Weekly Announcements for October 9, 2026

Alexandria Friends Meeting seeks the help of BYM Friends in the search for a missing young woman, last seen in the Charlottesville/Waynesboro area. Anna Sophia Kissler, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, was reported missing on Sept 28 after her family learned that a Virginia behavioral health facility in Petersburg, VA had transported Anna to the parking lot of the Salvation Army in Charlottesville, a city she had never been to, on Aug 24th without prior notification from her case manager and with no phone, ID, or money. Call the Charlottesville Police Department with any information at 434-977-9041. Even an older sighting could help investigators establish a timeline of Anna's movements in Charlottesville. Anna and her family were active at Alexandria Friends Meeting when she was younger. 

Charlottesville Friends Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee recently brought forward a Minute in response to the arrest and detention of immigrants in Central Virginia. The Minute was prayerfully considered and approved by the Meeting for Business on July 19, 2026. BYM Peace & Social Concerns Committee is forwarding this Minute to Monthly Meetings for prayerful consideration and discernment. We hope it will encourage Friends and Monthly Meetings to reflect on these concerns, listen deeply to Spirit, and consider how we might faithfully respond to the needs of our neighbors. We invite Friends to read the Minute, share it with your Monthly Meetings, and hold its concerns in the Light as we seek together to discern what love, justice, and faithful witness require of us.

Quakers for Peace in Palestine/Israel invites you to an online event on Saturday, October 10 at 12 pm ET with the Nassar family, who will talk about their farm outside of Bethlehem. The family’s farm has become a gathering point for people from around the world to stand in solidarity with Palestinians and work the land. Several recent Quaker delegations have spent time on the farm with the Nassars. Meanwhile, settlers have routinely attacked the farm, and the Israeli government continues to threaten the family. The Nassar family will speak about the powerful role their Christian faith has played in bolstering their steadfastness in the face of dispossession.

Dementia is a common yet complex condition. Even though dementia is present in our communities, it isn't always easy for us to talk about openly. This workshop series offers a loving, honest space for interested Friends.  We invite caregivers, Friends experiencing cognitive decline, and those serving their Quaker meeting including in roles such as clerk, members of pastoral care, ministry & council, or nominating committees to join us. Together,  we will explore how our communities can better understand dementia and support the participation of Friends living with dementia and their loved ones. 

From civil rights and labor organizing to the Singing Resistance movement that began in Minnesota, song for protest has a long history, helping us persist in our resistance, breathe and relax, and stay calm and non-violent—but determined. We are planning 1 ½ hours of singing together at Homewood Friends Meeting. 6-8 different local song leaders will teach and lead all who are gathered in songs, some familiar and some new. Everyone is welcome, from novice to professional. Reception to follow. 

Friends from Friends Meeting of Washington and Herndon Meeting are hosting a Friendly Sing on Halloween day, October 31st at 1:00pm - 3:00pm in Arlington, VA, singing from our hymnal, the Women's Retreat chants, and a few other sources. If you like, please bring a song with a spiritual theme to teach us. All ages are welcome; all voices are welcome. Email Debby Churchman at dchurchm@yahoo.com for the address.

The glory of fall is ariving to the Rolling Ridge Conservancy! You are invited to join Friends Wilderness Center for an October event. 

• Oct 10 Explore Mosses & Lichen*
• Oct 11 China Folk House Volunteer and Craft Day
• Oct 25 China to Appalachia Concert and Barbecue
• Oct 31 Graveyard Gambol at Friends Wilderness Center* Who came before us? Who will follow? How does the continuum of life influence our earthcare?
• Nov 7 Weed Warrior Weaving: Invasive Plants to Sustainable Art*

*CoSponsored by BYM Unity with Nature Committee

Join BYM's Working Group on Right Relationships with Animals for a Zoom on Oct 25 at 4pm asking, "Can we have our meat and our consciences, too?" John Sanbonmatsu, Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and author of The Omnivore's Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves:

The Omnivore's Deception shatters the conventional wisdom around the meat economy by reframing the question of animal agriculture from one of "sustainability" to one of existential and moral purpose. Can our exploitation of other animals for food and other purposes be reconciled with truth-telling, nonviolence, justice, and peace? 

The BYM Faith and Practice Committee invites worshipping communities of Baltimore Yearly Meeting to join for upcoming info sessions on the next revisions to BYM's Faith and Practice. The committee is currently seeking input from the Yearly Meeting for revision of subsection I.B.18 under Life of the Spirit 18. Prejudice and Discrimination. As its work proceeds and input from the Yearly Meeting is sought, additional information will be available here on this page. In June 2026, the committee sent out an invitation to all of our worshiping communities to engage in this process together. By “worshiping communities,” we mean not only our local Meetings, but also our committees and working groups, our youth groups and camps, and other groups who gather in worship regularly together. The info sessions will be held Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 31 at 10:00am. 

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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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17100 Quaker Lane | Sandy Spring, MD 20860 US