Howdy, Friends –

Meeting for Worship:
Please join us this Sunday, Aug 30, 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 August. 

Aug 30, Sunday, 5:30 – 7:30 pm: 
ISAAC (Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition) Community Picnic
Trinity Lutheran Church Backyard, 301 E. Stuart St, Fort Collins

Our meeting helps support immigrants and refugees in our community through volunteering and financial support of ISAAC.  This picnic is a celebration of joy with grilled meats and halal food provided; bring a side dish if you wish.  This is a chance to meet the staff, volunteers, and community members involved with ISAAC in an informal setting.

Aug 30, Sunday, 5:00 – 6:30 pm MDT,
Quaker Call to Action to Protect our Elections  

The next national video call on Aug 30 will provide specific suggestions and resources to enable individuals and groups to plan and carry out their own chosen actions. Two more follow-up meetings will be held in September and October to share more information and provide an opportunity to share what actions folks have taken and what they have experienced in defense of democracy.  Learn more and register here.

Sep 4 – 6:  Colorado Regional Meeting’s Fall Gathering
Please mark your calendar to join Friends on Labor Day Weekend as we explore this new location — the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Camp — and spend time in the mountains. For more information, click HERE. 
 
Sep 8, 6:15 pm:  “Fox and Food” at the Cole’s
Please join us on Sep 8 for a discussion of our founder, George Fox. What did Fox actually mean by the inward Light?  What was Fox’s secret spiritual practice?  Why was his movement so attractive in the 17th century?  Why did Fox seem to be such a glutton for punishment?  Bring your questions; bring your answers.
  🍕Pizza and dessert will be provided🧁

For details and to RSVP:
Samuel Cole at samuel30030@att.net or 970-449-2729; or Veronica King 870-214-8480 or vking5758@gmail.com

Recommended reading:  
“The History of George Fox,” by Rufus Jones;  “Truth of the Heart,” by Rex Ambler; “A Light to Live By,” by Rex Ambler

Sep 14:  Love Crosses Borders Lecture
Join folks at Pendle Hill to hear a talk by Anton Flores-Maisonet about immigrant accompaniment, intentional community, and radical hospitality. This lecture will weave stories from a twenty-five-year journey alongside immigrant communities whose resilience, faith, and struggle have reshaped his understanding of God, neighbor, and belonging.  The talk will be both online and in-person at Pendle Hill on Monday, Sep 14 at 5:30 pm MDT.  It is free but registration is required.

Sep 27:  Elaine Baudiere’s Spiritual Journey
We look forward to hearing Elaine spiritual journey right after Meeting for Worship.

Giving Committee Update
The Giving Committee makes donations on behalf of our Meeting to organizations that foster Quaker values. We are currently focused on homelessness and food insecurity, Indigenous Peoples, and immigrants/refugees in our community. This month we made donations to Alianza NORCO, which provides low cost and pro bono legal services to immigrants in Larimer County, and to Friends Peace Teams – Toward Right Relationship, which builds relationships among Native and non-Native communities.  We will also be using money designated for Mike Gray to purchase needed items for distribution on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation. 

Earlier this year we donated money to the Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition  (ISAAC) to support their Adelante youth summer program. This program provides leadership and life skills training, combined with summer internships for immigrant and refugee youth in our community. This summer 27 youth, who speak 11 different primary languages, were graduates.  Bob attended the graduation ceremony and our Meeting was thanked for its support multiple times during the event. 

The Giving Committee is funded through donations  to the Nash Zimmerman Giving Fund. You can help us continue our giving by making donations to Fort Collins Friends Meeting with a designation for the Nash Zimmerman Fund online, or by check or cash.  

Friends Peace Teams Now Seeking Volunteers
Friends Peace Teams is a Spirit-led organization working to develop long-term relationships with communities in conflict around the world to create programs for peace building, healing and reconciliation.  They are seeking volunteers for the global Communications Team, which meets monthly online to support Friends around the world, doing amazing justice and peace work.  Teens and adults can contact Kevin King (email fpt.communications@friendspeaceteams.org) for more information.  Currently, monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesdays of the month.  

Photos needed, por favor!
The ad hoc tech committee has been working hard on putting the new website together. The public-facing portion will likely go live within a couple of weeks!  The committee is hoping to make it more vibrant by including some pictures of the property as well as people and activities. Do you have any you’d like us to consider using on the website?  If so, please email them to Clerk@fortcollinsquakers.org. 

In peace and service,

Lo Rellergert
Clerk, Fort Collins Friends Meeting