Affiliated with the North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Menu
Menu

webkeeper

About webkeeper

Posts by :

FCNL Update on Actions for Middle East Peace

In the midst of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent address asking for more US support for the devastating war in Gaza, there was a flood of actions calling for an immediate ceasefire and release of the hostages:
• As a member of Churches for Middle East Peace, FCNL hosted a vigil before the address to call for and pray for peace and a ceasefire
• Hostage families demonstrated, testified before Congress and met with individual lawmakers calling for an immediate cease fire and release of the hostages;
• Jewish Voices for Peace led a demonstration in the capital with over 400 participants engaged in non-violent resistance and getting arrested;
• At a press briefing, Hassan El-Tayyab, joined Common Defense and Breaking the Silence uplifting a petition signed by more than 5000 Israel and American veterans and military family members calling for a permanent cease fires in Gaza
• Hassan also shared powerful messages form Palestinian children at the Ramallah Friends School in the West Bank.
• At another briefing co-hosted by FCNL for Congressional staff, two former US officials who resigned over the administrations Gaza policy, shared how profoundly destructive the war is and much it is damaging US credibility and security.
• FCNL has facilitated over 680,000 letters to Congress calling for a cease fire and more than 90 members of Congress have to date signed on in support of a permanent cease fire.  
• In Oregon delegation, Senator Merkley has a been a key leader in working for a ceasefire, release of the hostages and full funding for organizations aiding Gaza since the very beginning of the war.  Recently, it is reported, that Senator Wyden has shifted his position to supporting a cease fire and restored funding to UNRWA, the United Nations Palestinian relief organization that provides critical aide for Gaza.  

Action: Contact Senator Wyden and thank him for supporting a ceasefire and restoration of funding to UNRWA.  Encourage him to publicize his position. 
 

End Nuclear Madness: Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day

August 6, 2024
Please plan to come and add your presence to this peace event which our meeting co-sponsors with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Veterans for Peace, and the Japanese-American Museum of Oregon. This year’s event is being dedicated to Carol Reilly Urner, beloved member of Multnomah Friends Meeting, long-time Quaker, and internationally-known peace activist, who passed away at the age of 93. Carol was instrumental in organizing the early Hiroshima – Nagasaki memorials in the 60’s and through the 2010’s. It will be Tuesday, August 6th from 6-7:30 pm at the Japanese American Historical Plaza at the Portland waterfront near NW Couch Street.

Navigating Difficult Conversations

Braver Angels Session
Sunday, August 4, 1pm, West Hills Friends Meetinghouse
Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide. The title of the session is Navigating Difficult Conversations – Handling the challenge among family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. The Peace Committee of West Hills Friends is offering this one-hour session as both an introduction to Braver Angels, as well as a “mini-experience” of what happens in one of their longer experiences. During the session, the audience is presented with the problem of polarization and learns how Braver Angels workshops are structured to address this problem. They then get to practice an essential skill in a difficult conversation. We will then have some unstructured time to talk about what else would be supportive to the group in any further sessions.
This meeting is free. Light refreshments will be served. Further information and registration is available at:  https://braverangels.org/event/navigating-difficult-conversations-2/  West Hills Friends Meetinghouse 7425 SW 52nd Ave. Portland, OR 97219 

Community Visioning for Climate Resilience

Friday, July 12, 12:30-2pm
Meeting Room
Recent reports from the International Panel on Climate Change say that we have less than three decades to drastically reign in greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time we also have to adapt to climate changes that we are already seeing. This means recreating our communities to make them climate resilient and environmentally sustainable. Accomplishing this is an all hands, minds, and hearts on deck effort that begins with envisioning what we need and want our communities to look like by mid-century. This session looks at creating models to make our visions tangible. It also looks at organizing community events to communicate our visions to local, national, and international agencies.
This session will be originating from the meeting house here in Portland for the in-person component of the event.  While attending virtually is definitely an option, in-person attendance is encouraged for those of us living in the Portland area.  The in-person attendance will include a closer look at a traveling exhibit (model of a climate resilient community) meant to be a catalyst for our exploration.

Community Visioning for Climate Resilience

Friday, July 12, 12:30-2pm
Meeting Room
Recent reports from the International Panel on Climate Change say that we have less than three decades to drastically reign in greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time we also have to adapt to climate changes that we are already seeing. This means recreating our communities to make them climate resilient and environmentally sustainable. Accomplishing this is an all hands, minds, and hearts on deck effort that begins with envisioning what we need and want our communities to look like by mid-century. This session looks at creating models to make our visions tangible. It also looks at organizing community events to communicate our visions to local, national, and international agencies.
This session will be originating from the meeting house here in Portland for the in-person component of the event.  While attending virtually is definitely an option, in-person attendance is encouraged for those of us living in the Portland area.  The in-person attendance will include a closer look at a traveling exhibit (model of a climate resilient community) meant to be a catalyst for our exploration. 

Summer Sundays in the Park for MMM School-Aged Children

Beginning June 23rd, Children's Program Committee will continue our summer Sunday tradition of walking to the playground at Laurelhurst Park for supervised activities and playtime during meeting for worship. Exceptions are the second summer Sundays, when children will gather near the maintenance building in Laurelhurst near SE Ankeny and SE Laurelhurst Place (where meeting for worship gathers at Site E) and walk together to Site A.  In case of inclement weather, we'll meet inside the Meetinghouse. At least three volunteers are needed for each Sunday; please contact Lyn Gordon, Clerk of Children's Program Committee if you can help.

Seeking Right Relationships: INDIGENOUS ALASKAN PEOPLE AND QUAKERS

Wednesday, June 5, 6:30 pm Pacific; Registration is required at this link.
Over recent years, Alaska and Sierra Cascades Friends have worked to recognize the harm Quakers have done historically to Alaska indigenous people. This panel will speak from that work, including truth tribunals, resurrecting a historical book, facing family histories, and contributing to a cultural center in an indigenous community. Following the panel, small breakout groups will provide an opportunity for Friends to share their own concerns and actions to address harm with care, and the group will gather for closing observations.

Panel contributors: Maia Genaux (Pullman-Moscow and Chena Ridge Meetings, NPYM and Alaska Friends Conference), Cathy Walling (Alaska Friends Conference), Julie Downs (Camas Friends Church, Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting), Andrew Franklin (Camas Friends Church, Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting). The session is hosted by the North Pacific Yearly Meeting Anti-Racism Working Group and the NPYM Peace and Social Concerns Committee. All are welcome.

Making Decisions Together

Saturday, May 11th at 9 am – 12 noon
Blended: Multnomah Friends Worship Room and Zoom
Come explore Friends’ unique approaches to decision making that are rooted in our faith. Jana and Warren Ostrom from University Meeting in Seattle will share their wisdom and experiences. Sponsored by the Adult Religious Education (ARE) Committee.
Zoom Meeting ID: 893 0632 6850  Passcode: 601509


Willamette Quarterly Meeting

April 5, 2024

Theme: We Gather Together to Deepen Community
May 17-19, Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp
Registration is now open
Join old Friends and meet new ones at Willamette Quarterly Meeting gathering on beautiful Mt Hood. Programs for children, youth and adults will be offered as well as plenty of unstructured time. The wonderful children's program will occur mostly in the forest surrounding the camp. Come to hear what other meetings are doing to deepen community. For more information and to register go to willamettequarterly.org. Registration is open through April 24. Cost is Pay as Led. Pay more if you can; less if you can't. Printable flyer on registration site. 

Vocal Ministry & Preparing for Worship

April 5, 2024

Sunday, April 28, 12-1:30pm
In-Person Workshop in the Meeting Room
Sponsored by the Adult Religious Education Committee
A panel of Friends, Julie Peyton, Jesse Hunter, Virginia Wood, & Liz Jenkins, will share their experience of spoken ministry. At this in-person workshop Friends are invited to consider vocal ministry, both in Meeting for Worship and in Meeting for Worship for Business. The program is being convened by Diane Hollister and Cathy Tinker, members of the Worship and Ministry Committee. A sandwich bar will be available during Social Hour. For childcare, please contact Jeanne-Marie Pierrelouis by April 21. You can be reimbursed for childcare at home if you prefer.

Load More