Christmas Eve Blended Program

News about a "potluck" Christmas Eve program – up-date: Looking at the incidence of COVID and risks with people traveling, we decided to offer at least a blended program, not just in person. But the potluck program is still ongoing... instead of a dish, bring a reading, poem or song to share! Contact Sara Smith if you can attend and let her know if you wish to share. Howard Thurman has much to offer about Christmas so we will start there and let the spirit move us! Do you have a favorite story, something you can read or tell in 2-5 minutes? Plan on 7-8 ish and sit around your Christmas tree or candles - we can share those online too. See Sara for questions.

Kathi Connors Writes -

Cities across the country hold an annual vigil on the year's "longest night" to memorialize those people without homes who lives ended during the year. It is a chance to remind ourselves of the health challenges facing this population including inadequate shelter to prevent or recover from illness. A man I had befriended will be one of those whose names that are called at the Concord vigil this year. He represents an alarming number of those over 60 that are unhoused. Contact me at kathi [dot] connors [at] gmail [dot] com (subject: Homeless%20Vigil%202021) if you would like to meet at the event, or have any questions about it.

Please plan to change out of winter footwear when entering the building.

Winter is here in all but name. Friends are reminded that changing into indoor shoes or slippers is strongly encouraged. That way we won't be leaving puddles of melted snow and tracks of abrasive grit under our chairs in the Meeting Room. Cleanup is so much easier!

Sara Smith Writes -

Here is an interesting article about the historical practices of Native Americans in the White Mountain region. Chief Bunnell explains how sacred Mt Washington is to them and other practices related to the area. It also tells more about the current situation of the entire Abenaki tribe and why they went underground. 5 minute read. Follow this link. [1]

Draft minutes from the December meeting for business can be found here [2]

The following items are repeated from prior announcements.

Ministry and Counsel Announcements

Fourth Sundays- We are planning the following Fourth Sundays:

• December – This is a holiday
• January – State of Society- reflecting on the spiritual state of our meeting- What has 2021 been like for us?
• February - Nominating Committee- will help us examine how our gifts can be used in service to the meeting.
• March - A chance get to know the people of AFSC NH with a visit from Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke. You will love them!

Christmas Eve - How about a potluck Christmas Eve program? – instead of a dish, bring a reading, poem or song to share! Contact Sara Smith if you can come and let her know if you wish to share. Let the spirit move us!

Ongoing programs:

• We continue to offer two book groups that meet online. Currently reading:
  • The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous- Settler relations - 2nd and 4th Monday
  • Enrique’s Journey: the story of a boy’s dangerous odyssey to reunite with his mother - Thursdays
• Care groups Tuesday and Wednesday- Join a group to support each other and share our daily lives.
• Quaker Basics - learn the basics of Quakerism. By arrangement with Mark Barker
• Friends Committee on National Legislation: Join NH’s advocacy team to lobby our Congressional Reps on issues of peace and justice. (Sara Smith)

If interested in joining these - check with any member of Ministry and Counsel for details.

Abundance in Advent Calendars: It's not too Late!

If you haven't been able to pick up an "Abundance in Advent Calendar" in person at the Meetinghouse (decorated by the children), please download this document [3] and print it. (f you have trouble doing this, email ruthmheath [at] comcast [dot] net to get one emailed to you as an attachment.) The funds raised from this will enable us to sponsor Christine Imbiti (and her family) in Kakamega, Kenya, as she attends high school this year. Each day will remind us of some aspect of our lives that we may take for granted, and prompts us to make a donation based on our abundance. For example, 'give a dollar is you have been or are in school' or "give 25 cents for each bedroom in your home". Our abundance is put into perspective. By getting to know Christine over the years our children have come to know that many of the objects noted in the calendar are not necessarily a part of her daily life.

Are you wanting information from past announcements?

Visit this page on our web site: Past Announcements [4]

Are you wanting to donate to Concord Monthly Meeting?

Visit this page on our web site for more information: Donations [5]