Covid-19 Safety

If you have been out shopping in the past days, you have seen a variety of folks who are wearing mask correctly or who aren’t wearing a mask, or wearing one incorrectly. You can share thoughts/requests with Governor Cooper and other public officials regarding making masks in stores mandatory and that the state educates the public to explain why this policy is urgently needed. Making face masks mandatory for everyone even one hour weekly will…

Solar+ Project Update

New Garden’s Energy Team is excited to report that monthly meeting approved the Solar Energy + Outreach Project. This is a great opportunity to reduce our impact on Earth’s resources and save operating costs for the Meetinghouse at the same time. (We anticipate that this solar power will provide about three-quarters of our electricity use.) As Quakers, our testimony of Stewardship calls upon us to care for the Earth, its environment and changing climate as…

Essential Training in Family Systems and Conflict Transformation / The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

North Carolina Fellowship of Friends is forwarding information to Meetings on the 2020 Mediation Skills Training Institute programming, offered via the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center has trained thousands of church leaders in conflict resolution skills. They can also train groups in their own locations. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. Having the skills to function effectively in emotionally intense, conflicted situations is important for all of us, especially those…

Adult Forum / June 14

Virtual Zoom Meeting / 9:45 a.m. / This week during our Adult Forum time, Friends will watch a litany and message that Rev. William Barber II delivered last week in response to George Floyd’s murder. The video will be around 30 minutes long, and the remainder of our time will be spent in discussion. This is particularly timely since the Poor Peoples Campaign has a national online rally scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 10:00a.m.-12 p.m.…

Solar + Project News

On June 7 New Garden Monthly Meeting has approved a plan to install solar panels on the Meetinghouse roof, which will save up to 75% on our energy bills.  This puts the Quaker testimony of Stewardship into practice, helping benefit the environment and confront climate change. While helping ourselves, an energy-saving outreach will help lower income families in our community reduce their energy bills. With this outreach program New Garden will fund energy-efficiency improvements in…

If You Want to Vote by Absentee Ballot in the Fall

The NC Board of Elections is expecting way more requests this year because of the uncertainty of the virus situation. Guilford County is expecting an increase of about 733% over normal requests for absentee ballots. People involved in elections are suggesting that you send your absentee ballot request in now to avoid the crunch. When November rolls around, if you feel comfortable voting in person, you can still do it and just not send in…

Friends Committee on North Carolina Legislation / Action Alerts

Information submitted by Bill McNeil: News from Friends Committee on North Carolina Legislation* continues to grow in strength and numbers as we work to promote state legislation and practices that are consistent with Quaker values and testimonies. With racial, social, and economic inequities intensified by COVID-19 and disturbing incidences of police violence and racism, there has never been a more compelling time to take action in NC! Friends Committee on North Carolina Legislation has issued…

Online Worship / June 14

Online Worship at 11 a.m. FaceBook: facebook.com/NewGardenFriendsMeeting Reading: 1 Peter 4:8-11 Title: Love Leads Us Forward This 1st Day Meeting for Worship will be a Zoom service (with a live feed through FaceBook) at 11:00, including a reading and message by Pastor Margaret, announcements by Karen Garraputa, music by Marc Alley, and a renewal of vows by Bob and Joyce Mers who are celebrating 50 years of marriage. We will have silent waiting worship after…