October 10, 7am 2026 Walk to End Alzheimers Saturday,, Oregon Zoo Would you join me in this fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association? Registration 7am (sharp), Promise Garden Ceremony 8:15am, walk begins approximately 8:30am (can I possibly do it that early?!) at the Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland; 3/4 mile walk. They ask every participant to “make a personal donation and commit to raising funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s.” If you’re interested, we can form a team I’m tentatively calling “Friendly Walkers.” Register online at alz.org/walk.
“Video:”Love Crosses Borders” October 15 Zoom Conversation This video by Anton Flores-Maisonet is presented by Pendle Hill’s 2026 Steven G Carey Memorial Lecture. For those of you who care about immigrants, aren’t fans of ICE, and wonder about ways to support those affected, enjoy this engaging lecture in which Anton Flores-Maisonet of Atlanta Friends Meeting shares from his many years accompanying immigrants, creating family and intentional community, and seeking to live with integrity. https://www.youtube.com/live/MYNqMaXAxWc?si=REpjg_lTee4Vouuf/. Also check out his book “Welcome, Friends” and the upcoming Zoom conversation about it on October 15. https://pendlehill.org/programs/380/welcome-friends-stories-of-hope-and-hospitality-with-immigrants/
Quaker Call to Action Oct. 18, 4pm Pacific time A chance to discuss protections to free elections. Register for either or both at quakercall.org/meetings/register. The threats from the Trump administration and others to prevent free and fair elections are real. The September and October video meetings will share information and provide opportunities for actions to take in defense of democracy. Find more information and resources at quakercall.net
Interfaith Silent Solidarity March to ICE Saturday, October 24th @ 4:30 PM. This action is open to all people (of faith or not) who are committed to non-violence, and who want to protest injustice and stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. We gather in Elizabeth Caruthers Park, review safety & logistics for the event and listen to a short welcome. Then we have a ten minute period of silence together (for reflection, prayer, or meditation). Next we walk slowly and silently to the ICE facility a few blocks away, carrying flowers with us. Once we arrive at ICE, we make three loops (staying on the sidewalks and obeying traffic laws) in front of the building and drop a flower in the driveway with each pass. Finally, we make our way back to the park in silence and break our silence with a shared song. In closing, we typically have guest clergy who will share something meaningful from their tradition (like a prayer, poem, or ritual). The Portland Peace Team handles safety and de-escalation for the event.
FCNL will be hosting their Annual Meeting November 12-14 in Washington DC. This year it will be both in person and online. This gathering is an opportunity to gather with hundreds of Quakers from across the country to learn about effective lobbying, to hear from FCNL lobbyists and young fellows, and to participate in policy discussions and worship sharing groups. Here is a link for more information and to register for the 2026 Annual Meeting: https://www.fcnl.org/events/annual-meeting-2026-deep-roots-bold-action. We are seeking financial support to send one or two young Friends to the Annual Meeting. We need support for the registration ($250 to attend in person), travel and lodging. If you would like more information and/or able to offer some financial support please contact FCNL rep Barbara Segal.
Save the Date: Spring 2027 Willamette Quarterly Meeting. May 14-16, 2027 Mark your calendars, whether paper or electronic, for next spring’s residential gathering of Willamette Quarterly Meeting. We’ll meet at Camp Lutherwood near Eugene from May 14-16. Multnomah and Bridge City are responsible for planning quarterly meeting this year; if you’d like to help or have questions, please contact Lyn Gordon or Betsey Kenworthy
Regular Recurring Events (listed Alphabetically)
Jacob Hoopes has begun 900 days of confinement at the federal prison in Sheridan. Please learn more and consider adopting one of the 900 days: https://www.900daysoflight.com/
An Invitation to Prayer Vigil at the I.C.E. Facility Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm, S. Bancroft St Over the past year interfaith groups have faithfully stood with protest signs along Macadam Ave every Monday morning and organized a Silent March the third Saturday evening of every month. This will be a mostly silent vigil, although participants may feel free to pray out loud as led. There will be opening and closing remarks as well as some singing. Participants should feel free to come and go as needed. We expect no opposition. We ask that you bring no signs. There will be a Prayer Vigil Banner along with images of those who have died because of I.C.E. for you to hold. We’ve chosen this time of day to be visible to I.C.E. employees who leave in the middle of the afternoon and the transport bus for detainees which may leave for Tacoma. Contact Joe Snyder or Dick Nystrom (Covenant) This is a family friendly event. Participants agree to be non-violent. Note: Trimet bus 35/40 and NS Streetcar will bring you.
The Quaker ICE Vigil Mndays , 10:30 am The Quaker ICE vigil, with participation of Multnomah and Bridge City Friends, continues to evolve. We meet at the 4310 S. Macadam office, Mondays at 10:30, with signs and lately also with flowers. We encourage Friends to help our effort continue. We meet for coffee afterwards, to consider further possible responses to this issue. Joe Snyder is the email group leader. Mornings to date during our vigils have been calm at the site.