To receive these monthly newsletters and volunteer requests, join the FMW-Families listserve by contacting our Administrative Secretary admin@quakersdc.org

After hearing a story in First Day School, Quakes have some time for “Wondering”, a worship sharing experience for the children.  We ask these questions and appreciate any answers the children share:

I wonder what you liked best about the story today?

To receive these monthly newsletters and volunteer requests, join the FMW-Families listserve by contacting our Administrative Secretary admin@quakersdc.org

After hearing a story in First Day School, Quakes have some time for “Wondering”, a worship sharing experience for the children.  We ask these questions and appreciate any answers the children share:

I wonder what you liked best about the story today?

I wonder what part of the story felt most important to you today?

I wonder what part of the story we could leave out and still have the whole story?

I wonder where you are in the story?

 

2019

March:  Quaker Women

Testimonies:  Equality, Community, Integrity

In honor of Women’s History Month, Quakes (pre-K – 4th grade) and Junior Young Friends (5th-8th grade) will be exploring the lives of Quaker women.  Young Friends (9th-12th grade) will continue their discussions accompanied by Martha Solt.  Grate Patrol cookie baking is March 3rd!

3/3 — Quakes will share the story Margaret Fell of Swarthmore Hall and learn how to turn a letter into its own envelope, Shannon leading.  JYF’s and YF's will bake cookies for Grate Patrol.  

3/10 — Quakes will share the story Mary Fisher Carries the Quaker Message Near and Far, Shannon leading.  JYF’s will chat with Nicole Else-Quest.

3/17 — Quakes will share the story Elizabeth Fry Visits Newgate Prison, Julie Johnson leading.  JYFs will chat with Megan Telfair.  

3/24 — Quakes and JYFs together will take a look at some artists and entertainers you may not know were Quakers!*  Concurrently, we will have a Child Safety Policy training session for parents and others who would like to lead Children’s Worship or are interested in learning how we all work to make FMW a safe environment for children.

3/31 — Quakes and JYFs together will play a new game of Quaker Women BINGO, Rob leading.

For the grownups:  Please consider joining us on March 24 for a Child Safety Policy training session.

“Oh Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone.” 

         ― Elizabeth Fry

“Mark this, you that despise and oppose the Message of the Lord God that he sends by Women; What had become of the Redemption of the whole Body of Mankind, if they had not cause to believe the Message that the Lord Jesus sent by these Women, of and concerning his Resurrection? And if these Women had not… sat watching, and waiting, and weeping about the Sepulchre until the time of his Resurrection, and so were ready to carry his Message, as is manifested, else how should his Disciples have known, who were not there?”

        ― Margaret Fell, “Women’s Speaking Justified, Proved, and Allowed of by the Scriptures”

* such as Joan Baez, Sandra Boynton, Bonnie Raitt, Dame Judy Dench, and Annie Oakley!

February:  Justice and Change

Testimonies:  Equality, Community, Peace

In honor of Black History Month, Quakes (pre-K – 4th grade) and Junior Young Friends (5th-8th grade) will be exploring stories of racial justice.  Young Friends (9th-12th grade) will continue their discussions accompanied by Martha Solt.  Grate Patrol cookie baking is February 3.

2/3 — The annual ski trip is today!  Cait will be at FMW to spend the worship hour with any children who attend.

2/10 — Rob will share a story about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington with the Quakes.  Cait will lead the Junior Young Friends in a discussion of Justice and Allyship as found in our  favorite books and movies.

2/17 — Shannon will share Bayard Rustin Speaks Truth to Power with the Quakes, a story of identity, integrity, and intersectionality.  Cait and the Junior Young Friends will be discussing the role of Quakers in the Civil Rights Movement. 

2/24 — Shannon will share the Exile and Return story with the Quakes, focusing on resilience and adaptation during captivity.   Cait and the Junior Young Friends will be discussing the role of Quakers in the Underground Railroad.

For the grownups:

“When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.”        ― Bayard Rustin

How can we lift up the stories and voices of black Quakers in history and today?

 

January:  Beginnings, Endings, and Change

Testimonies:  Peace, Community, Stewardship

As the year has turned, Quakes (pre-K – 4th grade) will focus on sacred stories about endings, beginnings and change.  Young Friends (9th-12th grade) will continue their discussions accompanied by Martha Solt.  Junior Young Friends (5th-8th grade) will continue their discussions of the testimonies as seen in their favorite books and movies, facilitated by Cait Hone.  The next Grate Patrol cookie baking is February 3.

1/6 — Quakes will share a simple presentation of the Genesis 1 Creation story, which focuses on taking rest to remember and be thankful for the gifts we may take for granted.  The story will be presented as just one version of one creation story among the many traditions of the world.  (Shannon)

1/13 — Quakes will share the story of Exile and Return, which shows the grief of Jerusalem’s people as their temple is destroyed and they are forced to leave, their resilience as they make new lives and rediscover God in exile, and the different paths they take much later as some decide to return and rebuild while others choose to stay.  (Shannon)

1/20 — Quakes will read Beyond the Ridge by Paul Goble, which Publishers Weekly called a “work… of resonant tranquility.”  Sharing Plains Indian beliefs and practices around the death of a grandmother, the text says, "Anything that has a birth, must also have a death…. because the spirit has no birth, it will never die.”  We will acknowledge many beliefs about the afterlife, including that there is none.  (Shannon)

 1/27 — Quakes will share Let Your Life Speak from Faith&Play, which shows how we can live our lives guided by the testimonies.  (Rob)

For the grownups:

Please remember to bring the whole family on January 20th, from 5 to 7 pm at the Meeting House, for dinner and fellowship with attention to the First Day School program!

We will share the Faith & Play story “Gifts” to open our time together.  

What parts of yourself do you understand as special gifts from the Spirit?  In what ways do those gifts bless you and those around you?

 

2018

December:  Service & Generosity

Testimonies:  Community, Peace

Our Meeting joyfully organizes the Shoebox Project each year to deliver wrapped boxes of necessities for men, women, and children living in our city’s shelters.  We look forward to the children of our Meeting joining in this tradition on December 9th.

Grate Patrol cookie baking by YFs and JYFs will be on the 2nd AND the 30th!  We rely on family volunteers to take charge of the early shift (9:30-11:30) or the late shift (11:30-1:15), please let us know if you’re interested! 

12/2 — The annual Quaker Summer Camp session!  All ages learn about the joys of various Quaker camp options from the campers among us.  Camp application deadlines are coming up quick, so come share and ask questions.

12/9 — The Shoebox Project!  We will help out however we can during the worship hour.

12/16 — Quakes will share the book Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. 

12/23 — Quakes will make costumes and practice a very simple Christmas play to perform at rise of Meeting.

12/30 — Quakes will reflect on the year and consider New Year’s resolutions.

Christmas Queries from New England Yearly Meeting

On Simplicity:

In this time of commercialism, how do you reflect values of simplicity? In what ways do you and your family reflect on the significance of Jesus' life and his teachings regarding simplicity? Is your gift giving in line with these values? Have you been able to find rituals that enhance the experience of the Inner Light?

On Peace:

At this time of year, there is more attention given to "Peace on Earth." Is there significance in the birth of Jesus, the "Prince of Peace" that calls us to actively seek peace? What do you do to promote peace in the world? Are you able to find inner peace in the midst of everyday business? Do you walk gently and peacefully on the Earth, seeking that of God in others and in nature?

On Light:

In this time of winter darkness and cold, where do you find Light in your Life? As the shepherds waited for the good news, do you wait with an open heart for revelation? How do you and your family seek the Light and share it with others? Have you been able to find rituals that enhance the experience of the Inner Light?

On Preparation:

How does your family get ready for Christmas? What do you wish your family did around Christmas? At what age did you start giving presents to other people? Did someone work on them with you?

 

 

November:  Indigenous Peoples

Testimonies:  Equality, Community, Peace

 November is National American Indian Heritage Month and we look forward to exploring Native American history and culture with our Quakes.  Also, on the 11th, which is the 100th anniversary of the World War 1 armistice, we will share a story about the Christmas Truce of 1914. 

Throughout the month, Young Friends (9th-12th grade) will continue their discussions accompanied by Martha Solt.  Junior Young Friends (5th-8th grade) will continue their discussions of the testimonies as seen in their favorite books and movies, facilitated by Cait Hone.

Grate Patrol cookie baking by YFs and JYFs will be on the 25th!  Can your family take charge of the early shift (9:30-11:30) or the late shift (11:30-1:15)?

11/4 — Quakes will share the Young Water Protectors book by Aslan Tudor, a child of the Lipan Apache Tribe who spent months at the Oceti Sakowin Camp with his family.  (Shannon)  Junior Young Friends will work on Quaker BINGO ideas.  (Rob)

11/11 — Quakes will share Shooting At the Stars by John Hendrix, which personalizes the story of the 1914 Christmas Truce, when Allied and German soldiers unexpectedly celebrated the holiday together amid the trenches of World War 1.  (TBA)

 

 

 

 

11/18 — Quakes will share Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson, who is descended from the Mohawk and Cayuga nations.  The book retells the story of the Peacemaker, who recruited Hiawatha to bring the message of peace and unity to five warring nations, founding the Iroquois League.  This history is conveyed through the mythical lens of the oral tradition Robertson learned as a child.  (Shannon) 

11/25 — Quakes will share the Faith&Play story of John Woolman visiting the village at Wyalusing.  (Rob)  JYFs and YFs will be baking cookies for Grate Patrol!

For the grownups:

How was the history and present of indigenous peoples taught to you?

Have you had a chance to explore the complex history of Quaker relations with the indigenous peoples of the U.S.?  One place to start is the Friends Journal article Quaker Indian Boarding Schools, by Paula Palmer.

 

October:  Quaker Faith & Nonviolence

Testimonies: Peace, Community

Starting with World Quaker Day (October 7th), we will explore Quaker faith and nonviolent action.

Throughout the month, Young Friends (9th-12th grade) will continue their discussions accompanied by Martha Solt.  Junior Young Friends (5th-8th grade) will continue their discussions of the testimonies as seen in their favorite books and movies, facilitated by Cait Hone.  Friends aged 11-13 should consider registering for the BYM conference November 3-4 at Sandy Spring Meeting.  Ages 14-18 will be at Langley Hill November 23-25.  

Grate Patrol cookie baking by YFs and JYFs will be on the 28th!  Can your family take charge of the early shift (9:30-11:30) or the late shift (11:30-1:15)?

10/7 — World Quaker Day!  Quakes will share the Faith&Play story of Meeting for Worship.  Through words and gestures, this story recognizes children’s inner experience of the divine and connects that to what is going on in silent worship.  Our activity will be finding Meetings on the world map which our members have visited.  (Shannon leading)

For the grownups:

The Meeting for Worship story repeats the phrase “deep calls to deep” which is from Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

What images might you use to describe your experience of God’s presence?

What do you do in Meeting for Worship?

10/14 — Quakes will have fun with a role playing game that invites them to imagine world peace and how we got there.  (Rob leading)  NOTE THAT, STARTING TODAY, QUAKES WILL BE MEETING IN THE QUAKER HOUSE LIVING ROOM WHILE CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM.

10/21 — Quakes will have a participatory morning working through some activities designed to build capacity for peaceful conflict resolution.  (Jess leading)

10/28 — Quakes will share the Faith&Play story Mary Fisher Carries the Quaker Message Near  and Far, which focuses on the bravery and conviction of Mary Fisher as she speaks truth and peace to power in England, America, and Turkey.  (Shannon leading)

 

September:  Journeys to Freedom 

Testimonies: Equality, Integrity

Inspired by our service activity with the Sanctuary Taskforce (9/9), we will explore stories of yearning for freedom, dignity, and safety.

9/2 — Quakes will share the Godly Play telling of Exodus, which simplifies the biblical story to focus on the desperation which drove the people from their homes and into the land of Egypt, the faith and persistence of Moses in seeking freedom for his people, and their fear and joy as they escaped to freedom.  Junior Young Friends and Young Friends will have time to reconnect and share about their summers and look towards the year ahead.

For the grownups:

How did you learn the Exodus story and what did it mean to you then?

How does the story of Exodus resonate for you today?  How does it not?

Where do you see the Exodus story in the history of our faith, our nation, our world?

What might the story of Exodus offer to our children today?

9/9 — FMW’s Sanctuary Taskforce will visit to talk with us about how people of faith are working to support today’s immigrants.  They will help us bake cookies for sale to benefit the CAIR Coalition, which works directly and exclusively with immigration detainees.  Junior Young Friends will help in the kitchen or meet on their own.  Young Friends will meet for discussion.

9/16 — Catoctin Weekend!  Join us in the beautiful Catoctin mountains for fellowship and fun.

9/23 — Quakes will share the Faith & Play story of John Woolman which shows how he slowly convinced his fellow Quakers to recognize that of God within enslaved people, stop participating in slavery themselves, and work to end slavery as an institution.  Junior Young Friends will discuss  some of the complicated history of Quakers and slavery and racial equality.  Young Friends will meet for discussion.

9/30 — Quakes will read Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  “This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.”  Junior Young Friends and Young Friends will have their own discussions. 

 
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