Newsletter of Bellingham Friends Meeting – January 2012
Advices and Queries
Let me grow so quiet inside
that I hear the private
conversations of crows as
they fly by my window.
Let me be so open that I see
with different eyes this world
born fresh again at dawn.
I wish to take none of this for
granted – not the miracle it is to
breathe, nor the wonder
that I can choose between
truth and a fearful view of life.
May wisdom and insight
guide me on my way today.
From Danna Faulda’s Prayers to the Infinite
Eco-Suggestion of the Month
Save gas by the way you drive. 1. Every 5mph over 55 is like paying 14 cents more per gallon. 2. Accelerating hard and slamming on the brakes uses more fuel. 3. Keep tires inflated to maximum rated capacity to reduce friction. 4. Tune engine and clean air filer for better burning.
Speak Truth to Power
Friends are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and ask them to support the National Criminal Justice Commission Act (S. 306). Simply go to the FCNL website: www.fcnl.org/ncjca to fill in a letter to your Senators. This bill would establish a commission to examine every aspect of criminal justice in the U.S. Friends are also encouraged to contact their representatives and ask them to allocate $100 million for The Second Chance Act in the appropriations for the U.S. Department of Justice. This Act makes small grants to state and local governments and non-profits to assist former prisoners with re-entry into their communities. These grants can provide education, build job skills, address substance abuse, get treatment for mental and physical illness and meet other challenges. Our country comprises 5% of the world’s population, yet we hold almost 25% of the world’s reported prisoners.
As a follow-up to last month’s Earthcare Speak Truth to Power, here are some Montana Officials to contact regarding wolf management practices:
Joe Maurier, FWP Directorjmaurier@mtgov
Jim Williams, FWP Wildlife Program Manager jiwilliams@mtgov
Kent Laudon, @Wolf Management specialist, klaudon@mtgov
NO COAL! PAC, which includes several Meeting members, will launch an initiative regarding a Community Bill of Rights and coal trains at a press conference on Jan. 26, 4:00 pm at Squalicum Boat House. There will be music, short speeches and opportunity for questions. PLEASE COME!
Schedule
| Date/time | Activity | Description | ||
| January 22 | What Quakers Believe series, led by Howard Harris | Some Thoughts on Loving One’s Neighbor – Quaker beliefs on judging others | ||
| Tues Jan 24 | Interfaith Coalition Annual Meeting, 7 pm Sacred Heart Parish Hall | Find out what Interfaith has accomplished in 2011 and what is planned for 2012 | ||
| Thurs Jan 26 | Spirit Group (call for directions) | Rooted in Christianity Open to New Light byTimothy Ashworth & Alex Wildwood | ||
| January 29 | Worship Sharing in preparation for report to quarterly session | State of Society: What are your thoughts on the state of our Meeting? | ||
| February 5 | Potluck – donations of food and money will be collected for the Food Bank | |||
| Saturday Feb 11 | Interfaith Choral Concert – 11 church choirs
1 pm, Assumption Church, asking for donations |
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| February 12 | Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business | |||
| Mon Feb 13 | Book Group | The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot | ||
| February 19 | Discussion | Faith and Practice Review Update | ||
| February 25 | Discussion | Population Issues | ||
| Saturday Mar 24 | Interfaith Coalition Dinner-Auction | |||
Interfaith Coalition’s March 24 auction
An evening of fun and community spirit awaits you at Interfaith Coalition’s March 24 Garden of Hope auction. Proceeds from the coalition’s biggest fundraising event of the year support housing for homeless families and health care for all in need. The auction, which raises more than one-third of Interfaith’s annual income, begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Best Western Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham. Tickets are on sale now for $40 each, which includes a sit-down dinner.
You also may support the event by contributing an item to be auctioned. If you can provide a service, getaway home, or other sought-after item , then you have something to offer that would raise money to assist local people in need. The coalition also is seeking financial support to help underwrite the auction.
For more information, tickets, or to make a donation, please call Interfaith Coalition at 734-3983.
Interfaith Coalition Choir Festival
Please plan to attend Interfaith Coalition’s Choir Festival on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:00 p.m. Eleven choir will sing individually, as well as in a combined choir of over 175 voices. Each year, the choir festival offers an opportunity for singers and audience alike to rejoice in the voices of our many faith traditions. The concert, to be held at Assumption Catholic Church, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham, is free with an offering to benefit Interfaith Coalition programs, which provide housing for homeless families and health care for all in need.
We are blessed with wonderful cooks. Here are two recent hits, thanks to Lorina and Betty.
Recipe for Carrot Ginger Cashew Soup
Ingredients:
32 oz. box of vegetable broth
(2 ) 32 oz. boxes of carrot-cashew-ginger soup (I used Trader Joe’s)
can of lite coconut milk
can of diced tomatoes
~ 5 oz. baby spinach
brown rice – or whatever leftover grains are in your freezer
beans (I used pinto) – I prepared ~ 1 cup of beans the day before
celery – carrot – ½ med. sweet onion – lg. clove garlic
s & p
splash Bragg’s liquid aminoes
coriander – cumin – chipotle or any hot spice – cardamon
Directions:
Saute diced onion, garlic, celery and carrot in small amount of veg. Oil.
Add vegetable broth.
Add the rest of the soup, grains, beans, tomatoes. Season after awhile, including liquid aminoes, and add spinach toward the end.
I prepared this soup in a Dutch oven on top of the stove and transported it in the crock pot.
Damian’s Madras red Lentil Soup -for 10 servings -prep time approx 30 min.
2 oz. Canola oil
2. cups Red Lentils, washed and drained
1 white onion cut into dice
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
1 tbsp.. Chopped garlic
1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 tsp. crushed red chili flakes
1 12 oz can tomato juice
1 12 oz. can coconut milk
1 12 oz. can vegetable stock
24 oz water
1 Tblsp. Apple cider vinegar
½ c plain yogurt
2 Tbl. Chopped cilantro
1 tomato finely diced
2 oz. butter (optional)
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
Heat oil in a large pot; add diced onions, celery, and carrots. Stir for 2 minutes, add red lentils, garlic, ginger and chili flakes, and stir for one minute. Add tomato juice, coconut milk, water and vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes, use a hand held blender to puree lightly, add plain yogurt, diced tomatoes, cilantro, butter, salt and pepper and apple cider vinegar and stir well.
Simplicity * Peace * Integrity * Community * Sustainability * Equality