2025-07-06 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) .
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Wordsworth Editions
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
(The Lion and the Mouse)
~ Aesop (c. 620–564)
A Greek fabulist and storyteller.
| Day | Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | July 6th | 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. |
Meeting for Worship For Zoom link, email Zoom [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: %E2%80%9CWorship%E2%80%9D%20Zoom%20Link%20Request) . Fellowship With Children: TBA; Closing: Juliet & Elaine M. |
| Monday | July 7th | 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 | July 10th | Noon | Peace Vigil, State House Plaza. |
| Sunday | July 13th | 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) . Potluck Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business With Children: TBA; Closing: Heidi & Sue |
| Sunday | September 28th | 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Peace Pole Dedication |
In this Edition:
- Past Minutes of Meeting for Business
- Peace Pole Dedication on Sep. 28th
- Fellowship on Webster Lake on July 27th
- NEYM 2025 Annual Sessions, Aug. 1st–6th
- Quixotic! Bicycling Storyteller in Canterbury on July 6th
- FUM: “Around the World in 90 Days” throughout the summer
- Vigil for a Cease Fire - Thursdays, Noon-1:00 p.m. at State House Plaza
- QuakerSpeak Videos
- Midweek Worship Opportunities
Past Minutes of Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
The draft minutes for the June 2025 meeting for Worship with Attention to Business are available at 2025-06-08_CMM_Minutes or via MinutesofConcordMonthlyMeeting#2025.
Peace Pole Celebration: September 28th, 1–2 p.m.
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Join us in celebration of Peace as we dedicate our Peace Pole on the grounds of our Meeting House, followed by dessert and Fellowship together.
Friends, Friends-affiliate organizations and the community public are 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
Fourth Sunday in July (July 27th)
We will have a Fellowship event at Heidi's home on Webster Lake. We'll have a potluck there (only previously prepared food, since the kitchen is small) and be able to kayak and swim from her property! Or just sit and chat in the shade in the fire-pit circle. Come enjoy each other's company and good food!
NEYM 2025 Sessions
Early Registration Closes July 14th
A reminder that we will gather for the 365th Annual Sessions of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, Friday, August 1st through Wednesday, August 6th in a new location—the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus!
In order to guarantee housing we ask Friends to register during the early registration period. After that time we will need to confirm availability with the University.
Pay-As-Led
Our Pay-As-Led approach to Sessions fees has been a great success. When you register, you will be shown three suggested amounts: an “average limited income” fee, a “traditional” fee, and a “complete cost” fee. You may choose one of these amounts, or select any amount you choose. Some Friends may decide that they are unable to pay anything this year, but nobody will be required to ask for funds. Pay-As-Led relies on your integrity, trusting that each of us will contribute what we are led and able to support our faith community. Please do not let finances stop you from registering!
Find all the information about Sessions and how to register at https://neym.org/sessions. Click or tap to follow the link.">https://neym.org/sessions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q: I haven’t registered for Sessions. Can I still go?
A: Yes! If you are planning to attend in person you should register by July 14th. After July 14th, your registration will need additional confirmation by the Registrar if you are requesting housing or child/youth programs. Walk-on registration is allowed this year, but we cannot guarantee housing availability. If you want to attend online you can register at any time.
Q: What is the COVID policy this year?
A: F/friends attending Sessions are strongly encouraged to be up-to-date on vaccinations including any recommended boosters for measles and respiratory illnesses. As of this writing (July 2025) there is no requirement for general masking at Sessions.
Q: I only want to go to one part of Sessions. Do I really need to register?
A: Yes! We need to know who will be on campus and who will be online so that we can make necessary arrangements. You also need to register to receive the Zoom links for online Sessions events. Sessions is a Pay-As-Led event so you can set the amount—even $0—you are led to support Sessions with.
Q: I am registering to attend on campus. Can I get the links to join online?
A: Yes, All registrants on campus will get the Zoom links as part of the information on the back of their nametag.
Q: I am attending online Sessions. Will I be able to participate in business meetings?
A: Yes! You may want to familiarize yourself with Zoom ahead of time so you know how to raise and lower your hand. More detailed information will appear in the Advance Documents.
Q: Where will we be on the UMass campus and what will it be like?
A: Sessions activities will mostly be in the Student Union and Campus Center. This presentation will give you an overview of the location we will be in and pictures of some of the spaces: https://bit.ly/40uhNEr
Q: Is camping an option this Sessions?
A: Camping is not allowed on the UMass campus, however there is some camping in the area and Friends at Mt. Toby are offering space for campers. Email events [at] neym [dot] org for more details.
Quixotic! Bicycling Storyteller in Canterbury, Sunday Evening, July 6th
On July 6th Andy Davis is setting off by bicycle from Tamworth on an 800-mile, three-week trip through all six New England States, performing his new story, “Quixotic,” at stops along the way. His first stop will be our house.
“Quixotic” is an engrossing and humorous one-man show in which Andy celebrates his long relationship with Don Quixote and the capacity of art to impact the world. Through personal story, scenes from the novel, glimpses into the author’s life, and a snapshot from recent history, Andy connects the themes of Cervante’s masterwork to the enduring questions as to how humans should live. No prior knowledge of the novel is necessary for enjoyment, which is good because neither of us have read it.
From Canterbury, Andy will pedal on to other house concerts and formal venues in Keene, Brattleboro, the Pioneer Valley, Great Barrington, three locations in Connecticut, Providence, Cape Cod, Boston, the North Shore, Portsmouth, and southern Maine.
On July 6th, we'll get started with a potluck at 5:30, and storytelling will get underway promptly at 6:30. We'll either be inside or outside, weather depending. Consider bringing your own chair. (The timing means you can go to the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki concert at Shaker Village from 4 to 5 pm and come to our house after.)
We’ll be passing the hat, with a suggested amount of $15, but you are invited to have your own personal, private interaction with the hat. We want you here, whatever you're able to drop in.
If you can make it, please let us know by email (judyarni [at] gmail [dot] com) or text (603-491-0198). We’re trying to get a good head count and also a car count, since parking is a bit limited.
Friends United Meeting: “Around the World in 90 Days” this Summer
This summer, embark on a 90-day pilgrimage of faith, fellowship, and service as Friends United Meeting (FUM) connects communities across continents through Zoom conversations about new life and shared joy. This journey isn’t just about geography—it’s about God’s Spirit at work in diverse Quaker ministries around the world. As we share the joy of this journey together, we will be making several stops along the way.
- Indiana, USA
- Belize City, Belize
- Ramallah, Palestine
- East Africa
Roughly 90 days after our Zoom journey begins, you’re not just back home—you’re transformed. With stories in your heart and global connections in your soul, you will return with renewed passion for FUM’s work around the world in this “Season of New Life and Shared Joy.”
You can register here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FriendsUnitedMeeting/FUMAroundTheWorldIn90DaysFriendsUnitedMeetingAGlobalJourney. After filling out the short registration you will receive a link via email to your Zoom journey, and regular reminders about upcoming stops as we experience the shared joys of ministry in this new season.
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
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
Quaker Speak: A Quaker YouTube channel.
Online Meetings for Worship
QuakerSpeak Videos
A Quaker YouTube channel. We interview Friends of all different backgrounds and ask them the core questions of our faith.
YouTube · QuakerSpeak, 34.6K+ followers
Sample Videos:
“Quakerism in the 21st Century: What is the Future of Friends?”, Feb 14, 2025
“The Communal Power of Meeting for Worship”, Nov 21, 2024
“The Transformative Practice of Being”, Sep 12, 2024
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,
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Juliet C, Newsletter Editor
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