Hello Friends. Mark you calendars! I am excited to share that George Lakey will be joining us during our Adult Forum time on Sunday, November 1st! Many of you are already familiar with George and all of the incredible work and activism that he has been involved with over the past 7 or 8 decades. But you may, or may not be aware of the work he is currently involved in. In his most recent email, George said this, “We’re making amazing progress mobilizing people to choose democracy.”

Large national progressive organizations are now quietly creating alliances to be able to move swiftly after the November election, even if some that are now going all-out to get out the vote.

Many people are signaling their willingness to go to direct action, if need be, to save our republic.  Last week I did what I thought was going to be a local meeting on that subject, organized by Baltimore Quakers on Zoom, and found that over 700 people attended from over two dozen states!

Tonight we’re inaugurating the first national public trainings for a nonviolent direct action response to a possible Trumpian power grab.

That’s a two-session training that attracted over a thousand people and is already full.  The next is now open for registration: Oct 1/6.  Go to ChooseDemocracy.us to register.

The ChooseDemocracy.us website is loading evidence-based resources that help guide us when we face something new in our history, the possibility of a national coup attempt.  Defeating a coup is strategically different from the social change movements we’re used to in the U.S.  Thank goodness there are examples from other countries of successful use of nonviolent mass resistance that defeated a coup attempt, even by an army (which is not what we’ll be facing here).

I took a month of study to wrap my own head around the differences between defeating a coup and strategizing for social change.  We can’t trust “what we used to do.”  Don’t assume we all “rush to Washington,” or the federal building near you, for example!  This threat challenges us to think freshly.” Unfortunately, all of the workshops are currently full. But it is likely that more will be added. It is suggested that Friends explore, WagingNonviolence.org, where more trainings will be announced, and his articles and those of others will be posted.

George will also be leading the First Monday lecture at Pendle Hill on Monday, October 5th. Registration is required. Friends can register for the event here; https://pendlehill.org/events/can-quakers-and-others-help-prevent-an-american-slide-into-dictatorship-hint-nonviolence-will-be-key/

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Additionally, Kerry Nance, from the Interactive Resource Center joined us last week for our Adult Forum. This morning, she shared a link for their upcoming dignity event. Friends are encouraged to Rsvp using the link below.

https://facebook.com/events/s/irc-dignity-event-2020/242552467119824/?ti=icl

Those who RSVP are automatically entered into a raffle for an IRC swag bag. The event will take place on Facebook at 10 AM on October 8th.

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Lastly, some of you may already be aware that the City of Greensboro has started payment collections and water shut offs beginning Thursday, October 1st, with residents receiving phone calls about it only the day prior. This is not only inhumane, but it is fueling an even more dire public health crisis in the middle of a pandemic, and just weeks before k-5 students are scheduled to return to in person learning.

Friends are encouraged to sign the petition below demanding council stop these shut offs and eliminate the debt burden; https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/keep-the-water-running-no-water-cutoffs-in-a-pandemic

If you’re able donate to the emergency utilities fund to support our neighbors, as Piedmont Gas has also lifted their moratorium, you can do so here: app.mobilecause.com/form/Ap-mcw?vid=c80xn

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We will continue to use Zoom for Religious Education programming.

Adult Forum / October 3, 2020 / 9:45-10:45 a.m./ This week during Adult Forum we will take some time to discuss some of the information available on choose democracy.us Friends are encouraged to explore the website, sign the pledge, and come ready to share about the things they found that stand out for them.

Topic: Adult Forum

Time: Oct 4, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Spiritual Disciplines (begins at 10 a.m.)

Topic: Spiritual Discipline class / This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Young Friends: Young Friends will officially begin programming on October 26th! Look for more information in upcoming weeks.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, joys, or concerns, Karin Heller