February 2006 - Page 2

Notes from Monthly Meeting for Business 1/25/06

Sunday, February 12 will be "Love" Sunday with family worship and brunch following the service.

On the last Sundays of February, March and April, at 4 PM there will be a Quaker Studies Program to encourage people to get closer to the heart of the meeting. A pot luck supper will follow the discussion. There will be a Clerking Workshop at Powell House the last weekend in February. The Meeting approved of setting aside $600 to help send three people from Allen’s Neck Meeting. There is a possibility that Allen’s Neck will have another intern during the summer. Building and Grounds ask people to refrain from hanging decorations from the ceiling lights in the Fellowship Hall as they are not made for extra loading. Inter-Church Council will be holding a series of breakfasts around New Bedford for the purpose of having better communication among all churches in this area and for Inter-Church Council to better serve the parish community. Any one may attend. A Memorial Minute has been written for Virginia. The Library Committee reported that the library is still being reorganized, but everyone can still take out books. If a book has a borrower’s card in the back, write your name on it and place it in the wooden box on the table; if there is no card, use an index card which should be on the table, put your name, the name of the book and the date and place it in the wooden box. The Newsletter Committee reported that they are seeking a webmaster to replace their current one. Any one interested in maintaining the Allen’s Neck Website, see Carol or Sharon.

About Beacon Hill Friends House

The mission of Beacon Hill Friends House is to embody the Quaker principles of faith, simplicity, integrity, community, and social responsibility in order to nurture and call forth the light in all of us.

Many people know Beacon Hill Friends House as a residential community, and an experiment in living cooperatively. The house provides a space for people of peace and spirit to gather and learn from each other; it is a nurturing place for spiritual seekers and people working for justice. The house also provides space for Beacon Hill Friends Meeting. Quaker meetings or community groups may use our space for meetings, retreats, or other special events. There is a guest room available for over night stays. Young Friends are encouraged to visit the house, gather there for retreats, or stay overnight while visiting Boston. The staff is willing to visit meetings to introduce the house and lead discussions about living in spiritual community.

Allen’s Neck has long had a connection with Beacon Hill Friends House. Many Allen’s Neck Friends have stayed there and speak highly of it. Former Allen’s Neck Pastors Ernest and Ester Weed were directors there. For more information talk to Bev or Cindy, or go to www.BHFH.org

Fairloom

Peace and Social Concerns reports:

We continue to support the work being done by Fairloom, a project in Brazil headed by Annie Doran. Fairloom is helping a community of women become self-sufficient by building their creative skills towards producing marketable goods for sale in the US. This effort has been growing and becoming a larger project, involving UMass students, staff and others. We have provided sturdy looms for use by the women to make their beautiful clothing and other products. We will continue to be involved with and support fundraising efforts for this exciting project.

The Brazilian apprentice weavers began working on the floor loom donated by Allen’s Neck Meeting on January 6th. The first class was to assemble all the pieces of the loom. This picture was taken after all the frustrations were worked out!

www.fairloom.org

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