by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Indigenous Affairs
Three Friends travelled to the Pawnee nation in Oklahoma to deliver a $10,000 check from Baltimore Yearly Meeting. The check was the first of two offered in reparation for a school run for several years in the late 1800s by BYM Quakers that was disrespectful and disruptive of native culture. Check the upcoming winter Interchange for an article on our visit. A more complete report will be placed on our committee’s website.
At the time of this writing, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227, S.1723), which passed the U.S. Senate on December 20, is awaiting a vote in the crowded agenda of the U.S. House of Representatives. Thanks to all who have worked for this bill and made calls on its behalf. Stay tuned to news from the Friends Committee on Legislation’s coordinator for Native American legislative issues, Rachel Overstreet, a member of the Choctaw Nation. You can sign up to receive FCNL’s Native American legislative update at this address: https://www.fcnl.org/issues/native-americans
by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Adult Spiritual Education, Bible Study, Reading between the Lines
The Adult Spiritual Education committee will host a one-hour Reading Between the Lines, on
Zoom, starting at 9 am, on Feb. 2, 2025. We will discuss John 1: 43-51: recognitions beyond
surfaces; the witness of one person leading to another “unlikely” person; the unlikely parts of us
that have something valuable to say… The facilitator will send out the zoom link through the
Newlist a few days before the meeting.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Baltimore Yearly Meeting, BYM Camps, Children and Religious Education
BYM Camp registration is open. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Anna Best or Shannon Garrett with questions. You may also visit bymcamps.org for more information. If you know of a child who may enjoy attending camp, RE encourages you to engage with families directly.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Children and Religious Education
The RE committee would like to clarify a procedure for parents of babies. Babies will not be brought to the Meeting room with the older children at the rise of meeting. For safety reasons, we ask that parents please retrieve their babies immediately following the conclusion of announcements, relieving our nursery staff & volunteers in a timely manner.
The RE committee is looking for a few more nursery volunteers and a new Nursery Coordinator. This is a low-demand role that offers a great opportunity for young and/or new attendees to meet and get to know people in our community. A background check is required. See Kassia Arbabi or Elizabeth Price for more information.
On February 2nd, children will experience Yoga on Groundhog Day led by Mary Burruss! They are invited to bring yoga mats or beach towels. They should wear clothes that are easy to move in and appropriate for bending or child’s pose.
We continue to seek volunteers for the occasional non-RE sponsored event. These events currently happen only once or twice per month. Volunteers may agree to work these events as little or often as they wish. No curriculum planning or teaching is typically needed. Volunteering for an event is usually done with one of our paid nursery workers. Two adults are required to be present in any room with children. A background check filed with RFM is required. Please contact Elizabeth Price if you are interested.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
Please join us Saturday, January 25th from 9:00-11:30 in person/Zoom for the Spiritual State of Richmond Friends Meeting, meeting. Guided by BYM Queries, we will try to discern Spirit’s movement among us this past year. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on our Meeting’s challenges and growth. Observations and insights by both long time members/attenders and folks newer to RFM are encouraged.
Agenda
9:00-9:30 Coffee and light snacks
9:30-11:30 Silent worship, response to queries, small groups
Child care will be provided. Please let Julia Hebner know if you plan on using care and the ages of your children.