Announcements last updated June 26th, 2024:
Section Links:
New Announcements | News of Friends | Events at Third Haven | Committee Announcements | Announcements about Local Non-Profits | Announcements from Quaker Organizations | Regular Announcements
New Announcements:
- Due to Old Meeting House restoration, the Meeting for Worship on June 30th will be in the Brick Meeting House.
- Minutes from June's Meeting for Business and the FY 24-25 budget are now available.
- News of Friends:
- John Turner and Nancy Stanford are progressing toward treatment for Nancy. They appreciate everyone’s support.
- Samantha McCall is recuperating slowly from her liver transplant, still in the hospital.
- Kevin Walsh has moved to Chestertown. We wish him well in his new location.
- Henry Lane is at Talbot Hospice. He enjoys visitors.
- David Schmickel, Amy Kimball’s husband, is suffering complications from their accident several months ago in California.
- Jim Waddington, our Philadelphia Yearly Meeting contact is in treatment for cancer./li>
- Detention Center Library:
Each week, Friends work in the Talbot County Detention Center (TCDC) Library to loan books to detainees. Over the last year several Friends put in many extra hours to refresh the shelves, the library is looking great! While updating the shelving, the team identified books that need to be replaced. Might you have a gently used copy of ‘P is for Peril’, ‘Dune Messiah’, or ‘Lonesome Dove’ that you’d donate? A list books that we’d like for the TCDC Library is available via email. If you have any of these titles to donate, please bring them to the Common Room, and leave in the box marked for TDCC Library. If you’d like to join the TCDC Library team please talk with Stephanie French or any of the TCDC volunteers listed in the directory. - First Day School Updates:
FDS will be taking a summer break but the grounds will be alive with the sounds of children learning at our annual nature camp happening from June 24-27 9 am- 3pm.
First Day School Activities:
- Third Haven Summer Mindfulness Camp June 24-28, 2024
Good news: our morning session of the Mindfulness camp is full!! We have about 5 spots left for the afternoon session. - June 30 - July 7: Friends General conference in Haverford PA. This is another exciting opportunity to gather with other Quaker families in community. Check out Friends General Conference: The Gathering.
- Third Haven Summer Mindfulness Camp June 24-28, 2024
- June 28 (Friday), Zoom Happier Hour 7 PM:
Zoom happier hour conversation is scheduled on Fridays at 7:00 pm. Typically, about 5-6 people use the hour to reconnect, share news and again, offer fellowship. Please consider joining our group this evening. - Talbot Interfaith Shelter Help Needed:Third Haven Friends Meeting is committed to serving TIS in a very simple way. On the 17th of each month, we fill three shifts (8-11, 11-2, 2-4) in which we act as a friendly presence answering the door and the phone. We keep an eye on things so that the staff can stay working in their offices. We help at Easton's Promise, 107 Goldsborough Street, in Easton. At the moment there are three of us regularly filling these shifts. For July, however, we will be missing people for the 8-11 and 2-4 shifts. For the 17th of July we need "supervisors" (couch sitters, telephone answers, doorbell responders, Friendly presence) for two time slots: 8-11 and 11-2. In August the 17th falls on a weekend when full-time staff will be there. We will resume in September, and we welcome new volunteers especially for the 8-11 shift. A simple background check is required for this volunteer job, which can be easily completed and is found in the red and/or blue boxes near the bottom of this PAGE. This is a great opportunity to be part of the amazing Talbot Interfaith Shelter which provides local families the tools that lead to stability and self sufficiency. Learn more at Talbot Interfaith Shelter.org. Please don't hesitate to contact Sarah Sayre if you have any questions.
- Green Hands Recycling: Testimonies and Concerns is supporting the work of Green Hands and asking members to bring us your food scraps and waste. There will be a big green bin at THFM for you to empty your contributions into, and Jonathan will add this to the bigger pile he is working on to make good gardening soil. If you do not have a container to collect your food scraps at home try using a plastic jug that ground coffee comes in or some other jar with lid. Collecting and bringing food scraps is a great responsibility for youngsters and almost as easy as throwing them in the trash/landfill (where they create an extra powerful greenhouse gas). What organic matter we can process is displayed on the Community Room refrigerator.
- Updates from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM):
Annual Sessions, 7/6 & 7/7, is one of the oldest Quaker traditions! Today, all over the world, yearly meetings gather once a year to bring together members and attenders from their local meetings. We call them “Sessions” because meeting for worship with attention to the business of the Yearly Meeting is central to these times together. CLICK HERE to learn more or register.
News of Friends, or friends of Friends:
- Samantha McCall at last report was in line for a liver transplant. Please hold her and the McCall family in the Light.
- John Turner and Nancy Stanford ask to both be held in the Light as they await diagnosis and treatment for Nancy’s serious medical condition. They request no calls, cards or text at the moment and appreciate everyone’s support. John shares, “We have chosen as our goal to live every day as best we can under the circumstances. As a wise man once said, ‘You see what you are looking for.’ We will be looking for the good in each day.”
- Carlyle Hooff asks us to hold her brother, Eugene Hooff in the light as he undergoes surgery for a brain tumor.
- Cherie Baron and family are being held in the Light following the loss of Cherie’s brother, Danny Dunbar.
- Samantha Moore attended Meeting for Worship and expressed her appreciation for being held in the Light during her wait for a liver transplant. She notes that she mostly feels well but occasionally has a downward turn. Please hold her and her entire family in the Light.
- Amy Kimball and her husband David Schmickel will return home this coming week and continue to recuperate from their car accident.
- Mary Yancey continues to recuperate.
- Molly Brian asks we hold her sister-in-law, Martha, who is in a North Carolina Intensive Care Unit, in the Light.
- Sam Steffens asks we hold her ill stepfather in the Light and at the same time shares the joy of watching her daughter navigate the challenges of young adulthood.
- Congratulations! Matt Gray, assistant professor, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and faculty member Professor Ming Li have been named U.S. Fulbright Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic year. The U.S. Fulbright Program seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and partner countries through educational and cultural exchange programs. The program provides unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad. “Our short-term goals include conducting acidification experiments with the European Flat oyster, but my hope is the award will help establish long-lasting collaborations with researchers in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe,” said Gray in the Star Democrat article.
- Robert Gladney, leader of the Wednesday Morning Artists, Dorchester Center for the Arts and Academy Art Museum of Easton, organized a day for 26 participants to have their clay creations glazed and fired in the Raku method. See Star Democrat for details.
- Condolences to the family of Debbie Rossiter Cox Deborah Cox 83, a longtime member of Third Haven Monthly Meeting, passed away after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on February 16th, 2024, at Talbot Hospice in Easton. As a nurse practitioner, Debbie’s love was for the less fortunate with the most challenging health care needs. She is survived by her daughter; Brittain Shaw, son; John Shaw, and her four grandchildren, her aunt Janine, stepson David Cox and step-granddaughter Jamie Cox, and husband Doyle. Deborah Cox’s Memorial Meeting for Worship will be held on April 6, starting at 11:30 in the Brick Meeting House. At the rise of the meeting, there will be an interment ceremony by the Maryland Nurses Honor guard. After this, her husband, Mr. Doyle Cox, and his family have invited all attending to join them in the Common Room for a simple lunch. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD or the Alzheimer’s Association
- CONDOLENCES: Our condolences go to Winslow Womack and his entire family on the passing of Helen on Friday, December 1. Helen was a huge contributor to the life of Third Haven Friends Meeting and will be missed.
- We send our condolences to Sumner Parker and family on the loss of his wife Fran.
- Tom Corl asks Friends to hold the Spirit of his nephew Craig Deem in the Light. Craig died in early October, age 69. Craig’s father Art Deem died in December 2020, age 95. Craig’s mother, Tom’s sister Ruth, died in September 2022, age 92. They are survived by Craig’s older Brother David Deem. Hold David in the Light as well.
- Dee Rein asks that we please hold in the Light her brother Max’s extended family and all other families in British Columbia, Hawaii and the U.S. West dealing with fire dangers.
- Connie Lewis asks that we hold Larry in the Light with surgery impending.
- Friends are asked to hold in the Light Tom and Samantha McCall and their family as they deal with Samantha’s health challenges.
Events at Third Haven:
Be sure to check out the Calendar for more events not listed here!
Announcements from Third Haven's Committees:
- From Worship & Ministry:
- Thoughts on a more Settled Meeting: Quakers have come up with practices that are most conducive to a settled meeting. Please review the following link.
- Facilities Use Committee Zoom Meeting Scheduling:
This document was prepared by Third Haven Friends Meeting Facilities Use Committee is attached here to guide us through the process of setting up and running our meetings. - First Day School Updates:
This week the children had a beautiful day to explore our lovely Third Haven grounds. Their project today was to do etchings of some gravestones, trying to find the older dates. See their etching picture below. FDS will be taking a summer break but the grounds will be alive with the sounds of children learning at our annual nature camp happening from June 24-27 9 am- 3pm.
First Day School Activities:
- Third Haven Summer Mindfulness Camp June 24-28, 2024
Good news: our morning session of the Mindfulness camp is full!! We have about 5 spots left for the afternoon session. - June 30 - July 7: Friends General conference in Haverford PA. This is another exciting opportunity to gather with other Quaker families in community. Check out Friends General Conference: The Gathering.
- Third Haven Summer Mindfulness Camp June 24-28, 2024
- From Testionies & Concerns:
- The Guide for Giving:
Testimonies and Concerns Committee has prepared The Guide for Giving, an annotated list of non-profit, charitable organizations who sustain values and priorities in keeping with our Queries. Please click here to view the guide. - Minutes for Testimonies and Concerns Meeting, 9/06/20.
- The Guide for Giving:
Announcements about Local Non-profits or Faith Organizations:
- Detention Center Library:
A small group from Third Haven and friends maintain the library at the Talbot County Detention Center. This was started many years ago by Ralph and Mary Young. The Talbot County Detention Center Library needs an additional volunteer. It involves one session of about two hours a month. The time is somewhat flexible—what you and your partner decide. The work involves checking books in and out for the guards to distribute to the inmates. Contact Stephanie French if you have time and inclination to join us. - The Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform (MAJR) reports their efforts, in the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Session, found success in passing some bills, partial-success with others, and still are building support for many more important bills. See additional information at their website.
- Talbot Interfaith Shelter:
Talbot Interfaith Shelter Help Needed: Third Haven Friends Meeting is committed to serving TIS in a very simple way. On the 17th of each month, we fill three shifts (8-11, 11-2, 2-4) in which we act as a friendly presence answering the door and the phone. We keep an eye on things so that the staff can stay working in their offices. We help at Easton's Promise, 107 Goldsborough Street, in Easton. At the moment there are three of us regularly filling these shifts. For July, however, we will be missing people for the 8-11 and 2-4 shifts. In August the 17th falls on a weekend when full-time staff will be there. We will resume in September, and we welcome new volunteers especially for the 8-11 shift. A simple background check is required for this volunteer job, which can be easily completed and is found in the red and/or blue boxes near the bottom of this PAGE. This is a great opportunity to be part of the amazing Talbot Interfaith Shelter which provides local families the tools that lead to stability and self sufficiency. Learn more at Talbot Interfaith Shelter.org. Please don't hesitate to contact Sarah Sayre if you have any questions. - PEARLS:
Stacy Ewing, of the Talbot County Health Department writes to our meeting, "I wanted to let you know about a home visiting program called PEARLS (Programs the one who should be able to get for Encouraging Active, Rewarding Lives)." Please click here for a brochure with more information. - Maryland Citizens's Health Initiative (MCHI) Request:
Third Haven has received a request from Nikki Richards of Homewood Friends Meeting in Baltimore asking us to endorse a resolution brought forward by their Maryland Citizens's Health Initiative (MCHI). If our Meeting supports the concept of equal access to quality, affordable healthcare for Marylanders we can help on this new Initiative to improve health equity. Health inequities based on race, ethnicity, and place of residence persist throughout the state, and have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Maryland Citizens's Health Initiative requests that community organizations, faith groups, small businesses, and others around the state sign on by September 16 in support of this life saving initiative. If it is the sense of our Meeting that we endorse this, our response can be forwarded to them. The Initiative's Resolution can be reached by clicking on this link. - Feed The Front is organized to connect donors, restaurants and volunteers to feed essential workers in Talbot County.
- Acts of Kindness: A Task Force volunteer provides interpretation services between Mid Shore ProBono attorneys and immigrants. Another volunteer has been reaching out to immigrant children through the arts, as part of an after school program sponsored by the Chesapeake Multi Cultural Resource Center. Another, expert in immigration law, filed objections to proposed regulations that would raise barriers to documented immigrants becoming citizens. 2 volunteers from the task force have reached out to the many other congregations throughout the county to expand the network of congregations associating with the task force. There are 6 local congregations that are already associated with the task force and include Temple B'nai Israel, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship At Easton, Third Haven Friends Meeting, Easton Church of the Brethren, Scott's United Methodist Church and Grace Lutheran Church.Reach out to: Helpingimmigrantstc@gmail.com.
- Opportunity: If you are interested in helping to start a worship service at Eastern Shore Correctional Institute, please call Molly Brian. No set schedule is yet formed on this, but we are trying to see if there is genuine interest in a project there.
- If you would like to make a public statement of your commitment to our Peace Testimony, the opportunity to do so exists eachThursday afternoon. Peace Vigils are held each Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. The Thursday vigil is held in Easton in front of the Talbot County Court House.
Announcements from Quaker Organizations:
- News from Arch Street Philadelphia Quaker Meeting: George Fox Birthday Party Saturday, June 29
George Fox is a co-founder of the Quaker faith, and we're having a birthday party to celebrate! Enjoy FREE Museum admission and celebrate the future of Quakerism with family-friendly stories, discussions, games, and crafts! Registration is not required. Presented in partnership with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Details on this Sat. June 29 event: https://www.historicasmh.org/events-at-asmh/2024/6/29/george-foxs-400th-birthday-celebration - Updates from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM):
- Annual Sessions, 7/6 & 7/7, is one of the oldest Quaker traditions! Today, all over the world, yearly meetings gather once a year to bring together members and attenders from their local meetings. We call them “Sessions” because meeting for worship with attention to the business of the Yearly Meeting is central to these times together. CLICK HERE to learn more or register.
- An Urgent Call to the Religious Society of Friends:
This call to action from PYM was authored by a group of nineteen Quakers, who see forces at work in our country that undermine some of our basic values of equality, truth-telling, and deep listening. - Supporting Children & Teens After Violent News:
In the last two weeks we have been repeatedly confronted with gun violence. The 3 recent events have happened in the kinds of everyday places that should be safe—the grocery store, church, and school. How do we talk to children about gun violence? - Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Response to the Crisis in Ukraine: Quakers from around the world are in anguish and deeply concerned with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine and Quakers in the affected areas in this dark time. As a historic peace church, we join our call for peace in the world to their cries for peace and help.
- Help Us Address Racism
A sprint (a goal-oriented short-term team that tackles a project and does the work quickly) has formed under the care of PYM's Administrative Council to propose ways for our yearly meeting community to intentionally hold the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression. Learn more on how you can help. - Pathways to Ending Gun Violence: Legislative Solutions
On Saturday, April 10, the Legislative Policy Collaborative of PYM sponsored a virtual workshop on Pathways to Ending Gun Violence: Legislative Solutions. Nearly 120 people registered for this event—clearly, this is a topic of great concern to F/friends, as representatives from more than 30 meetings tuned in to get informed and to get involved. - Epistles And Minutes:
Before the first reading of the PYM epistle on Saturday night, PYM rising clerk, Melissa Rycroft, described an epistle as a letter that is "not written for those of us in PYM. It is our outgoing letter to others in the world". Epistles are not meant to be a recitation of everything that happened, instead minutes capture those details. Nor are epistles a travel-log or documentary. Melissa emphasized that an epistle actually tracks how the spirit has moved among us.
- From Friends Committee on National Legislation:
Support The Bill: At the PYM ecojustice conference this past week, information was given on the Clean Energy Protection Program (CEPP). This will be debated in the US Congress in the next few weeks. If you want to support the bill, here is an easy link for you to send an email to our Congress people: https://fcnl.quorum.us/campaign/34603/?utm_source=fcnlaction. The instructions are simple, however it's a good idea to make the email your own by writing at least a personal statement at the start and the finish. The bill would help us move towards clean energy by 2030. For extra punch, mention the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator (Called a National Climate Bank in the Senate), as this bill would help low income communities with a series of environmentally friendly loans.
Regular Announcements:
- Please remember to greet visitors to meeting—answer what questions they have about Friends, our buildings, our programs and activities. We are all emissaries of Third Haven.
- Contributions to the meeting can be made by way of the contributions box in the Brick Meetinghouse entranceway. Checks can also be sent to THMM, P.O. Box 2379, Easton, MD 21601; or by clicking on the button below:
- Are your names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail listings all correct in the Third Haven Directory? Please review your information at Directory. The online directory remains protected: please e-mail taniahharrison@gmail.com or hawkjm@goeaston.net if you need the password. If you have corrections for the Directory, please send them to 3rdhaven@gmail.com.
- Faith and Practice can be read and portions extracted from the PYM website at this link.
- If you have material for the newsletter, additional announcements, or added information about any of these posted events, please send it to 3rdhaven@gmail.com.
- Fridays, Zoom Happier Hour 7 PM:
Hospitality would also like to remind the community that the zoom happier hour conversation is still happening on Fridays at 7:00 pm. Typically, about 7-10 people use the hour to reconnect, share news and again, offer fellowship. Please contact John Turner for more information. - Food Pantry Donations: We continue to support our community at the Neighborhood Service Center with donations of nonperishable food. Please remember to bring an item First Day and contribute to the bin outside the Meeting House. Food is then delivered on Tuesdays to the Neighborhood Service Center.