Smithfield Friends Newsletter October 2000 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895 Vol.13________________________________________________________________________ No.121 Parsonage: 762-5726 Internet: http://www.oftedahl.com/SmithfieldFriends Clerk: Bruce Kay Recording Clerk Susan Furry Pastor: Marnie Miller-Gutsel Treasurer:RichardFrechette Ministry&Counsel Rhoda Mowry Newsletter: Randy Oftedahl CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EVERY SUNDAY 10:30 am: MEETING FOR WORSHIP First Day School Child care for infants and toddlers LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH: Unprogrammed Worship and Pot Luck Lunch OTHER WORSHIP UNDER THE CARE OF SMITHFIELD MEETING OR RI/SMITHFIELD QTLY. MTG. SECOND SUNDAY OF MONTH 7:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship at Uxbridge Meetinghouse, Uxbridge, Mass EVERY WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship and discussion at ACI(Maximum) Other Events: Letter from Marnie Dear Friends, As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been thinking about how easy it is for our prayers of thanksgiving to become kind of routine. Take grace, for instance. Now I don't suggest we quit singing Johnny Appleseed before potluck, but what goes through our minds in the few moments of silence beforehand? Is it pretty general stuff-- thanks for the food, thanks for these Friends, etc.? Or does our silent prayer reflect our gratitude for the particular people and things right there in front of us? For instance, 'Gee, that casserole smells wonderful--thank you, God, for inspiring so-and-so to bring it,' or 'Lord, it's good to have so-and-so back with us for potluck today.' I've been thinking about this partly because of our Quarterly Retreat last month. As Ron Belliveau and I worked together on the program, using the theme of "Sharing Opportunities for Ministry," we became aware that ministry requires us to look for the presence of God in what is right in front of us. Ron observed that his view of an entire situation can shift if he pauses long enough to look for God in the specifics. And in preparing my own part of the program, I found some wonderful quotes from the lovely book, Practicing the Presence of God, which contains writings by and about the 17th century monk, Brother Lawrence, which I want to share with you: Brother Lawrence spoke to me quite openly and with great enthusiasm about this manner of going to God....All we have to do is to recognize God as being intimately present within us.... He said that our sanctification does not depend as much on changing our activities as it does on doing them for God rather than for ourselves. The most effective way Brother Lawrence had for communicating with God was to simply do his ordinary work... .from The Fourth Conversation At the beginning of my duties I would say to the Lord with confidence, "My God, since You are with me, and since by your will, I must occupy myself with external things, please grant me the grace to remain with You, in Your presence. Work with me, so that my work might be the very best. Receive as an offering of love both my work and all my affections." During my work, I would always continue to speak to the Lord as though He were right with me, offering Him my services and thanking Him for His assistance. And at the end of my work, I used to examine it carefully. If I found good in it, I thanked God. If I noticed faults, I asked His forgiveness without being discouraged, and then went on with my work, still dwelling in Him. - Brother Lawrence's words, as recorded by Joseph de Beaufort When we try to "practice the Presence" as if we were having a kind of running conversation with God about everything around us, an attitude of thankfulness rises almost without our thinking about it. And our prayers of Thanksgiving cease to be routine. With love and thankfulness on my fifth anniversary as your pastor, -Marnie Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Uxbridge Meeting House Dig out the woolly underwear; it's almost time for the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the old Uxbridge Meeting House. Join Friends and many others from the surrounding communities for our traditional gathering on Thanksgiving morning at 9:30 AM. The service will be led by clergy and members of area churches. And if you have never been in this beautiful 1770 Meeting House, this is the perfect opportunity. Dress warmly, and come early for a good seat near one of the fireplaces. For first- timers, the Meeting House is just south of Uxbridge on the west side of 1 46A, at the intersection of Rt. 98. The Holidays Are Coming: Musicians and Readers Needed! The Holiday Season at Smithfield always includes special services for which we need readers, singers and other musicians. We particular want volunteers for our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, but we also need readers and performers for some of our Sunday Meetings for Worship during Advent. Music rehearsals won't begin until December, but it's not too early to think about it. So members and attenders of all ages, if you like to sing, play, or read aloud, please let Marnie know. Quakerism 101 to be Offered in January Ministry and Counsel is now working on plans for a new offering of Quakerism 101. This series of six classes is ideal for newcomers (or relative newcomers) who want to know more about Quakerism. It's also great for frequent attenders who are wondering about becoming members, and for "oldcomers" (members or attenders) who have been around for a while but would just like to deepen their understanding of our faith and traditions. In short, there will be something to interest everyone. Sessions will be held every other Monday from 7-9 PM, beginning on January 8, 2001, which will be an organizational session. Teaching will be shared by members of M&C and other local experts. A sign up sheet will be posted in December, or speak to Rhoda Mowry, Clerk of M&C. If you are interested but Monday is an inconvenient night for you, please inform Rhoda or another member of M&C. Smithfield Friends Christmas Party and Pageant Smithfield Meeting will have its annual pre-Christmas F/friendly gathering on Friday, December 15 at 5:30 PM at the meeting house. Pizzas will be served, and contributions of pastries would be just fine. We'll sing carols, and have other activities as well. This is for all ages. mark your calendars now Note: Surprising changes in the Christmas Pageant this year! Volunteers Still Needed! Smithfield needs a bunch of folks for two jobs which are easy, fun, and don't usually take much time. First, we still need Greeters, those F/friendly folks who arrive around 10:15 to welcome others as they arrive for worship on Sunday. If the last time you signed up was months ago, how about giving it another whirl? New sign up sheets still await you on the bulletin board! Many thanks to those who have signed up to be Hospitality Volunteers, but we could still use a few more. These are the folks who set up the tables for potluck once a month, and every once in a while provide a little extra extra help for special events--new member receptions, visiting committee meetings, etc. Mostly that involves set up and clean up, or providing simple refreshments. Occasionally we need a bed for the night for out of town visitors arriving the evening before an event. That's a wonderful chance to get acquainted with Friends from elsewhere--sometimes even from other parts of the world. Look for the Hospitality Sign Up Sheet on the board. Ministry and Counsel Meeting--date change Ministry and Counsel normally meets the first Wednesday of the month, before Meeting for Business. However, because December begins on a Friday, M&C will meet at 7 PM, November 29, at the Kays' house. Friends having concerns they would like to have brought to M&C should speak to Rhoda Mowry, Clerk, to Marnie, or to any other member of M&C. Letter from Uxbridge Meeting House Association to all area churches Dear Church Members: You are all invited to participate in an interdenominational Thanksgiving Day worship service to be held on Thursday, November 23 at 9:30 am at the historic Quaker Meeting House on Quaker Highway, Uxbridge. This service has been held every year since 1951, and many of us have come to cherish the gathering of friends from many faiths coming together to give thanks to God. Following tradition, worship will be followed by a light collation at the carriage shed. You are encouraged to dress warmly, perhaps even bring a lap blanket. If you have any questions, call, write, or e-mail at the numbers listed below. Please post this notice or include it in your newsletter or announcements. In peace, Richard Frechette President Quaker Meeting House Association Establishing a Rhode Island American Friends Service Committee Office The Rhode Island AFSC Support Committee c/o Providence Monthly Meeting of Friends 99 Morris Ave., Providence, RI 02906 Erbin Crowell, Clerk November, 2000 To: Friends Meetings of the Smithfield Quarter Friends, I am writing to you to alert you to an upcoming meeting of the RI American Friends Service Committee Support Committee. I would very much like for your Meeting to be involved as we take the next steps toward reestablishing a RI Office of the AFSC. I will also be mailing copies of this letter to those without e-mail addresses. Please announce the following at your next Meeting for Worship or committee meeting: Meeting of the RI AFSC Support Committee Saturday, 11/18, 12 Noon ­ 4 pm. A simple lunch will be provided. We will be exploring next steps for establishing a RI Regional Office of the AFSC and need your Meeting's participation. This is a great opportunity to build Friends' witness to peace and social justice in Southern New England. The meeting is open to all who are interested. The focus of the agenda will be working on a structure for the Committee and determining next steps in a program priorities process. Members of the AFSC New England Regional Office will be attendance. RSVP to Erbin Crowell Tel: 401-831-7185 or e-mail: erbin@earthlink.net Please seek representatives from your Meeting, perhaps from your Peace & Social Concerns Committee, to attend this important meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. In Peace, Erbin Crowell P.S. Many Meetings in the Smithfield Quarter have already joined in the AFSC Coffee Project. I am available to Meetings in the area for presenting a slideshow or workshop on the project. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested. And oh, how sweet and pleasant it is to the truly spiritual eye to see several sorts of believers, several forms of Christians in the school of Christ, every one learning their own lesson, performing their own peculiar service, and knowing, owning, and loving one another in their several places and different performances to their Master...For this is the true ground of love and unity, not that such a man walks and does just as I do, but because I feel the same Spirit and life in him...walking sweetly and harmoniously together in the midst of different practices. -Isaac Pennington, Works, 1681 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895