Updates and opportunities to join in Northside Friends’ social witness and community service activities:
Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM)
Sat 10/7, 9:30 am - 5 pm: Illinois Yearly Meeting Workday. McNabb, IL.
Work day will be held rain or shine. All are welcome! There will be a potluck lunch at Clear Creek House. Please bring some food and drink to share. There will be lots of work to do and many hands make light work, and also get all of it done. Tasks include grounds work, trimming bushes, cutting up branches of fallen trees, moving deadfall to the burn pile, painting the meetinghouse exterior doors and dining room walls, finishing repairs to the ramp, and floor repairs at the HS Bunkhouse. Bring tools, chain saws, trimmers and cloppers, painting gear, painting clothes, work gloves, etc.
RSVP requested but not required: https://ilym.org/ilym/contact/
Sat 10/21, 9 am - 5 pm: Illinois Yearly Meeting Continuing Committee. Chicago Friends School, 1246 W Thorndale.
Northside Friends are hosting the fall sessions of ILYM Coordinating Committee, where the work of the Yearly Meeting will be conducted. Volunteers are needed in advance of the event and all day to support hospitality for visitors from 21 monthly meetings across 4 states.
For more information and to volunteer: Contact Eva Hare
NFM Ministry on Racism Committee
Mon 10/16, 7-9 pm: Quaker Indigenous Boarding Schools - A Call for Research, Accountability and Healing. Online.
As Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship has been a wake-up call among Friends to explore our history and embeddedness in white supremacy culture, this Illinois Yearly Meeting (ILYM) Racial Equity and Education Committee workshop is an opportunity to look at Friends' history of participation in the genocidal policies of our country towards the First Nations peoples who lived on this land as we colonized it. NFM’s Ministry on Racism Committee encourages Northsiders to attend this important virtual workshop offered by Paula Palmer for members and attenders of ILYM Meetings. Paula is one of the coordinators of Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples (a program of Friends Peace Teams). Pre-registration not necessary.
Zoom link at ILYM website: https://ilym.org/ilym/events/indigenous-boarding-school-workshop/
*There will ne no ILYM Anti-Racism Cafe in October; regular programming resumes in November*
Sun 10/29, 12:30-1:30 pm: Reflections on Quaker Indigenous Boarding Schools. Hybrid.
Northside Friends will gather for a Second Hour to reflect on the Religious Society of Friends’ participation in our government’s genocidal policies. This is important work as Friends explore and acknowledge our history of participation and think about what our responsibility is now.
For more information: Contact NFM Ministry on Racism Committee
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Sun-Tue 10/15-17: Friends Place Fly-In on Migration Justice. Washington DC.
Illinois Friends are particularly invited to participate in this opportunity to expand their skills in community building, organizing, and leadership, learn about congressional advocacy, and impact federal migration policy. With support from FCNL’s policy experts, participants will lobby Congress to invest in a just migration response, strategize with fellow attendees on future campaign planning, and leave with tangible next steps for continuing organizing in their home communities. Programming and overnight lodging will be provided at Friends Place on Capitol Hill. Travel support is available from NFM.
For more information and to register: https://www.fcnl.org/events/friends-place-fly
Wed-Sun 11/15-19: FCNL Annual Meeting and Quaker Public Policy Institute. Washington DC & Online.
At FCNL’s Annual Meeting, Friends from across the country will join in fellowship and worship to seek unity on important matters that affect us all. FCNL’s General Committee makes decisions about organizational priorities, bylaws, and budget for the coming year. Through the Quaker Public Policy Institute, hundreds of advocates will lobby their federal officials to advance just public policies. Friends can participate in the annual meeting virtually or in-person; lobbying visits are for in-person attendees only. Travel support is available from NFM.
For more information and to register: https://www.fcnl.org/events/annual-meeting-and-quaker-public-policy-institute
Japanese American Service Committee (JASC)
Fri 10/20 6-8 pm: Soup & Rice. JASC, 4427 N. Clark St.
Based on the idea of Soup & Bread community meals, JASC hosts a series of monthly gatherings each winter. Volunteer soup makers bring a crock pot of their favorite soup to share. JASC provides rice, bowls and spoons. Soup eaters donate, and all funds raised are given to a local nonprofit organization. October’s event will support Nourishing Hope.
To bring soup or to volunteer: Contact Jenn Trautvetter, 773-275-0097, ext. 228 or jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org. You can fill out an online form to let Jenn know what you plan to bring or to volunteer by clicking here.
Sat 11/11 10 am - 4 pm: Volunteer Opportunity - Holiday Delight & Komodo Matsui. JASC, 4427 N Clark St.
Volunteers are requested to help the JASC community celebrate in the Clark Street building for one last time before they moves to their new location. Unique vendors, cultural performances, and food favorites.
For more information & to volunteer: Email Jenn (events@jasc-chicago.org) your name and contact information or call her at the JASC office (773) 275-0097 et. 228.