New Garden Friend
Published Bi-Weekly Issue 2012 - 2 February 6, 2012
In This
Issue
1.
Caring
2.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
3.
Religious Education
4. Choir Fest
5.
Youth Social Concerns
6.
Social Concerns
7.
Other Considerations
8.
Spring Sale
9.
Buon Pasta
10. Looking Ahead at New Garden
11. Speech by Matt Hoh
12. FGC Gathering
1. Caring
Please hold this friend in the Light: Fred Cothern.
If you would like
to participate in the Meeting's care for him, you may contact the meeting
office or Caring Friends coordinators:
Carol Cothern (coordinator) ccothern@triad.rr.com
or 852-6190
Tom Lassiter
(cards) Tom@Lassiter.com or
299-6440
Janet
Inmon (meals) jwinmon@triad.rr.com
or 632-0857.
This week we remember:
John
Coltrane, who died February 11, 2001;
Mary
Gray Zimmerman, who died February 12, 2011;
IIse
Gutzwiller (Patricia Gutzwiller’s mother), who died February 16, 2011;
Cindy
Labell (Bob and Reba Benbow’s daughter), who died February 19, 2009;
Lella
Smith, who died February 22, 2007.
If you would like a loved one remembered in
this way, contact the Meeting office, 292-5487 or newgardoff@aol.com.
We would like
to express our thanks to Caring Friends for the beautiful, handmade afghan and
also thank Friends for the many generous gifts and well-wishes celebrating the
arrival of our daughter. Megan Warrick
& Martin Khamala
2. Reducing Your
Carbon Footprint
Do's of Pest Control
Do ask questions and find the answers.
How can you safely solve your pest
problems? The key is to be willing to ask questions. Learning about the pests
you have and options that are available to control specific pests is the first
step.
Try pest prevention first.
Remove sources of food, water and shelter.
Store food in sealed plastic or glass
containers. Garbage containing food scraps should be placed in tightly covered
trash cans. Remove garbage regularly from your home.
Fix leaky plumbing and don't let water
accumulate anywhere in the home. Don't let water collect in trays under your
house plants or refrigerator. Don't leave pet food and water out overnight.
Clutter provides places for pests to breed
and hide and makes it hard to get rid of them. Get rid of things like stacks of
newspapers, magazines, or cardboard.
Close off places where pests can enter and
hide. For example, caulk cracks and crevices around cabinets or baseboards. Use
steel wool to fill spaces around pipes.
Cover any holes with wire mesh.
Learn about the pests you have and options
to control them.
Check for pests in packages or boxes before
carrying them into your home.
Do safely and correctly use pesticides.
Keep pets and children away from areas where
pesticides have been applied.
After preventative steps have been taken,
you can use baits as a first line of chemical defense against insects or
rodents. These are often effective and can be used with low risk of exposure to
the pesticide, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets.
The above is from www.epa.gov.
3. Religious
Education
Luke and Jesus’
Life. From now through February, Bill Eagles and Sally Shipley (and perhaps
the occasional guest) will lead an examination of the Gospel of Luke, the New
Testament book with the most beautiful language. We gather in the Brotherhood
Room, with the Brotherhood Class, each Sunday at 9:45. Please come.
February 12: Luke 22: 32-43,
Jesus: Witness for Peace
February 19: Luke 23:
32-43, Salvation and
Forgiveness: the Cross
February 26: Luke 24: 1-12,
The Living God
First Day
Forum, 9:45 AM, Sundays, in the
parlor
February 12: “Serving a Jail Sentence Fifty Years Ago for Civil Rights Actions,” a
discussion with Mary Abu-Saba.
Vulnerable honesty groups at New Garden: If you are
interested in learning more about, or helping to form a vulnerable honesty
group at New Garden, please let Barton Parks know at bapjr@bellsouth.net.
I believe we have 2 folks interested and if we get to 4, we are in business.
Could be the start of something very interesting and beneficial. See the Jan
18th mid-week notes for detailed information on these groups and how they might
work for us. Ellen Kepchar
4. Choir Festival
New Garden
Friends, Persimmon Grove AME, and Collins Grove UMC will be having
a joint service here on Sunday, 2/19/12,11:00 AM followed by a carry in meal in
Fellowship Hall. We need volunteers to help in the kitchen with set up and
clean up. If you would like to volunteer please call Selma Taylor at (336)
317-5959.
5. Youth Social Concerns
In response to
the interest of many New Garden youth in volunteer and service opportunities,
a group of high school Young Friends has formed a Youth Social Concerns
Committee.
This is a committee for
young friends in grades 5 through 12. The committee is working to bring
awareness to problems our community faces on both a local and international
scale, as a means of better engaging and incorporating youth in service and
volunteering. We want to be able to have fun while working together to make a
difference in our community.
If you are interested in being a part of this
committee, or have ideas for us to consider, please contact Katie Rowlett at krowlett@greensboroday.org. Thank
you!
Katie Rowlett
6. Social Concerns
Greensboro Organizing (GO) is the name of a
new non-profit being organized in Greensboro by a coalition of Christian,
Jewish and Moslem faith communities, schools and local non-profit
organizations. It will be affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), a 60-year old international
social justice organization with seven affiliates in N.C., including CHANGE in Winston-Salem.
The Social
Concerns Committee has been discussing the possibility of New Garden Meeting
joining GO for almost a year.
The
mission of GO will be to create
social change to help low and middle income people in Greensboro.
There will be several opportunities to learn more about GO in February:
Adult Forum - Sunday, Feb. 19, - Judith Dancy, retired pastor of Winston-Salem Friends
will talk about Winston-Salem Friends’ work with CHANGE.
Attend one of these two Orientations on the work of IAF:
Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 - 8:30 pm, Genesis Baptist Church,
2812 E. Bessemer Ave.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 - 11:30 am, Unity Church, 1935 Opal
Dr.
For more information, call Mary Louise Smith at 336-392-3055. Mary
Louise will also arrange for transportation to orientation meetings if needed.
Please continue to support the on-going
7. Other Considerations
The North Carolina Yearly Meeting Weekend of Wellness Women’s Retreat will be held
February 24 to 26, 2012, at Quaker Lake Camp, Climax, NC. Cost for the weekend
is $60.00 per person, meals and lodging included. There will be hiking, sewing,
Bible study, cooking demonstrations, art creations, a Tea Party, and other
activities. Register by February 20. For more information, call 674-2321 or the
Yearly Meeting at 292-6957.
The North Carolina Yearly Meeting 2012 Mid-Year Gathering for Worship and Business will
be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Quaker Lake Camp, Climax, NC. This is a
one-day event, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Registration cost is $20.00 per person.
Deadline for registration is February 24, 2012. Contact the Yearly Meeting,
292-6957, for more information.
A Two-Day Undoing Racism Workshop will be held at
Saint Paul Baptist Church, 1309 Larkin Street, on Friday-Saturday, March 9-10, 2012.
This workshop provides an understanding of what racism is, where it comes from
and how it can be undone. The training is facilitated by representatives of the
People's Institute for Survival and Beyond based in New Orleans, LA. For
additional information and registration forms, please contact Jennifer Schaal
at (336)-656-1360.
Family Promise (GIHN)
A recent needs assessment by Family Promise yielded the
following results:
Guilford County Schools identified #
of homeless children in 2011-2012 school-year 1,859
Wesley Long case workers seek shelter
for an average of 7-10 mothers with newborns/ WEEK
Women's Hospital: 3 / week mothers
with newborns
Interactive Resources Center case
workers seek shelter for 2-3 families with children/week and have to send cases
to Thomasville.
Winston/Forsyth Salvation Army is no
longer taking cases from Guilford due to overcrowding.
Pathways (which accepts children) has
a 12 week waiting list currently.
Family Promise has made significant
progress with their fund raising since their closure last Spring. They have
raised $50,000. to date and have a number of outstanding grant applications as
well as other grant proposals in the planning stages. They are working hard to
be able to reopen the program. The annual budget for Family Promise is
$220,000.
Volunteers are needed to help with
committees and with upcoming fund-raisers. Contact me if you are interested.
Phyllis Ott, who@triad.rr.com
High Point
University Cultural Enrichment Series Finch Lecture Features: Dr. Stanley
Hauerwas, Monday, March 19, 4:30 PM, Phillips Hall, Francis Auditorium.
8. Spring Sale
Donations for the Spring Sale,
held in March,
are now being accepted in Norvell Hall.
9. Buon Pasta
BUON PASTA!
The High School
Young Friends would like to invite the meeting community to the 9th
annual Buon Pasta on Saturday, February 25th. 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 23rd, so that we are
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 $23
per person.
BUON PASTA
RESERVATION FORM:
Name:
___________________________
Number in party
(limit to 6): _________
Seating time (please
check one):
Check here if
this is a take-out order: _____
Take out will
be ready at 5:30 or whatever time you check/request.
________ 5:30
PM ________6:15 PM
________ 7:00 PM
________ 7:30 PM
________We’ll select
a time for your party
*Note: For each section, Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert,
the number of items needs to add up to the total number in your party. For
example, if someone in your party does not want an Appetizer, please check the
“No Appetizer line.”
Appetizer
(specify how many desired):
_____Antipasto plate-vegetarian
_____ Antipasto plate with meat
_____
Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip with chips
_____ No Appetizer
Main Course
(specify how many desired):
_____
Eggplant Parmesan w/Spaghetti
_____
Lasagna – Meat option
_____ Lasagna –
Vegetarian Option
_____
Chicken Parmesan w/Spaghetti
Dessert
(specify how many desired):
_____
Tiramisu
_____
Chocolate Brownie Sundaes
_____
Chocolate Mousse
_____ No
Dessert
Drink options
will be water, coke, sprite, sweet tea, and various flavors of coffee.
Childcare is
available, Please check in with Jeff for details about this option.
10. Looking Ahead at
Adult Choir Rehearsal
Wednesdays, 6:00 PM.
Circles
Louetta Knight Gilbert
Circle
Will meet in the
Brotherhood Room
Tuesday, February 14, 2:00
PM.
Groups
Silent Meeting for Worship
Sundays,
9:00 AM, in the Worship Room.
First Day Classes for Youth
Sundays, 9:30 AM.
First Day Forums
Sundays, 9:45 AM, in the
parlor (#110).
The Brotherhood Class
Sundays, 9:45 AM, in the
Brotherhood Room (#111).
Coffee/Fellowship Time
Sundays, 10:40 AM, in
Friendship Hall.
Semi-programmed Meeting for Worship
Sundays, 11:00 AM, in the
worship room.
Youth Groups
The Middle School Young Friends (5th & 6th
grade)
Sundays, 5:00 PM.
Middle School Young Friends (7th & 8th grade)
Sundays, 5:00 PM.
The High School Young Friends
Sundays, 5:00 PM.
The High School Young Friends Whine and
Cheese
Meal for Urban Ministry’s Weaver Center
First Tuesday each month.
Prepare a meal for Weaver
Center.
Gather at New Garden, 6:15
PM.
11. Speech by Matt Hoh
Please join us for a
“Community Forum: Bring Our War
Dollars Home!“
Matt Hoh to Speak, February 20th
Elon Law School, Greensboro
US military strategist Matthew Hoh, who resigned over US war policy in
Afghanistan, will speak at a Community Forum addressing: US budget priorities, transitioning from a
war economy to a peace economy, growing economic inequality in this country, and
new ways to support economic activity and job–creation locally.
The Greensboro
Community Forum’s sponsors include the American Friends Service Committee
–Carolinas, the Fund For Democratic Communities, New Garden Friends Meeting,
Elon University Law School’s ACLU Chapter, and North Carolina Peace
Action. Matthew Hoh also works closely
with FCNL’s legislative associates on foreign policy.
The “Community
Forum – Bring Our War Dollars Home!” event will take place February 20th
at Elon University’s School of Law, Room 207, 201 N. Greene St., Greensboro,
NC. Events include:
6:00pm Opening
reception and dialogue (Including opportunities for interviews with the press)
7:00pm Community Forum including
a presentation by Hoh and brief statements by Greensboro community people relating
the U.S. war budget to urgent local economic needs.
Matthew Hoh will
also speak in Raleigh, NC on February 20th, at 11:00 AM, NC Legislative
Building, Auditorium, 16 West. Jones Street.
Hoh will be joined by Congressman Walter Jones of NC in calling for an
end to the war in Afghanistan.
More about Matthew Hoh
Matthew Hoh
is a Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and is the former
Director of the Afghanistan Study Group, a network of foreign and public policy
experts and professionals advocating for a change in US strategy in
Afghanistan. A former State Department
official, Matthew resigned in protest from his post in Afghanistan over US
strategic policy and goals in Afghanistan in September 2009.
Prior to his
assignment in Afghanistan, Matthew served in Iraq; first in 2004-5 in Salah ad
Din Province with a State Department reconstruction and governance team and
then in 2006-7 in Anbar Province as a Marine Corps company commander. When not deployed, Matthew worked on
Afghanistan and Iraq policy and operations issues at the Pentagon and State
Department from 2002-8.
Matthew’s writings
have appeared in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Defense News, the Huffington
Post, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. The Council on Foreign Relations has cited
Matthew’s resignation letter from his post in Afghanistan as an Essential
Document. In 2010 Matthew was named the
Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling.
Please join us!
If your social
concerns group would like to have a literature table at the event, please
contact Susan Ikenberry or Ann Lennon at AFSC–Carolinas, (336) 854–0633 http://afsc.org/office/greensboro-nc.
12. FGC GATHERING
You are invited to attend the FGC Gathering “All God’s Critters
Got a Place in the Choir” in Kingston, Rhode Island, July 1 to 7, 2012.
Read on to learn about:
2012 Workshops
Gathering Fees
NEW Half
Gathering Option
Financial Aid
Registration Dates
2012 Workshops
Many Friends tell us that their workshop is the spiritual heart of their
Gathering experience. Short
descriptions of the 57 workshops offered at the 2012 FGC Gathering are now
available. As always, we are blessed with a wide variety of workshop topics and
workshop leaders. Adults and high school participants attend one workshop that
meets Monday-Friday mornings. (photo by Joya Manesseh)
Start your discernment now about which workshop to choose. Long descriptions
will be online by March 1, and I encourage you to read the long descriptions
for your favorite workshops before making your final choices.
Everyone who registers during Early Registration (April 4-15) has equal access
to workshop choices. Since assignments will be made by lottery at the end of
Early Registration, all early registrants will be asked to indicate an
alternate workshop.
2012 Gathering Fees
Fees for the 2012 FGC Gathering are now
published on our website. (photo by Joann Clapp Fullagar)
The basic fee for an adult is $718 (shared room without air conditioning and
three meals a day).
Housing options include:
NEW Half-Gathering Option
Unable to attend the whole Gathering? Consider registering for half!
For the first time, a limited number of adults may register for half the
Gathering (July 1-4, or July 4-7). Half-Gathering registrants may choose on
campus housing and a meal plan, and they may choose from workshops open to
part-time registrants. Read
more details about the Half-Gathering option.
Financial Aid
If the price of Gathering is beyond of your budget, scholarship
aid and volunteer workgrants are available.
All Friends are encouraged to first ask their meeting for financial assistance.
However, do not wait to register for the Gathering because you have not heard
from your meeting! Apply for all Gathering scholarships when you register. (photo
by Colby Abazs)
This year, we have a special pool of scholarship money targeted at young adults
and families. This means that when our standard scholarship funds are fully
disbursed, we will be able to continue to provide assistance to families and
young adults.
Young adults from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting: Check the Gathering
website in March to see what special financial support is available.
Travel
Grants for Western First-Timers: Thanks to special funding, $200 travel
grants are available for to Friends from the west who are attending the
Gathering for the first time.
Scholarships and travel grants are awarded based on registration date, so
register early if you need financial aid to attend.
Registration Dates
Early Registration is April 4-15. Everyone who registers within this
period will have equal access to workshops and housing, and priority
consideration for financial assistance.
Registration will temporarily close from April 16-20. Lotteries will
occur for oversubscribed workshops or housing options. All early registrants
will be informed of their assignments.
Standard Registration starts April 21. Workshops and financial
assistance will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Encourage a Friend to attend. Forward this email AND encourage them to sign
up for emails updates like this one.
From
Ellen Kepchar