Bethesda Friends Meeting



WELCOME VISITORS     events    

COVID-19 Meeting Information

Bethesda Friends are worshiping together

on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. via two venues 

  1. Indoors in the Meetinghouse at the Sidwell Friends Lower School, 
  2. Online via Zoom. 
    • Click here for more details, Covid restrictions, and information about our weekly activities. 
    • Child Care for ages 6 months-pre-K is held in the Child Care room (lower level in the Meetinghouse).  during 11:00 a.m. worship.  See full guidelines here.  
    • First Day School will begin classes for K-8 on Sunday, February 6th for fully vaccinated children. (This follows Sidwell Friends School's vaccine guidelines that require vaccines for children ages 5 and up by early February.) 
    • There will be a holiday Zoom meeting for families and children on December 19th (time TBD) as well as the 2nd annual Toy Drive with A Wider Circle (details to be announced). 


      Welcome to Bethesda Friends Meeting

      We're Quakers who meet every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
      Our meetinghouse is on the Sidwell Friends Lower School campus.
      We are now worshiping via Zoom as well as indoors.  

      We strive for:

      SIMPLICITY - Learning to discern the essential from the non-essential.

      PEACE - Living in a spirit that takes away the occasion for all war.

      INTEGRITY - Being who we truly are and truly meaning what we say.

      COMMUNITY - Knowing that we need one another in order to be whole.

      EQUALITY - Knowing that everyone, everywhere is equally precious to God. This includes people of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, races, ethnicities, levels of resources, and theological perspectives.

      STEWARDSHIP - Caring for the environment and using time and resources wisely, not wastefully.

      We are a welcoming community.
      We believe there is that of the Divine
      in every person.


      Listening session:
      Focus on Environment 

      Saturday, Nov. 20, 4-5:30 p.m.

      Philip B. & Gale T. will host a listening session (via Zoom) focused on the environment. Use our "Contact Us" form to request the Zoom link.
      What environmental issues are uppermost in the minds of BFMers and amenable to collective action?
      Queries to shape our session
      * What are tangible actions to address climate change or other environmental issues that you'd like to see collectively addressed with BFM involvement?
      * What topics do you think our Meeting and/or AIM should address to help us all have a more secure and happy future?
      * Which of these do you think are amenable to effective County-based action?
      * If you had 3 stars to place on options on this list that you think are best suited to get started with, which would they  be?

      Go to this link for more information. 

      See more videos and learn more about Quakers at quakerspeak.com

      EXPLORING AND DEEPENING OUR QUAKER FAITH AND PRACTICE
      • On Sunday, November 14 at 9:30-10:30 a.m., and continuing monthly on the second Sunday. 
      • Attend one or more sessions; each one is independent. 
      • We will watch a short video and then have a discussion on Quaker faith and practice for both those new to Meeting and those looking to deepen their experience.
      • Scroll up on this page to see the Nov 14th video:  "Quakers and the Still, Small Voice" or click here.

      • For more details about the classes, click here. 

      COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
      • A Bible study using the Great Courses series Religions of the Axial Age (800-200 BCE) to examine religions of the ages. 
      • Meeting weekly by Zoom, starting Tuesday, October 5, at 7:00 p.m., for a half-hour video lecture and a half hour discussion. Text of the lectures are also provided. 
      • Join anytime as the sessions are independent of each other. 

      For more details, click here. 




      The Social Concern for November is A Wider Circle.

      A Wider Circle is a local non- profit organization that assists individuals and families moving out of shelters to more stable living situations. A Wider Circle also offers intensive courses on job skills, financial planning, stress management, nutrition, and parenting. Its mission is to end poverty. Anyone in need of help can find it there.

      More than 30,000 volunteers come to serve at A Wider Circle every year, including members of BFM. 

      • To donate online to this Social Concern, you can go to: https://www.bethesdafriends.org/Donate-Online-Now.   Be sure to designate that your contribution is for the September social concern.  
      • You can also send a check, made payable to Bethesda Friends Meeting, to Assistant Treasurer, 3050 Military Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20015. Please write the designation on the memo line.
        COVID-19 AND END OF LIFE ISSUES
        • BFM has formed an End of Life Group to provide legal, spiritual, and practical resources to help our community cope with the uncertainties and fears surrounding the end of life. 
        • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly elevated concerns about the health of family and friends, and the possibility that they could become gravely ill and die. 
        • Although conversations with our loved ones about such a possibility are difficult, it’s important to prepare.
        • Please click here to see more details and resources. 


        Upcoming events

        See more events...

        Black Lives Matter walk in Bethesda, MD

        Resource: How to Calculate your Carbon Footprint

        To follow up on this past event

        Use our Carbon Footprint Resources (pdf)

        RECURRING EVENTS

        Sunday Meeting for Worship

        (Please click here to see BFM's worship schedule

        11:00 AM Every Sunday 


        Visitors are welcome.

        BFM Book Group

        Via Zoom while our Meetinghouse is closed.

        Please contact Leslie S. [see Directory] for an update.

        1:30 - 3:15 PM
        2nd Saturday of each month

        Please click here to find the event on our calendar.

        Wednesday Mid-Week Worship

        While the Meeting House is closed, our mid-week Worship on Wednesdays is meeting virtually.

        If you wish to join the  group, please read the weekly announcement here. After the virtual Meeting there is a sharing time afterwards. 

        8:00-8:30 PM
        Every Wednesday


        Bethesda Friends Meeting

        Mailing Address:
        P.O. Box 30152, Bethesda MD 20824

        Our Meetinghouse is on the campus of the Sidwell Friends Lower School at the intersection of Edgemoor Lane and Beverly Road in Bethesda, Maryland

        We are a member of the Religious Society of Friends

        www.bethesdafriends.org
        301-986-8681
        info@bethesdafriends.org

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