November 5th, 7:00 at the 29th Street Hall, 3668 29th St. SE. Music, Middle Eastern Food, Silent Auction and other entertainment until 10 pm. Tickets: $30 and Students $10. 616-262-4525.

IGE's 30th Annual Meeting: 5:30-6:00 for a Spaghetti Supper provided by SandMan. 7:00 David Blakeslee will talk about Peace in Song, Art, etc. 454-1642.

Seeker's Meeting Oct 18

A Seekers Meeting, facilitated by the Advancement Committee, will be the program on Sunday, October 18th. We will discuss Testimonies and Queries, Meeting for Worship, Beliefs and Membership, and Quaker Diversity Historically in the United States. There will be an opportunity for questions.

Announcement

GRFM will have a simple / fasting potluck on the first Sunday in December. Jason Pliml is working with Anna and Gerard to work out more of what this potluck will involve, and information will be forthcoming.

October queries & announcements

Query:

• Do we regard our time, talents, energy, money, material possessions, & other resources as gifts from God to be held in trust & shared according to the Light we are given?
• How do we express this conviction?
• What are we doing as individuals & as a Meeting to use & thereby perfect our gifts?
• How do we encourage others to use theirs?

Friends Book Group: 10/9 at Betty Ford's, on Philosophy of the Inner Light (pamphlet, $5)
Program 10/18: Seekers' meeting (Advancement Committee)
Program 10/25: individual faith journeys
Christ-Centered Worship at Miller/Seif's 10/25

September query & announcements

Query:

• Is there a climate of love and trust in our Meeting which invites and encourages everyone to be open about individual and family lifestyles, including their satisfactions and problems?
• How does the Meeting support families of all kinds in their attempts to improve communication, family life and the rearing of children in a context of love?
• How do we help the Meeting give a sense of spiritual kinship to those who participate in it?

Announcements:

• Friends Book Group meets Friday, 9/11 at Mark & Gerard's to discuss Christianity & the Inner Life by Margery Post Abbott.
• Mini PeaceFest 9/19 10:00-4:00 on Ethel St.
• Green Pastures Quarterly Meeting, 9/19 9:00-4:00 at Friends School in Detroit.
• Interfaith Peace Prayer Service, 9/20 2:00 at the Dominican Chapel at Marywood.
• Day of Peace/Peace Presence Vigil, 9/21 4:30-5:30.
• Program: 9/27 from 12:00-2:00. Scot Miller on George Fox & what it means to be a Friend today.

August Query & Announcements for Aug. 2

Query:
Are we charitable with each other? How careful are we of the reputation of others?
Do we avoid hurtful criticism and gossip?
Do we practice the art of listening to one another, even beyond words?
How well are we able to love each other unconditionally?
Are we sensitive to each other's personal needs and difficulties and do we assist in useful ways?

Announcements:
Friends Book Group will not meet in August. The Book Group will meet again on Friday September 11th.

Living Lightly: Touching Nature, Feeding Spirit, Deepening our connections to the natural world with fun and exploration at Michigan Friends Center. Register by August 7th,: $35 or Family: $85 or as able. After August 7th $50 per person or $100 per family. Pre-registration by August 15th preferred. Call Friends Center at 734-475-1892.

Food Preservation Workshop with Kristen Uthus on August 29th 2-5pm $20 or as able, preregistration by August 22 required. Limit of 12, Call 734-475- 1892.

LEYM SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAM: Fall Retreat, September 25th- 27th in Adrian, MI, cost for Fall event: $120, individual, $200, couple. Due by September 1st 2009. Spring event, May 1st, 2010. Place to be announced. Fee: $20, individual, $30 couple Additional Information and Registration Forms will be available beginning August 7th on the Information Table.

Hiroshima Day Observance: Friends are invited to join with the IGE at the Island Pavilion for a picnic and for making Japanese Lanterns to float in the Pond after the program, IGE TALKS: THE NUCLEAR AGE...past, present, future.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE OBSERVANCE : Will happen beginning Saturday, September 19th, 12:30 – 2:30 in Wilcox Park on Robinson Road. On Sunday, September 20th, there be an Interfaith Peace Prayer Service in the Dominican Chapel on the Marywood Campus. Last year the different Faiths' responded to the question: “What is your Faith's Vision of Peace?” This year's question is “How is your Faith getting to their Vision of Peace?”