Query for May

Do we each take an active part in the life of our Meeting?
How do we recognize the varied skills and spiritual gifts of our members and attenders? How do we nurture their use and growth?
In what ways are we bringing together members and attenders, young and old, in love and community?
Do we visit one another in our homes and keep in touch with distant members?
How are strangers made to feel welcome in our midst?
How do we encourage attenders to share in Meeting activities and responsibilities?

Peace & Reconciliation Conference

GRCC Peace & Reconciliation Conference May 11-13, 2009

Grand Rapids Community College is hosting its first Peace and Reconciliation Conference, May 11-13, 2009. For a complete list of events, and speakers, please go to www.grcc.edu/peace.

John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize winner and an architect of the current peace process in Northern Ireland will deliver the keynote address on May 12. Other conference speakers include people who were active in Northern Ireland's civil rights movement, the Irish Republican Army, Sinn Féin, community reconciliation efforts, and people who went to prison for their beliefs and their commitment to Irish nationalism.

April Query

Do we center our lives in the awareness of the presence of God so that all things take their rightful place? Do we keep our lives uncluttered with things and activities and avoid comments beyond our strength and light? Is the life of the Meeting so ordered that it helps us simplify our personal lives? Do we order our individual lives so as to nourish our spiritual growth?

GR Fair Trade City Fundraiser

Place: Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, GR
Time: 11:30 a.m. -
Cost: $7.00 ?
Events: 12:00 Mark Handler--Tibetan singing bowl performer; 1:30 film Black Gold about the fair trade movement in Ethiopia.

There will be a variety of locally-roasted fair trade & direct-trade coffee available for sampling, along with other fair-trade crafts & activities.

For more info, contact Sujen Diveney, Sdiviney@grmc.org.

David Zarembka from Kenya

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Date: March 9, 2009
Contact: Betty Ford,
Phone: (616) 942-4713 or 454-1642

Sponsors: Grand Rapids Friends Meeting with the Institute for Global Education

David Zarembka from Kenya, Coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initative of the
Friends Peace Teams

On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 7:00, David Zarembka will be speaking about nations in the African Great Lakes Region focusing on "What the New Administration Can Do to Solve the Conflicts in East and Central Africa" He will begin with a brief analysis of United States involvement in Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The emphasis on a military solution to these conflicts is not working and will only prolong them. Alternative strategies for promoting peace and development in this potentially very rich region will be described.

David will be speaking in the back Studio of the Wealthy Theater Annex, 1110 Wealthy SE just west of the Wealthy Theater.

Greeter schedule

The greeters for first day Meetings for Worship are now posted on the GRFM Calendar (http://www.grandrapidsfriends.org/ and click on Calendar in the upper right corner or on Events Calendar on the left blue menu). We have plenty of openings for Friends to sign up: contact Kim Ranger at kim.ranger@gmail.com .

Query for March

*Do we live the virtue of that life and power which takes away the occasion of all war?

*Do we refrain from taking part in war as inconsistent with the spirit of Christ?

*What are we doing to remove the causes of war and to bring about the conditions of Peace?

Where there are hatred, division and strife, how are we instruments of reconciliation and love?

*As we work for peace in the world, are we nourished by peace within ourselves?