Community
Multnomah Friends is a very active Meeting, with events throughout the week and many ways to get involved. Below are some current events and news about the life of the Meeting. We also publish a weekly bulletin highlighting upcoming programs and announcements, and a monthly newsletter with articles of interest to our community. Sign up with your email address below.
Within our community, we are guided by our testimonies, especially Simplicity, Integrity, and Equality with the goal of being a welcoming space for everyone seeking a spiritual home with us.
Events
Sunday, January 18, 10-11:30am, Meeting Room
On third Saturdays, from 10 to 11:30am, we will again be exploring using movement as part of our spiritual practice. In Authentic Movement, we share the experience of listening to our bodies and moving as we are led, while another is our witness. We will also move with song in blessing, explore a few other exercises and close with the Elm Dance. Whether movement is a primary expression for you, or you're just curious, please feel welcome to join us!
Sunday, January 12, Meetinghouse
What luck! A two-fer! On Potluck Sunday, January 12, the Nominating Committee is also sponsoring a Job Fair! Have you wondered how to get involved in the workings of Multnomah Friends? Here’s your chance to learn about what is possible, and talk to members of committees about what they do. If so led, you’ll be able to sign up to help. Questions contact:
What luck! A two-fer! On Potluck Sunday, January 12, the Nominating Committee is also sponsoring a Job Fair! Have you wondered how to get involved in the workings of Multnomah Friends? Here’s your chance to learn about what is possible, and talk to members of committees about what they do. If so led, you’ll be able to sign up to help. Questions contact:
Sunday, January 12, 12:15 to 1:45 pm, Meetinghouse Room 12
Presented by Adult Religious Education Committee
Presented by Adult Religious Education Committee
A conversation to explore together is an opportunity to listen with care and respect for each person in our community as we share our individual experience. The focus of this conversation will be our recent and current experience of being Quaker at a time when we are witnessing and encountering many changes in our nation and our world.
History is not only something that has happened, it is also what is happening now. Since the mid-seventeenth century, Quakers have survived challenges, witnessed history, responded to the events of their times, and made history. How does our awareness of this communal experience combine with our personal spiritual journeys as Friends to speak to us today?
The ARE Committee will offer guidelines for the conversation as well as a handout with some reflections from friends who lived through history before our present moment. Question contact:
Sunday, December 22, Noon, Meeting Room and Zoom
Join the Peace & Justice Committee on the fourth Sunday of the month for our monthly meeting. Please email any agenda requests to . If you need childcare to attend, you will be reimbursed for the expense.
Join the Peace & Justice Committee on the fourth Sunday of the month for our monthly meeting. Please email any agenda requests to . If you need childcare to attend, you will be reimbursed for the expense.
Wednesday, December 25, 12:00pm – 12:30pm, Zoom and in-person
Hosts: Amigas del Senor
Hosts: Amigas del Senor
Please contact Midweek Worship Group () with questions. People in the Portland Oregon area are welcome to join those worshipping in person at Terwilliger Plaza (2545 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland). Please be there at least 15-20 minutes early, sign in at the front desk and state you are attending the Quaker meeting in the Club room.
Sunday, December 29, Noon, Social Hall
Join us for a Sunday singalong in the Social Hall. Some of you may be carrying a song of hope. Bring it along so we can all sing it; bring your instrument too. Protest songs may soon be timely as well. All are welcome to share a song that is meaningful to them. We'll proceed in song circle fashion. For more info contact .
News
Sunday, December 22, Noon, Meeting Room and Zoom
As you seek discernment about your end-of-year giving, please consider our meeting's Immigrant Support Fund. It provides much-needed help with court filing fees, legal fees, and (when there's enough in the fund) material support for immigrants who are clients of any immigration attorney in our meeting. The need is liable to be even greater during the incoming administration. You can make a donation by giving to the meeting and designating that it is for the Immigrant Support Fund. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact any member of the Finance Committee – .
Saturday, December 21st, from 1 to 3pm, we will be hosting a Winter Solstice sit down dinner for our lunch guests complete with a cellist followed by caroling afterwards. We need your help to even come close to the magnificent Thanksgiving celebration led by Cynthia Gilliam. Please take a look here and note that there are two sections, the first being food offerings, followed by time on the floor serving, greeting, cleaning etc. In determining your food choices, it may help to know that Pat will be serving ham and scalloped potatoes. Thank you for your generous time and efforts, and the pleasure of being able to work and serve together on behalf of our beloved lunch guests. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact any one of us below. Thanks so very much.
Winter Solstice Celebration Team. For more information, email .
Winter Solstice Celebration Team. For more information, email .
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.
• 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.
April 5, 2024
Theme: We Gather Together to Deepen Community
May 17-19, Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp
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.
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.
Children are welcome to attend worship with their parents from 10am-10:15am, when formal class activities will start, continuing to 11:15am. The curriculum will focus on Friends’ testimonies, beginning with “Community. “We have teachers (at least two per Sunday) lined up for the next several weeks, but need and welcome more volunteers. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to work with the Meeting’s pre-K and school-aged children, please contact the Children’s Program Committee Clerk at .