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
Query for October, 2012: “How can we make the Meeting a community in which each person is accepted and nurtured, and strangers are welcome? Seek to know one another in the things which are eternal, bear the burden of each others’ failings and pray for one another. As we enter with tender sympathy into the joys and sorrows of each others’ lives, ready to give help and to receive, our meeting can be a channel for God’s love and forgiveness.”
Second Hours and Special Events
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10/14
Meeting for Business & Howard Harris’ 95th birthday celebration 10/17
Daisy Rojas
Herald Bldg.
7 pm & Fairhaven College 12 noon
10/21
Report on Ben Lomand Retreat 2nd hr. 10/27
Scoping @ coal terminal
11 am at ?
10/28
Larry Thompson’s Calling 2nd hr. 11/2
Ben Pink Dandelion
7:30 pm
11/03/12
Ben Pink Dandelion
7:30 pm
11/4
Potluck Sunday & Dan Pink Dandelion
11 am 11/6
Social/Environmental Concerns
7 pm
11/11
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business 11/12
Book Group
7 pm
Metamorphosis October / 2
More Events:
November 18 – “Women with Wings,” (Mimi Freshley?)
November 28 – Along with Whatcom Peace & Justice Center – Herald Building, 3rd floor Conference
Room, a book-related presentation on “Refusing to be Enemies: Palestinian and Israeli Nonviolent
Resistance tot the Israeli Occupation”
December 3?: Madison Quakers Inc in Vietnam – evening presentation jointly with Whatcom Peace &
Justice Center
TBA: Soup Supper (at Joanne & Larry’s) for viewing of the You Tube video on World Conference of
Friends
SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER –
Please write to President Obama and ask whether it is more important to support agribusiness or to protect children who work in the fields. Agriculture is the last industry in which children as young as 12 are allowed to work. President Obama recently withdrew Department of Labor rules that would have restricted children from the most dangerous tasks in agriculture, which is the most dangerous industry for workers and has child fatality rates four times that of youth in other industries. Two of the most alarming hazards are acute nicotine poisoning from handling tobacco leaves and heat stress. (from Public Citizen Health Research Group)
CONCERN OF THE MONTH –
Si a la Vida in Nicaragua works with street children and their parents, giving the kids a place to stay and an education.
ECO-QUERY –
From Eugene Friends Meeting: How are we connected with nature in spirit and body? What roles does nature play in our spirituality?
News from Interfaith Coalition – Please join us holding hands across Ferndale on Saturday, October 27th, to raise funds for Interfaith Coalition’s housing for homeless families . This is inspired by the 1983 Hands joining Hands across America project, which raised record amounts of funds for homeless projects and food banks by simply bringing people together to join hands for a few minutes. Sponsored by The United Church of Ferndale, this Make a Difference Day event at 2:00 pm. (Arrive at 1:30 pm)
There will be four check- in stations along the two mile route between United Church of Ferndale and Samuel’s Furniture where participants can make $10.00 (or more!) All proceeds will be given to Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County’s OUR HOUSE campaign that will provide emergency and short-term housing to homeless families. For more information contact Bobbi Virta at 384-3302. bobbi@unitedchurcofferndale.org
Metamorphosis October / 3
…AND FINALLY:
An introduction to Quaker Testimonies, continued. Last month we began reading about:
EQUALITY – Seeking Social Justice
We reject all forms of discrimination, whether based on race, ethnicity, nationality,
religion, immigration status, class, gender, age, ability, or sexual orientation. We work to change the beliefs, practices and institutions that perpetuate prejudice, and we support affected communities in seeking their own liberation an equality We continually examine our own biases and privileges and strive to achieve greater equality in AFSC, in our communities and in our society.
I think we have to own the fears that we have of each other, and then, in some practical way, some daily way, figure out how to see people differently that the way we were brought up to.
ALICE WALKER, AUTHOR
…being worthy of respect does not depend on possessing attractive qualities or skills. Until we
can respect another person without justification except that he or she is a child of God, it is not really respect. PAUL LACEY, QUAKER EDUCATOR
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.
DESMOND TUTU, CHRISTIAN CLERK AND ACTIVIST
Queries:
In what ways do I work to change society so that everyone has equal opportunities?
How can I speak up and take action in a loving way when I see and hear injustices?
How do I “speak truth to power” in ways that honor the human dignity of people on all sides on
an issue?
BELLINGHAM FRIENDS MEETING
Meeting Clerk: Judy Hopkinson Children’s Committee Clerk: Sharon Trent
Hospitality Clerk: Mimi Freshley Nominating Clerk: Virginia Herrick
Ministry & Counsel Clerk: Lorina Hall Finance Clerk: Joanne Cowan
Social & Environmental Clerk: Doris Ferm Treasurer: Steven Hutchins
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.