To request log-in information for Zoom Worship: Zoom [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: %E2%80%9CWorship%E2%80%9D%20Zoom%20Link%20Request) .

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do

than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain

The Meeting Calendar

I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits.  I'm reaching out to share some updates from my end, which, amidst the whirlwind of responsibilities and deadlines, have kept me from being as connected with you all as I would like.

The past few months have been a period of intense focus and dedication for me.  I've embarked on a challenging journey of writing several essays, preparing my dissertation., and balancing other hobbies – including kayaking, Jiu Jitsu, and yoga.  These endeavors, while fulfilling, have combined been a significant source of stress, as I strive to meet my own expectations and the academic standards required.

The nature of my studies and the depth of inquiry required have meant dedicating long hours to writing, revising, and reflecting on my central thesis question.  While this process has been a journey of personal and intellectual growth, it has also been a test of resilience, often leaving me feeling overwhelmed.  I confess, there are moments when the balance between my academic pursuits and personal well-being seems like a distant goal, elusive and hard to maintain.

Amidst these pressing commitments, I realize that my communication has not been as regular as I would have liked.  For this, I apologize.  My silence is not for lack of thinking about you.  On the contrary, I think of you and my biological family in New Hampshire all the time.

In the meantime, I would welcome any messages or words of advice you might have for balancing the demands of academic pursuits with personal well-being and spiritual growth.  Your wisdom and experiences are something I deeply cherish and look forward to hearing.

The silent vigil for a ceasefire in Gaza continues every Thursday from Noon-1pm at the corner of Main and Center Street.  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.

You are all invited to a planning meeting for the 40^th Concord, NH CROP Hunger Walk, scheduled for September 21, 2024.  The meeting will be on Zoom from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  I plan to record the meeting for those who are interested but can’t attend, so I can send out good notes afterward.  Walk day is the culmination of several months of online and in person fundraising in our various faith communities to raise money to support the work of Church World Service (CWS), in the US and abroad.   After all the money is collected from the walk, CWS returns 25% of our total to the Interfaith Council to distribute to local programs dealing with hunger.  ***Note that Sept. 21^st is also the International Day of Peace, so we may plan some joint activities ***

Quakers in New England will gather in August for the 364^th year—for worship, spiritual nurture, fellowship, and discernment of our shared calling.

Again this year there are two ways to attend Sessions: in-person at Castleton University and via Zoom.

We encourage Friends to read the details on the Yearly Meeting website before registering [6].

Register to Attend at Castleton [7]

Register to Attend Online [8]

We strive to create a beloved community which shows loving concern and actions toward all attenders of the Meeting and all with whom we interact in the wider world.  We demonstrate this care and love by being vaccinated, because vaccination protects the person vaccinated and others with whom they come in contact.  We encourage all attenders to be vaccinated and keep their vaccinations up to date.  We believe this will make our meetinghouse a safer space for attenders whose own network includes people who are at greater risk of death or disability should they get the COVID-19 virus.

We request that you attend via Zoom if any of the following apply:

• You have a fever, cough, or other viral symptoms.  (This is because you can have COVID and spread it before testing positive.)
• If you have had COVID recently, please don't attend in person until after the 5^th day after you tested positive; and please wear a mask until the 10^th day (or longer if your doctor recommends).
• If you know you have been exposed to COVID, please do not attend in person until after testing negative on the 5^th day after exposure.  Then please continue to wear a mask until the 10^th day after exposure.

Otherwise, masks are currently optional in the Meetinghouse unless the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports hospital admissions for COVID as “red” in any county of New Hampshire on the following map: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county [10]  For further clarification or questions, please contact Clerk [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org.