NEW GARDEN FRIENDS MEETING

 

FOUNDED 1754 - 255 YEARS OF
CONTINUOUS QUAKER MINISTRY IN THE
NEW GARDEN/GREENSBORO COMMUNITY
7th Day, 2nd Month, 2010

 

SEMI-PROGRAMMED MEETING FOR WORSHIP

 

   “Jesus lived life in its wholeness, He essayed the heights. He did not shrink from the depths. Three years they say he lived among people, yet in that time He managed to let eternity break through, and lifted their horizon to infinity. He took all that came to Him and turned it to the purpose of His Mission.                 W.E. Orchard.

 

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                                   Chloe Lindeman  

            Piano Sonata in G, Op. 79  Beethoven

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS           

 

HYMN NO. 11                                                    Tim Lindeman

                “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

 

READINGS                                                Psalm 119:137-144                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                 

WE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE MEETING BUDGET

   "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

 

MESSAGE                     WITNESSING THE WEST BANK –  VOICES ON THE ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT   

Tom Stern & Tema Okun, a Jewish couple, Dana Abu-Dayyeh, a Palestinian, and Will McInerney, an American Christian, are visiting from Durham and will speak about their personal involvement in this issue.               

                                 

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 DELIGHTED to have visitors here from Durham speaking about their deep concerns in the Middle East.

 

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

      12:00    Simple Lunch Fundraiser for Haiti Relief

        1:00    Monthly Meeting for Business

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

        5:00    High School Young Friends

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

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

 

SECOND DAY

        6:30    Crossings Care meeting

        7:00    Finance and Stewardship Committee in parlor

        7:00    Fit for Freedom Group in Friendship Hall

        7:30    Adult Education Subcommittee

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

FOURTH DAY

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

        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    Social Concerns Committee

FIFTH DAY

        7:00    House Committee

SEVENTH DAY

        7:00    Phil Gulley speaking in the meeting room

 

OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY is with Rachel Hollowell on the death of her daughter, Yvonne DeNicola, on February 1, 2010.

 

FRIENDS MAY WISH TO HOLD IN THE LIGHT: Michael Greene

 

THIS WEEK WE REMEMBER:

Sallie Satterthwaite, who died February 8, 2009;

John Coltrane, who died February 11, 2001.

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

 

THE FGC RE COMMITTEE will meet at New Garden from February 18 - February 21. There will be a need for hospitality for 4-6 folks for these 3 nights. You would also be asked to provide a simple breakfast and transportation to the meetinghouse if possible. Please let Ellen know if you can host. Many thanks!

 

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

February 7: Hope for Healing

February 14: Declaring Allegiance

February 21: Mountaintop Experiences

 

FIRST DAY FORUM ON FEBRUARY 7 (9:45 AM, in the parlor):

Witnessing the West Bank - Four Voices on the Israel - Palestine Conflict.

   This past week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the West Bank settlements are an "inseparable part of Israel.”  Yet President Obama maintains that "the U.S. does not recognize the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements in the West Bank.”
   What are they talking about?

   Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010: two Jews: Tom Stern and wife, Tema Okun; a Palestinian: Dana Abu-Dayyeh; and an American Christian: Will McInerney, share their experiences in Israel Palestine

   Forum: Their presentation will include an informational slide show, personal stories and spoken word presentations, as well as a Q and A period.

   Meeting for Worship: personal story and spoken word presentation

   Tom Stern and wife, Tema Okun: awarded 2009 NC Peace Action's Peacekeeper Award for their work with ICAHD-USA  (Israeli Committee Against House Demolition)

 

FIRST DAY FORUM (9:45 AM, Parlor)

February 14: Phil Gulley

February 21: PART, Greensboro’s regional public transportation agency, a discussion with Brent McKinney, sponsored by the Earth Care Committee

 

NORTH CAROLINA YEARLY MEETING PEACE ESSAY CONTEST

Writers of all ages are invited to submit essays for the 2010 Year of Peace in celebration of George Fox’s 1660 declaration to King Charles II proclaiming Friends as peaceful people known as Quakers.

Theme:   Why is peace important to you?

   Why is the Quaker peace testimony important today?

Age Categories: Youth I:  grades 1-5; Youth II: grades 6-12; Adult: ages 18 and up.

Prizes for each category:

First: $100       Second: $50     Third: $25 

   Winners will be invited to read their essay at the 2010 North Carolina Yearly Meeting in Black Mountain, N.C. September 3-6, 2010.

   For more information, contact NC Yearly Meeting at 292-6957. The Entry Form is available on their website, www.ncym-fum.org. 

THE FLOWERS TODAY are given by Sarah Wright.

 

THE SIGN-UP SHEET for flowers for the Meeting Room on First Day mornings is in the foyer today. Please take this opportunity to sign up for a Sunday on which you would like to honor someone, or recognize an event, or just provide some beauty for the room. Thank you.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Feb   7  Bob Benbow, Ben Lassiter

       10  Jennifer Bills

       12  Owen Honeycutt, Chris Johnston

 

THANKS TO TODAY’S CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS:

Crib – Jennifer Schaal

3-year olds & up – Molly and Andy Haile

 

THANKS TO THESE VOLUNTEERS FOR FEBRUARY

Ushers: Susan Dorn, Tracey Bridges, Jeannie Sykes, Hayes Ratledge, Hugh Jernigan, John White

Greeter: Barbara Tookey

Sound System: Wiley Sykes, Jane Carter

 

THANKS TO THESE MONTHLY MEETING MEAL VOLUNTEERS

George, Terri, Mitchell, and Spencer Harris, Fred Humphrey and Susan Ikenberry, Angie Williard

 

THE NORTH CAROLINA YEARLY MEETING makes an annual request for a Spiritual Condition report by each meeting. This is usually prepared by Ministry and Council. This year we are requesting that all New Gardeners have the opportunity to contribute to this report. You may submit your thoughts to Ministry and Council through Bonnie Hosick. (newgardoff@aol.com)

   The queries are: Are there areas where your meeting is especially strong? Are there specific areas of fellowship or ministry where your meeting is not as strong as needed? Are there opportunities for numerical growth, spiritual growth or growth in ministry? Are there spiritual or practical threats to the meeting’s ongoing practice of ministry and fellowship either from within or without the meeting? Are there other things that need to be said in this report?

   While this will be a report for Yearly Meeting, it will also provide an opportunity for us to examine and reflect upon ourselves as a Meeting. Are we who we want to be? We trust in your willingness to participate.

 

THE LOUETTA KNIGHT GILBERT CIRCLE will meet on Tuesday, February 9, noon, at Friends Homes.

 

HEALTHY HEART/OPEN HEART:  Yoga for Valentine's Day.  On Sunday, February 14, at 4:00 PM, join Catherine Eagles for a yoga practice designed for good heart health. We will practice active and restorative poses which can help improve circulation, build heart strength, and reduce the negative effects of stress.  Appropriate for beginners and experienced yogis.  Class will be in the Meeting Room and will end at 5:15.  See the Flyer on the RE bulletin board for more information.

 

THE NEW GARDEN CROSSINGS CARE GROUP will meet on Monday, February 8, 6:30 PM, at the meeting house. The meeting is open to all who are interested in “natural at home after death care.” Contact Sandy LaGrega for more information, SunSan52@aol.com or 292-7947.

 

PHILIP GULLEY, QUAKER WRITER AND PASTOR TO SPEAK IN GREENSBORO AREA

Acclaimed Quaker author, storyteller and pastor, Philip Gulley, has scheduled a Greensboro-area visit for mid-February.  Through his writing and speaking, he has become a voice of small-town, American life.  Gulley's work includes the successful Harmony series of novels, which chronicle the life of the eccentric, fictional Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana.  He is also the author of the best-selling Porch Talk series of inspirational and humorous stories.  In addition, Gulley and co-author James Mulholland describe their progressive worldview in their books, If Grace Is True and If God Is Love.

Gulley is currently the the pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting near Indianapolis.  Additionally, he hosted the television program Porch Talk with Phil Gulley on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI and their flagship show Across Indiana, for which he received Emmy® Awards in 2007 and 2009.  He also writes the popular monthly Home Again column for Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.

Gulley will speak on Friday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Jamestown Friends Meeting (509 Guilford Road, Jamestown), where he will discuss his humorous memoir, I Love You, Miss Huddleston.

On Saturday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m., at New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Road, in Greensboro, Gulley’s topic will be his newest book, If The Church Were Christian.

Gulley will lead the Adult Forum at New Garden Meeting on Sunday, February 14 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship service at First Friends Meeting, 2100 West Friendly Ave. (Greensboro).  He will also conduct a workshop at First Friends after the worship service.

The public is invited to all sessions with Gulley.

 

Below is an excerpt about his book from the Harper Collins web site at http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061698767/If_the_Church_Were_Christian/index.aspx

   "While many denominations claim to be growing, the largest group in American religious life is the disillusioned—people who have been involved in the church yet see few similarities between the church's life and the person of Jesus. In the midst of elaborate programming, professional worship teams, and political crusades, they ask, "Is this really what Jesus called us to do?"

   While the church has dismissed these people as uncommitted and lacking in faith, perhaps the opposite is true. Their commitment to authentic spirituality over institutional idolatry might be the very corrective the church needs. These people respect Jesus, but question what Christianity has become.

   In If the Church Were Christian, Quaker pastor and author Philip Gulley explores how the church has lost its way. This eye-opening examination of the values of Jesus reveals the extent to which the church has drifted from the teachings of the man who inspired its creation. Many Christians might be surprised to discover how little Jesus had to say about the church, and that he might never have intended to start a new religion.

   But the church is here to stay, and Gulley is determined to help the church find its soul. If the church were Christian, Gulley argues, affirming our potential would be more important than condemning our brokenness. If the church were Christian, inviting questions would be valued more than supplying answers. If the church were Christian, meeting needs would be more important than maintaining institutions.

   These simple statements return us to the heart of what Jesus cared about during his ministry. Gulley provides a profound picture of what the church would look like if it refocused on the real priorities of Jesus."

 

FRIENDS ARE INVITED to shop at the High School Young Friends Flea Market downstairs in Norvell Hall. The day of the Sale is March 13, but you are welcome to shop now! Also, please remember to bring your donations for the Flea Market. Leave them downstairs under the sign.

 

 

AFSC Haiti Relief Fundraising

NGFM Social Concerns Committee

is sponsoring a simple lunch

TODAY after meeting for worship.

Monetary contributions collected at that time will be sent to

the American Friends Service Committee for their Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts.

Make checks payable to

New Garden Friends Meeting.

On memo line, put: for Haiti Relief.

 

 

BUON PASTA!

 

 

The High School Young Friends would like to invite the meeting community to the 7th annual Buon Pasta on Saturday, February 20th.  Come relax by candle light to the sounds of live guitar and partake of a three course, Italian style meal served and prepared by our youth group members. Please come out and support the youth of the meeting and have fun while we play restaurateurs.

We must have all reservations no later than Thursday, February 18th. 

so we can be fully prepared to serve you.  Below is a menu and reservation form that we ask you to fill out and return if you would like to participate. 

The cost is $22 per person.

 

BUON PASTA RESERVATION FORM:

 

Name: ___________________________

 

Number in party (limit to 6): _________

 

Seating time (please check one):

 

________ 5:30 PM     ________6:15 PM   

 

                                                                                                            ________ 7:00 PM     ________ 7:30 PM   

  

________ We’ll give you one

 

Appetizer (for how many):

     _____ Antipasto plate-vegetarian

                                      _____ Antipasto plate with meat

                                      _____ Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip with chips

 

Main Course (specify how many desired):

     _____ Eggplant Parmesan w/Spaghetti

     _____ Lasagna – Meat or Vegetarian Option

     _____ Chicken Parmesan w/Spaghetti

 

Dessert (specify how many desired):

_____ Tiramisu

_____ Chocolate Brownie Sundaes

_____ Chocolate Mousse

 

Drink options will be water, coke, sprite, sweet tea, and various flavors of coffee.

 

Childcare is available, Please check in with Ellen for details about this option.