Dear Friends, Happy Spring! Spring is my favorite season, followed very closely by Fall. For me, these transitional seasons are full of beauty, hope, and excitement for what is to come (even as I continue to wake up to temps in the 20’s and wonder when I can really start to get things started in the garden). This season of transition at New Garden Friends Meeting is affecting me similarly. Some days I am simply bursting with joy at the beauty in our growth and discovery. But also, it’s not quite as comfortable as I expect that it will someday be. It’s hard to sit still and wait. But then I see our cherry tree dropping all it’s gorgeous blossoms after the wintry morning assaults, and I am also aware of what can happen when things blossom too soon. So I am embracing the waiting, and looking forward to what is to come. And I am enjoying it in community with all of you.

All that said, I am hopeful that Friends will join us next Sunday, March 26th, 9:45-10:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for Intergenerational First Day School. Laura Hans will share “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” Godly Play story. Godly Play uses a particularly interesting approach to sharing parables that reminds us that the stories are open ended and, perhaps not what you always thought they were. Come, explore with us. A light, continental breakfast will be provided. I hope to see you there!

Warmly, Karin

Children are Welcome at Meeting for Worship!

All children are invited and encouraged to join us during Meeting for Worship. There is a blanket in the back corner of the meetingroom for children to sit on for Meeting for Wiggles. They are welcome to bring small, quiet toys to play with. Crayons and activity packets are available in the foyer outside the Worship room. Childcare is available beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the rise of Meeting for Worship.

Please email Karin Heller if you plan to use childcare to ensure coverage. [email protected]

Adult Forum– 9:45-10:45 a.m. (hybrid-parlor and Zoom)

March 26: Join us for Intergenerational First Day School in the parlor.

April 2: FCNL Session: What does reproductive health care look like in the world that you, and we at New Garden Friends seek? How are the Quaker values and testimonies relevant to the issue of abortion? Should the FCNL Policy Statement be revised on the issues of abortion and reproductive health and abortion? If so, what should the Policy Statement say?

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is seeking discernment from Friends across the country on reproductive health and abortion. We’ll discern these and other queries together on April 2 during the Adult forum session.

Abortion is presently considered a “challenge” area, acknowledging that Friends across the U.S. have not been in unity on abortion. Therefore, it is not currently a part of the FCNL Policy Statement nor the Legislative Priorities for the 118th Congress. The Policy Committee of the General Committee is asking Friends to revisit, if any, what advocacy FCNL should do on reproductive health and abortion. Find more information including queries to consider and additional resources. (https://tinyurl.com/2s4eznwa)