ABINGTON of the Religious Society of Friends NNEEWWSSLLEETTTTEERR

NOVEMBER 2016 ELEVENTH MONTH 520 Meetinghouse Road • Jenkintown • Pennsylvania • 19046 NOVEMBER MEETING ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY 6TH Change your clocks! 10:00 a.m. First Day School: Adult Class—John Whittier, Quaker poet and activist, John Barnes Room 10:00 a.m. Children’s First Day School—Classrooms 11:15 a.m. MEETING FOR WORSHIP 12:15 p.m. Coffee Hour—hosted by our Peace & Social Concerns Committee 12:30 p.m. Care of Members Committee Meeting, Library 12:30 p.m. Worship & Ministry Committee Meeting, Short Stable 7:00 p.m. Sundays at Seven, Short Stable TUESDAY 8TH 7:30 a.m. Election Day Silent Vigil, Meeting House SUNDAY 13TH 10:00 a.m. First Day School: Adult Class—How to Deepen Quaker Meeting for Worship 10:00 a.m. Children’s First Day School—Classrooms 11:15 a.m. MEETING FOR WORSHIP 7:00 p.m. Sundays at Seven, Short Stable SATURDAY 19TH 9:00 a.m. Meeting Clean-Up Day, gather on Meeting House porch SUNDAY 20TH 10:00 a.m. First Day School: Adult Class—, foundations of the modern Meeting and American Friends Service Committee, John Barnes Room 10:00 a.m. Children’s First Day School—Classrooms 11:00 a.m. Sandwich Making and Mission Day—Short Stable 11:15 a.m. MEETING FOR WORSHIP 12:15 p.m. Coffee Hour—hosted by our Property Committee 12:30 p.m. Attenders Committee Meeting, Library Continued on page 2 Abington Monthly Meeting Abington Quarterly Meeting Philadelphia www.abingtonmeeting.org www.abingtonquarter.org www.pym.org

Meeting Secretary: Loretta Fox, phone: 215-884-2865, fax: 215-884-3264, [email protected]

Deadline for December NEWSLETTER is November 14th. Please give information to Loretta Fox. : George Schaefer Contributions may be sent to: Abington Monthly Meeting, c/o Assistant Treasurer Wanda Wyffels, 520 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046

NOVEMBER 2016 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 2 12:30 p.m. Religious Educaiton Committee Meeting, Short Stable 7:00 p.m. Sundays at Seven, Short Stable MONDAY 21ST 7:00 p.m. MONTHLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP TO ATTEND TO BUSINESS–Reports: Funeral, Nominating, School Committee, Hospitality SUNDAY 27TH 8:30 a.m. Inreach/Outreach Committee Meeting, Short Stable 10:00 a.m. First Day School—Multigenerational Fireside Chat, John Barnes Room 11:15 a.m. MEETING FOR WORSHIP 12:15 p.m. Coffee Hour—Host(s) needed!

For Homebound Friends

Our Care of Members Committee sponsors a group of AMM members who connect and visit with homebound Friends. If anyone knows of a homebound Friend who may enjoy receiving cards or visits, please contact Bette Conover.

Your Financial Support is Vital to Our Meeting!

This is a friendly reminder that although we do not pass a collection plate, our Meeting relies on your financial support, as well as your love and hard work. If you feel moved to make a donation, you can leave it in the wooden donation box on the wall in the foyer, or in the box on the rear windowsill of the Meeting House. Checks may be made out to Abington Monthly Meeting. No amount is too small, because every donation assists in supporting our Meeting community, our Meetings for Worship, and our Meeting House itself. Additional ways to donate can be found on our website www.abingtonmeeting.org.

Our Property Committee invites Friends to participate in a

Day of Service to clean up our Meeting property on November 19th

The purpose is to help clean up the property and to recover and split the wood generated by the tree work. Property Committee will provide coffee and doughnuts.

$10 Giant Gift Cards for the Interfaith Food Cupboard

Sarah Lippincott has started taking orders and collecting money for the $10 gift cards for the Interfaith Food Cupboard for Thanksgiving. Last year we, as a group, donated $700 in $10 gift cards. As a reminder, Friends pay for the cards through our normal Giant Cards program, so AMM gets 5%, and Sarah delivers them to Interfaith in time to hand out with their Thanksgiving food packages, so that their clients can get whatever else they need for their personal Thanksgiving traditions at Giant. Interfaith Food Cupboard is within 1 mile of the local Giant store, so walking distance for most. If Friends would like to order the $10 cards, they should email Sarah and let her know how many they would like to donate. They can either mail a check or pay for the cards when they see Sarah.

NOVEMBER 2016 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 3 Clerk’s Corner

Memory creates meaning. The Meeting for Worship held on October 15, 2016, memorializing the African Americans and others known only to God buried at Abington Meeting was the beginning of a much needed revision of our memory as Friends.

For sure, it is a revision that sheds an unflattering light on our past, one which exposes our historic shortcomings as a religious community committed to equality and answering that of God in everyone. But, this correction is necessary if we are to begin to heal as a community. Our work for racial justice must be grounded in truth if we are to carry our witness forward.

When I was young, I remember being told that the reason my Meeting was not more diverse was because Quaker Meeting, especially of the east coast silent worship variety, didn’t appeal to persons of non-European backgrounds. We know now that this is just not true.

Research has revealed that Friends, even those sympathetic to the abolition of slavery before the civil war, created obstacles to full membership for African Americans. For this reason, the story of historically united in working for racial justice must be revised.

Quaker Bible scholar, Henry Cadbury understood that this lost connection between European Friends and African Americans affected the social conscience of Friends. Almost eighty years ago, he advised us “to appreciate what we owe them” for having taught to us in their struggle for dignity and freedom, “the very tenets of our own religion.”

It is in remembering this connection that Friends can find renewed meaning and a renewed vision of racial justice for ourselves and our communities. Of course, it means opening ourselves to new insights, welcoming new light from wherever it arises. It also involves revising our memory of how and why things happened and making them meaningful to our future.

The Memorial Meeting was a programed Meeting for Worship punctuated by periods of silence when people spoke as they were led by the Holy Spirit. It was only the third time that I had experience a programed Meeting for Worship. But, I was moved by the power of the ritual, its solemnity and beauty, to focus our energies and release them in a way which was restorative and healing. It created a sense of unity and purpose that I continue to carry with me.

As Friends, we are advised to always keep in mind that unity is not so much an accomplishment as it is a process. It is a living process that requires our attention and purpose whenever we gather as Friends. It is what guides our desire to serve each other in love and truth.

Yet, we cannot create unity if we are living in ways which are out of step with one another and with our past. It is this practice, of continual reconciliation, of always seeking unity, of “minding the oneness,” as advised us, in all our actions, that gives our lives integrity, allowing them to speak to the world with authenticity and power.

It is my hope that the power of the truth about our past will inspire us to work towards a future that is united in love and acceptance for all of God’s people. May we find comfort in the unfolding of beauty in our lives through faithfulness to our past and in commitment to our present practice of working for racial justice and equality as a community.

George Schaefer, Clerk

NOVEMBER 2016 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 4 SUNDAYS AT SEVEN An informal discussion group addressing Quaker topics

Each fall, beginning in October, we look at our Quaker beliefs and our own spiritual journeys. This weekly discussion group may include members of our Meeting, attenders, and anyone interested in knowing more about Quakerism. We meet around the fire in the Short Stable on Sunday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 9. The relaxed setting provides an opportunity to examine and share beliefs, discoveries, doubts, questions, and to get to know one another in a friendly, spiritually oriented and sometimes profound way.

November 6 - Faith into Action: Introducing the - Simplicity What is a ? A concern? A ? We open "Faith into Action" with the . How do we live our beliefs? Where are we challenged? A testimony in favor of simple living, advocating we refrain from excessive consumption and secular involvements. In excess, these can so demand our energies and thoughts that they may leave us with no time for spiritual self discovery or for making the world a better place. How do we practice simplicity in our affluent society?

November 13: - The - Born during the Reformation, the Quaker peace testimony remains a radical challenge today - to live Jesus' message of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. What are different ways Friends act on the Peace Testimony? What are its implications in today's world? Have you ever felt moved to take action? What stands in your way?

November 20 - The Testimony of Integrity - The call for integrity in daily life lies at the heart of Quakerism. Integrity under girds all our Quaker testimonies and ideally will be the guiding principle for our conduct. How do we live our beliefs? How does integrity relate to the Inner Light? What are the challenges in trying to live a life of integrity? What are the supports that help?

December 4 - "Members One of Another: The dynamics of Membership in a Quaker Meeting" - Using this pamphlet, we examine various factors affecting the relationship between the seeker and the Meeting, before and during membership. The pamphlet explores the stages we typically go through as we grow into the life of the Meeting community.

Listening Sessions

Are you new to Quaker Meeting? Are you curious about how the meeting functions? Or, about what it means to feel "led" or to "hold someone in the Light?" Perhaps you just want to connect with others but it feels awkward to approach someone. You are not alone! Many new members and attenders enter into the experience of Meeting with questions and uncertainties such as these. We want to support you! The Worship and Ministry Committee will host a number of informal "Listening Sessions" throughout the year at the rise of Meeting for Worship. We invite anyone from newcomers to long-time meeting members to join us in these informal gatherings so that we can answer questions and support our meeting community to feel more connected and supported. Listening Sessions will meet in the Barnes Room during coffee hour at the rise of Meeting for Worship. Bring your questions, or just come and say hello.

NOVEMBER 2016 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 5

Abington Friends Meeting invites our neighbors and friends to an Election Day Silent Vigil

On Tuesday, November 8th, our Meeting House will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. for anyone who may wish to participate in a silent vigil. The Election Day Silent Vigil is intended to be an opportunity for individuals to have time to meditate or pray for whatever they hold in their hearts. We don't endorse any candidates, but we are acknowledging that on the day of the election, some people may want a quiet place to gather with others or to sit in silence with their own thoughts and prayers. Our Meeting community felt the need for this, and we are extending the invitation to others in the wider community.

Right Sharing Fund Applications

The Peace & Social Concerns Committee (P&SC) of Abington Friends Meeting believes that Right Sharing Funds should be used to support and empower people in the local community with whom the Meeting will be establishing an ongoing relationship. P&SC defines "local community" as a place within one day's driving distance of Abington Friends Meeting. Right Sharing Funds will create an opportunity for the Meeting to establish and maintain a symbiotic relationship with recipients, one that is less driven by a beneficent gift from the Meeting than by the Meeting becoming actively involved with the recipients to help them achieve their goals. So that funding grants do not become "institutionalized," applications for new funding as well as those for previously funded efforts will be encouraged each year. The Right Sharing Fund is not an emergency fund. Therefore, all applications for using the fund will be considered simultaneously. Application forms are available on our website. They must be submitted to P&SC by the deadline of December 2nd. Contact Rochelle Tormollen, Peace & Social Concerns Committee clerk with any questions.

The Property Committee is offering Firewood for Sale to benefit the AMM community

For Meeting members only, we will provide fire wood for a free will donation. If the member needs help loading their car a member of Property will assist. Once the boxes are used up the customer will have to provide their own or just load them into their car as is. For non-members, the cost is $15 per box, but the box itself is not included.

Giant Gift Cards

Our Financial Stewardship Working Group is currently selling gift cards for Giant food markets. The cards are sold at face value, in various amounts. Members who buy their groceries at Giant are encouraged to buy Giant cards at AMM. You then use the gift card (just as you would use cash) when you shop at Giant. Giant will contribute 5% of what you spend on groceries to the Meeting. See Sarah Lippincott to purchase Giant cards.

NOVEMBER 2016 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 6 Friends are welcome to join the next gathering of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Middle East Collaborative

The gathering will be held at Abington Friends Meeting on Sunday, November 6th at 12:45 PM in the Meeting House. The Middle East Collaborative, compromising Friends from across the Yearly Meeting, offers a forum for discussion, educational events, and distribution of resources about topics of concern to the group including social, environmental, and politics issues in the Middle East, refugees both globally and in Philadelphia, support of nonviolent resistance in Israel/Palestine, fossil fuels, and climate connection. For more information, please contact Georgette Hamaty.

The Interfaith Food Cupboard continues to need our support. Please add your donations to the baskets in the Meeting House vestibule.

Young Friends Fall Continuing Sessions Abington Friends School Gathering 2016 November 4 - 6, West Chester Monthly Meeting

Come join Young Friends for our Fall gathering For full information about upcoming events weekend of fun and community! We'll have and activities at AFS, please visit the activities and worship sharing exploring our website at theme of Gifts in Service, spend the morning www.AbingtonFriends.net with the whole yearly meeting at Fall Continuing Sessions, have some free time as well as time for committees to meet, and see the return of PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING Affinity Time (time to do or talk about something you love or an identity you hold with Fall 2016 Continuing Sessions, November 5, other similarly-minded or -identified people!). Westtown School We'll top off the event with a costume ball! Free! Continuing Sessions is an extension of the Info: Hannah Mayer, [email protected] or best parts of our residential Annual Sessions Register now: www.pym.org/event/2606- packed into a day-long event. We'll begin and 2/?instance_id=383 end in worship, we'll engage the mission and priorities of our yearly meeting, and we'll have Middle School Friends Gathering, November fun as we seek spiritual deepening. Programs for 4-6, Westtown School children and youth. Our November gathering coincides with PYM 8:30 a.m. Check in & Coffee Continuing Sessions. Join us for meaningful 9 a.m. Opening Worship, All Together Time, & workshops, worship, friendship and a talent Panel Work show! This gathering also features the fabulous 12:15 p.m. Bring your lunch (beverages, light ropes course on Westtown campus - a fun time snacks, small salads provided, not to be missed! $5 requested or what you are able). Register now: www.pym.org/event/middle- 1 p.m. Conversation/Interest Groups school-friends-november- 2 p.m. Worship gathering/?instance_id=416 2:45 p.m. Meeting for Worship for Business Info: Tara Rubinstein, [email protected] 3:15 p.m. Closing Worship Register Now! www.pym.org/continuing- Extended Meeting for Worship, Dec 3, 9:15 sessions am - 3:15 pm, Middletown Friends Meeting at

Langhorne

NOVEMBER 2014 ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING PAGE 7 Would you like to deepen your experience of Help set legislative priorities, lobby congress on Worship? Have you wished that Worship didn't ending mass incarceration, and get energized for end when the clock struck the hour? The Spirit-led engagement. PYM's Legislative Policy Worship and Care Standing Committee and the Collaborative Meeting on Worship and Ministry invite you to ( www.pym.org/legislative-policy- experience Extended Worship. Attend just a collaborative ) has funding for several Young portion of the day or the full day. And remember Adult Friends to attend! to bring your lunch. Info: http://fcnl.org/events Info: Lola Georg, [email protected] or www.pym.org/event/2016-extended-meeting- Grants Application Deadlines for-worship-middletown/?instance_id=311 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting makes over 500 grants every year to individuals, Meetings, and Social Justice and Spirituality Thread non-profit organizations. Grants are made from Gathering, Dec 10 income from restricted bequests and Trusts given 11 am - 5 pm, Swarthmore Friends Meeting to our Yearly Meeting by generous donors since The Thread Gathering will focus on ways we can 1795. All granting deadlines are listed by month ground our work in spiritual discernment, partner at www.pym.org/grants/grants-resources/grants- with other groups to be effective, and network application-deadlines with other Quakers to broaden our engagement. Information: Carol Walz, [email protected], Details: www.pym.org/event/social-spirituality- or 215-241-7201. 2016/?instance_id=432 or Zachary Dutton, [email protected]

YAF Holiday Potluck, December 19, 6:30 pm For more information about - 8:30 pm, Philadelphia location (tbd) our Yearly Meeting, All Young Adult Friends (age 18-35-ish) are please check the welcome to join us - bring a dish, snack, dessert Philadelphia Yearly Meeting website: or beverage to share! We'll have some crafty www.pym.org holiday activities. Feel free to also bring a musical instrument and songbook in the event that joyful noise spontaneously erupts! Details: www.pym.org/event/yaf-holiday- potluck/?instance_id=364 or Elizabeth Piersol Schmidt, [email protected]

Young Friends Christmas Gathering December 27- 30, Woodstown Monthly Meeting Join high-school-aged Quaker-friendly and - affiliated friends for the 3-day-long Christmas gathering! Get ready for some creative fun, games, and exploration, and get excited to really dig into this wonderful community Details: Hannah Mayer, [email protected] or www.pym.org/event/young-friends-christmas- gathering-2016/?instance_id=384

FCNL Annual Meeting, November 10-13, Washington D.C.

ABINGTON MONTHLY MEETING of the Religious Society of Friends 520 Meetinghouse Road Jenkintown, PA 19046-2934

The FIFTH QUERY on EDUCATION will be read and considered at Monthly Meeting for Business on NOVEMBER 13TH, 9:00 A.M.

What is our Meeting’s role in the life and support of Friends’ Education? If supporting or maintaining a Friends school, have we developed an appropriate relationship of Meeting and school?

What is our role in the spiritual life of the school and its maintenance of Friends’ principles?

What does our Meeting do to support education in the wider community?

What help do we provide for the children and adults in our Meeting to pursue the education they seek, whether academic, technical, or vocational? Do we make provision for children in our Meeting to attend a Friends school?

How do I show my concern for the improvement of public education in my community and in the world?

Am I aware of what Friends schools are doing and of their plans for the future? How do I show encouragement and support?