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“I have just three things to teach: Simplicity, Patience, Compassion.

These three are your greatest treasures.”

~ Lao Tzu (6^th century BCE)

An ancient Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching,

The foundational text of Taoism

During COVID times, we enjoyed regular Saturday evening Story Sharing which sometimes had a theme.  We learned so much about each other during those stories!  This has inspired us to offer something similar in a worship sharing format during this coming Sunday program after potluck. 

During this week please spend some time considering some early religious education or spiritual experience that deeply affected you or that has shaped your later experience (positive or negative).  We encourage you to be prepared (if you wish) to share about it.  This does not have to be long and no one will be required to share (you can just listen).  We trust that this reflection on your part might bring to light some new aspect of your own experience, and that sharing it will help us all to know each other more deeply in the Spirit.  Plus this can inform and inspire perhaps our own YRE program!   We are looking forward to your story.

I hope this message finds you all well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the warm and welcoming spirit I experienced while visiting home the past three Sundays. It was truly a blessing to share in your peaceful space, and I felt very much at home among you.

I’ve since returned to Ireland and am focusing on securing jobs (including tour guide positions) as I prepare for the next step in my career journey as I continue to figure out my long term trajectory. As I move forward in this new chapter, I carry with me the sense of peace and community I felt with you, which has been a source of encouragement and I do hope to be better about staying in touch through zoom.

Please know how much I appreciate your kindness, and I hope to visit when I am next in New Hampshire.

In August, the Biden Administration approved a series of arms sales to Israel totaling more than $20 billion. Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) led by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT), Peter Welch (VT), Jeff Merkley (OR), and Brian Schatz (HI) would block the sale of many offensive weapons that have been used in strikes that have killed thousands of civilians, including aid workers and journalists, in Gaza over the last year.

These weapons include joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs) and 120-millimeter tank shells, which the Israeli military has repeatedly used in attacks that have killed civilians in densely populated areas.  The JRDs do not implicate missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling.

The United States cannot claim the high ground when it sends billions of dollars in weapons to a government that has shown so little regard for civilian life, and which credible reports allege has engaged in actions that violate international law.  Congress must pass these resolutions and use all forms of U.S. leverage to bring a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon, and across the region.

Cosponsor and vote in favor of Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel (S.Res.111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116).

Why Congress must pass these Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to stop the sale of offensive weapons to Israel:

We will have a special presentation on Sunday November 24^th, 2024 after our Potluck.  At 12:30 we will be showing a just created film by the Cowasuck Band of the Penacook Abenaki People on the story behind the monument to Hannah Dustin on the nearby island.  They have carefully researched how the story has been told and what historical data is available.  It will be a useful lesson in how history is told and used over generations.  More details to follow.

Please find below the general epistle from New England Yearly Meeting and from our sister Yearly Meeting in Cuba.

The silent vigil for a ceasefire in Gaza continues every Thursday from Noon-1 p.m.  The vigil meets at the (Northwest corner of) North Main Street and Park Street in Concord on the plaza in front of the State House. Make your own sign, use one provided, or just stand in silent witness besides others.  This is done in coordination with NH Peace Action.  We suggest that people make signs that convey something about justice for Israel and Palestine.  Also please avoid the word genocide, ethnic cleansing, and similar terms.