Metamorphosis: Newsletter for Bellingham Friends Meeting
Weekly Meetings for Worship are on Sunday @ 10-11 am. Childcare is provided.
Monthly Meetings for Worship with Attention to Business are on the 2nd Sunday.
1601 Ellis Street in Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: (360) 734-0244
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Metamorphosis is a monthly newsletter. If you would like some particular information placed in the Metamorphosis, please send it via email to the newsletter editor Betty McMahon: Bettysmokey@hotmail.com. (If you do not have email: (360) 734-0244.) |
August’s Query: Query from Britain Yearly Meeting, Advices and Queries No. 5
Do I take time to learn about other peoples’ experiences of the Light? Do I remember the importance of the Bible, the writings of Friends and all writings which reveal the ways of God? As I learn from others, can I in turn give freely from what I have gained? While respecting the experiences and opinions of others, am I not afraid to say what I have found and what I value? Do I appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and to a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all?
Upcoming Schedule at a Glance
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | AUG. 19
Names for the Diving, “Many Tongues” |
| AUG. 26 |
AUG. 27
E/Social Mtg.,
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| SEPT. 2
Potluck Sunday
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| SEPT. 9
Meeting for Worship: Business
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SEPT. 10
Book Group at Sharon’s, 7 PM. |
SEPT. 13
7 pm Spirit Group at Joanne/Larry’s |
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| SEPT. 16
Singing 15 minutes prior to worship.
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SEPT. 21
QUARTERLY
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SEPT. 22
QUARTERLY |
SEPT. 23
QUARTERLY |
Other Upcoming Events
August 19, 2012 – Names for the Divine,“Many Tongues,” following a short review of Annual Session in Tacoma. (Coordinated by Susan Richardson)
August 25-26, 2012 – Quaker Music Festival, Seaview, WA (www.lowercolumbiaquakers.org)
August 26, 2012 – Howard’s presentation on “Some Philosophical-Theological Thoughts about Worship.”
September 2, 2012 – Following potluck, report of FGC experience, Jeanine Hart Horner, Tess Sollenberger, Don Goldstein.
September 21-23, 2012 – Quarterly Meeting
TBA – NPYM Coordinating Committee meets. (date TBA)
October 7, 2012 – All day Retreat at Quaker Cove
October 9, 2012 – Next Quarterly Meeting Planning Committee Meeting is at The Halls’ at 1 PM.
October TBA, 2012 – NPYM Coordinating Committee meets.
October 21, 2012 – Larry Thompson discusses his calling in the world (second hour).
November 28, 2012 – Co-sponsored with WPJ – Herald Bldg, 3rd Floor Conference Room
A book-related presentation on Refusing to be Enemies: Palestinian and Israeli Nonviolent Resistance to the Israeli Occupation with Maxine Lacoste
December (TBA) 2012 – Co-sponsored with WPJ – Madison Quakers Inc in Vietnam – evening presentation Mike Boehm (Traveling Quaker)
January 20, 2013 – Dorsey Green – explains Friends Committee on National Legislation (second hour).
Dear Readers of Metamorphosis,
Do you have something to share, something you’d like to see in your newsletter? Please email your suggestions and interests to the editor, Betty McMahon, at Bettysmokey@hotmail.com for inclusion into this newsletter.
From Our Social and Environmental Committee:
ECO-SUGGESTION OF THE MONTH: (Eco-Query from Eugene Meeting): “How are we being good stewards of Earth’s bounty, and how are we practicing right livelihood and simple living in order to share nature’s resources with ALL beings of present and future generations?
CONCERN OF THE MONTH: Bolivian Quaker Education Fund, a Quaker project which has strengthened ties between Bolivian indigenous Friends and Friends in the United States, while improving education for Bolivian Friends
SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER: Please continue to contact congressional representatives and senators about budget priorities. Point out that ending tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of households would save $830 billion, and repealing the tax loophole for U.S. corporations’ offshore profits would provide a net savings of $583 billion. These amounts could reduce the federal debt by $1.4 trillion over the next ten years.
(continued from last month…)
An Introduction to Quaker Testimonies, by American Friends Service Committee
Peace(Peacemaking at Home and Abroad)
“Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone.”…HAFSAT ABIOLA, NIGERIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
“Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”…TENZIN GYATSO, 14TH DALAI LAMA
“Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all.”…OSCAR ROMERO, CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP
“If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.”…WENDELL BERRY, AUTHOR & ACTIVIST
“Peace in ourselves, peace in the world.”…THICH NHAT HANH, BUDDHIST MONK & PEACE ACTIVIST
Queries:
How can I nurture the seeds of peace within myself, my community, and the world?
How can I work to eliminate hatred, injustice, and both physical and institutional violence?
How can I work to settle disputes within the organization and the community with love and sensitivity for all involved?
How can I increase my understanding of nonviolence and use it in all my interactions?
(Next month we will read about Equality)