Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting Silent Announcements Fourth Month 4, 2021

Deadline Thursday 5pm; send submissions, and requests to receive e-Announcements, to [email protected]

Meetings for Worship Sandy Spring Meeting House https://Zoom.us/j/196138896?pwd=V0Jtb1VqbVo5cW9NM2hYNW9kK1F4Zz09 Meeting ID: 196 138 896, Password 021789 (not needed for above link). (Same link and phone info for 9, 11am & MfB) 9:00 am all First Days ZOOM ONLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 11 am meeting for worship ZOOM ONLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE (11:00 am all but first First Day*) 7:30 pm Fifth Days (6:30 for Virtual Potluck) https://Zoom.us/j/389588708?pwd=QThyZTRPSkFSM3g0d0MzbHY1YmQ3Zz09 *the first First Day each month Worship with a Concern for Business begins at 10:15am (summer & some holidays -check calendar) Friends House Miller Center does not meet currently We are invited to the Zoom Sharp Street Church Service, 10-11am Sundays, by Zoom: ID 462 404 780; Password 670949

Regularly Scheduled Events. First Days: First/Third 10:30am Virtual First Day School Classes, Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87253479313 Second/Fourth 10:30am In-Person First Day School classes, outdoor, masked/socially distanced, Testimony of Stewardship Second 10:10am Hymn Sing, Zoom: Temporarily Laid Down Second & Fourth 9:00am Bible Study; Roger Starr (301) 649-6841 join Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84145716023?pwd=RTIzTHRSaHFhODRnNmFHYTR2eFVXZz09 Fourth 10:10am Quaker Reading Group, [email protected]; Join Zoom: (New Link!) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88543439848?pwd=eFp2RUJuRVIwL3p3VVpBRFo3cERxdz09 All 4:00pm A Course in Miracles, Messages: 301-384-9411 ZOOM – call for info Seventh Days Third 6pm-9pm Virtual only, Community Life Cmte. Fourth 9am-12 Get Out and Do Things Day, Graveyard & Grounds, unskilled labor!

Calendar – SSMM Website: http://www.sandyspring.org (email Office for password to Members section) Stations of the Cross Virtual Potluck, Video and Worship Sharing (see Ministry & Counsel). 4/2 Fri 6:15pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82805896581?pwd=MEZCazM1bmR5T0doblBKbHpIcmN6UT09 see p 3 4/4 Sun 9 & 11 am Easter regular Worship Schedule; (no Meeting for Business) 4/5 Mon 7-8pm BYM Anti-racist Declaration Explored; Each conversation will be the same; please only sign up for one. 4/7 Wed 11-12n https://www.bym-rsf.org/events/ymevents/ymeventscal.html/event/2021/04/05/anti-racism-declaration- 4/10 Sat 3-4pm conversation/329087 Listening session to bring healing and closure to our experiences regarding a former Meeting employee 4/7 Wed 7pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86368564025?pwd=bGcrdTNMOE0rbFIwVnhkSXRLelFMZz09. 4/10 Sat 9:15-4:30 5th Annual Youth Peace Conference virtually; register http://www.youthpeaceconferencemd.org see p 3 4/11 Sun 10:15am Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business, Zoom (see above) No Bible Study 4/17 Sat 7pm Change Group: Clearing the Way for Community: Understanding How Micro Aggressions Hurt” 4/18 Sun 10am Worship sharing on the impact of the last year as well as re-opening, stay on after 9am Worship Worship sharing on the impact of the last year as well as re-opening 4/21 Wed 7pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89285424452?pwd=OS83V1E2RWdRNlAva1NmbnBrLzljdz09 4/25 Sun 12:10pm Worship sharing on the impact of the last year as well as re-opening, stay on after 11am Worship 5/2 Sun 10:15am Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business, Zoom (see above) 5/14 Sat SSFS Scholarship Annual Auction; to donate [email protected] see p 5

Zoom: If you need to set up Zoom meetings or have technical blips, contact John Worley at 410-730-0749/ [email protected].

From the Clerks: “In attention she found prayer: in prayer she found attention.”

Describing Margaret Fell as she cared for George Fox during his imprisonment in Worcester Jail. From “In Search of Margaret Fell” by Judith Hayden (2002)

1 Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting Silent Announcements Fourth Month 4, 2021

Events & News of Friends: Please hold these Friends in the Light:  David Zarembka, a friend of many of us and tireless peace worker in East Africa, and his wife, Gladys Kamonya, have just died from COVID. They were married at Sandy Spring Meeting and are members of Bethesda although currently lived in Kenya.  Tronette Anochie writes: I would like to thank the Ministry and Counsel Committee, the Change Group and the SSMM community for their kindness and support in completing my training to become a facilitator under the guidance of Dr. Amanda Kemp, the creator of the Racial Justice from the Heart program. I recently graduated and look forward to using and sharing what I have learned with our Quaker community. The Racial Justice from the Heart program is a program about having hard conversations about race from our hearts and with love. Again, I thank you for your support.  Anna Colosi is home from Medstar recovering from an infection.

Queries for Fourth Month: Personal Spiritual Life (from BYM Faith and Practice)

Do you make time for meditation, prayer and worship?

Do you read the Bible, the writings of Friends, and other inspirational works, seeking new light?

Do you regularly seek God's guidance?

Are you open to guidance and support and do you give thanks for them? Do you share your spiritual insights with others and willingly receive from them in turn?

Clerk: Based on the concerns raised at the reading of the proposal for a new employee, a Listening Session will be held on Wed, April 7, 7 pm via zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86368564025?pwd=bGcrdTNMOE0rbFIwVnhkSXRLelFMZz09. This session will be held to bring healing and closure to our experiences regarding a former employee of the Meeting. This will be an opportunity to share feelings of hurt, sadness and/or grief and seek the lessons learned to guide us in moving forward. Becky Cromwell [email protected] and Bette Hoover [email protected] will co-clerk the session

COVID Re-entry: Marriage and Family Relations and Ministry and Counsel have collaborated to invite Friends to reflect on the queries below in three worship sharing sessions scheduled for the week of April 18 to April 25. If you cannot attend any of these worship sharing sessions, please contact any of the following Clerks with your reflections: Mike Bucci ([email protected]), Joan Liversidge ([email protected]) or Gary Stein ([email protected]). This is an opportunity to reflect and listen to one another about the impact of the last year as well as movement towards re-opening for more in-person gatherings this spring/summer.

During the last year, how has the Spirit of Love helped you to cope with the fear and uncertainty? How has the last year changed us, what have we gained, what have we lost? How would you like to reconnect or connect to SS worship community? Worship Sharing Sessions on ZOOM April 18 – 10:10 to 11:45 am (rise of 9 am Meeting for Worship) (usual Zoom for MfW) April 21 – 7:00 to 7:45 pm (Wed) - Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89285424452?pwd=OS83V1E2RWdRNlAva1NmbnBrLzljdz09 April 25 – 12:10 to 12:45 pm (rise of 11 am Meeting for Worship (usual Zoom for MfW))

SSMM Committee Announcements [email protected]

Change Group: “Clearing the Way for Community: FUN: Climate Solutions Now Act -Soon to Be Climate Understanding How Micro Aggressions Hurt” Sat, April Solutions Maybe Later. Amendments are being added in the 17th at 7 PM via Zoom. Everyone invited! Together we will House that change the 60% goal of reducing greenhouse gases view a presentation made by Dyresha Harris followed by in 2030 to 50%, eliminate energy efficiency requirements for discussion. We can learn to recognize and respond to the retrofits and exempt new state buildings from net zero everyday forms of the micro aggressions that wound and emissions. The Meeting signed a Resolution supporting the “other” people of color and/or those new to Friends. Our original legislation. Tell your delegates to support HB583 increased awareness of the impact of our words and actions without amendments. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/md- can help strengthen our resolve to truly transform into a more climate-solutions-now/ diverse, antiracist faith community. Join the conversation and You're invited to Quaker Earthcare Witness' 2021 online become part of the solution. Link to follow: contact Co-clerks Spring Steering Committee Meeting from Thursday, Coleman [email protected] or Bette. April 15 to Sunday, April 18. -We gather online via Zoom to [email protected] for more info. do business, worship together, learn from each other, and share in fellowship. All are welcome who are interested in

2 Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting Silent Announcements Fourth Month 4, 2021

Earthcare, whether you currently serve on the Steering organize, resist injustice, and create change. Students can Committee or not. It will be held from Thurs, April 15 to Sun, receive 6 Student Service-Learning Hours. Follow them on April 18. Go to above link to register. Instagram @youthpeaceconferencemd. Contact Uma Ribeiro, lead organizer, [email protected] or Ministry & Counsel: No Bible Study on 4/11. [email protected] for info. The draft Spiritual State of the Meeting, coming up for second reading 4/11, is on p. 7 Nominating Corner: Our Good Friday evening tradition of the "Meditations on We invite everyone, Members, Attenders and Young the meaning of the Cross," will not be happening in the Friends to consider committee service as a way to share Meeting House this year. As a substitute, Jeff Sluder and his your gifts and connect with the life of our Meeting. There is a wife, Catherine, have created a video of the presentation. It is copy of the list of committees in the back of the Directory. available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/N6DveI4FaVA Committees in greatest need (with ⅓ or more openings and It is 38 minutes long. It is available to anyone, so feel free to no co-opted members) distribute this link to other Friends or friends. You can watch ● Committee on Aging (5/12 openings) it at any time, but to enhance a sense of community, consider ● Community Life/Hospitality (9/18 openings) joining us Fri, April 2 along the following schedule: ● FUN (4/9 openings) ● Ministry & Counsel (5/12 openings) 6:15PM - 7:00PM Social gathering and virtual pot luck ● Religious Education (4/9 openings) 7:00PM - 7:45PM View the Stations video over Zoom We are also looking for: 7:45PM - 8:15PM Worship sharing ● Assistant Newsletter Editor, 2021-24 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82805896581?pwd=MEZCazM1b ● Web Co-Clerks. mR5T0doblBKbHpIcmN6UT09 To make it seem more like a And representatives to the following organizations: pot luck, feel free to share your recipes over Facebook ● Interim Meeting https://www.facebook.com/groups/738417779620904/ ● Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting ● AFSC Committee Correspondent Peace: The 5th Annual Youth Peace Conference will be Please contact a member of Nominating to discuss your held virtually on Sat, April 10, 9:15 am - 4:30 pm. Youth leadings to serve: from grades 8 - 12 register at Brooke Carroll [email protected] http://www.youthpeaceconferencemd.org The Peace Leah Niepold [email protected] Committee supports this student-run social justice and Alice Bowman [email protected] community building summit in honor of the legacies of Lee Steve Berry [email protected] Stern and Bayard Rustin. This year’s theme "Resistance and Ginny Styer [email protected] Radical Reform" is relevant now more than ever. At the Conference, students will gain resources on how to peacefully

Community Announcements

Quaker Family in Need of Assistance: Jennifer Rioux writes: I grew up in the Sandy Spring Meeting. Now I am trying to make my way back to MD for a permanent move to be near my aging father (94 years old)! We (she has 2 children away at school/college) are currently looking for affordable housing to begin in April 2021. I am open to most locations in the MD/DC area. Please contact me, Jennifer Rioux, at 520-302-8568 or [email protected]. (There is a more detailed announcement: )

Palestine Olive Oil Ministry offers. Michael Conklin is available to deliver any orders of the following products from Palestine: (1) olive oil @$20 (half-liter), (2) pure olive oil soap @$5, (3) Za'atar spice blend @$6, and (4) organic capers, sun-dried tomatoes olive oil tapenade @$7. Text/call Michael 202-578-3439 or email [email protected]

Related Organizations

Baltimore Yearly Meeting bym-rsf.org/ Catoctin Dates – April 3rd, 10th, 17th and May 1st Help Get Camp Ready for Summer 2021! We have www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48AFA62CABF8C43-lets scheduled a number of workdays to prepare for camp. These Opequon Dates – April 17th, May 8th, 19th and 29th workdays will be day-long events, attendance will be limited www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48AFA62CABF8C43-lets2 and we will not be able to serve any meals. Please bring your Shiloh Dates - April 24th, May 5th, and May 15th own bag lunches (please do not bring food to share). Please www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48AFA62CABF8C43-lets1 use the links below to sign up and help out. There is a lot to do Menallen Meeting House Cleanup: Friends of BYM are after over a year of dormancy at the camps so we need your invited to participate on either Sat April 3 at 10:30am help! We can’t wait to see you at camp. (postponed due to weather) at Huntington Meeting House (300

3 Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting Silent Announcements Fourth Month 4, 2021

Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA) or the following Perspective on Quaker Lobbying here: Thurs, April 8 at 11:00am at Redlands Meeting House (700 https://fcnl.org/quakerlobbying, Facilitator: Alicia McBride, Old Quaker Road, York Haven, PA). Our website, FCNL Director of Quaker Leadership. Zoom: www.menallen friends.org, has driving directions to both https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83759308898?pwd=MkUrZDE3R2 meeting houses. We usually have lunch afterwards. The UxWFlPeXFYdTN0c0xIZz09, Meeting ID: 837 5930 8898, beautiful old Meeting Houses under our care are a joy to see Passcode: 825003 on many levels. For more information and specific directions to Redlands Meeting House, contact Judy Pyle. FCNL Thurs 4-430pm; Friends Zoom in on timely topics. Register: https://www.fcnl.org/events/thursdays-with-friends. Anti-racist Declaration Explored: Mon April 5th, 7pm-8pm Questions, comments, suggestions to FCNL SSMM Rep Wed April 7th, 11am-12pm; Sat April 10th, 3pm-4pm. In Michael Conklin [email protected] or, better, text 2017, BYM adopted a Declaration stating that we are an Anti- him at 202-578-3439. racist community. The Growing Diverse Leadership Committee invites Friends to join us for a conversation to Friends House more deeply understand the Declaration and how best to use it as we worship and work together. Sign up below to select one On May 15, at 10:00am, Friends House Retirement of the three dates. Each conversation will be the same; please Community, Inc. will host our first Walk and Roll event. only sign up for one. Links to signups: Our “Walk and Roll” will be held on the Friends House April 5th: https://www.bym- campus grounds. There will be 3 paths, each designed for the rsf.org/events/ymevents/ymeventscal.html/event/2021/04/05/a participant’s comfort zone. nti-racism-declaration-conversation/329087 • Path One very short loop around the front entrance for April 7th: https://www.bym- anyone in a walker or wheel chair desiring to participate rsf.org/events/ymevents/ymeventscal.html/event/2021/04/07/a with a short walk or roll. nti-racism-declaration-conversation/329088 • The second path will loop around our campus using the main paved road. The loop is nearly one mile and a very April 10th: https://www.bym- comfortable walk or roll. rsf.org/events/ymevents/ymeventscal.html/event/2021/04/10/a • Our third path is a trail walk through wooded paths. (Not nti-racism-declaration-conversation/329089 recommended for a participant needing assistance) Joan Gugerty of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Stony Run is Each of the courses will begin and end at the main entrance of offering an online wellness group for BYM Friends. Her Friends House Administration Building. This is a fundraiser to wellness group will be under the care of Stony Run. BYM's benefit the “Residents Fund”. This fund helps some of our Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee feels this group will be residents with food assistance, transportation, and unforeseen of great benefit to Friends. Below is more information about bills. Every donation helps so please sponsor yourself or the wellness group. For more information, contact Joan another walker. There is no charge to walk but participants Gugerty at [email protected] or 410-404-0383. need to sign up so we can be prepared for all our guests. Click Work Con is coming up! Looking for an active step to here http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Walk_roll2021 positively impact the world though community? Well Young Friends is planning just that! Join us for our annual Work Friends Journal Quaker Speak Con! YF; (aka) high school aged folks, about 14-18: Fri April Who was Mahala Ashley Dickerson? Mahala Ashley 16 - Sun April 18. Virtual! The zoom link will be sent to folks Dickerson was a trailblazer for justice who fought for who register. Work Con Schedule is TBA. Register online: marginalized people her whole life. A childhood classmate of https://www.bym-rsf.org/what_we_do/yutes/yfs/yfcon.html , in the 1940s and 1950s she became the first African American female attorney in , then the Friends Committee on National Legislation second Black woman to practice law in , and then the FCNL Workshop at Friends House: Tues, April 6, 7:30 first Black attorney in —where she played a crucial role p.m. The Roots and Branches of Quaker Advocacy. Quakers in the development of the Alaskan Friends community. have worked to influence the government almost as long as QuakerSpeak, our popular YouTube video project, is there have been Friends. Why has Quakerism and advocacy underfunded for the first time. This is a vital outreach tool been so intertwined? What do the experiences of past Friends for our community, and it needs your help. A generous donor have to offer Quakers today concerned about our has given an emergency matching gift that will DOUBLE government’s decisions and actions? The Quaker writer and whatever you give today - up to $5,000! Please make a speaker Margery Post Abbott offers some thoughts in A generous gift before April 16th to help erase this shortfall. Theological Perspective on Quaker Lobbying, published by FCNL and newly revised in 2020. Using this resource as a Habitat for Humanity lens to approach these questions, we will explore the roots of Quaker advocacy, share our own experiences of inspired A Special Lunch & Learn for Faith Communities. Learn action, and reflect on how Spirit is leading us to witness today. about Habitat’s current advocacy efforts to address racial Optional: For reflection and thinking in advance, Friends can inequity in housing. See how you can get involved with download or request free physical copies of A Theological

4 Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting Silent Announcements Fourth Month 4, 2021

Habitat's work in this critical area. Wed, April 21, 12:00pm- 2021 Women's History Month Resources Women's History 12:45pm. Online Event. Jeff Dee at [email protected]. Month is a celebration of all women around the world. The SSFS Office of Diversity and Intercultural Understanding has put together a list of resources that will help you celebrate by sharing the stories of significant women from diverse cultural Interfaith Council DC and religious backgrounds during this month and throughout the year. See the blog post with resources here. This year’s MLK Multifaith program Sun, April 11, 3-5 PM will focus on healing and bridging the racial divide within PA Annual Auction: This remarkable virtual community faith communities. We are honored that Imam Talib event is being held on Sat, May 15, and is our sole Shareef, IFC board member and Imam of The Nation’s fundraiser. Nearly 50% of SSFS students are receiving Mosque, will be our keynote speaker. The event will also financial aid in 2021–making the impact of the auction greater feature a multifaith children’s choir, a conversation with and the funds raised more necessary than ever before. Tickets distinguished panelists, and a small group dialogue around the are only $30 a family. You can choose to receive a $25 question of how to create welcoming faith spaces for all who DoorDash gift card (included in the cost of your ticket). worship there. We look forward to having you join us! There's also the option to donate a ticket to our dedicated Register faculty and staff Learn more about the auction and purchase tickets here. To be a sponsor, donate item(s) for the auction, Pendle Hill https://pendlehill.org/events/ or for questions contact: [email protected] .

Mutual Accompaniment and the Creation of the Commons Sandy Spring Museum Online, Apr 9-11, A workshop with Lucy Duncan, Mary Watkins, and Anyango Gregory via Zoom. We want to learn Virtual Making Art Accessible, April 4: How do we make together how to navigate the complexity of accompaniment art accessible? Artist Alyscia Cunningham confronts this between people from different life experiences. question in her innovative exhibition, I Am More Than My Hair. On exhibit March 19 - Sept 5. Accessible Exhibit: I Fierce Biblical Women Speak Power Today: April 11, 18, 25, Am More Than My Hair began with Alyscia Cunningham’s May 2, & 9. An online workshop with Melissa Bennett eponymous book and film in which she advances the dialogue Five Sundays, 4:00pm-5:30pm around the beauty standard of female baldness and captures Living Authentically: An Online Program by Young Friends the stories of girls and women who have lost their hair due to for Young Friends, April 16-18. Full schedule on website. medical conditions or by choice Jesus: History, Theology, And Evolution: Online Program Anthony Gaskins, The Hat Man: On exhibit March 19 – with John Dominic Crossan, April 22, 29 and May 6, 13. A May 28, A collection of handcrafted hats by artist and milliner four-week virtual lecture series. Lectures are 7:30 - 9:00pm. Anthony Gaskins. Everything Roses, Garden Club – Virtual, April 11, 2:00 pm Quaker Voice MD - 3:30 pm Donation. A “rose by any other name may smell as QV Update – Week 13 of General Assembly - Last day of sweet,” but there are a bewildering number of types and assembly is April 12th and your voice is needed more than species to choose from. During this virtual discussion, guests ever during the last full week stay tuned for the weekly action will learn about some of the most common types of roses and alert to be posted on our website on First Day. For more info their attributes. Rose care and pruning will also be covered. on all this and more go to www.quakervoicemd.org Rockin' Into the Summer: In-Person, April 28. While practicing social distancing outdoors on the museum grounds, Sandy Spring Friends School youngsters will explore concepts like dynamics (volume), Several longtime faculty members who are retiring this year: tempo (speed), and steady beat while playing instruments like in the Lower School Salli Innis (1st Grade teacher) retired handbells and hand drums. “Rockin’ Into the Summer” earlier this year, and in the Upper School, Lyn Ostrov (art demonstrates some of the concepts that are introduced in Rock teacher) and Cathy Harrison (French teacher). City and Rock n Roll classes at Bach 2 Rock Gaithersburg.

Need a Covid Vaccine? 1. Pre-register through the State of Maryland for one of the mass vaccination sites. The link to start the process is onestop.md.gov. You will need to set up an account, then click on "Get Started" in the GoVAX window, and then proceed through the various requests for information. As of today, the site will give you a choice to select your preference for one of five sites: 1. Six Flags America Theme Park - 13710 Central Ave., Bowie, MD 20721 2. Regency Furniture Stadium (Blue Crabs Stadium) - 11765 St Linus Dr, Waldorf, MD 20602 3. Wicomico Civic Center - 500 Glen Ave, Salisbury, MD 4. Hagerstown Premium Outlets - 900 Premium Outlets Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740

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5. M&T Bank Stadium - 1101 Russell St., Baltimore, MD Please note that a site at the Germantown Campus of Montgomery College is being set up. If you have trouble with this Maryland site, you should call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). 2. Pre-register at one of Montgomery County's sites. The link to start the pre-registration process is montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine. If you need help with the online process, you can call 240-777-2982. If you are 65 or older and have pre-registered with the County but have not heard about your vaccination appointment, you can e- mail: [email protected] to inquire about the status of your appointment,

Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform Action Alert

Restrict the Use of Lethal Force by the Police Maryland's legislative session is short - 90 days and only two weeks remain! One of this year's top issues seeks better police oversight of police officers' use of lethal force against Marylanders. Two versions of a bill have emerged -- one much stronger than the other: The Senate bill (SB626) was weakened by an amendment that removed the specific definition of lethal force and the restrictions on its use (pp. 3-7 of original bill). Now, it offers generic language that police tacticians themselves would be free to interpret. But, current, fear-based policing tactics with insufficient legislative oversight have led to the all-too-often, tragic and unnecessary killing of civilians. The House bill (HB670) wisely offers explicit, bright-line guidance to police authorities: a clear definition of "lethal force"; examples of "reasonable alternatives"; and an objective standard of "imminent threat."

This House language is needed or, once again, it will be left to the police to set their own lethal force standards. We need to ask members of the Maryland Senate to ensure inclusion of the lethal force language in any compromise bill.

Reclaim Our Vote, a nonprofit organization, does amazing work to connect with historically suppressed voters. Last year, Quakers from BYM wrote over ten thousand postcards to let these voters know they were removed from voter registration rolls, to help them register, and to encourage them to vote. The results of these and similar efforts changed the face of the nation's legislature. While it was delightful to see historic turn-out at the polls, particularly of voters of color, there has been some pretty horrific backlash. Republicans in Georgia have passed a sweeping elections bill that voting rights advocates say is a bald-faced attempt at voter suppression. The new law imposes new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots, empowers state officials to take over local elections boards, limits the use of ballot drop boxes and makes it a crime to approach voters in line to give them food and water. Other Republican-led states are considering similar voter suppression bills, sparking calls for federal legislation to set a national baseline for voting rules. While recent advances in voter registration of minorities in Virginia have made it the first southern state to ban the death penalty and to bring forward some of the most comprehensive voting rights protection legislation, the politicians bringing about these changes are being challenged. The true democracy that emerged in the Commonwealth is still fragile. There are major elections in 2021, including the Governor's office in Virginia. ROV is working there to reach deregistered and newly eligible voters of color to get them registered and soon will be reaching out to registered voters of color to get them to the polls. Reaching these historically targeted for suppression voters helps ensure that ALL Virginians' voices are heard at the polls. If you are interested in helping with this work, please reach out to me at [email protected]. From Laurie Wilner, Langley Hill Meeting,

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March 7, 2021, First Reading

SPIRITUAL STATE OF SANDY SPRING MONTHLY MEETING 2020

reaching, striving, changing growing, loving, sometimes denying, in moments knowing…. In Truth the Meeting Abides

Our Sandy Spring Meeting community has been a lifeline to many members in this year of immense change, grief, confusion, and overwhelming challenges. For some it has been a time of introspection and study, for others a time of isolation, loneliness, and depression. Through it all the Meeting community has felt like an anchor of love that has held us safely in the storm. We have felt disconnected with Spirit and one another as we have grappled to stay centered in the midst of huge worldwide crises that we see everywhere we turn, touching our daily lives in ways most have never experienced before.

Commitment to our many testimonies in areas of peace and social justice, environmental protection and renewal, spiritual nurture, political engagement, and support to our neighboring community has held steadfast. Throughout it all, our understanding of ourselves and our role in the world has deepened. In this time of polarizing political divisions that threaten the very fabric of our democracy, the Spirit called us more than ever to be Friends of Truth and Light, and to proclaim the centrality of Love.

The international rallies for racial justice heightened our resolve to grow toward becoming an anti-racist faith community. Our change group has been deeply impactful by challenging our Meeting to understand what it means to be anti-racist and to help us commit to work toward being an inclusive community. Many felt the anti-racist book group embraced them spiritually and expanded their perspective. The work is often uncomfortable; however, the unguarded open discussions around race have allowed authentic relationships to develop. One friend noted, “If you're not uncomfortable, you're not moving forward.” Another said, “I can be real where there is respect, love, and allowance to be different, which is what a faith community should be.” These efforts have also led us to build a closer relationship with our nearby communities.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we adapted the ways we worship and how we support each other. Overall, virtual Meetings for Worship have been a successful substitute, though the change has been difficult for some. We miss the human elements of being in person, not to mention direct eye contact and the hugs. Some Friends report it is hard to feel the spiritual connection they had experienced in the Meeting House. Additionally, distractions from home can make it difficult to settle. Friends without electronic connections have not been attending and sadly, we have not heard from a number of friends at all. We miss their gifts immensely. On the other hand, Zoom has had an equalizing effect: the same sized boxes with names and faces supports a feeling of egalitarianism and community. Although these changes have not been smooth for everyone, our worship evolves in the spirit of continuing revelation. The strength of our spiritual connections allowed us to use a hybrid form of in- person and virtual worship to celebrate a marriage, memorialize Friends' lives, and hold the nation in the Light during the contentious election. “We are experiencing the Light differently,” one Friend remarked, “but it is the same Light.”

Spiritual sustenance was also provided through many small groups which met in person and virtually. Among these are several committees, Bible study, spiritual reading, spiritual friendship, friendly eights, and virtual potlucks that included games, education, and worship. Our newsletter and weekly emails helped to keep us connected. Phone calls and cards offered personal touches of care and support.

Thanks to the creative dedication of our First Day school teachers, our students have learned that relationships are more important than conventional lessons. Their program evolved to include adults with outdoor programs, rain garden projects, and fire pit get-togethers. Teachers even visited students at home, delivering lessons and resources in an effort to stay connected. At the intergenerational program at Christmas, we invited F/friends and neighbors to “Hold each other in the Light, Walk in the Light, and Be in the Light.” This nurtured Friends to feel the Spirit’s presence during the darkest days of the season.

Although we live in chaotic times, our worship and small groups have strengthened the ties among us. We miss face to face human interactions and wonder about weaving our community back together when we can meet again in person. Nevertheless, we are learning that in spite of differing ways of being together with one another, everything changes except God’s love companioning us through the ups and downs of life.

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