Issue 41, October 2018
Friends Center Tenant Newsletter
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The autumn is here, fall weather not so much—yet. When it does arrive, feel free to open windows in the office spaces to let fresh air in.
Some time soon enough, our geothermal system will be switching over from cooling to heating. While we are proud of our leading-edge open-loop system (read about it here), it does take quite a bit of effort to maintain. Thank you to our operations team of Wil Mason, Ed Waters, and Erick Emerick, the people who are making those efforts.
– Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
The tunnel repair project is coming to a close. The brick pavers are being relaid (weather permitting), and then the play yard fence will be reinstalled. We anticipate reopening the “C” door early next week, and the entire project should be done in the next two weeks. Thank you again to everyone for your patience while we do this necessary work.
EQUITY PARTNER NEWS
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting & POWER present:
“IMAGINING PHILLY WITHOUT CASH BAIL”
October 24
6:00 PM — Registration & refreshments
6:30 to 8:30 PM — Program
For more information call Dana Reinhold at 215-510-7125.
CPMM will host a panel discussion including the Defenders Association and the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, and a local resident who has experienced the current unjust bail process. The cash bail system traps poor people in long-term pretrial detention because they can’t afford bail. This can cost them their jobs, homes, healthcare and custody of their children while they wait for their day in court.
To end cash bail, we need a better alternative. Come learn about the current system and how we can work together to replace it. Please invite anyone you know who could benefit from information about the current bail system or would like to explore or support better alternatives.
And if this date does not work for you: The Philadelphia Ethical Society is presenting another panel discussion on this same topic, on Thursday, November 9th, 6:30-8:00 pm, at 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square.
TENANT NEWS
Friends Council on Education
https://www.friendscouncil.org/TeachingBlackBoys/
Singing City
Street Requiem
Sunday, October 21, 2018, 3 p.m.
Old First Reformed Church of Christ
151 N. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Singing City will perform the Philadelphia premiere of Street Requiem, with Corinn Altomare, mezzo-soprano, and Colin Doyle, tenor. This cantata by Australian composers Kathleen McGuire, Andy Payne, and Jonathon Welch features a powerful variety of musical styles, ranging from gospel to South African freedom music. It was written to bring a sense of peace, remembrance and hope to communities struggling with homelessness. Special guests Rabbi David Straus and Rev. Rebecca Fitzpatrick will lead the choir and audience in a remembrance of those who have lost their lives on the streets. Liz Hersh, Executive Director of Homeless Services for the City of Philadelphia, will be part of an audience Q&A at the end of the concert. Audience members are invited to bring items of clothing and toiletries that will benefit Bethesda Project, a local organization that serves the homeless in Philadelphia. The work of Shoot From Within Photography will be on display-selected photos from Perseverance With Dignity, a series of images depicting homeless people in Philadelphia.
COMMUNITY ITEMS OUTSIDE FRIENDS CENTER
Quakerism 101 at Lancaster Friends Meeting
Sun, Oct 21, 2018 1:00 PM
Sun, Apr 21, 2019 2:30 PM
Lancaster Friends Meeting (map)
Lancaster Meeting is offering Quakerism 101, based on a curriculum developed some years ago by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The course consists of six monthly sessions, and will begin on Oct. 21 after Community Meal, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. We will meet in October and November, then in January through April. The leader will be Joan Broadfield, from Chester Meeting.
Friends Fall Festival
October 13, 2018, 9 am – 4 pm
Downingtown Friends Meeting
800 E Lancaster Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
The Friends Fall Festival will be filled with family fun, including face painting and hay rides, gently used thrift items, a garden sale, scrumptious baked goods and homemade foods, a silent auction, craft vendors selling quality items, and an authentic early 19th century Quaker wedding, all accompanied by six hours of live entertainment. Rain or shine.