Weekly Announcements for October 4, 2024

Our hearts cry out as we witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene from central Florida all the way to Indiana. As reports trickle in about Friends impacted by the storm - especially those in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee - the Yearly Meeting Office wanted to pass along the news and resources we have received. Friends in North Carolina continue to urge individuals seeking to help NOT to travel to the region during this initial crisis phase and instead hold the region in the Light and contribute to recovery funds. 

• Camp Celo and the Celo Community both received heavy damage but all persons and animals are well. The kitchen at Camp Celo is providing meals to residents and recovery crews. Unfortunately, the Celo Inn appears to be a total loss, and its caretakers have lost everything. Fundraisers are up for Camp Celo relief and the Celo Inn caretakers. 
• Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting House in Black Mountain was, as BYM is hearing but cannot confirm, irreparably damaged. Swannanoa Friends worship online on Sundays at 9:30 am and Wednesday at 7pm. Links may be posted on their Facebook page. 
• Asheville Friends Meeting has appreciated the messages of care and concern. They are also fielding requests from around the country about local Quakers who have not yet been in touch with their friends and family. 
• BYM Camp Program Associate, Randy, is well in Durham, NC and is actively participating in local mutual aid recovery efforts. Randy has passed along the following l ocal mutual aid organizations in addition the the NC state recovery fund. 
  • Beloved Asheville
  • Mutual Aid Disaster Relief (updates on Instagram)
  • Poder Emma/Collaborativa La Milpa
• Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association (SAYMA) will discuss setting up a fund at an upcoming business meeting. Details to come. 

Agenda Items for Nov 9th Interim Meeting Due Today

BYM Interim Clerk Tom "T-Dubbs" Webb reminds Friends that agenda items for the November 9 Interim Meeting are due to him today. Advance Reports and other documents are due to the General Secretary on October 18. The BYM Clerks and General Secretary are working to shift the Yearly Meeting to a schedule that provides Monthly Meetings 4-6 weeks to discern on business items before they are brought to the Yearly Meeting body for action.

BYM Camp Property Workdays

Fall has arrived to our beautiful camps, and it's time to tend to our properties before the arrival of winters. With two workdays left, we hope you can join us!

• Oct 12 at Opequon Quaker Camp near Harper's Ferry, WV
• Oct 26 at Catoctin Quaker Camp near Frederick, MD

Many hands make light work. No skills or tools are required, and we have tasks for Friends of all ages and abilities. 

Oxford Friends Meeting Fall Flea Market

Oxford Friends Meeting invites you to their Fall Flea Market on Oct 19 from 8:30am - 2:00pm. Proceeds will go to project "East Nottingham Roof Fund." Vendors/Crafters set up for 10$ a spot. You bring your own table. You can bring your household items to sell! Indoor and outdoor have availability. Set up starts on Saturday Oct. 19th 7am! Indoor spots are full. Questions contact Janet Eaby jpeaby@epix.net. 

Memorial Service for Becca Gardner-Rhudy, Oct 12

Patapsco Friends Meeting will host a memorial service for Becca Gardner-Rhudy, who many Friends had the joy of seeing shortly before her death at Annual Sessions, on Saturday, Oct 12 at 1:00pm at Patapsco Meeting located in Hebron House in Ellicott City and online. 

Friends Community School Open Houses & Applications

Exploring school options for next year? Get to know Friends Community School. Friends Community School, located in College Park, MD, is a K-8 Quaker progressive school that engages and inspires young children through adolescence. FCS for your child, join FCS students, parents, teachers, and administrators for an upcoming admissions event to learn more about the school’s academic program, Quaker values, “green” campus, and application process. 

Honoring Jared Wood & Seeking Next Opequon Director

At a pivotal moment in the history of Opequon Quaker Camp, Jared Wood felt called to serve a unique camp with liberatory potential, and a desire to start writing the next great chapter in Opequon’s story. His leadership and vision, his kindness and skill, has revitalized an innovative camp program and a vibrant camp culture. After four incredible years, Jared, a working artist, parent to two young boys, and teacher in Philadelphia, has decided to lay down his role at Opequon, and we will celebrate him at our November Interim Meeting. Because of Jared, Opequon has a foundation upon which to keep building under the care of its next director. Might that be you? 

The BYM Working Group on Racism is sponsoring three interactive Zoom presentations this fall designed to help Friends understand racism and how to undo the harm it causes. See the full workshop flyer here. 

Saturday October 19 at 10 a.m. Smith College Professor Loretta Ross will discuss with Friends how bringing empathy to our antiracism and other social justice work can make it more effective and more enjoyable. Register here

Saturday October 26 at 10 a.m. Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race, will use historical and media images to examine how she used her white-skewed belief system to interpret the world around her. Register here.

Saturday November 16 at 10 a.m. Debby Irving will help Friends learn how to engage in transformational conversations. Develop the vulnerability, skill, and courage necessary to create deep connection and resilience and learn ways of being that sustain and grow us personally and collectively. 

Friends to Hold in the Light

•  Annapolis Friends Nature Celebration, 10/05
• State College Fall Harvest Dinner, 10/12
• Dunnings Creek "Still Listening" Lecture, 10/20
• BYM Camps Fall Workdays
  
• Friends House Fall Festival, 10/05
• BYM 2024-2025 Calendar of Key Dates
• Committee Handbook

To submit your items for the BYM Weekly Announcements,
please email Admin@bym-rsf.org. 

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
17100 Quaker Lane | Sandy Spring, MD | 20860 USA
www.bym-rsf.org

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