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.
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 endorsing…
Adventures in Learning will offer 10 classes on Zoom starting January 12 and continuing for 6 weeks. For program and payment information join the mailing list at http://www.shepctrg.org
Friends Committee on North Carolina Legislation is excited to be starting our second year. In anticipation of the 2021 legislative session, (mid-January-July 2021), we invite you to join us for a timely workshop, January 13, 7 – 8 p.m., to learn how our NC Legislature functions and how to contact your representatives. Bill Rowe of…
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 endorsing…
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.…
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 endorsing…
Christmas Eve worship at New Garden Friends Meeting will be held on ZOOM this year. Join us on Thursday at 7 p.m. for our traditional Christmas Eve worship. You will receive a ZOOM link for Christmas Eve worship by email and you are welcome to share the ZOOM link with family, friends and neighbors. All…
Honor cards are a different way for you to give a present to your friends or loved ones: Instead of a physical object, you give a card that reflects a gift to a charity. The gift to the charity is in the name of your friend or loved one, so they know that a local…
A New Year is almost upon us. In addition to celebrating all that comes with it, we also have a new Congress. For many of us in the New Garden Friends Meeting Community we have a new congressional representative in the 6th district: Kathy Manning. Join Friends (and friends of Friends) who have been supportive…
New Ideas Committee reports the following ideas under consideration: Facilitating community gatherings for participating in Meeting for Worship on Facebook or Zoom. One critical piece is the availability of an accessible TV with internet connection. Then a staff member or resident would be needed to set it up each week. Consideration of a covered picnic…
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 endorsing…
Friends, I have been doing outside in-person visits with New Gardeners since the spring. However, with the increase of Covid-19 cases here in Greensboro and the potential for a surge due to holiday gatherings and travel, I will be temporarily halting in-person visiting. I continue to be available to all of you through email, Zoom,…
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 endorsing…
NC Peace Resource Center is hosting a Basic Alternatives to Violence workshop January 8-10, 2021. There is no charge for this virtual training. Get info at: https://tinyurl.com/y5mjutb4 Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) helps us explore the power we all have to change hostility and destructiveness into cooperation, community, and justice.
A note from Mary Luckhaus; Massachusetts Peace Action hosted webinar on Iran featuring Dr. Trita Parsi. You can watch the event video at: https://tinyurl.com/y3pujof4 Web address: masspeaceaction.org The event reinforced the urgency of returning to diplomacy with Iran. To send a message to Congress to rejoin the JCPOA, prevent war with Iran, and return to…
Many in the New Garden Friends Meeting community have strong ties to Guilford College. Among our members and attenders are many alumni, plus current and former faculty members and staff. The origins of the college can be traced to New Garden Boarding School, established by members of the meeting in 1837. Throughout the college’s history,…
During the chat after Meeting for Worship on November 29, 2020 we discussed the book, Making Our Way to Lumpkin. The book is a collection of memories, essays and poetry of people who have gone down to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA to visit with male detainees including many who had been living…
Advocacy in a Time of Transition Prepare to Drive Change in the New Congress, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. EST. Are you ready to hit the ground running to advocate for peace and justice with the new Congress in 2021? Join a conversation with FCNL Grasstops Manager Ashley Wilson and National Field Organizer Sarah Freeman-Woolpert…
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 endorsing…
Looking for ideas for holiday gift-giving that support local businesses? Consider these books at Scuppernong Books www.scuppernongbooks.com Richie Zweigenhaft, Jews, Palestinians, and Friends: 45 Years at a Quaker College (a sorta memoir). Beal and Carter, “Tales from the New Garden Friends Graveyard.” Max Carter, “Palestine and Israel: A Personal Encounter
Zoom Forum / 9:45 a.m. / Gratitude and Goals: A Time for Reflection and Gratitude…
Sunday 11 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at: www.ngfm.org/media Reading:…
Sunday 11 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at: www.ngfm.org/media Reading:…
Sunday 11 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at:…
11 a.m. / Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at: www.ngfm.org/media…
9:45 a.m. / Mark Judkins Helpsmeet / Northern Spirit Radio: A Quaker Ministry of Radio…
Sunday 11 a.m. Meeting for Worship livestream: Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting/ Prepared messages are posted at: www.ngfm.org/media
Max Carter and Gertrude Beal host and adult forum on “Understanding Issues at Guilford College.”…
