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

Mas & Pas

[3]Ruth and Greg are reviving the First Friday Singing with a focus on singing songs of hope, resilience, justice, and peace from the Rise Up Singing songbooks (and Rise Again songbooks).  This is open to the public, so bring along your singing friends on Friday, January 3^rd at the Quaker Meetinghouse from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.   Bring a small snack or some non-alcoholic beverage to share.  Contact RuthHeath [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org (subject: Songs%20of%20Hope%2C%20Justice%2C%20Peace%2C%20and%20Resilience) (Ruth) or GregoryHeath [at] concordfriendsmeeting [dot] org (subject: Songs%20of%20Hope%2C%20Justice%2C%20Peace%2C%20and%20Resilience) (Greg) H. with questions or if you can bring an instrument and accompany songs.  11 Oxbow Pond Rd, Canterbury, 2 minutes from I-93 Exit 17.

Beginning in January we’ll be meeting at 9:00 a.m. on first Sundays (hybrid) to explore our Quaker history, culture, and practices.  Heidi B is organizing the program, but we hope that friends of all levels of experience will come to share questions, answers, doubts, struggles, joys and inspiration and we strive together to find greater meaning and appreciation of our shared experience in the Religious Society of Friends.  Each month will offer a “free-standing” program, so you don’t have to commit to attending all.

We’ll have coffee and tea available — just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm.

[4]“How do systems change?  How can we move towards the just economies we need and want?  The natural process of ecological replacement highlights two mechanisms at work in replacing a complex system that dominates the landscape and seems too big to challenge.  Succession relies in part on incremental change, the slow, steady replacement of that which does not serve ecological flourishing with new communities.  But it also relies on disturbance, on disruption of the status quo in order to let new species emerge and flower.  ... I want to see emerging gift economies nurtured in the gaps carved out of the overbearing market economy”

You are invited to register for our annual Midwinter Retreat.  But don't delay, registration closes on January 10^th, shortly after the new year.

The theme will be "Spirit-led Activism: Discerning Our Roles in Changemaking"

From the beginnings of the Quaker movement, Friends have sought to embody and act upon their awareness of "that of God in each person" through advocating for a more just and equitable social order based on their vision of a world renewed.  Early Friends built robust communities of care to persevere in the face of trying circumstances and utilized spiritual practices to support each other in discerning their individual leadings.

Today, many Friends wrestle with similar questions of how to act upon our spiritual and ethical values in the political realm.  How can we balance self-care, community care, and activism when we feel stretched thin?  How can we be thoughtful and intentional about decisions in how we participate in each of those domains?  How can we tune in to the wisdom of our mind, body, and spiritual community to discern our next steps in this collective journey.

Join Young Friends as we explore these queries and themes and over MLK weekend at Woolman Hill.  For more information and to register click here [5].

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 [6] on the plaza in front of the State House.  Make your own sign, use one provided, or just stand in silent witness beside 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.

[7]

The draft minutes for the December 2024 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business are available at 2024-12-08_CMM_Minutes [7] or via MinutesOfConcordMonthlyMeeting [8].

For corrections, missing documents, and/or clarifications of the minutes, please reply to web clerk, Concord Friends Meeting, webclerk [at] concordfriendsmeeting [dot] org (subject: CMM%20Minutes%20for%202024-12-08) .