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Photograph by Asia Lenae

“Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”



~ Langston Hughes (1901-1967)

An American poet, social activist, novelist,

playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri.

Although we have thoroughly enjoyed the song circles, attendance has been waning.  We had hoped it would be filling a need in the community but that doesn't seem to be happening.  To gauge interest on how important this is to folks, I have sent an email to the 80+ people on my list asking them to "reply" whether they will come this Friday, May 16^th or if they'd like to come but can't make it this month.  If they are no longer interested in coming, they don't need to reply; we'll take non-response as not-interested and, if we continue, we'll remove them from this list.  Please do the same if you did not get that email and want to participate in Third Friday Song Circle.

However, we do hope you are still interested in raising our voices and spirits in these challenging times!  Come with a hopeful song request - or teach us one!

We meet this Friday, May 16^th at 6:30 pm at the Quaker Meetinghouse (11 Oxbow Pond Rd).  As always, bring your Rise Again and Rise Up Singing songbooks (or borrow ours).   Bring a little treat to share and a friend and we'll all leave feeling lighter and more hopeful than when we arrived.

Finance Committee: Please follow this link [2] to see the Finance Committee's report that includes income and expense to date for the Fiscal Year through April, a projection for the year end (May 31^st) and the proposed budget for next year.  The Committee is asking the Meeting to consider their budget recommendation for a second time and to approve it perhaps with amendments.  The Finance Committee is also asking the Meeting to set aside the remainder of this year's Grounds budget line which is just under $1,000 as a fund on the balance sheet.  This "savings" will allow a future grounds improvement project that exceeds the cost of what is typically available in any given year.

The Meeting's Annual Spring Party will be held on June 1^st 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 (Ruth).

(This will familiarize anyone interested in volunteering.  No commitment is required.  To date there have been no requests for sanctuary at this time).

As a Meeting we have committed to providing support for undocumented people seeking sanctuary.  Our friends at the Manchester UU church have created a space in their building for this purpose.  They need a roster of trained volunteers to be present for shifts to be a helpful presence when/if they have a guest.

From their committee:

     We are having our next Orientation/Training session for the Sanctuary Program at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester.  If you have not yet participated, we hope you will join us.

We will update you on the current status for ‘Sensitive Locations’, about our legal counsel, and have a demonstration of use of the AED (defibrillation device) which we have at our church.  We also hope to nail down the night and day times for people who have already signed up.

Coffee, snacks and socializing begin at 9:30am.  The program will begin at 10am and finish at noon.  We will be meeting upstairs in the Lounge.  A greeter at the door will guide you.  Saturday, May 17^th, 2025.

This Saturday!

We hope you will join us.  RSVP’s will be helpful.

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 [3].  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.

The Peace Pole Ad-hoc Committee has been meeting and planning the celebration of our Peace Pole.

Date to be decided and approved:

September 21^st, International Peace  Day.  This date may be impacted by and  in conflict with the Concord Cultural Festival OR September 28^th.

Friends, Friends affiliate organizations, and the community public will be invited to attend and participate in a collective program featuring peace activities.

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

No Voice Too Small [5] - 2 PM to 6 PM.

State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by 50501 NH.

Come celebrate our kids.  Let’s lift them up and show them how many people believe in them and want the best for them.  Let’s listen to them speak.  They see more than we could know, and they know more than we think.  It’s time to hand them the mic.

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 (5:30-6:30pm, followed by optional worshipful sharing).

Friends might enjoy learning about how Israelis and Palestinians have worked together for peace and understanding over the years.  The group Combatants for Peace was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Not in My Name NH invites you to a film and discussion at Red River Theatre in Concord, NH, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

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) [8] 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.

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.