“Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.”

Serving on one of Ithaca Monthly Meeting's Committees is a great way to build relationships with other Friends while meeting a significant need for the Meeting.

This is the time of year when the Nominating Committee is looking for individuals to serve on Meeting committees. Most committees do not require a Friend to be a member of Ithaca Friends Meeting. You can read the responsibilities of each committee online at:

https://ithacamonthlymeeting.org/what-do-the-committees-do/

If you might be interested in serving on a committee or have questions about the work of committees, contact Carolyn Kenyon at clkenyon09@gmail.com.

At the October Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, aThird Street Meetinghouse Committee report proposed changes to our COVID protocols with the understanding that this was for consideration but not to be decided that day.

The nine Friends present seemed to be in agreement in supporting the proposal to return to full use of the Meetinghouse kitchen (understanding that we will continue to require that all dishes be washed in the dishwasher after every use), and the proposal that our IMM COVID protocols not be extended to outside groups using the building when we are not there.

We expect these will be brought back to the November Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business for a decision. A third proposal, that we make masks optional during worship at the Third St. Meetinghouse, engaged most of the discussion and was left clearly unresolved. This will not be brought back for a decision in November.

The Ministry & Worship Committee would like to create opportunities to share our experience in a way that is inspired by the recent gatherings held by the Burtt House Working Group. We are planning to hold two gatherings: a zoom meeting on Wednesday, November 16th at 7pm, and a hybrid gathering at 12:15 on November 20. At both of these we invite Friends to share about their experience with, and feelings about, wearing (or not wearing) masks in public or in groups and current COVID.

Our hope is that we can create a sense of community by sharing with each other our direct experience with these things and that this will help us move toward a gathered leading on this. We will not plan on making a decision about the question of changing our mask requirement during Worship at these gatherings. We ask Friends to speak from their own experience about this - their experience of wearing or not wearing masks in public or in groups.

There will be a Meeting for Worship at Hector Meetinghouse on Thanksgiving morning at 10:30am. The wood stove will provide heat. Dress warmly. There will be cider to enjoy at the rise of Meeting. Cups will be provided, or bring your own mug.  All are welcome.

Please watch for an announcement about whether makes will be required.

The Hector Meetinghouse is 5 miles northwest of Ithaca at 5066 Perry City Road, off Route 96. It is handicapped-accessible but there is no running water or electricity. A port-a-potty is available. Park along the road on the same side as the Meetinghouse, staying within the white line, and keeping driveways clear. If there are many cars, be sure not to park close to the corner which can obstruct vision for drivers at the intersection.

Any questions, contact Elizabeth Schneider, 607-351-0057 or neschneid@aol.com.

Barbara Chase, Bronwyn Mohlke, Gina Varrichio, and Melanie-Claire Mallison invite you to a one evening workshop on “Preparing for the ‘Hear’ After: Writing Your Memorial Minute” (PHA:WYMM)—to be held over zoom on Monday, November 14th. We will start with a half hour of open worship beginning at 6:30pm, and then move into the PHA:WYMM session at 7:00.

We will discuss what we like to hear in a Memorial Minute, use some questions to begin to create our own Memorial Minute, and perhaps share favorite Memorial Minutes we’ve read. We'll then move into small chat rooms to talk about our draft documents or whatever concerns or cares arise. Finally, we will come together again to wrap up. Our intention is to end at 9:00 p.m., but some of us are willing to stay and discuss Memorial Minutes for as long as folks want! (Well, within reason....)

Please sign up by Thursday, November 10th, so we know who to expect, and can send you the zoom information and advance materials:

Join us for what promises to be an engaging and enlightening conversation on the “hear” after!

— Barbara Chase, Bronwyn Mohlke,

Ministry & Worship invites Friends to participate in a workshop that will be given by Christopher Sammond on Friday, 2/3 (evening) and all day Saturday, 2/4/2023.  This workshop will be based on his workshop ‘Opening to the Heart of Worship.’

Christopher is a member of nearby Poplar Ridge Monthly Meeting. He has facilitated workshops at Powell House, Pendle Hill, Woolman Hill, the FGC Gathering and at scores of monthly meetings. He is passionate about helping Friends to deepen in our practice of worship. For many years, he served New York Yearly Meeting as the General Secretary.

Here is the description of the upcoming Pendle Hill version of this workshop:

We have asked Christopher to adjust the workshop as he wishes based on his familiarity with IMM. We are also planning to host a meal together at some point on this occasion. Please put this on your calendars! It will be hybrid so you may participate in person or on zoom. Based on our experience with Christopher and past workshops, it will be profoundly gathered.

The minutes from Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business can be found on the right-side column of our website.

Join Friends to watch a brief QuakerSpeak video and discuss what you watched. In person at the Third Street Meetinghouse or through Zoom. You can also join by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering Meeting ID when prompted.

This committee meeting is open to all who would like to attend. Please feel free to come and bring your own concerns or interests. At this time we are meeting via Zoom; use the gray button below or:

Meeting ID: 891 7172 6300

Passcode: earthcare

You can also join by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering Meeting ID when prompted.

Please send agenda items to the Clerk by the preceding Monday. (Contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.)

Join Friends to watch a brief QuakerSpeak video and discuss what you watched. In person at the Third Street Meetinghouse or through Zoom. You can also join by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering Meeting ID when prompted.

This is an “open” committee, meaning that all are welcome; participation does not go through the Nominating Committee process. Please feel free to come and bring your own concerns or interests. At this time we are meeting via Zoom; use the gray button below or: 

You can also join by phone by calling (929) 205-6099 and entering Meeting ID when prompted. If you have any questions, please call Elizabeth Schneider 607-351-0057.

Men’s Fellowship

First Thursdays, Friends, join us at Ithaca Bakery! Quaker men—and anyone who wants to hang out with Quaker men—are warmly invited.

Women’s Chair Yoga now by Zoom

This long-running group, which met for years at the meetinghouse, now runs on Zoom, making it more accessible than ever. To join in, email <jaihari10@gmail.com> The group is about half Friends and half neighbors, nurturing the Inner Light. No yoga experience required. There is a sliding-scale fee. For more info or questions, Nancy Gabriel, 607-339-7123; ntg2@cornell.edu.