When will it be safe to resume holding Meeting-related activities in person?
The answer, according to New Garden’s COVID-19 medical advisors, is not yet. And it remains unclear when it will be safe to do so.
After signs that North Carolina’s cases of COVID-19 were leveling off, the state experienced a surge of new cases last week. Governor Cooper’s decision to proceed with Phase 3 reopening, the arrival of cooler temperatures, and the return of children to school classrooms likely will have adverse effects on containing the disease. More worrisome is one study that suggests that the virus is undergoing genetic mutation that makes it even easier to transmit from person to person.
For this reason, our COVID-19 medical advisors recommend that New Garden Friends Meeting not sponsor any in-person activities until state and local statistics indicate that the risk of viral transmission in Guilford County is significantly lower.
Until such time as we can resume more normal activities, the Meeting on Ministry & Counsel urges members and attenders to take part in virtual meetings for worship, committee meetings and Religious Education activities. Consider taking part in Friend to Friend, a program that encourages weekly conversations, by phone or other electronic means, between two households over a 4- to 5-week period. The next series will begin in mid to late October. See the October 13 newsletter for more information.
All New Gardeners must consider for themselves the risks and benefits of in-person contact with non-household members.
To assist our community in making these decisions, our COVID-19 medical advisors have put together a range of fact-based precautionary recommendations. These recommendations represent the most current scientific and medical thinking on coping with the pandemic and limiting its spread. Those recommendations are available here.
October 6, 2020
New Garden Friends Meeting is an inclusive, welcoming faith community in the tradition of the Religious Society of Friends. Our members and attenders represent a wide range of religious backgrounds and traditions. Grounded in more than 250 years of Quaker heritage, New Garden remains a vital Meeting for those who seek that of God in every person.
Less than two weeks until the final voting day, November 3! We no longer have an election day, but an election season, of which we are smack in the middle. You can still request a ballot to vote by mail until 5 p.m., October 27. Early voting locations have been open for a week and…
Owing to the restrictions on social gatherings at New Garden Friends Meeting during the pandemic, there will be no graveyard tour this 31st of Tenth Month. Folks desiring ghostly encounters are encouraged to get the book “Tales from the New Garden Friends Graveyard,” available at Scuppernong Books. – Max L. Carter
New Garden Friends Meeting along with most congregations stopped foam recycling during COVID-19. But we are close to having a local drop-off site in Greensboro. Located at the Tiny House Recycling Center at 1310 W. Gate City Boulevard, the site will be equipped with a high-speed densifier and two large collection bins. For everyone involved…
Mark your calendars for Adult Forum, Sunday, November 1 (9:45-10:45 a.m.) when George Lakey will be joining us. Many Friends find themselves worried about the election and the possibility of a power grab should the vote be close and procedures challenged. Join us on November 1st and learn how “studying research that shows how other…
Young Friends, it’s been a while! Hope to see you all on zoom, October 25, for pumpkin carving. We will be using GroupMe this year to communicate. Please share and sign up with these links below to stay in the loop. Reach out to karin@ngfm.org should there be technical difficulties. Excited to be reunited, and…
We will have a Called Meeting on First Day (Sunday) November 15 at 2 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the different Quaker organizations (PFYM, PFF, Quaker House, etc.) that New Garden is associated with. We are looking to discern how we best can support and take part in these groups. More…
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is working to help New Garden Friends Meeting incorporate more immediate social and economic justice actions into our everyday lives. Thus, every weekly newsletter will include one Anti-Racist Action suggestion and one website whereby members can find minority-owned business to support, if they so choose. The Meeting is not…
Peace and Social Concerns Committee seeks proposals for funds to support organizations, programs or projects that are in line with our commitment to becoming an antiracist meeting. New Garden Friends Meeting’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee provides small grants that address priority issues through the meeting’s Broader Concerns budget. If you know of an organization,…
“What is essential? How much is enough? Is my use of time, energy and “things” in right balance to free me to do God’s work, and contribute to right order in our world? We’ll consider queries, play, sing, and reflect on implications of our personal choices and their ripple effects. Jackie Stillwell, of Right Sharing…
This vigil to honor the homeless young man killed by police is held every Monday, 12 to 1 p.m. on Washington Street, in front of city council and police depts. We stand silently in masks, holding signs, which are there to use, if you have none of your own. Call CH Holcombe for more info.…
We are missing each other! This is an opportunity for members and attenders of New Garden Friends Meeting to get to know others at NGFM (or deepen relationships) during this time of isolation. Those who are not living in a retirement home or similar living situation may choose to “Adopt a Grandfriend.” Or you might…
Young Friends will officially launch programming on Sunday, October 25 with a Virtual Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza! Information and updates on Young Friends programming will be sent out on Wednesday of each week, beginning this week. If Friends would like more information about Young Friends programming at New Garden Friends Meeting, or are interested in receiving…
So, you voted by mail . . . good job! Want to make sure it has been accepted as valid? Click the hyperlink to “Guilford County Board of Elections“ https://tinyurl.com/y5yryxu8 which will take you to their website. You will see a subheading, “Track your absentee ballot”. After clicking that you will be given the opportunity to…
New Garden Friends Meeting is searching for a Young Friends leader for the 2020-2021 academic year. This position is for a leader who will work with both Middle School and High School students. The leader will collaborate with another Young Friends leader as well as the New Garden Friends Meeting Religious Education Coordinator. At present,…
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is working to help New Garden Friends Meeting incorporate more immediate social and economic justice actions into our everyday lives. Thus, every weekly newsletter will include one Anti-Racist Action suggestion and one website whereby members can find minority-owned business to support, if they so choose. The Meeting is not…
Less than four weeks until our next national election! Between now and the election, your Peace and Social Concerns Committee wants to share non-partisan tips about getting out the vote There is a “Voter Reflection Guide for Faith Communities” that is put out by NC Interfaith Power and Light, and is endorsed by Friends Committee…
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is working to help New Garden Friends Meeting incorporate more immediate social and economic justice actions into our everyday lives. Thus, every weekly newsletter will include one Anti-Racist Action suggestion and one website whereby members can find minority-owned business to support, if they so choose. The Meeting is…
This is the 70th anniversary of camping at Quaker Lake. A big celebration was planned, but due to the pandemic will not take place. If you are interested in learning more about past and current activities, and supporting the camp, please check this link: https://tinyurl.com/y6gmmo68
We recognize the great value (and necessity!) of interpersonal connections during the pandemic. Therefore, while following the recommendations of our COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group not to sponsor in-person activities, we will continue our efforts to enhance connections in other ways: virtual meetings for worship; virtual committee meetings and Religious Education activities; and virtual ministry with…
Recommendation from NGFM’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group: On August 30, the Meeting on Ministry & Counsel requested that our COVID-19 medical advisors make recommendations about holding selected New Garden Friends Meeting sponsored activities in person. The undersigned NGFM physicians responded as follows: After signs that NC cases of COVID-19 were leveling off, NC experienced a…
Mark your calendars for Adult Forum, Sunday, November 1 (9:45-10:45 a.m.) when George Lakey will…
We will have a Called Meeting on First Day (Sunday) November 15 at 2 p.m.…
Young Friends will officially launch programming on Sunday, October 25 with a Virtual Pumpkin Carving…
Sunday, October 18,11 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted…
The New Ideas Group invites you to share ideas that you may have for our…
Sunday 9:45 a.m. / This Sunday, New Garden Friends Meeting will welcome the Friends World…
11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at: www.ngfm.org/media. Reading:…
Join us for Meeting for Worship with attention to business this First Day (Sunday) at…
