NEW GARDEN FRIENDS MEETING

 

FOUNDED 1754 - 255 YEARS OF
CONTINUOUS QUAKER MINISTRY IN THE
NEW GARDEN/GREENSBORO COMMUNITY
 
29th Day, 11th Month, 2009

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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10:30 – 11:00 a.m. - Silent worship in the MEETING ROOM

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11:00 a.m. - SEMI-PROGRAMMED MEETING FOR WORSHIP

 

“Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."

                                                ~ Bing Crosby (1904-1977)

 

Each item in the order of worship arises out of the silence that encompasses the whole hour of meeting for worship. As Quakers, we value these quiet moments in the presence of God and our gathered congregation.

 

WORSHIPFUL MUSIC                                  

     

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS           

 

HYMN NO. 68                       “The First Noel the Angel Did Say”

 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE                   Anya Lawe

 

READING                                                     Jeremiah 33:14-16

 

ANTHEM                                                                   Adult Choir

 "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" arranged by Jim Bain

                                     

WE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE MEETING BUDGET

to join in meeting for worship.

"The question is not, how much of what is mine do I give to others. The question is, how much of what is God's do I reserve for myself. The answer we give is a faith issue, a stewardship issue."                          - William Avery

 

HYMN NO. 32                                         “Morning Has Broken”

 

MESSAGE       “A STORY FOR CHRISTMAS & BEYOND CHRISTMAS”      James Clotfelter                             

 

COMMUNION AFTER THE MANNER OF FRIENDS

After the planned message we enter into a period of worship that is based upon silent, expectant waiting. It is a distinctly Quaker form of worship. It is slightly different from meditation. This kind of worship (about 30 minutes) may be completely silent, or there may be those who are led to stand and speak. When we hear a speaker, regardless of whether we agree with what is said, or whether we understand what is being said, we hold that speaker in the LIGHT (pray for them) and consider that we may learn valuable lessons or be moved spiritually by what is being said. After the speaker finishes, we return to the silence and continue to worship expectantly. Early in the silence we may use our mind to think about words and music we have just heard, but hopefully we will get beyond the process of thinking to a place where the Divine Spirit leads and guides us into a deeper level of worship.

 

GREETING AFTER THE MANNER OF FRIENDS

Friends extend the hand of fellowship in recognition that we are all Children of God.

 

WE ARE HAPPY to have James Clotfelter bring the planned message in meeting for worship today. He is a long-time, active member of New Garden Meeting.

 

LOOKING AHEAD AT NEW GARDEN

FIRST DAY

        9:00    Unprogrammed Meeting for Worship

        9:30    First Day School Classes for Youth

        9:45    First Day School Classes for Adults

      10:40    Fellowship Time Coffee/Juice/Snacks

      10:30 - 11:00  SILENT WORSHIP IN THE MEETING ROOM

      11:00 - 12:00  Semi-Programmed Meeting for Worship

        5:00    Middle School Young Friends (7th & 8th grade)

        5:00    Middle School Young Friends (5th & 6th grade)

        5:00    High School Young Friends

        7:00    The Course in Miracles Study Group. Newcomers are welcome.

SECOND DAY

        7:45    Meditation Group: Meditations on the Tao Te Ching. All are invited.

THIRD DAY

        6:15    Weaver Center Meal

        6:30    Crossings Care meeting in the Brotherhood Room

        7:15    Quaker Relations meeting in the parlor

FOURTH DAY

      11:00    Healing Prayer Group meets at Friends Homes Guilford, 7th floor, Woolman Hall. All are welcome.

        5:30    Youth Choir Rehearsal

        6:00    Adult Choir Rehearsal

        6:00    HSYF Whine and Cheese meet for dinner

        7:00    HSYF Whine and Cheese meet for discussion

        7:00    Meeting on Ministry and Counsel

SEVENTH DAY

      11:00   Simple Christmas

       

THE FLOWERS TODAY are given by Ann Tickle.

 

THE BROTHERHOOD CLASS (9:45 AM, Brotherhood Room)

November 29: A Hopeful People

 

FIRST DAY FORUM (9:45 AM, Parlor)

November 29: Open Discussion

 

MONTHLY MEETING FOR BUSINESS will be held on Sunday, December 6, 1:00 PM, following a CARRY-IN MEAL in Friendship Hall after meeting for worship.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Nov 29  Ruth Maynard

       30  Barbara Leland, Steve Powel

Dec   1  Julia Opaleski

         2  Mark Jost

         3  Nancy Davis

         4  Kellen Boyer

         5  Mary Elizabeth Kent

 

THANKS TO TODAY’S CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS:

Crib – Diane Burns Holt

3-year olds & up – Carolyn Howes and Q Vallejos

 

THIS WEEK WE REMEMBER:

Harriett Crutchfield Hood, who died November 30, 1994;

John H. Lamb, who died December 1, 1990.

  If you would like a loved one remembered in this way, contact the Meeting office, 292-5487 or newgardoff@aol.com.

 

FRIENDS MAY WISH TO HOLD IN THE LIGHT: Faith Heider.

 

NEXT STEPS TO FRIENDSHIP

Are you interested in being part of a New Garden group to identify and implement ways of becoming a more inviting and inclusive community through outreach, education, shared activities and worship, and interracial friendships?  As an offshoot from our study of Vanessa Julye’s book, Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship, Social Concerns wants to organize such a group to begin meeting in January. Please let Sue Mengert or Cathie Holcombe know if you can participate.

 

24 HOURS OF PRAYER FOR PEACE PLANNING MEETING

Those who would like to be a part of the midnight service focused on Peace at First Friends Meeting on Dec. 31, 2009/Jan. 1, 2010 are asked to gather at the rise of meeting on Dec. 6th.  We will go through the carry-in line and bring our food to the Brotherhood Room for this meeting.  Because monthly meeting will convene there at 1:00, it will need to be a short "eating meeting"!  Please contact Kate Hood (292-4275; khood@guilford.edu) with questions.

 

PEOPLE OF FAITH AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY (PFADP) is launching a major effort to get a bill to abolish the death penalty in North Carolina in the next session of the legislature when it meets in January.  PFADP is asking churches, synagogues, other worship groups, civic clubs and businesses across the state to support a resolution asking for abolition. 

   This resolution was presented to New Garden Monthly Meeting on November 1.  Members present agreed to allow this resolution to “season” until the December monthly meeting for worship and business in order to allow Friends to consider it thoughtfully and to give Friends who were not present on November 1 the opportunity to read and consider it. Interested Friends may then attend December monthly Meeting for discussion of the proposal.

   If you need a copy of this resolution contact Dot Mason at hmason@triad.rr.com or at 288-2852.

 

FRAMED PRINTS OF THE MEETING HOUSE – Orders will be accepted through today, November 29. Order forms are available in the foyer.

 

TODAY, we will hold our monthly vigil for peace on the corner at the rise of Meeting for Worship. We will gather the last First Day of every month. Please join us as you can as we stand for our Quaker belief in peace as the way.

 

THE 2010 FLOWER CHART is now posted on the bulletin board across from David Bills’ office. Please sign up to bring flowers for the worship room some Sunday in the new year. Flowers maybe in honor or in memory of someone, to celebrate a special occasion, or simply because you want to bring more beauty to the worship room.

 

REFLECTIONS UPON OUR FAITH is now available for sale at $5 per copy in the meeting office. Friends are urged to purchase copies and share this booklet widely with those interested in knowing more about New Garden Meeting. We can let our Light shine! We appreciate all the written pieces that came in and the work done by artists, photographers and technicians. A special thanks goes to Saundra Wilson and Bill Eagles for all their many hours of work putting together and editing this booklet. 

 

HOLIDAY DATES TO REMEMBER

 

NOVEMBER 29 - ADVENT BEGINS. We will start lighting candles on the Advent Wreath in meeting for worship.

DECEMBER 5 - SIMPLE CHRISTMAS in Friendship Hall, 11 AM – 4 PM. Let us know if you would like to have some table space and/or to help out with leadership. 

DECEMBER 13 - CHRISTMAS CAROLING - We will plan to carol for shut-ins and some Friends Homes residents. Come and join us. 

DECEMBER 20 - WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - Around the bonfire in the woods between Friends Homes and New Garden Cemetery. This has become an important part of our holiday tradition. The Adult Choir will present special Christmas music in meeting for worship. 

DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE - This is the huge New Garden Family reunion. There will be special music, carol sing around the bonfire and lots of cookies and hot cider. 

 

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS DEC 5, 2009

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

FRIENDSHIP HALL

 

We are planning a day of Simple Christmas (5th Day, 12th Month) to help us all understand better how the testimony of simplicity can influence our Christmas giving and our Christmas spirit. Sure, we want to experience joyful times with our families and friends and to give gifts---but what about a simple home-made gift or a donation to some of the New Garden projects or the budget in honor or memory of a special person? What about being part of a special day together with people who are struggling to make Christmas a meaningful time for all from older adults to young children. We are creating Christmas memories for everyone who participates. We are charting new courses. We are enjoying simple Christmas again this year. We hope you will be a part of it on December 5th.

 

As part of Simple Christmas, Catherine Eagles will present “Yoga for Calming Down,” a 45 minute yoga class at 3:00 PM. There will be gentle yoga stretches to reduce stress and anxiety. You will learn a few yoga poses that will help you center your attention, concentrate, and be present in the moment. This is appropriate for all levels, including beginners and for all ages 12 and up. For questions, contact Catherine at eaglenet@mindspring.com.

Jane Miller will make her wonderful chili!

Ellen Kepchar – Bean Soup Mixture

Ivy Rutledge – Bookmarks

Karen Garraputa – Gingerbread Cookies

Patti Hughes, Fred Wilson, Marcy Maury – Clay Hand-building

Mimi Westervelt – Bamboo Wind Chimes

David Bills – Candle-making

Valerie Paterson – Stockings

Sally Shipley – Paper-making

Marcy Reid-Smith – Fused Glass Jewelry

Cost is $20 per pendant.

All proceeds will go to Right Sharing of World Resources.