Announcements

September 18, 2005

Food for Thought

SAY CHEESE! Find Michael Boardman and have your photograph taken for the hall photo gallery.

NOTES OF THANKS: From Tia: This [past] weekend [AFSC's Eye Wide Open exhibition and related activities] was successful, and it's all because of you! Thank you for all the hard work, the energy, the dedication, the perseverance, the teamwork - it was incredible! We can look forward to debriefing and celebrating all at once, meanwhile, relax, rest up - and here's to the next thing! Love and Peace, Tia Steele, American Friends Service Committee Eyes Wide Open Exhibit Coordinator.
And from Clinton Pettus: Friends, May I add my commendations and congratulations to all the others that I know you have received. It has been such a joy for me to witness the good work of the volunteers and staff of this region. Thank you! I am very proud to be a part of you. W. Clinton Pettus, Regional Director, Middle Atlantic Region, American Friends Service Committee.

QUAKER WORSHIP AND VOCAL MINISTRY: Attention all newcomers, long and short-time attenders and Friends! Please join Ministry and Counsel Sunday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m., in the dining room, for a Forum in which we will corporately seek and explore answers to these questions: How can I deepen my spiritual experience in Meeting for Worship? What is centering and how do I do it? Why corporate worship? How is Quaker corporate worship different from individual worship? What is vocal ministry and how do I know when/if I am called by the Spirit to give vocal ministry? How do I listen for that of God spoken in Worship? What do I do with the ministry given in Worship? A packet of suggested readings in preparation for this Forum are available on the hall table. All are welcome. See you there!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the upcoming "Seekers and Speakers" series. The dates to note are October 2 (Frequently Asked Questions), October 9 (Worship), October 16 (After worship discussion for newcomers only), October 23 (Lifestyles), October 30 (Quaker Process), and November 6 (Follow-up). All sessions are 9:00-10:40 a.m., Sunday morning in the Dining Room at Stony Run Meeting. Further questions may be directed to Karie Firoozmand or Anne Griffith of the Spiritual and Intellectual Nurture Committee. Flyers are on the hall table. Full participation is encouraged!

SPEAKING OF CALENDARS: Scull calendars for 2006 are available on the hall table. Cost $2.25 each, which you may put in the literature box located on the table.

NEW STONY RUN MEETING DIRECTORY IS COMING: Check your listing. A New Meeting Directory is being prepared for publication in October 2005. Check the copy in the Library for accuracy of your listing and don't forget to add your e-mail address. Please write changes on the draft directory.

THANKS: Primary Class thanks those who kindly brought in small food jars that will be used for class projects.

RELAXING IN THE MOUNTAINS: Please sign up for the very non-rugged Camping Weekend at Camp Catoctin September 30 to October 2. The drive to Catoctin is just over an hour from Baltimore and the scenery will be gorgeous. If you don't have a tent, there are plenty of screened-in shelters for sleeping. Traditional group activities include playing, lounging, canoeing, and hiking. Community is further enhanced through sharing responsibility for meal preparation and clean-up. If you've been there before, we hope you will come back. If you've never been, we hope will you try it. Sign-up forms are on the hallway table and in the September Newsletter.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT OPENING AT HOMEWOOD MEETING: Primary duties for this position include facilitating the effective operation of the Meeting office and assisting in the effective functioning of the Meeting. This is a part-time day position. Position requirements include an associate degree or higher (or equivalent; two years documented secretarial skills/administrative experience and skills; excellent communication skills; appropriate computer skills for office work; effective work habits; ability to maintain confidentiality; and ability to work independently in a solitary work environment. Please submit applications by September 24, to Clerk of Personnel Committee Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218.

TUESDAY WORSHIP: Beginning in September, Meeting for Worship will be held every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Meetinghouse on the campus of Sheppard Pratt Hospital. The small brick meetinghouse is located at the top of the Charles Street entrance drive and is adjacent to the parking garage. The fireplace is usually burning and there are opportunities for fellowship after Worship.

BALTIMORE CROP WALK, Saturday, October 8, 1:00 p.m. starting at Govans Presbyterian Church, 5836 York Road (just south of the Senator Theater). CROP WALK is a community-based fund raising event to raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as the international relief and development efforts of Church World Service (who is very active in relief work down in the Gulf). The donations are split with 75% going to Church World Service and 25% staying in Baltimore. This year's Baltimore share will be given to the GEDCO's CARES program which helps those in need along the York Road corridor. They operate a food pantry as well as give financial assistance to those who are facing eviction, utility cut-offs, or need help purchasing medications. The WALK is only 1 1/2 mile long so all ages can join in. It will meander through the neighborhood with a "water" stop at the CARES facility. This is an excellent opportunity for both youth and adults to actively help combat hunger. Walkers are asked to get pledges from friends, families and co-workers as sponsors. Sponsor sheets are available on the hall table.

NEW SERIES ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES: On October 20 the Megaphone Project will be presenting "Deadline," the first of a series of four films on criminal justice issues. "With astounding access to clemency hearings, death row prisoners, exonerated men and Governor George Ryan, this documentary brings us behind the scenes in the emotional and legal storm surrounding Ryan's decision granting clemency to all 167 people on death row in Illinois." There will be a panel discussion after the film with filmmaker Katy Chevigny, Jane Henderson of Maryland Citizens against State Executions, exonerated Maryland death row inmate Kirk Bloodsworth, Shari Silberstein of Equal Justice USA, and moderator Paul Santomenna of Megaphone Project. The screening takes place at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00) at The Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue. Tickets are $8. Stony Run has taken a public stand in opposition to the death penalty and our Peace and Social Order Committee is a co-sponsor of this event.

FIRESIDE CHAT VIDEOS AVAILABLE: Fireside Chat Videotapes (VHS) now available to borrow from the library. Copies of the raw footage (un-edited for continuity or sound quality) have been dubbed to VHS. Tapes may contain the same hour repeated from different angles, with accompanying sound quality differences. These are pre-edit roughs straight off the camera, but nonetheless contain anecdotal and narrative wisdom, inspiration, and humor from our Friends. When finished viewing the videos, kindly return them to the Library in a timely manner. Thanks.

THE PEACE VIGILS CONTINUE. Join Friends and others on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in front of the AFSC office at 4806 York Road, and on Fridays, also from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., in front of Homewood Meetinghouse. This is a silent witness under the banners: "No More Victims" "War is NOT the Answer" and "Take the Risks of Peace." For details call Gary (AFSC) at 410.323.7200.