2021-09-02 Announcements for

Technology Refinements

The Tech Committee received generally positive reviews regarding the new Pana camera system. We have made two changes to address the main complaints. First, the image projected from the Meeting Room will be split into only two windows. At the bottom will be a constant panoramic view of the room. The upper, larger window will find the speaker, and we anticipate it will remain on the speaker unless there are accidental noises made in the room by others.

The second change is that the only microphone pickup broadcast into Zoom will be from the hand held microphone. Last week we asked people to stand at the inner circle of chairs when speaking so that the Pana mic could hear you well enough. That is no longer necessary. When standing to speak we will go to the center table and pick up the microphone. We may then return to our place if we wish or we may stand in the inner circle. It does not matter for sound quality; however, your image will be larger for the Zoom participants if you stand at the inner circle of chairs. During announcements we can pass the microphone and it will pick up nicely for Zoom participants. The hand held mic will continue to feed into the system for the hearing impaired as well.

Immigration

Granite State Organizing Project is putting together a contingent to the Milford Labor Day Parade as part of their advocacy for immigration reform. If you are interested here is a bit of information and the link to sign up. Monday September 6 parade contingent at Milford Labor Day parade (meet up 11:55 AM Milford High School, parade starts at 1 PM)

Here's a link [2] to sign up for the Milford Labor Day parade and other events. Please share widely!

Here is another way to work for immigration reform: Next month, immigrants who are essential workers, farmworkers, DREAMers, and Temporary Protected Status holders could win a pathway to citizenship. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen's support is key, and the time to take action is NOW- join Granite State Interfaith Action in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors to make phone calls, speak with our Senators, and join public events. Email Linds Jakows at lindsj [at] granitestateinterfaithaction [dot] org (subject: We%20Are%20Home) with subject line "We Are Home" to join the campaign.

Thanks,

Sara

News of Friends.

Ruth and Greg Heath and new attender Charlie Ajootian went on hikes this Thursday. To their surprise they bumped into each other on the top of Mt. Cardigan! Small world. Sara Smith, Heidi Babb and Kathi Connors have all registered for Exploring Spiritual Practices (see below). It's not too late to register, but it starts soon.

The following items are repeated from prior announcements.

CROP Walk (to eradicate hunger) October 9

As you may remember, the CROP Walk is an annual fundraiser held nationally to alleviate the challenges of disease, disaster, and displacement that leave people hungry locally and internationally. Local congregations form teams and members make donations to support those teams. Over the years, CFM has been a strong contributor to this effort. This year's CROP Walk is currently planned to return to an in-person walk starting from the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) on Clinton St. in Concord. People will begin gathering at 12:00 with a kick-off rally at 12:30 and the walk beginning at 1:00.

To Join as a Walker and/or Support the Team

1. Click here: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/team/concord-friends-meeting [3]
2. Click Join The Team to sign up as a walker (you will be able to donate if you’d like from this link), or
3. Click Make a Donation to donate via credit or debit card.
4. Note that donations online can be made anonymously if you wish.
5. Alternatively, you can donate by writing a check payable to CWS/CROP Walk and mail to: Sheryl Ingraham, 4 Fogg Street, Concord, NH. 03301

If you would like to support the CFM team financially, donations can be made in two ways:

1. Click here: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/team/concord-friends-meeting [3] to donate via credit or debit card.
2. Write a check payable to CWS/CROP and mail to: Sheryl Ingraham, 4 Fogg Street, Concord, NH. 03301

Note that donations online can be made anonymously if you wish.

Please contact Sheryl Ingraham if you have any questions: (410) 972-1222 or sheryl [dot] ingraham [at] gmail [dot] com (subject: CROP%20Walk)

Some Inspiration From Other Parts of Quakerdom

Ruth read and recommends this FUM (Friends United Meeting) newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/fum/fum-e-news-march-24-2315600?e=977b0da503 [4].

Perhaps it is because she had the gift and honor of visiting among Friends in Kenya in 2004, but she finds the love and resilience of Meetings worldwide an inspiration. Especially note the new emphasis by FUM on African Meetings become 'mission-sending' churches (meaning they send missionaries to others within their own cultures). She was also struck by the Adopt A Bed program at Lugulu Hospital in Kenya (Jennifer may have better insight into this, her father having served at the hospital in the 1960's). And the request for prayer for the new, young director at the Belize School- she has a serious infection (mimicking COVID symptoms) and has gone to Mexico for treatment. Read it for yourself to find out which items reach into your heart; and subscribe if you want to receive it weekly.

Epsom Lunch - Solidarity Walkers for Immigrant Justice

Hello friends!

Please see the below information and all-call for volunteers to help host the 9/23 lunch in Epsom for the Solidarity Walkers for Immigrant Justice! Reply to this email to request more information or confirm that you are able be part of this fun volunteer team! Feel free to specify how you'd like to be involved and please forward the email to anyone else who might be interested! A follow-up email with additional details we will then be sent to the group of volunteers soon!

--with gratitude,

Kim

Solidarity Walk for Immigrant Justice

--HELP is NEEDED with 9/23 Lunch Preparation!

Each year activists for immigrant justice complete a 3-day walk to the ICE detention facility in Dover to bring awareness to the need for greater justice in our state system. The Epsom Democrats are hosting lunch on day-2 of this year’s Solidarity Walk for Immigrant Justice. We'll offer bagged lunches on Thursday, September 23rd for 30-50 Immigrant Solidarity walkers. We hope to set up at the Epsom Library but are waiting for final confirmation of the location.

Volunteers are needed to donate funds to purchase food & paper goods, shop for supplies, and prepare lunch items. The lunches will include a choice of wraps and sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookies and canned/bottled beverages. Help is needed with advanced sandwich/wrap preparation and cookie baking, both of which can be done in your own home. There will also be a group prep event at the home of Kim Gillis in Epsom, on the morning of 9/23. Support for set-up and clean-up at the at the lunch are needed too! Please contact Kim Gillis at kgillis [at] live [dot] com or (603) 892-4271 for more information or to pitch-in on this worthy cause! All aspects of hosting the lunch offer fun opportunities to be of service in community and support immigrant justice, so please join us in whatever way you can!

Exploring Spiritual Practice

[This course is a mini version of the year-long seminar Ruth experienced 2019-2020 and she highly recommends it.]

Registration is open for a Fall 2021 online course starting Tuesday Sept. 7th,

Exploring Spiritual Practices [5], led by Marcelle Martin. During the ten week course, participants will experiment with numerous approaches to meditation, prayer, and presence. We'll seek to know more fully the nature of consciousness, our true self, and our connection to the Spirit. We’ll explore how mindfulness, awareness, and communion with the Divine affects not only our inner and outer lives, but radiates beyond us into the world. We will learn which spiritual practices are most suited to each of us at this time and explore how to make them a more integrated part of our daily lives. Online class time will include brief presentations, experiencing different spiritual practices, sharing in pairs and groups, and class discussion. No particular beliefs in God or prayer are required, only a willingness to earnestly try different practices, notice what we experience, and listen respectfully to the experiences and beliefs shared by others. Using Zoom and a private online platform for communication, we will be forming a vibrant community to go deeper together in our spiritual experience and explore the awesome mystery of our relationship to the divine.

TWO SECTIONS OF THE COURSE ARE OFFERED:

Morning: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Evening: 7 - 9 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Intrigued? Go HERE [6] to read details and register for Exploring Spiritual Practices.

Curious but not ready to commit just yet? Watch this 3-minute introductory video [7]. Or Sign up here [8] for a free introductory webinar where you can sample the course on Sept 7^th. Co-sponsored by New England Quakers in partnership with the Beacon Hill Friends House, this course is open to people of diverse faiths.

News of Friends.

Anne Saunders Blog Link Ruth has been reading her blog and commends it to you! Find it here [9].