FCNL Policy Note on Reproductive Health Care 

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) has asked local Friends Meetings for discernment on FCNL's Policy Note on Reproductive Health Care.  This request arises from concern from Friends around the country on the lack of a clear policy position on reproductive health issues following the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022.  Input from Meetings is requested by May 1, 2023.

• BFM is holding a series of opportunities for Dialogue and Discernment on the multiple aspects of this issue.  All are encouraged to participate. Click here for more information. 

Queries and structure to support discernment 

• What does reproductive health care look like in the world that you and your community seek?

• How are Quaker values and testimonies relevant to the issue of reproductive health and abortion?

• Should the FCNL Policy Statement be revised on the issues of reproductive health and abortion?

• If so, what should the Policy Statement say?

Upcoming activities on this topic are being organized by Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM), Bethesda Friends Meeting (BFM), Friends Meeting of Washington (FMW), and Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).

CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you are a BFM member or attender,

can you help with our children on any 2nd, 4th, or 5th SUNDAY?

• Families with children need child care in order to participate in Meeting for Worship and other BFM activities.  Currently, we provide care for preschool children every Sunday using paid professional childcare helpers, and offer First Day School (FDS) for older children on the first and third Sundays of the month. 
• We are looking for two volunteers on the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays when there is no First Day School. 
• The volunteers would be paired with the paid professionals to play in the pre-K room or to play in the playground outdoors.  
• Please click here for more information. Or email youthsafety@bethesdafriends.org so that we can direct you to the Sign-Up Genius form to choose a Sunday that fits your schedule.   

BFM friends take the icy plunge: For the work of CCAN, for our Earth, and for our children and creatures

BFM Friends Travis G. and Dan W. both took the CCAN 'Keep Winter Cold' plunge on February 11, 2023.  
Travis biked to a local creek and immersed himself in the icy water. He was part of a plunge team called the Ice-Nine.

Dan took his plunge as part of Team Crab at the National Harbor. where CCAN organizes the mass plunge with speeches and music.

All went smoothly, and between them they raised more than $2,400, mostly from BFM donations.

Would you like to add to the donations? Please click here.  

baltimore yearly meeting (BYM) summer camp enrollment opens

One of the most popular programs of Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) is the camping program at Catoctin, Opequon, Shiloh, and Teen Adventure Quaker Camps. Kids have a wonderful time in the natural world and getting to know one another. The camps are residential for children ages 9 to 14, with a trips-based program for 15- to 17-year-olds. Enrollment for BYM camping programs begins Sunday, January 15, at 12:00 p.m. For details and to register, please visit this link. Our Meeting would like to support our children going to camp to the extent of $500 each, on a first-come first-served basis. If you'd like more information, please use our Contact Us form.