Bethesda Friends Meeting



Bethesda Friends worship together on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. via two venues 

  1. Indoors in the Meetinghouse at the Sidwell Friends Lower School
  2. Online via Zoom.  Please click here for the schedule and to ask for the Zoom link. 


Welcome to Bethesda Friends Meeting

We're Quakers who meet every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Our meetinghouse is on the Sidwell Friends Lower School campus.
We are worshiping in person and also via Zoom.  

We strive for:

SIMPLICITY - Learning to discern the essential from the non-essential.

PEACE - Living in a spirit that takes away the occasion for all war.

INTEGRITY - Being who we truly are and truly meaning what we say.

COMMUNITY - Knowing that we need one another in order to be whole.

EQUALITY - Knowing that everyone, everywhere is equally precious to God. This includes people of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, races, ethnicities, levels of resources, and theological perspectives.

STEWARDSHIP - Caring for the environment and using time and resources wisely, not wastefully.

We are a welcoming community. 

We believe there is that of the Divine 

in every person.


BFM's Social Concern for November is for A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle is the recipient for the Social Concerns Box in December. It is a local non-profit organization that assists individuals and families moving out of shelters to more stable living situations. A Wider Circle also offers intensive courses on job skills, financial planning, stress management, nutrition, and parenting. Its mission is to end poverty. Anyone in need of help can find it there. In one year, A Wider Circle furnished the homes of more than 13,300 children and adults and delivered more than 400 educational programs. They also recycled more than three million pounds of furniture and home goods. More than 10,000 volunteers serve at A Wider Circle annually, including members of BFM several times a year.


Holiday Toy Drive - SIGN UP BY NOV 30!

Our Religious Education Committee is sponsoring a toy drive for A Wider Circle’s Holiday Program.  Please join us in donating a toy to help make a child’s Christmas more merry!

  • Donate new unwrapped items such as toys, games, and books.
  • For gift ideas, please visit the Wider Circle Amazon Wish List. You can learn more at A Wider Circle’s Holiday Program page.
  • Pickup days will be Saturday, Dec 2 and Saturday, Dec 9.
  • SIGN UP here by Nov 30 to donate or to drive. For more information, please use our Contact Us form.
     

    Book table opens on dec 3

    The BFM Book Table opens with a book sale on Sunday, Dec 3 at 12:00 during coffee hour in the BFM Library.

    • Purchase a special book as a holiday gift for adults and children. 
    • New this year: A BFM tote bag or mug can be purchased. 

    candlelight worship, Tuesday, Dec 19

    at 8:00 p.m.

    Please join us for our annual Candlelight Meeting for Worship at 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 19.

    For more than 40 years, Friends have gathered for a peaceful hour of respite from the holiday rush.

    • We will meet in person at the Meeting House as well as via Zoom.
    • Please click here for more information and to request the Zoom link. 

    Upcoming events

    DC Quakers at DC Pride Festival, June 11, 2023

    COVID-19 AND END OF LIFE ISSUES
    • BFM has formed an End of Life Group to provide legal, spiritual, and practical resources to help our community cope with the uncertainties and fears surrounding the end of life. 
    • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly elevated concerns about the health of family and friends, and the possibility that they could become gravely ill and die. 
    • Although conversations with our loved ones about such a possibility are difficult, it’s important to prepare.
    • Please click here to see more details and resources. 

    RECURRING EVENTS

    Experiment with Light

    At 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, people at BFM use a meditative and centering practice based upon Rex Ambler’s book Light to Live By. 

    This method describes early Quaker meditative habits and translates them into a highly accessible process of clearness and understanding. We use prompts at home that can be listened to onlinefollowed by a worship-share via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, use our Contact Us form.

    Sunday Meeting for Worship

    (Please click here to see BFM's worship schedule

    11:00 AM Every Sunday 


    Visitors are welcome.

    BFM Book Group

    This vibrant group meets via Zoom, discussing a variety of books on both Quaker and non-Quaker topics.

    1:30 - 3:15 PM
    2nd Saturday of each month

    Please click here for more information

    using our Contact Us form.

    Wednesday Mid-Week Worship

    A group holds an at-home Worship

    on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

    If you wish to join, please read the weekly announcement here. After the virtual Meeting there is a sharing time via email. 

    8:00-8:30 PM
    Every Wednesday

    Comparative Religions:

    Exploring the Roots of Religion--

    Intro. to Judaism

    A BFM group attends an Exploring the Roots of Religion group each week on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. for a half hour lecture from The Great Courses exploring evidence of religious activity around the world, followed by a half hour discussion. 

    • Use our Contact Us form to get the Zoom link, or see your email bulletin. Each session is self-contained, so anyone can attend any session.

    Bethesda Friends Meeting

    Mailing Address:
    P.O. Box 30152, Bethesda MD 20824

    Our Meetinghouse is on the campus of the Sidwell Friends Lower School at the intersection of Edgemoor Lane and Beverly Road in Bethesda, Maryland

    We are a member of the Religious Society of Friends

    www.bethesdafriends.org
    301-986-8681
    info@bethesdafriends.org

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