2025-05-25 Newsletter of
Concord Friends Meeting
A Monthly Meeting in Dover Quarter of
New England Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends
To request log-in information for Zoom Worship: Zoom [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: %E2%80%9CWorship%E2%80%9D%20Zoom%20Link%20Request) .
Creator: Sadie Goodwin | Credit: Sadie Goodwin
Copyright: ©2025 Sadie Goodwin, all rights reserved.
“The struggle for human rights is at its core a struggle for human dignity.”
Kerry Kennedy (1959-present)
An American lawyer, author, and human rights activist.
Don't forget: Spring Party on Sunday, June 1st after the rise of Meeting at Heidi’s. (Contact RuthH [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: 2025%20Spring%20Party) (Ruth) or HeidiB [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: 2025%20Spring%20Party) (Heidi) for the address.)
Day | Date | Time | Event |
---|---|---|---|
Sunday | May 25th | 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. |
Meeting for Worship For Zoom link, email Zoom [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: %E2%80%9CWorship%E2%80%9D%20Zoom%20Link%20Request) . Fellowship & Potluck 4th Sunday: Vocal Ministry Workshop With Children: Juliet; Closing: Chris & Rich. |
Monday | May 26th | 4:00 p.m. | In-Person Worship at Lucy's House. Contact RichK [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: CFM%20Monday%20Afternoon%20Worship) (Rich) to confirm. |
Thursday | May 29th | Noon | Peace Vigil, State House Plaza. |
Sunday | June 1st | 10:00 a.m. at rise of Meeting |
Meeting for Worship For Zoom link, email Zoom [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: %E2%80%9CWorship%E2%80%9D%20Zoom%20Link%20Request) . June Party (see Heidi or Ruth for address) With Children: TBD; Closing: TBD & TBD. |
In this Edition:
- Vocal Ministry Workshop (in person and via Zoom)
- Spring Party
- Peace Pole Celebration Dates
- 2025 Swarthmore Lecture: The Meaning of Quaker Community by Emily Provance
- Ramallah Friends School Presentation
- NEYM Israel-Palestine Resources
- Woolman Hill Work Day
- Vigil for a Cease Fire - Thursdays, Noon-1:00 p.m. at State House Plaza
- Opportunities for Service with NEYM
- ICE Lawsuit Update for Freedom of Religion
- 2024 Impact Report
- Midweek Worship Opportunities
Vocal Ministry Workshop set for 4th Sunday (May 25th)
Vocal Ministry: How do we receive the vocal ministry of others? How do we discern whether we are led to speak? Practical advice for vocal ministers.
In addition, I have attached the handout. Those attending in person will receive a hard copy, but the pdf version is for anyone attending by Zoom. Those Friends are encouraged to print it out or open it on a device they are not using for Zoom so they may refer to it during the workshop and not miss anything.
Blessings,
Betsy
Spring Party: June 1st after rise of Meeting
Come One, Come All to the Spring Party! June 1st at Heidi's home
The Meeting's Annual Spring Party will be held on June 1st after the rise of Meeting. We'll head over to Heidi's home with our potluck items and the YRE Committee will be bringing the Spring Baskets filled with treats. The youth are making these baskets and the special "Quaker Love Eggs" you'll find in them. If you can donate some small individually wrapped candy/food item or non-food item for the baskets, please bring in the coming weeks - or on June 1st. Please let Ruth know if you are coming so a handmade paper basket with your name will greet you at the party. Heidi lives on a lake so come prepared to swim or canoe/kayak if you are so inclined. If you have a handy lawn chair, bring it, but Heidi has quite a few to share also.
See you there and don't forget to RSVP to RuthH [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: 2025%20Spring%20Party) (Ruth).
Peace Pole Celebration: September 28th confirmed.
Friends, Friends' affiliate organizations, and the community public will be invited to attend and participate in a collective program featuring peace activities.
Times | Activity |
---|---|
9:45 | Setup tables and chairs – setup Greeting table (outdoors?). |
10:15-11:30 | Meeting for Worship |
11:45-12:30 | Potluck for CFM members (visitors may be arriving/greeter & food set up time needed) Potluck will not have dessert. (It’ll be used for program). |
12:30-1:00 | Greeters at table for guests arriving. Get ready for indoor food and setup chairs outside. |
1:00-1:45 | Program |
1:45 | Gather inside after program for fellowship, simple finger-food, desserts/beverages. |
Rain plan TBD
*** Stay tuned- Members will be asked to help: Setup tables/chairs; Potluck cleanup; Signup to provide desserts; Setup tables for dessert; Cleanup; Parking
2025 Swarthmore Lecture: The Meaning of Quaker Community by Emily Provance
This year's lecturer is a Friend from NY who has done much with New England Friends. It's on a YouTube channel so no need to register.
In her lecture Emily will engage with the challenge of how people can live and cooperate in community, especially when those communities are not ones that we have chosen. Emily will present a Quaker testimony of community drawn from books of discipline used across Friends’ theological spectrum and in many parts of our global community. In her lecture Emily hopes to provide a “sense of the Meeting,” using the collective wisdom of our immensely diverse Society to suggest how all people—Quaker and not—can survive and thrive as an immensely diverse humankind. Read more about Emily’s Lecture here.
Emily’s lecture will take place as part of Britain Yearly Meeting 2025 on Saturday 24th May from 7:00-8:15 p.m. (2:00-3:15 p.m. Eastern Time). The lecture will also be live streamed on the Woodbrooke YouTube Channel.
Ramallah Friends School: Presentation by Head of School, Rania Ma’ayeh, June 7th
Founded by Quakers in 1869, Ramallah Friends School plays an essential role for the students and their community on the West Bank in Palestine. Learn about the school and how you can support its work with Rania Ma’ayeh June 7th 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
Register for Zoom event here.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b1fwZBJBSa2bPNYK8dH6OA#/registration
NEYM Resources for Engagement re: Israel-Palestine
Click Here: neym.org
Woolman Hill Volunteer Workday: Wed., June 18th, 9am-5pm (or any portion thereof)
It’s finally SPRING! Join your friends on the hill, rub elbows, whistle while you work, engage in wide-ranging conversation while removing storm windows, tidying up the garden beds, stacking wood, deep cleaning, and generally sprucing up the place…
We’ll shower you with gratitude and feed you a tasty lunch and snacks! And if you’d like to stay overnight before or after, let us know to reserve a bed for you at no cost…
Come for part or all, one or both of the days… Great to let us know you’re coming; do come even if you haven’t RSVPed in advance. OR tell us if you’d love to come but can’t make these dates – there may well be other opportunities…
You're also welcome to join us afterwards for our midweek Quaker worship (5:30-6:30 p.m, followed by optional worshipful sharing).
Vigil for a Peace in Gaza
Thursdays at Noon
The vigil for a ceasefire in Gaza continues every Thursday from Noon-1 p.m. The vigil meets at (the northwest corner of) North Main Street and Park Street in Concord) on the plaza in front of the State House. Make your own sign, use one provided, or just stand in silent witness beside others. This is coordinated by NH Peace Action. We suggest that people make signs that convey something about justice for Israel and Palestine.
PSECC Committee
Opportunities for Young Adult Friends
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Earlier this spring, Teen and Outreach Ministries Coordinator Collee Williams wrote to Friends to share the following news. Their letter shared:
After a period of personal reflection, I have discerned that I will be transitioning out of my current role as the Teen & Outreach Ministries Coordinator after Sessions this summer. I’ve been grateful for the many connections that I have made through this service and have come to the realization that this position is not the right fit for my particular gifts and leadings. In my remaining months of service, I hope to pave the way for a steady transition and to complete the program year with joy and presence.
To identify the next coordinator, a search committee is being formed and a search will begin in May with the hope of being able to introduce the new coordinator by Sessions. If you have questions or comments regarding the search, please contact Program Director Nia Thomas (Nia [at] neym [dot] org (Nia [at] neym [dot] org))or Yearly Meeting Secretary Noah Merrill (ymsec [at] neym [dot] org (ymsec [at] neym [dot] org))."
Collee's complete letter is available here.
We're hiring! Teen and Outreach Ministries Coordinator
Have you felt the Spirit leading you to deepen your commitment to service in support of Quaker spirituality, life, and practice, for the present and future of Friends? Do you see exciting possibilities for new ways young Quakers and Quaker-curious people can plug into the richness Quakerism has to offer and grow in their gifts? Do you love spending time in silly play and centered presence with teens? Do you have a good sense of humor, a willing heart, organizational skills, and a team spirit? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re excited to announce the search for a Friend to serve as New England Yearly Meeting’s Teen and Outreach Ministries Coordinator—serving Friends across New England in a role focused on faith formation, leadership development, and outreach, especially to and with young people.
To read the full job description and apply, go here. Applications encouraged by June 15th.
ICE Lawsuit
Dear Concord Friends Meeting,
With the collaboration of several Yearly and Monthly Meetings, Friends General Conference (FGC) joined an interfaith coalition of congregations and religious associations to file a lawsuit challenging an Executive Order that overturns the “sensitive locations” policy.
The Executive Order gives ICE broad latitude to raid houses of worship. The case is called Mennonite Church USA v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Our Mennonite partners, who have a long history of assisting refugees and asylum seekers, were the first to commit to this interfaith litigation. Our interfaith partnership comprises over twenty congregations and associations with the full list at the end of this article.
This is a critical lawsuit that is estimated to represent more than 2 million congregants. In filing an interfaith lawsuit, it’s our hope we will have broad enough standing to re-secure protected status for all houses of worship across the United States. It’s also an important initial collaboration during a time that will likely call on our various faith traditions to witness repeatedly for human rights.
Here are some important points and updates:
- In early April, a hearing was held in the District of Columbia where we, the coalition of plaintiffs, requested an injunction that would essentially restore the sensitive locations policy while the litigation proceeded.
- Representatives for most of the plaintiffs were present in the courtroom including the General Secretary of FGC, Barry Crossno, and the Associate Executive Director for Operations of Mennonite Church USA, Iris de León-Hartshorn.
- Our lawyers submitted declarations that shared, in part, reduced attendance and reduced use of services at some congregations is due to the threat of ICE entering houses of worship.
- After several days to consider the injunction request, the judge did not grant the injunction. Since the government has refrained from ICE raids in houses of worship since this lawsuit and an earlier lawsuit led by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and New England Yearly Meeting were filed, the judge held that there is not an imminent risk that justifies an injunction. Further, the judge did not see enough evidence that real harm has been occurring to our worshipping communities.
- While an injunction was not granted, the litigation is still moving forward. The injunction request was simply the first in a series of actions that will occur over the coming months.
- On Monday, May 12th our lawyers filed a Joint Status Report, where they shared with the Court that we plan to file a renewed preliminary injunction motion with additional evidence that has been collected from some of the plaintiffs.
- The court responded that a renewed motion needs to be filed by June 2nd. The government will respond on June 25th.
While this litigation will take time and the outcome is uncertain, it’s important to remain centered in the knowledge that we, however imperfectly, are asked to witness to the seed of the Divine in all people.
Many of your monthly meetings are taking important actions on their own and in collaboration with Yearly Meetings, FGC and interfaith partners in a variety of ways. If we speak and witness, whatever the outcome, a vision for a better future will continue to live within us collectively. Being faithful has purpose.
In Friendship,
Barry Crossno
General Secretary
List of Participating Plaintiffs
- Mennonite Church USA
- The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (NC)
- The Central Conference of American Rabbis
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (IN)
- Church of the Brethren, Inc.
- Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas
- The Episcopal Church
- Fellowship Southwest (TX)
- Friends General Conference
- General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
- General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church
- Latino Christian National Network, Massachusetts Council of Churches
- The New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
- New York State Council of Churches
- North Carolina Council of Churches
- The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church
- The Rabbinical Assembly
- Reconstructing Judaism
- Rhode Island State Council of Churches
- Union for Reform Judaism
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
- The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
- Wisconsin Council of Churches
- WISDOM, Inc. (WI)
Visit FGCQuaker.org for updates.
FGC 2024 Impact Report
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Mico Sorrel, second from right, attended the 2024 Gathering with three generations of their family. Their story is featured in our 2024 Impact Report: Creating Resilient Community.
Dear Friend,
I find myself thinking a lot about what matters most to me. It’s challenging to live in this time, with so much of what I have taken for granted being eroded. And it’s heartening to be engaged in the growing resistance and community building that I witness around me.
When it comes right down to it, one of the things that matters most to me is that the Religious Society of Friends continues to thrive. I have been a Quaker all my life. I raised my kids Quaker. I have Quaker grandchildren. It is a core piece of my identity, and my faith continues to provide spiritual sustenance daily in these hard times. I don’t take the future of the Religious Society of Friends for granted.
I know that things that are valuable need to continue to remake themselves, to respond to changing needs. I have watched Friends General Conference do just that over the years. And that offers me hope that with the continued engagement of staff, volunteers and donors, FGC will be here for my grandchildren’s children. I hope to continue to be in a position to support FGC financially for the rest of my life and have confidence that the planned gift I have made will be well used by the next generation.
In Friendship,
Mico Sorrel
Mico Sorrel is a member of North Pacific Yearly Meeting. They pitched the idea for and then co-clerked the first West Coast Gathering in Tacoma, Washington, in 2006.
Learn more about Mico's story in FGC’s 2024 Impact Report.
FGC’s mission is to strengthen the Religious Society of Friends. This 2024 Impact Report reflects back on a year of doing just that. Thank you for helping to create resilient community with powerful Gatherings, retreats, worship and connections.
Enjoy stories of how your support helps nurture a more inclusive, multi-generational, multi-cultural, and actively anti-racist faith community. Thank you for reading and sharing it with others, and thank you for supporting FGC.
our partnership impacts the spiritual lives of Friends.
Please Remember
Please remember to keep a pair of slippers or indoor shoes on the shoe rack to limit damage to our floors.
Plastic Bags can be put inside the box by the entrance of the Meetinghouse.
Questions, comments, etc.
Questions, comments, suggestions? Email us at: ConcordFriendsNewsletter [at] gmail [dot] com
From Past Issues
Midweek Worship Opportunities
There are other online Meetings for Worship that are generally available to Quakers, unlimited by geography, if that would be of interest. Some of those are listed here.
- In New England, there is a new Monthly Meeting that is currently entirely online. It meets via Zoom link on every other Thursday. Here is their "about" page: https://www.ThreeRiversMeeting.org/about
- While it is not a usual Meeting for Worship, there is a weekly Taizé worship offered Thursday evenings online by a member of Mt. Toby Meeting in Western Massachusetts. See https://neym.org/events-calendar/weekly-taize-service-online
- Pendle Hill, the Quaker study and retreat center near Philadelphia, has Worship available every morning. This can also be accessed online. Go to https://pendlehill.org/explore/worship/online-daily-worship/
- Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) has a webpage with online worship opportunities around the world, a few of which are midweek. got to https://fwcc.world/find/online-worship/
- The Ben Lomond Quaker Center offers a daily online meeting for worship from 7:30-8:00 a.m. (Pacific)/10:30-11:00 a.m. (Eastern). You can join them from anyplace in the world. Online meeting for worship. NB. Connection is NOT SECURE
Submissions
Dear Friends,
If you have information or personal news to share via this Newsletter please email your submission to ConcordFriendsMeeting [at] GMail [dot] com (subject: Newsletter) by 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
- Items should begin with a headline followed by text that can be copied and pasted without editing.
- Please remove any formatting if you are able.
- Please keep postings directly related to the Meeting or activities and groups supported by the Meeting, or personal news to share.
- Please send submissions by Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
- Typically, the announcements will go out on Thursday. It is our intention to acknowledge receipt of all submissions. If you don't receive an acknowledgment, we probably have not seen your message, and it would be helpful if you followed up with us.
- The Newsletter Gmail account is used by Juliet. Look for the signature to be clear who the actual sender is.
- Finally, it's best to keep your Zoom links in a handy place in case the announcements are not sent in a given week.
Juliet C, Newsletter Editor
Are you wanting information from past announcements?
Visit this page on our web site: Past Announcements