Weekly Announcements
Sunday, March 30
9:00 a.m. Meeting for Singing, in John Barnes Room
9:45 a.m. Early Gathering for MFW, in Meetinghouse and on Zoom
10:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, in Meetinghouse and on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Coffee Break, hosted by Worship & Ministry Committee, John Barnes Room
11:30 a.m. Adult Class: Listening in Tongues, Internal Responses to Uncomfortable Ministry, in John Barnes Room
Upcoming Adult Classes
Sundays at 11:30 AM
March 30: Listening in Tongues: Internal Responses to Uncomfortable Ministry
Most of us at some point have found ourselves troubled by vocal ministry, perhaps either by the giver of the message or from the content of the message. How do we respond internally to those messages which are difficult to hear, or perhaps even triggering?
This will be an opportunity to hear from one another about tools for staying centered and examining our own biases and triggers when we hear an uncomfortable message, and the potential for transformation.
Here is one Quaker's explanation of "Listening in Tongues"/listening beyond words for "where the words come from":
https://goodnewsassociates.org/listening-in-tongues/
April 6: Introduction to the John Barnes Trustees
This program will introduce the trustees, discuss roles of a trustee and what is means to have a fiduciary capacity in the administration of a trust. It will also provide a historical perspective of the John Barnes and the John Barnes Trust.Lastly w,e’ll discuss our role with the graveyard.
April 27: Intergenerational Class - Seed Planting
In honor of spring and in the spirit of growth, join us for an intergenerational seed-planting activity. All ages are welcome! Decorate a pot, plant seeds, and bring home a small container that is full of possibilities!
May 18: Community Gathering and Potluck Lunch
Please join us for the final Adult Education class of the term, in which we will gather in community as a way to grow, nourish and connect to ourselves and each other. (This is also the final day for children's programming for the academic year.) The class will be followed by a potluck luncheon to continue our connection and fellowship.
We welcome you to sign up here to bring a dish to the potluck.
Sundays at Seven: Beginning March 30
Bake Sale on Sunday, March 30
Our Youth Committee and Young Friends welcome you to support Cradles to Crayons by stopping by the John Barnes Room at the Rise of Meeting for Worship on March 30. We will have delicious baked goods (including allergen and gluten free options) that you may purchase with money OR a donation of new art supplies (e.g. a box of crayons, a box of markers, etc.).
Friendly 8’s Potluck for Families with Middle School Students
Saturday, April 5, 5 – 8 p.m.
John Barnes Room
Have ‘tweens? Join us for a “Friendly 8’s” potluck for families with middle school students to connect and make new friends. Kids are invited to make cookies in the Short Stable with Ashley Slaff at 5pm while the adults chat and prepare for dinner. Dinner followed by fresh cookies, games, and hanging out.
All siblings welcome. Hosted by Michelle Flint, Francis Morgan, and Kian Morgan (age 12).
Please RSVP by April 1 to Michelle.
Day of Service
Please mark your calendar now and plan to come to Abington Meeting on Saturday, April 12 to lend a hand! Our Property Committee will lead Friends in tasks around the buildings and property to clean up and prepare our beloved meetinghouse for spring. No experience necessary - just a willingness to help! We will gather on the porch at 9 AM and conclude by noon. Please join us!
Intergenerational Game Night
Please join the Family Programming Committee and the Youth Committee on Saturday, April 26 from 5 to 7 PM for an evening of casual game-night fun! We will be serving pizza, refreshments, and sweets! We will have games for all ages set up in the John Barnes Room, but feel free to bring your favorite game along too! We are asking Friends to bring a donation for the food pantry (personal hygiene products are especially needed) or new art supplies for Cradles to Crayons.
We hope to see everyone there!
Registration & Survey for FDS and Child Care
If you have children or young friends in your family, please complete
this survey to help us learn more about your family and to register them for First Day School (grades k - 12) or childcare (ages 0 - 5). In the case that you would not like to register your child(ren) for First Day School or child care, please complete the survey anyway to let us know more about your family and how we could support you in the meeting.
Meeting for Singing
Meeting for Singing takes place most Sundays at 9 AM in the John Barnes Room, except Meeting for Business days (Check our weekly schedule for updates). Please join us! No musical experience is required, just a willingness to enjoy some time singing together!
Meeting for Worship to Attend to Business
All are welcome and encouraged to attend our next meeting for worship to attend to business on Sunday, April 13 at 11:30 AM in the meetinghouse and on our regular Sunday Zoom link. Our Hospitality Committee will host a coffee break prior to meeting for business. Please join us!
Annual Spiritual Formation Retreat
PYM - Department Homeland Security Lawsuit Webpage
Our Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) has set up
this webpage that can be utilized by Friends for updates from general secretary, minutes, press coverage, resources, information on how monthly meetings are responding, and more.
Democracy Forward has provided this
Press Release on the ruling by Judge Chuang of the U.S. District Court of Maryland that temporarily blocks ICE from conducting immigration raids in our places of worship.
Ongoing Connections for Friends of Color, hosted by Friends General Conference (FGC)
Virtual Worship for Friends of Color:
Evening Weekly Worship
Event Details - every Weds evening at 7pm.
In 2018, Friends General Conference began hosting virtual worship for People of Color. FGC established this practice as a result of a request by Friends of Color who participated in a retreat that summer. This is an opportunity for Friends of Color to connect across the United States and Canada. For more information and the link to participate:
Click Here
Citizen George: A Special Presentation
Benjamin Lay Play Coming to Philadelphia
Tickets are now available for the Philadelphia production of the play, *The Return of Benjamin Lay*, co-written by Marcus Rediker, to be performed at the Quintessence Theatre Company (Sedgwick Theater) in Philadelphia May 1-18, 2025.
Historic abolitionist Benjamin Lay was a fascinating and fearless man who spoke out against the horrors of slavery, and he was a member of Abington Meeting. This important play shares his story. More information about Benjamin Lay, including his removal from membership and recent reinstatement as a "Friend of the Truth," can be found on our website.
Click Here to view these resources.
Time to Share our Joys!
Especially now, Friends need news of joy. If you have a new job, a new family member, a life event of any kind, a new endeavor or milestone or accomplishment (big or small), please share your happiness with Friends! The "News of Friends" section of our monthly newsletter is the perfect place to do this, so please bring a smile to others in the Meeting community by sharing your joy! Please email a few sentences about your joy to Loretta at AMM@abingtonfriends.net.
Coffee Break Hosts Needed
Friends are encouraged to sign up to host a coffee break following our meeting for worship. Committees, families or individuals are welcome to sign up to host. If you'd like to work with someone else, feel free to find a Friend and sign up together.
Click here for our Coffee Break Sign Up Sheet.
Some Friendly Reminders...
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Our First Aid Kit for the meetinghouse is kept on the kitchen counter in full view for easy access. It is important that it is replaced there if moved.
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Food and beverages are not permitted in the meetinghouse. Please enjoy your refreshments in the John Barnes Room or on the porch.
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If you are meeting after First Day Worship or any other time when Cathy/Mike/Bob are not immediately available, please remember to lock both Short Stables doors and/or the meetinghouse (whichever you have used) when you leave. All clerks with codes should also remember to set the alarm after using the meetinghouse. Otherwise, the buildings may be open for a substantial period of time before Mike or Bob or Cathy return to the property. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.
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When you are present at the meetinghouse, please remember to wear your nametag. If you need a nametag, please sign up on the list just below the nametag shelf in the John Barnes Room.
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When you visit our meetinghouse property on Sundays or for special events at other times, please do not park on the grass. Thank you!
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Please remember that our meetinghouse driveway is One Way. We have had some near-misses recently with cars exiting the property the wrong way. Please remember to enter by Greenwood Avenue, and exit only onto Meetinghouse Road. One Way signs are posted along the driveway.
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Many of us consider our meetinghouse to be a second home, so as a friendly reminder, please treat the Meeting property as though it really is your home: Pick up trash, wash and dry your dishes, turn off the lights, and lock doors on your way out. Please remember that we do not have a Caretaker to clean up, so we all share this responsibility. Thank you, Friends!
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Please rinse all items before putting them in the recycling bin. Please remember that ALL items with recycling codes (such as plastic cups) go in the recycling bins - there has been some tendency to put some recyclables in the trash, and then the trash has to be sorted.
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The sections of the meetinghouse closest to the East Wing have been designated as an area to be used ONLY for Friends who choose to wear masks. We ask that Friends who wish to be unmasked kindly sit elsewhere in the meetinghouse. Friends wearing masks are still welcome to sit anywhere, but we acknowledge that some Friends prefer to sit only near others with masks on. Please maintain safe distancing, because comfort levels vary among Friends, and some Friends are higher risk.
As Friends, we are called to be ministers to one another...
If you are struggling or wish to be held in the Light, or if you’re concerned for another member or attender who is struggling, please tell anyone on Care of Members Committee. For concerns about meeting for worship or its vocal ministry, please talk to anyone on Worship & Ministry Committee.
Clearness committees are offered by both Care of Members and Worship & Ministry for different issues:
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Care of Members arranges clearness committees for membership, marriage, and for help in resolving conflict. We can provide assistance on identifying resources to help address personal or financial challenges.
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Worship & Ministry arranges clearness committees to help anyone with a strong leading or concern that is especially spiritual and potentially a called ministry, with the goal of helping the Friend achieve clarity regarding: the nature of the concern or leading; next steps; and potential future support for faithfulness to that leading.
Your Help is Needed
If you believe in the good work that we do at our beloved Abington Friends Meeting, please give regularly so that we can continue our work within our community and the wider world. This is a friendly reminder that donations of any amount are needed to continue this work. Please click on the
How to Donate tab for specific ways to donate, including credit card, ACH and Venmo. Checks should be payable to Abington Monthly Meeting. Thank you for your generosity!
Daily Worship with Pendle Hill
In need of more frequent Quaker connection? You are invited to join the Pendle Hill community for worship, which takes place in the Barn and online from 8:30am to 9:10am every day, Monday through Sunday.
Our daily Meeting for Worship, a gathering based in silence, is central to life at Pendle Hill and has been held every day since Pendle Hill first opened its doors in 1930. We invite you to join us, whatever your beliefs, convictions, and experiences.
Learning Opportunities at Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill offers many interesting and enlightening programs all year long. For complete information about what's coming up,
click here.