Greetings Friends,

Meeting for Worship:
Please join us this Sunday, Mar 22, in one of three ways to attend Meeting for Worship: “Plain” worship in the side room in the Meeting House, or at the blended Meeting held in the Meeting House, or on the Peace Chapel.  All begin at 10:00 am.

First Day School:
First Day School focuses on loving others and learning about our community and earth, encompassing the Quaker testimonies of “SPICES,” i.e., Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. Join us each Sunday in March.
Mar 22:  Ask a Quaker a Question (AAQAQ), Immediately after the Meeting
Please come with any questions and learn more about Quaker traditions.  
CANCELLED!  Mar 22:  SingALong for Peace and Simple Foods Potluck
This idea will be seasoned for another time.  If you have interest in any aspect of a SingALong in the future, please talk with or email Julie (fairjulie@yahoo.com).

Mar 29:  Grete Perkins’ Spiritual Journey
Grete will be sharing her spiritual journey.  Please come to learn from and about Grete.

Apr 18:  Palestinian Cultural Festival, 8 am to 4 pm
Are you curious about Palestinian culture, or have you ever wanted to explore a Bedouin tent?  Your chance to learn is coming up on April 18 at the Palestinian Cultural Festival (Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Stuart St, Fort Collins). The festival is an opportunity to learn about Palestinian culture through culinary treats, music, dance and a museum with authentic artifacts.  The festival is primarily an educational event celebrating Palestinian history and culture.  This event is open to the public at no cost.  Our Meeting is a co-sponsor.
Palestinian Cultural Festival, Volunteer Opportunity
The Fort Collins Friends Meeting, along with other faith and community groups, is co-sponsoring the Palestinian Cultural Festival.  We will have a table providing information about the FCFM, Quakers in general, and Quakers’ history with Palestinians.  We would love for you to help with sitting at the table to talk with attendees or with setup.  If you are interested, please contact Lo (chacocanyonlr@gmail.com). 

Diapers for Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation – through Apr 12
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is just a four-hour drive from Fort Collins.  Although the Lakota are resilient and are rebuilding their indigenous culture and language, the reservation frequently ranks as the poorest county in the U.S. Poverty rates range from 54% to 80%, depending on which set of statistics is quoted.  Bob and Carol spend a week each year volunteering with the organization Re-Member and each year deliver diapers donated by our Meeting. These diapers are made available to community parents in need. Through Sunday, April 12, we will collect diapers at the Meetinghouse.  Diapers are needed in sizes 3 and up (disposable only, due to lack of plumbing in many homes).  Please give if you can.

Polestar Moving On
The Polestar group will no longer be renting space in the First Day School for weekly kirtan and meditation. They had a serendipitous opportunity to purchase property for that purpose that is right next to the land where Polestar Village will be built. They expressed gratitude for being able to use our place through the winter.

Request for Input:  Quaker Protesting – from Dennis Carder
Greetings Friends.  At last week’s Meeting For Business, I brought up an article/guide I have been working on regarding protesting the Quaker way.  My end goal is to present this to IMYM as a Statement of Conscience and possibly to Western Friends magazine for publication.  When I initially brought this up to our Peace and Social Justice Committee, they recommended a condensed version, maybe a pamphlet to be used as a guide at protesting, possibly being passed out.  I would prefer to approach IMYM with the approval and input from Fort Collins Friends.  During the business meeting, I already received some valuable input.  I request that you take a moment to read through these.  If you have any suggestions for changes and/or additions, we will be having an informal meeting/discussion at a date and time to be determined.  Please contact me at 970-308-4580 if you have interest and we’ll get the meeting set.  Thank you. May we walk strongly in the light.  ~Dennis
Quaker Mountain Spring (a tanka)
       by Josh Danko
The last chill wind leaves.  
       Snow banks retreat from full sun–
glacier lilies bloom.
       Here, a new season of life.
              Peaceful silence, in the light.

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If you would like an item to be considered for inclusion in the Weekly Update, please send the exact wording by 10:00 am Thursday to these two email addresses: musichealsit@gmail.com and chacocanyonlr@gmail.com.

In peace and service,

Lo Rellergert
Clerk, Fort Collins Friends Meeting ClerkGreetings Friends,

Meeting for Worship:
Please join us this Sunday, Mar 15, in one of three ways to attend Meeting for Worship: “Plain” worship in the side room in the Meeting House, or at the blended Meeting held in the Meeting House, or on the Peace Chapel.  All begin at 10:00 am.

First Day School:
First Day School focuses on loving others and learning about our community and earth, encompassing the Quaker testimonies of “SPICES,” i.e., Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. Join us each Sunday in March at 10:00 am.

Mar 15:  Potluck after Meeting
Please bring a dish to share – or just bring yourself!
Mar 18:  Kirtan and Potluck
You are welcome to join Polestar Village for their kirtan and potluck Wednesday, Mar 18, 5:30-7:30 pm in the Friends’ First Day School.  For more information, see the Polestar website HERE.
Mar 22:  Ask a Quaker a Question (AAQAQ), Immediately after the Meeting
Please come with any questions and learn more about Quaker traditions.  

Mar 22:  SingALong for Peace! and Simple Foods Potluck, 11:30 am, after Meeting 
Stay after Meeting and join us for a SingALong of Peace, Spiritual, and Human Rights Songs and a few Old Favorites, too.  Dennis and Christian will play and sing and Julie will lead the singing.  Please bring simple foods to share that day, since we will sing at lunchtime.

Mar 29:  Grete Perkins’ Spiritual Journey
Grete will be sharing her spiritual journey.  Please come to learn from and about Grete.
Diapers for Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is just a four-hour drive from Fort Collins.  Although the Lakota are resilient and are rebuilding their indigenous culture and language, the reservation frequently ranks as the poorest county in the U.S. Poverty rates range from 54% to 80%, depending on which set of statistics is quoted.  Bob and Carol spend a week each year volunteering with the organization Re-Member and each year deliver diapers donated by our Meeting. These diapers are made available to community parents in need. Through Sunday, April 12, we will collect diapers at the Meetinghouse. Diapers are needed in sizes 3 and up (disposable only, due to lack of plumbing in many homes).  Please give if you can.

Request for Input:  Quaker Protesting – from Dennis Carder
Greetings Friends.  At last week’s Meeting For Business, I brought up an article/guide I have been working on regarding protesting the Quaker way.  My end goal is to present this to IMYM as a Statement of Conscience and possibly to Western Friends magazine for publication.  When I initially brought this up to our Peace and Social Justice Committee, they recommended a condensed version, maybe a pamphlet to be used as a guide at protesting, possibly being passed out.  I would prefer to approach IMYM with the approval and input from Fort Collins Friends.  During the business meeting, I already received some valuable input.  I request that you take a moment to read through these.  If you have any suggestions for changes and/or additions, we will be having an informal meeting/discussion at a date and time to be determined.  Please contact me at 970-308-4580 if you have interest and we’ll get the meeting set.  Thank you. May we walk strongly in the light.  ~Dennis
In Deep Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who generously answered the December appeal letter for donations to our meeting.  Your contributions have started us on the road toward meeting the commitments of our 2026 budget.  We are grateful for your support. Through our combined efforts and regular donations, we will be able to remain a vital faith community.

Thanks also for the donations to the Nash-Zimmerman Giving Fund. These dollars enable our meeting to support organizations in our community that address relationships with the unhoused, immigrants, and Indigenous peoples, as well as national Quaker-based organizations.

Our dedicated finance team provides a financial report at every meeting for worship with a concern for business. If you are curious about our finances but are not yet signed up to receive business materials, contact Lo for help with signing up.  Also, you can look forward to periodic financial info in the Weekly Update in the future.

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If you would like an item to be considered for inclusion in the Weekly Update, please send the exact wording by 10:00 am Thursday to these two email addresses: musichealsit@gmail.com and chacocanyonlr@gmail.com.

In peace and service,

Lo Rellergert
Clerk, Fort Collins Friends Meeting Clerk