Dear Friends,
First Day Forum
I am SUPER EXCITED to announce that we will spend our time during First Day Forum sharing about books we’ve read for the Quaker Reading Challenge! What is the Quaker Reading Challenge? Glad you asked! This summer Friends are invited to read and share about as many Quaker books, pamphlets, and magazines as they can. And there will be prizes! Think baked goods, t-shirts, books, and maybe a quilt square by one of our very skilled sewists.
Where will you find Quaker books?! We have an incredible resource right in our very own meetinghouse that Friends may not be aware of. Have you visited the NGFM Library? Did you know that you can check out books about any number of things, including Quakers? Kids books too! Well you can. If you have questions about how to do so, reach out. I’d be happy to show you. This is an intergenerational activity, all are invited to join us in First Day forum, or just for the challenge.
However, after our discussion last week in First Day Forum, two things became apparent:
1. I should update the challenge to include podcasts and QuakerSpeak videos (I did).
2. This is not really a hybrid friendly forum.
Spiritual Disciplines (9:45-10:45 a.m. hybrid)
Friends who are interested in joining religious education programming via Zoom on First Day mornings, are invited and welcomed to join Spiritual Disciplines. This is a wonderful time to do so as they work together to discern a way forward for this vibrant and supportive group.
Father’s Day Child Dedications
As many of you may know, it has been our tradition at New Garden Friends Meeting to dedicate children to our community on both Mother’s and Father’s day. If you are interested in having your child dedicated on Father’s Day (or any other time), please email me so that we can make arrangements to do so.
Have you registered for Summer Program?
Join us June 12-15, 9:30a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This week long, cooperative program takes on a different theme each year. This year, our theme is Telling Our Stories! Join us to learn more about how different Friends choose to let their lives speak, and how these choices impact their spiritual journey.
I am sharing the schedule below and attaching the flyer. Please email me to register, if you’d like to join us for fellowship, volunteer, or if you are willing to bring a snack that shares a bit of your “story” (e.g. apple slices because you were a teacher, tropical fruit because you grew up somewhere tropical, or pie because you love baking… sky is the limit here!). All are welcome! [email protected]
Warmly, Karin
Telling Our Stories
Daily Schedule, M-W, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
9:30-10:00 Welcome, Meeting for Worship w/ person from “Lives That Speak” book and queries
10:00-10:30 Craft/activity
10:30-10:45 Water break
10:45-11:15 Outdoor games
11:15-11:45 Stories from New Gardeners/snack
11:45-12:00 Music
12:00-12:30 Story from the cemetery
Closing thoughts, dismissal
Thursday, June 15: Water Day
9:30-10:00 Worship sharing
10:00-12:30 Water Day!
Wear a swimsuit and sunscreen, bring a towel and a change of clothes. Get ready to slip and slide and have a splashing good time! Or you can just eat watermelon in the shade.
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]
First Day Forum
9:45-10:45 a.m. (in person only during the Summer months.) Join us in the library to discuss what we’re all reading for the Quaker Reading Challenge!