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"...answering that of God in everyone..."
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Events of Note Coming Up
At the Meetinghouse, in the York community, and in the Quaker world
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  • January 13 and 20 YFM Spiritual State of the Meeting, 9:30 a.m. at the Meetinghouse
  • January 25-27: BYM Women's Retreat (more info below)
Mondays at 7:00 pm @ YFM: Buddhist Meditation in York; click here for details

Announcements are sent on the first and third Friday of the month. Would you like to add an event? Email sgrimm74@gmail.com by Wednesday at noon. Make sure your listing is copy ready for inclusion. 
FIRST DAY SCHEDULE
  • January 13, 9:30 a.m.: Spiritual State of the Meeting
  • January 20, 9:30 a.m.: Spiritual State of the Meeting
  • January 27, 9:30 a.m.: Soulful Singing with Ruth Fitz
York Friends Meeting strives to be a welcoming place for all those who attend. In service of that goal, we ask that our Meetinghouse and our grounds remain smoke and fragrance free. 
SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING QUAKER GATHERINGS
  • See below for Upcoming events at Pendle Hill
  • January 19: Frederick Friends Meeting "Hold Space for Transformation" (more information below)
  • January 19:  Friends Couple Enrichment leader retreat Sandy Springs Friends Meeting (more information below)
  • January 25-27: BYM Women's Retreat (more information below)

January 11 – 12 – Junior Young Friends Conference

Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Stony Run (Baltimore, MD)

Junior Young Friends should plan to begin arriving at 10:00 am on Saturday. For information, check the Junior Young Friends website (www.bym-rsf.org/what_we_do/jyfs/jyfcon.html) or contact Jossie Dowling. (301-774-7663)


 
January 25 – 27 – BYM Women’s Retreat
Pearlstone Retreat Center (Reisterstown, MD)

Registration is Open for the 2019 BYM Women’s Retreat! Register by December 21 for the best price. Go to: www.bym-rsf.org/events/ymevents/women19.html. This year’s theme: Women’s Treasure: Honoring our Time and Talents. Together, let us explore the treasures within and among us. How do we become aware of our own gifts and talents? How do we choose to use and nourish them? Do we “prize our time”? How can we help each other grow in awareness of what we give, and what we receive, as we live in spiritual community? Special Performance by Playback Theater! We look forward to welcoming back Playback Theater to give an improvised performance exploring our theme. The actors will work with stories from our community, and rich and unexpected insights may emerge as we all participate. Plus: Worship, chanting, workshops, crafts, worship sharing, catching up, eating, and napping! Learn More! You can find information about the retreat on our growing website: http://womensretreat.bym-rsf.net/. Volunteering and Participating: This year’s retreat is being planned by a committee of volunteers from various meetings. We can still use volunteers during the retreat. If you are interested in helping us, please write: organizer@womansretreat.bym-rsf.net. Please consider offering a workshop. There are so many wonderful possibilities! There are forms on the website to let us know of your interest. We also welcome crafters – and again, the website has a form.

 
Grow your Relationship
Friends Couple Enrichment

 
Saturday January 19, 2019
6:00 Potluck; 7:30 Program
 
Join Friends Couple Enrichment leaders during their midwinter gathering for an evening of connection for you and your partner and with other couples committed to growing their relationship with Spirit led Quaker practices. There will be opportunities for Friends who are new to Couple Enrichment and for those who have had previous experience(s). We ask that you bring a dish to share for the potluck dinner and reserve a space by contacting richlivers@gmail.com.

www.friendscoupleenrichment.org
Sandy Spring Friends Meeting
17730 Meetinghouse Road, Sandy Spring MD 20860

 
BYM Change Group Training
Frederick Friends Meeting
January 19: “Hold Space for Transformation

The Growing Diverse Leadership Ad hoc Committee and the Working Group on Racism invite you to this free Change Group training to realize our vision of overcoming racism and becoming a multicultural religious society.
 
Our lead facilitator is
Dr. Amanda Kemp…                                       

 
…assisted by Dr. Erika Fitz
 
 

Both are members of a Lancaster monthly meeting.
Each training session will be from 10 a.m. to 5 pm (with an hour lunch break).
 
January 19
The Hold Space for Transformation strategy helps us facilitate and participate in difficult conversations about racism without losing our voices or our cool. It’s a form of mindfulness that can be used in Meetings and in one-on-one conversations. We will practice leaning in to conversations about racism via role plays and heightened listening. 
Those who have difficulty speaking will practice finding our voices even when afraid to say the wrong thing or when intimidated by others.  Those who speak often will discover the secret to having a desired impact without shutting others down. 
We review important concepts such as: a white frame of reference, institutional racism, interpersonal racism and the limits of color blindness as a strategy to overcome racial inequities. 
Over the next six weeks we will practice what we learned. A ZOOM call will be scheduled for sharing our experiences in trying out what we learned in the first session. We are also planning a closed Facebook group or a similar online forum for change group members to share our experiences and discuss issues that arise as we do this work.

 
Pendle Hill - Upcoming Events

January 13 – Poetry Coffeehouse. Join fellow poets and poetry lovers for open mic sharing with handcrafted hors d’oeuvres and coffee. Art Studio2:00 to 4:00 pm.
January 14 – “Love Knows No Borders: A Quaker Perspective” Talk by Laura Boyce, associate general secretary of American Friends Service Committee on interfaith efforts to support migrants gathered at the US border.  7:30 to 9:00 pm in the Barn.  Free and open to the public.  Register online to attend in person or by livestream.
January 18-20 – Alternatives to Violence Project Basic Workshop prepares participants to deal nonviolently with situations that provoke fight, flight, or freeze responses through experiential exercises. Friday evening through Sunday late afternoon.
January 19 – Open Studio Session. Work on your own creative project in our light-filled Art Studio1:30 to 5:30 pm.
February 10-14 – Aiming for Justice: Race, Reparations, and Right Path, a short course with Melchor Hall considering how individuals can pursue race-based economic justice to help repair the racial wealth gap.
February 18 – “Compassion,” the first of three lectures by Quaker classics scholar and translator Sarah Ruden“Three Great Themes of the Bible,” in the Barn7:30 to 9:00 pm.  Free.  Register to attend in person or via livestreaming.
February 22-24 – Strengthening Your Inner Wisdom and Silencing Your Inner Critic, Led by Dana Mitra, this interactive weekend workshop will expand the range and methods of accessing inner wisdom and differentiating the voice of the Inward Teacher from the inner critic.
February 27 – “In Search of the Historical Paul,” the first class of five consecutive Wednesday evening classes led by Francisco Burgos on The Challenge of Paul using material developed by John Dominic Crossan, Firbank Library7:30 to 9:00 pm.  Registration required.
March 2-3 - Compassionate Communication  provides a grounding in an embodied spirit-led practice of Nonviolent Communication based on the work of Marshall Rosenberg. Saturday and Sunday, led by Stephen Michael Tumolo with Geraldine Scott.
March 3 – Poets and poetry appreciators meet in the Art Studio for the monthly open-mic Poetry Coffeehouse2-4 pm.
March 9 – Peacemaking: Quilting our Prayers and Practices, a one-day arts and spirituality workshop led by Asake Jones9:30 am to 5:00 pm in the Art Studio, combines individual reflection and expression and communal quilting to create a fabric mandala.
March 10 – Early-bird registration deadline for discount for Radical Faithfulness in Action, an online, on-campus program in grassroots organizing and radical faithfulness, with three campus residencies for those seeking enhanced spiritual grounding and practices for their ongoing community organizing and justice work.
March 15-17 – Couple Enrichment Retreat with Mike and Marsha Green.
March 22-24 – Join Spirit-led Quaker activist and author Eileen Flanagan in a weekend dedicated to Upping Your Change Game: Building Skills and Confidence in Nonviolent Direct Action.
March 23 – Open Art Studio Session with Jesse White on hand to help you move your self-directed creative project along.  Art Studio, 1:30 to 5:30 pm.
March 24-31 – Befriending Our Lives, a seven-day Mindfulness Meditation retreat with Mary Grace Orr, Anne Briggs, and Larissa Kitenko.
March 29-31 – Join Lynne Iser and Mordechai Liebling for The Work that Reconnects, a dynamic, interactive workshop based on the teachings of Joanna Macy, who has inspired thousands of people to engage wholeheartedly in working for a life-sustaining society, turning despair in the face of social and ecological crises into constructive, collaborative action.
PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES: 
  • May 31-June 2 – An institute where Friends can enhance the skills they need to serve their meetings joyfully and confidently, focusing on religious education, eldering, pastoral care, clerking, and recording.
  • June 7-13  - Continuing Revolution, Pendle Hill’s annual summer six-day summer program for Young Adult Friends and seekers.
February 23 – Religious Education Retreat
Frederick Friends Meeting (Frederick, MD)

Please join us for a day focused on Teaching Friends across the Generations: A Day for Sharing our Wisdom and Inspiring One Another held at Frederick Meeting House, February 23 from 10-3:30pm, with a snow date of April 13th. The morning will focus on what we have found most meaningful and successful in our individual Meetings. We will share with each other our most successful lessons and programmatic approaches and have time to hear from a couple of our elder teachers. In the afternoon we will brainstorm ideas about some common challenges we face, (e.g., unpredictable attendance, honoring differences in children while keeping the group together, shrinking and inconsistent attendance, establishing a nurturing and constructive environment for teachers/teacher recruitment.) We will close, by exploring and developing an idea which emerged from our RE discussion/listening groups: Learning Boxes for Teaching Across the Generations. This would involve developing “Learning Boxes” or resource packets which would contain lesson plans, book recommendations, etc. for each age group-from preschool to adult RE. Each Learning Box would focus on one particular theme or topic, such as simplicity or compassion. All members of the Meeting would concurrently study some aspect of the same theme, giving an opportunity for increased intergenerational cohesion and interaction. For this retreat to be most productive, we need you. If you can’t make it, please recruit someone from your Meeting to attend. For information or to register, please contact Ellen Arginteanu, at ellenandjules@protonmail.com or 814-206-6712.
 
 
March 2 – BYM Change Group Training - Reflect on Yourself to Stop Implicit Bias
Frederick Friends Meeting (Frederick, MD)
The ad hoc Growing Diverse Leadership Committee and the Working Group on Racism invite you to this free Change Group training to realize our vision of overcoming racism and becoming a multicultural religious society. Our lead facilitator is Dr. Amanda Kemp assisted by Dr. Erika Fitz. Both are members of a Lancaster Monthly Meeting. Each training session will be from 10am to 5pm (with an hour lunch break). Click here to download the flyer and registration instructions. Before we can create healthy relationships across the color line, attract and retain racial diversity, or be effective advocates for change in our Meeting we need to increase self-awareness. We will focus on:
  • Noticing implicit racial bias and unintended micro-aggressions
  • Removing audio and visuals in our home and Meeting that cue negative racial stereotypes
  • Adding audio and visuals that promote equity in our community
  • Expanding our leadership and positive impact by going towards what we fear
  • Creating an action plan that includes regularly reflecting on our impact and intention.
 

Educational Funding Opportunities Available!
Jonathan Taylor Scholarship Fund Applications Being Accepted!
The Jonathan K. Taylor Swarthmore College Scholarship Fund is administered by Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Stony Run to provide support to students attending Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA. Preference goes to members of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting community. For the 2019-2020 academic year, there are funds up to $15,000 to be distributed among the successful applicants. For more information, or to apply by the April 20 deadline, contact Cindy Maier. (cynthiamaier13@gmail.com)
 
Miles White Beneficial Society Offering Grants and Scholarships
The Miles White Beneficial Society, a charitable organization affiliated with the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), is accepting applications for scholarships for college undergraduate students up to $5000 or for grants up to $5000 to non-profit 501(c)3 educational organizations. Full details of how to apply for the scholarships are at www.bym-rsf.org/events/othernews.html#miles and for organizational grants are at www.bym-rsf.org/who_we_are/organizations/mileswhite/mileswhite.html#grants.
 

Spotlight on Workshops for 2019 FGC Gathering

Dear Friend,
Workshops, Workshops which one will  you take this year?
Workshops for the 2019 Gathering are now online!
It will be hard to choose a workshop this year. We have an excellent array  for the 2019 FGC Gathering - June 30th to July 6th at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.   Keep reading for a preview and see all the options on the Gathering Website.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for Monday, April 1, 2019 - that's when Early Registration begins!
See you at the 2019 Gathering at Green and Growing Grinnell!
Ruth Reber
Conference Coordinator

What are you called to this year?
 

 
Baltimore Yearly Meeting is Hiring!
Development Director
The Development Director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing new and ongoing gifts from individuals and foundations in support of Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s (BYM) ministries and programs. The Development Director builds relationships and affinity for BYM and for the future of the Religious Society of Friends throughout the Yearly Meeting. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant and successful fundraising experience. For more details and a complete job description, go to www.bym-rsf.org/what_we_do/committees/development/directorsearch.html. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: Development Director Search at applications@bym-rsf.org.
 
Opequon Quaker Camp Director
Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) is seeking a Director (or Co-Directors) for the 2019 camp season for Opequon Quaker Camp, a residential camp for children ages 9-14. This is a part-time year round position, with full time responsibilities during the summer camping season, June 19 – August 15th. To apply please send a resume and letter of interest along with three references to: jane@bymcamps.org. If you have questions, please contact Jane at 717-481-4870. Please apply by December 31, 2018. We hope to have a new director in place by the end of January. Copies of the complete job description are available at bymcamps.org/about-us/employment/.

Work for Friends
William Penn House Seeks Associate Resident Manager
William Penn House seeks a team-oriented individual committed to radical hospitality, building community, and supporting peace and justice activism based on Quaker values and testimonies to join our resident management team as Associate Resident Manager. The WPH resident community provides a Quaker presence and welcoming environment for guests of the House. Managers are part of a dynamic team including interns, volunteers, and non-resident staff who demonstrate and encourage a commitment to peace- and justice-building, simplicity, loving presence, and spiritual community. For the full announcement, including the job description and application instructions, go to williampennhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Associate-Resident-Manager-William-Penn-House.pdf.
 
PYM is Hiring!
PYM has posted two job openings at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting: On-Call Childcare Assistants and Opportunities for Mental Health Professionals. They are seeking the widest, deepest applicant pool possible for these positions. You can see the full job postings online. If you have any questions please contact PYM’s Human Relations staff person, Eileen Cross (HR@pym.org).
 
 

 
Thinking About RaceWitnessing Whiteness by Shelly Tochluk
 
“…We might also stop to imagine when there might be moments when it is important to take a step back and ensure that others have space that does not include us.
 
“For example, William, an African American, spoke of his experience seeing groups of whites entering a situation that would have felt unapproachable to him had the situation been reversed: 
 
“There is also a sense of privilege, a sense of entitlement. … you think about the Million Man March.  This was a day of atonement, everybody asked, ‘Please let us just have this day for ourselves and this is something we need to do.’ Then you watch CNN or CSPAN … and you see some white people walking in there anyways.
 
“For William, although legally allowable, white people entering that space was inappropriate and can only be described as the enactment of privilege.  Even if the white people’s intent was to show their support, we should wonder, did they ask whether or not the African Americans who planned and participated in the event desired the support?  If we do not see that our everyday behavior often carries a sense of entitlement we will not ask questions about its effects.  For this reason, just knowing that we need to ask the question is an important step.”
 
From Witnessing Whiteness:  The Need to Talk About Race and How To Do It, by Shelly Tochluk, 2010, pp. 121-122.  Tochluk, a researcher, counselor and teacher, trains educators to work with the diverse Los Angeles school population as an associate professor of education at Mount St. Mary’s College. 
 
This column is prepared by the BYM Working Group on Racism (WGR) and sent to the designated liaison at each local Meeting.  The BYM WGR meets most months on the third Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Locations vary to allow access to more Friends.  If you would like to attend, on a regular or a drop-in basis, contact clerk David Etheridge, david.etheridge@verizon.net.
 
 
Our mailing address is:
135 West Philadelphia Street
York, PA 17401

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York Friends Meeting · 135 W. Philadelphia Street · York, Pa 17401 · USA

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