Friendly Tasks for Meeting
Care of Meeting: Sharon T
Key / setup: Don G
Setup Helper: Wendy G
Greeter: Judy H
Snack: (n/a, potluck)
Kitchen setup: vacant
Kitchen setup Help: vacant
Kitchen cleanup: Virginia H
Kitchen cleanup Help: Wyoming M
Children's teacher: Aurora F
If you can take on a job that's now vacant, please contact Don G.
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Upcoming Second Hours:
March 12 MfWfB
March 26 SEC will screen a short film "Every Row A Path," which looks at the experiences of several young female migrant workers and their families in Skagit County. Discussion to follow.
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Calendar for Bellingham Friends
Wednesday, March 8, 7- 9 pm
Midweek Worship at Mary Ann P's home, usually meeting 2nd and 4th Wednesdays for open worship followed by worship-sharing or other activity as the group decides
Saturday. March 11, 10 am
Friendly Listening Group
Terra Organica, 1530 Cornwall Ave.
Tuesday, March 21, 7 – 9 PM
Book Group
at the Goldsteins' home. We'll be discussing "Life Animated", by Ron Suskind. Copies of book are available from Don G. until March 5th, and after that from Susan R.
,
Wednesday, March 22, 7 - 9 pm
Midweek Worship at Mary Ann P's home, see March 8 above
Thursday, March 23, 7 - 9 PM
Spirit Group
at Larry T.'s home
See Spirit Group Announcement below for access to reading material
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February query
— From NPYM, Faith and Practice, p. 47
“Are we conscientious in fulfilling obligations to the state and society while opposing those contrary to our understanding of the leadings of God?”
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Videos, Podcasts, Poems and More
for the Quaker Soul
From Quaker Speak, Jan 26, 2017
 This conversation features the following Quakers:
Norma Wallman
Lidney Molnari
Cheryl Speir-Phillips
Ray Treadway
Julie Peyton
Sara Hernandez
Brenda Cox
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Meeting Announcements
Meeting Camping Trip
M&C has again reserved the Group Campsite at Excelsior Campground on Mt Baker Highway for August 25 – 27 for a Meeting camping trip! Please save the date!
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Announcements From Committees
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Children's Program Committee
BFM shows up BIG at Kids March for Peace! A terrific contingent of Quaker kids and parents participated in the Bellingham Kids March for Peace Sunday. The snow melted, the rain clouds blew away, and a great march was had by all!
Children's Program Schedule (Changes due to Peace March)
March 5 - Aurora Fox - Art Project Sunday! (Anna)
March 12 - Susan Richardson (Dora)
March 19 - Aurora Fox - Art Project Sunday! (Dora)
March 26 - Rob Dillard (Dora)
April 2 - Jessica Bee
April 9 - Jessica Bee
April 16 (Easter!) & 23 - Open
April 30 - Don Goldstein: Solar eclipses
Easter's coming! Despite the piles of snow out there, it won't be too long before Easter is here. Let's plan ahead how to keep our tradition of hopeful, joyful annual celebrations vibrant. Contact CP Committee if you have ideas and energy!
Committee Meeting postponed due to weather and illness. We'll be meeting next Monday, 5:30 p.m. at Aurora's. Caravan or carpool from Virginia's place if you're not sure how to find it. All Friends are welcome!
Many thanks to our volunteer teacher team and childcare workers: Dusty Andersen; Rob Dillard; Susan Richardson; Rachel VanBoven; Kristen McLewin, Jessica Bee, Aurora Fox, Dave Hopkinson, Virginia Herrick, substitutes Sharon Trent and John Hatten, and workers Anna Row and Dora Kovacs.
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Outreach and Welcoming Committee
OWC's next "Getting Acquainted" activity is expected to take place right after potluck on Sunday, April 2nd. Stay tuned for details!
Our documents, "Regular Bellingham Friends Meeting Activities and How to Learn More About Them" (recently updated) and "A Quaker Glossary" are both available in hard copy on the greeting table and also by download from the "About Us" page of the BFM website, http://bellinghamfriends.org.
OWC meets next on Saturday morning, March 25. All Friends are welcome, but please contact clerk Don Goldstein (671-1395 or dnx6309@gmail.com) if you will be joining us.
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Social and Environmental Concerns Committee
Two opportunities for civic engagement and Quaker Witness:
#1
What: Town Hall Meeting with State Senator Doug Ericksen
Date: Saturday, March 4
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Meridian High School, 194 W. Laurel Rd.
#2
What: Election for Whatcom County Conservation District
Date: Tuesday, March 14
Time: 9 AM to 6 PM
Where: 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden
Note: IF you requested a mail-in ballot last month, you will receive your ballot in the mail and may send it in by mail. But only those who previously asked for a mail-in ballot will receive one. Those who did not request a mail-in ballot will not receive one, but can still vote in person.
If you are a registered voter and need a ride to the polling pace, SEC will provide transportation. Contact Judy H if you need a ride.
Social and Environmental Concerns Committee meets monthly. If you would like to attend, click here to email one of our members for meeting details.
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Nominating Committee
Each year, sponsorship funds of up to $1000 are available to a Friend from our Meeting to help pay for travel to and attendance at the summer Friends General Conference Gathering. This year's Gathering is in Niagara Falls, NY, July 2-8, 2017. For more information, please see the website for the Gathering at: The Gathering and/or contact a Nominating Committee member: Joanne Cowan, Don Goldstein, or Kristen McLewin. If you want to request consideration for the sponsorship, contact one or us by March 1st (TODAY).
 Taste the vibrancy and the variety that is available by immersing yourself in this community of Friends for a week. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you—in person—at Niagara University, New York, July 2-8, 2017.
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2017 Quarterly Meeting Planning Committee (QMPC)
This is an ad hoc (limited term) joint committee including Friends from both Bellingham and Lopez Island Friends Meetings, for the purpose of planning and organizing the adult program for next spring's Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting session, to be held April 21-23, 2017, at Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center, near Ellensburg. The session theme will be "Discerning our Leadings: Worshiping with our Lives." If you're interested in joining us or just curious about what QM planning involves, contact QMPC Co-clerk Don Goldstein (671-1395 or dnx6309@gmail.com). Next meeting: Friday, March 3rd, 10 am.
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Announcements from Special Groups and individuals in our local Meeting
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From Anna Row
- who is working hard on this production and would love to have Friends attend:
The Wizard of Oz
Musical
This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has been entertaining audiences for generations. Bellingham High School will present the family favorite, featuring popular songs "Over the Rainbow," "We're Off to See the Wizard," and more. Sets, lighting, costumes and make-up -- all designed and executed by BHS students -- diverge from the classic movie, lending a fun twist to the “look” of this familiar tale. Opens Friday, March 3 at 7 pm, with additional performances Saturday, March 4 and 11 at 2 pm and 7 pm. Friday, March 10 is "PJ Night;" anyone wearing jammies to this 7 pm performance will receive complimentary hot cocoa at intermission. (360) 676-6575
Event Info: (360) 676-6575
Ages: All ages
Price: $10 adults, $8 students/seniors
Schedule
• Fri 3/3/17 at 7pm-9pm
• Sat 3/4/17 at 2pm till 4pm, 7pm till 9pm
• Fri 3/10/17 at 7pm-9pm
• Sat 3/11/17 at 2pm till 4pm, 7pm till 9pm
Venue
Bellingham High School
2020 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
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Spirit Group Announcement
Next meeting: Thurs, March 23, 7 - 9 PM
Our next reading is a series of short essays from the book, "Universalism and Spirituality",
pages 66-73. Contact Larry Thompson (Lathompson47@gmail.com) after March 6th to receive a copy of the material.
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Living and Learning in the Great Outdoors
Click here to see a listing of all the Native Plant Society winter field trips
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Events/Opportunities
in the Wider Community
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 Now - March 9th at the Pickford
Click on image for movie trailer
In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, Remember This House. The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and successive assassinations of three of his close friends-Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin’s death in 1987, he left behind only thirty completed pages of his manuscript. Now, in his incendiary new documentary, master filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished. The result is a radical, up-to-the-minute examination of race in America, using Baldwin’s original words and flood of rich archival material. I Am Not Your Negro is a journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter. It is a film that questions black representation in Hollywood and beyond. between the lives and assassination of these three leaders, Baldwin and Peck have and Thursday at the Pickford
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Coastal First Nations Dance Festival
10th Year Anniversary
Produced by Dancers of Damelahamid, UBC Museum of Anthropology
The Festival is a celebration of the stories, songs and dances of the Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of North America. The festival presents the rich culture traditions practiced by dance groups from British Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska and Washington State as well as guest international artists and demonstrates that these traditions are very much alive, vibrant and relevant today. Adults $34.25 Canadian, Seniors and Students $29 Canadian. http://damelahamid.ca/coastal-dance-festival (more details)
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THE MT. BAKER SKI AREA HOSTS A FREE COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Saturday, March 4 – Sunday, March 5, at 2:00 PM both days
The Future of Ice Series: Conversations about a Positive Future
When: Saturday, March 4 – Sunday, March 5, at 2:00 PM both days
Where: Mt. Baker Ski Area, Deming, WA ( map), Raven Hut ( area map)
Who: Saturday Speakers:
- Cecilia Bitz, Ph.D., Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Washington
- Eric de Place, Policy Director, Sightline Institute
- Claudia Frere-Anderson, Director of Sustainability, University of Washington
Who: Sunday Speakers:
- Sharon Shewmake, Assistance Professor, College of Business & Economics, Western Washington University
- Derek Long, Director, Sustainable Connections
- Rachel Vasak, Executive Director, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Tickets: This event is free and open to the public.
More information about the event and panelists can be found here. 
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Alternatives to Violence Project
teams with Whatcom Peace and Justice to Offer
Workshops in creative conflict resolution
The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) understands that conflict is a normal part of life but believe that violence—whether verbal, physical, emotional, or spiritual—doesn't need to be. We believe that conflict can be used as a tool for change and transformation.
AVP seeks to establish, by teaching practical skills, a peaceful community where citizens have the ideals, the expectation, and know-how to reach positive, powerful resolutions to conflict situations.
AVP offers hope, training and confidence to help each of us, individually and in community, to change this world, our country, every neighborhood and our homes, to the peaceful places where we all wish to live.
Two levels of workshops remaining
March 17-19, 2017 | Advanced Workshop (level two; a completion certificate from the Basic Workshop is a prerequisite) | Register now
The Advanced AVP workshop focuses on the underlying causes of violence in and outside of ourselves as well as the role and pieces we bring to ourselves and the world as peacemakers.
Spring 2017 | Training for Facilitators (level three; a completion certificate from the Advanced Workshop is a prerequisite
This workshop focuses on developing team building, leadership methods and group process or facilitation skills. Participants work in small groups, facilitating actual exercises, receiving feedback and practice in presenting many aspects of a Basic Workshop.
AVP workshops are hands-on, experiential learning. AVP workshops seek to assist in personal growth and change. AVP is not “therapy,” but can be very helpful in healing.
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Whatcom Museum
John M. Edson Hall of Birds
Opens March 16, 2017 | Old City Hall
This new exhibit takes the Museum's founding collection of mounted birds and reinterprets it for an interactive and educational experience, with help provided by the North Cascades Audubon Society. Learn about bird migration, conservation, habitats, bird calls, and more.
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Thur, Mar 16, - 6:00 pm
Pickford theater
WE the People 2.0:
The Second American Revolution
Click on the image to view the trailer for this film
A film by Leila Conners, narrated by Walton Coggins
"A New Democracy Movement is Building, Elevating Community and Nature's Rights over Corporate "Rights"
Sponsored by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF)
Panel discussion to follow.
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Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
Bellingham faith communities continue the monthly prayer vigils for peace in the Middle East, which were started in December 2000 at the initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and organized nationally by Churches for Middle East Peace.
Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
March 18, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
Hosted by:
First Church of Christ, Scientist
2700 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham
(360) 733-6070
Note: The church is tucked behind a grove of trees, so look for a sign (upper left) at the edge of the road.
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Friday Peace Vigil - started by Rosemary and Howard Harris
Celebrates 50 years in 2016! Longest continuous peace demonstration in the United States!
When: Every Fri, 3:45pm – 4:45pm
Where: 104 W Magnolia St, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA (map)
Description: The Nation's oldest weekly Peace Vigil. Paricipants gather weekly at 4:00 pm with signs in front of the Federal Building on the Corner of Magnolia and Cornwall Streets.
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Letting Your Life Speak
Spotlight on
Opportunities for Witness
Saturday, March 4th, 2017 5-8pm
Benefit fundraiser dinner for Water Protector Legal Collective
Location: Jackson Place Cohousing, 800 Hiawatha Place South, Seattle
Carpool: Contact Mary Ann Percy
The water protectors at Standing Rock have been working to protect water, land, and indigenous rights by working to prevent the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would destroy the sole source of water for many people and communities. Many of those who are fighting to protect their water have been arrested and falsely charged by the local police force and are facing long prison sentences.
The Water Protectors Legal Collective is a group of indigenous and non-indigenous people, partnered with the National Lawyers Guild, that is working on legal issues for water protectors at Standing Rock resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
March 20, 10 AM:
NATIVE NATIONS MARCH ON DC: Rise with Standing Rock
Starting point at 443 G St. NW, Washington DC, Rally at Layafette Square.
Sunday, March 26th, 1pm
International Day Against Racism March
Thornton Park at Main St. Skytrain Station, Vancouver BC
http://vancouver.carpediem.cd/events/2462226-international-day-against-racism-march-at-thornton-park/
Saturday, April 22 10 AM
Bellingham March for Science
The local march is in its early planning stages. . Stay tuned!
Facebook page for local march: https://www.facebook.com/events/243320266112278/
Website for Washington DC and satellite marches: https://www.marchforscience.com/satellite-marches/?state=Washington
Saturday, April 29: 12 noon
Peoples Climate March in Bellingham
(a satellite march for the Washington DC Peoples Climate March)
Organizer: 350 Bellingham
Website for National March: https://peoplesclimate.org/
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Announcements From National
Quaker Lobby / Action Groups
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Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Spreading Quaker Power & Light
FCNL works within our democratic system to influence national legislation
for peace & social justice.
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Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Call on your members of Congress to oppose repeal of the Affordable Care Act without an adequate replacement already in place. It’s about making sure every person can afford health insurance, so that every person can afford medical care.
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Religious Freedom and Refugee Protection
The Trump administration announced it intends to resubmit an executive order ban on immigration from seven Muslim majority countries and refugee resettlement for Syrians.
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Encourage Sens. Murray and Cantwell to speak out for Dreamers -- undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States -- by cosponsoring the BRIDGE Act.
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Work with FCNL: Join our work for peace, justice and the environment!
The Advocacy Corps is a 9-month training program starting August 2017. Advocates are given a $3,000 stipend to organize their local communities and address climate change. Applications due 4/10/17. Apply for the Advocacy Corps!
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JOIN OUR LOCAL Advocacy Team - we meet once a month to plan how to lobby our senators and Rep. Rick Larsen, in concert with other FCNL teams nationwide. Please contact Virginia Herrick.
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Looking Ahead to Wider Quaker Gatherings
General Meetings - Quarterly and Yearly Meetings and The Gathering
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Spring 2017 Quarterly Meeting Session
April 21-23
PNQM meets in the Fall and Spring of each year at the Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg
in Central Washington. The program begins on Friday evening and ends with lunch on Sunday.
Responsibility for planning rotates among the Monthly Meetings of the Quarter.
Registration information will be available in late February (see below)
Registration online and by telephone opens on February 24th. For more information, contact Don Goldstein (dnx6309@gmail.com) or click here.
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Announcements / Opportunities from Other Quaker Groups
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Pendle Hill
Offers Quaker Studies Online courses
(as well as amazing on-site retreats and workshops!)
click the link below for more inforamtion about on-line courses:
http://www.pendlehill.org/quaker-studies-online-a-new-pendle-hill-initiative/#.VzkJ-JMrL6A
News from Ben Lomond Quaker Center
How can we open to the Spirit’s power to transform us and our meetings? Find out by joining us for Emerging Leadership, Spiritual Power, and Faithful Witness with Jonathan Vogel-Borne and Minga Claggett-Borne for a 5-day workshop from March 28 – April 2. Deep worship, strong community, Spirit-led leadership and faithful witness build powerful meetings. We encourage meetings to send an older and a younger Friend. Spaces are limited so register early at http://www.quakercenter.org/programs/emerging-leadership-spiritual-power-and-faithful-witness/
Save the dates, June 25 – July 1, 2017, for summer camp! We welcome all kids to join us; Quaker Camp serves rising 4th - 6th graders, and Service Camp serves 7th - 9th graders. Campers explore community, peace, equality, integrity, simplicity, and earthcare-- values that Quakers hold strongly, through creative projects and activities. Applications for counselor positions and camper registration are available at http://www.quakercenter.org/summer-youth-camps/
Musical growth and personal development
in a caring, inclusive community informed by Quaker values.
Join us for FMC 2017!
July 9 - August 6, 2017
Enrollment is open to all young people ages 10 to 18.
Prospective campers should have at least one year of lessons on their chosen instrument, or one year of experience in a school orchestra, band or choir program. Scholarships are available.
Friends Music Camp is held on the campus of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.
For more information about Friends Music Camp, click here
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Friends General Conference
(Offers many resources including the ones listed below)
Building a deeper spiritual community in your meeting.
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On-line Quaker Meetings for Worship - with two Quaker Groups
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On Our Website:
Click to visit website
Metamorphosis
(our monthly newsletter - with feature articles and poetry and much more!)
Back issues of the E-News
(soon to include this one!)
And much more!
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