weekly bfm bulletin and events |
Sunday, December 22, 2024
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SUNDAYS AT BETHESDA FRIENDS MEETING Head of Meeting: Today, Peter J. On Dec 29: Margaret B. Pastoral Care: If you have concerns about personal issues or questions about membership, Bethesda Friends Meeting, or Quaker faith and practice, please be in touch with today’s Friendly Ear, a member of the Pastoral Care Committee. You can always reach a Friendly Ear by sending an email message to friendlyear@bethesdafriends.org. A member of the Pastoral Care Committee will get in touch with you. The Social Concern for December is Bread for the City, which provides food, clothing, medical care, and economic, legal and social services for thousands of low-income DC residents. To learn more about Bread for the City, as well as BFM's regular budget needs, please go to the end of this bulletin. Meeting for Worship: Bethesda Friends worship together each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Friends can participate in person at the Meeting House or remotely via Zoom. Participating in worship at the Meeting House. Friends are invited to gather in person at 11:00 a.m. for Meeting for Worship at the Meeting House. Participating in worship via Zoom. To join using Zoom, you can obtain the link in your weekly Bulletin or use our Contact Us form. First Day School (FDS) for children 5 years of age and older is offered on the first and third Sunday of each month during the school year. Childcare for this age group is offered on non-FDS Sundays. Childcare during Meeting for Worship: Childcare is available on non-holiday weekends during Meeting for Worship from 10:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for children under 5 years of age. Paid caregivers provide this service. New attendees: Please sign in at the child care room on the lower level of the Meeting house. |
EVENTS Coming up Soon (December 20-31) AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire in Gaza: Join American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) staff every Friday at 12:00 p.m. to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us. To attend, please register at this link. AFSC Meeting for Worship re: Peace in Israel and Palestine: The violence in Palestine and Israel has impacted the AFSC community in many ways, all of them tragic and heartbreaking. Please join us every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for a Meeting for Worship via Zoom, gathering in solidarity and holding those most impacted in the Light. All are invited. Please register at this link to receive the Zoom link to attend. Friends Wilderness Center Annual Reflection Hike: All are invited to reflect on the events and experiences of the past year during a contemplative hike through the Appalachian woods at Friends Wilderness Center in Harpers Ferry, WV on Saturday, December 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For details, please visit this link. Coordinating Gathering: Representatives of most BFM committees meet during the week before Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business to discuss the upcoming agenda, season issues before the Meeting, and discuss committee challenges if any. These meetings are open to all. There will be one on Sunday, December 29, at 1:00 p.m.. Please use our Contact Us form for the Zoom link. |
SUPPORTING BFM & THE SOCIAL CONCERN OF THE MONTH Supporting BFM: Bethesda Friends Meeting depends on our generosity to support its publications, religious education, childcare, and its “apportionment” payment to Baltimore Yearly Meeting—all of which connect us to each other and link us to the broader Quaker community. Our contributions also support Quaker organizations and advocacy, education, and community groups attuned with Quaker values. Contributions in any amount are always deeply appreciated. The Social Concern for December is Bread for the City, which empowers Washington, DC residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. It is a major provider of food, clothing, medical care, and economic, legal and social services for thousands of low-income DC residents. In 2022, they distributed over 59,000 Holiday bags, in addition to food service to over 24,500 clients throughout the year and almost 2 million meals. They continue to serve 500% more clients than before the pandemic. The need has not subsided. To donate to this Social Concern, please go to www.bethesdafriends.org/Donate-Online-Now. Clearly designate that your contribution is for this month's Social Concern. If you prefer, you may send your check, made payable to Bethesda Friends Meeting, to David M., Assistant Treasurer (see address in the BFM Directory, or use our Contact Us form). You are also welcome to donate to Bethesda Friends Meeting directly to support all Meeting activities via the same methods (online or by check). |
The weekly bulletin is available by email. If you would like to add your name to the list, please email bethesdafm@igc.org The bulletin is also posted on the BFM web site: www.bethesdafriends.org Please send all items for next week’s bulletin to bulletin@bethesdafriends.org UPDATED: Items must be in by 2:00 p.m. Thursday to ensure inclusion. Comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated. |