Halifax Quakers

A large group of Friends met after Meeting for Worship at the home of Marie Welton, bringing a variety of main dishes and desserts. Sylvia Mangalam led us in a singing grace. Our bodies were nurtured by the delicious food, and our spirits were nurtured by the good fellowship.  Betty Peterson brought her daughter with her, Lisle Fuson, who was visiting from Maine.  Many thanks to Marie Welton for hosting us on this holiday occasion.

Larry Haiven and Dr. Ismail Zayid will speak this Sunday. Larry Haiven is a co-founder of the Halifax-based organization Canadians, Arabs and Jews for a Just Peace and an active national and local member of Independent Jewish Voices. He’s also a professor at St. Mary’s University. Dr. Ismail Zayid MD (retired) is a Palestinian by birth. All Friends and friends of friends are welcome.

Mark David, Consultant at the Atlantic Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Halifax has accepted an invitation to speak to Friends on Sunday, March 3^rd at noon, at the Atlantic School of Theology Library, following Meeting for Worship.

Mark David will speak on Israel’s position vis-a-vis the conflict with the Palestinians.

There will be no Meeting for Worship or Meeting for Worship for Business today, due to the snow storm.

Today there will be no Meeting for Worship or Meeting for Worship for Business.

The Spirituality  Discussion Group met on Sunday, January 27 following Meeting for Worship.

Six Friends gave our views on the meaning of various  religious identifications: Christian, non-Christian, Universalist, Quaker. Some of us affirmed our identity as Christians, others recognized that the term had negative connotations from history and because it is attached to certain particular Christian sects. The term Mystic expressed an aspect of the Quaker approach. The conversation led us in many directions – from the words of Jesus, to the writings of Northrup Frye, Rudolph Steiner, and  Elias Hicks, and back to our own spiritual experiences. The next meeting of the Discussion Group is scheduled for Sunday, February 10, following Meeting for Worship. The topic: Faith and Trust.

When: Thursday, January 10, 7pm -9pm
Where: Scotia Bank Auditorium, Marion McCain Building, Dalhousie University, 6135 University Ave, Halifax

During an evening of education, action and ceremony, teachers will share information and analysis on the economic and political structures that have and continue to shape a colonial relationship between First Nations and Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian state. The upsurge in parliamentary legislation in the form of Bill C-45 and other proposed bills is a recent manifestation of this relationship. Join us in considering what role do a colonial legacy and a capitalist economy have to play in creating the conditions out of which Idle No More emerges and faces its challenges.

Guest speakers:
-Marina Young, Idle No More
-Rebecca Moore, Idle No More
-Tayla Paul, Idle No More
-Billy Lewis, Elder
-Megan Leslie MP, NDP Environment Critic
-Dr Erin Wunker, Canadian Studies Coordinator, Dalhousie University
-Sébastien Labelle, Solidarity Halifax

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Students interested in supporting Idle No More, engaging in aboriginal solidarity work, brainstorming future solidarity actions and promoting this event are invited to gather for a meeting this Monday, January 7th at 7pm. Dalhousie Student Union Building, room 314 (NSPIRG office).

Event Facebook page

Halifax Monthly Meeting will host Carol Bradley of Annapolis Valley Monthly Meeting on Sunday, January 20th.  Carol is travelling between Monthly Meetings in Atlantic Canada in a discussion of possible forms of Friends organization in our  region. This will be held following Meeting for Worship.  Storm date: Sunday, January 27th.

The Spirituality Discussion Group will be held on  Sunday, January 27th,  after Meeting, subject to this date being free.

Due to a winter storm warning, Meeting will be cancelled. Next week, January 6th, weather permitting, Meeting for Worship will be held at 10:30 am and Meeting for Worship for Business will be held afterward.

Eight Friends and friends attended the Spirituality Discussion Group on Sunday, December 9.  Reviewed were views about the “reality” of the physical and the spiritual worlds. Friends have widely varying views of the nature of Jesus.  What does the phrase “the divinity of  Christ” mean?  Some Quakers see the historical Jesus as a teacher, others as a prophet, others as participating in the Divine. A Friend  pointed out that Religion has several aspects: Belief; Ritual, and Practice.

We discuss Theology from the ground up, from our own interpretations, rather than from what is handed to us by theologians and tradition. Each respects the variety of  Friends’ beliefs, and seeks to clarify  her/his own.  Our discussions are friendly and lead us to more questions.

Next Month we will meet on January 29^th, to discuss the question of  “What does it mean to say “I am a Christian”  or “I am not a Christian.”   or “I am a Universalist”  or “I am a Quaker?”

All Friends and friends welcome. For information contact Maida Follini, follini@ns.sympatico.ca  phone 435-3784