Connections

This information is provided to help Friends connect with and care for one another. By providing a summary of both routine and less well known activities of the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting (SSMM) we hope all Friends will find it easier to become involved with the many opportunities provided by the meeting. We also hope those needing specific services will find this information to be a beginning point in their search. If you have updates or changes, or would like further information about any of these topics, please contact the Meeting Secretary, and your inquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate person..

Friends, meeting in this grove on Meeting House Road since 1754, worshipping in our third Meeting House, built in 1817. Our Community House (Lyceum) built in 1840, with many additions, now houses our First Day School, and functions as our social hall and kitchen. (301-774-9792.) To reserve space for meetings, call Joy Shotts, 301-774-7694.

Meeting for Worship: Sundays, 9:00 and 11:00 AM in the Meeting House. Questions and concerns about meeting for worship may be directed to the Clerk of Ministry and Counsel.

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business: First Sunday of the month from 10:15 to 11:45 AM in the Meeting House followed by a pot-luck lunch in the Community House. Contact the clerk with questions or concerns about this Meeting.

Mid-week Worship Group: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Contact the Meeting Secretary for more information.

Friends House Worship Group: Sundays, 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., Miller Center, Friends House; Wednesdays, 10:00 to 10:30, Haviland Hall.

Seneca Valley Preparative Meeting: Friends in Seneca Valley meet for worship every Sunday at 11:30 at Kerr Fellowship Hall, Boyds. Presbyterian Church, Boyds, MD. Call Melinda Kramer at 301-990-9627. Directions: see map1, or map2.

Patapsco Friends Meeting: Patapsco Meeting meets for worship every Sunday at 10:30 at Mt. Hebron House, 2332 Mt. Hebron Drive, Ellicott City, MD. .

Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays led by Howard Fullerton.

Inquiry/seeker classes: Short-term seminars are held periodically to study Quakerism, Quaker writings, journals or social problems. Contact the clerk of Advancement and Outreach , for more information.

Threshing Sessions: Open discussions to ponder today's issues in relation to traditional Quaker testimonies. Contact the clerk.

Course on Miracles: Meets in the Meeting House on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to share readings and life experiences, expecting miracles.

Friendly Eights: Small-group gatherings meet monthly in each other's homes from fall to spring for shared worship, conversation and food. Contact the clerk of Advancement and Outreach for more information.

Spiritual Friendship Program: A sharing of spiritual journeys with companions along the way; retreat in September, prayerful small groups meeting monthly until May; two full-group gatherings in January and April to share diversity, like-mindedness, in intimate spiritual relationships, plus food and fun. Contact the Meeting office for more information

First Day School: Classes meet each Sunday (except for first Sunday) from September through June, from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM. Children are encouraged to attend Meeting for Worship with parents before moving on to classes. On the first Sunday of the month, children participate in special programs that begin at 10:15 AM. Childcare for age two and under is provided at 10:15 AM. See the First Day School booklet for information on many activities sponsored by the Religious Education Committee throughout the year, involving both children and parents. For information, contact the clerk.

Sandy Spring Friends School: Held under the care of the Sandy Spring Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting, the School offers classes from grades K-12 with a boarding option for the Upper School. For brochures and inquiries, call 301-774-7455.

Friends House Retirement Community: Offers several levels of retirement living options: Friends House (independent living apartments and cottages), Haviland Hall (assisted living) and Stabler Hall (nursing home care). For more information call 301-924-5100.

Quaker summer camps: Our young people have the opportunity of attending one of the camps operated by the Yearly Meeting. Catoctin Camp is located near Thurmont, Maryland. Shiloh Camp is near Stanardsville, Virginia. There is also a Teen Adventure program for those in 9th and 10th grades. Because space limited, applications need to be made early in the calendar year. Call the Baltimore Yearly Meeting office, 301-774-7663.

Inquiries regarding the Meeting or Quakers in general: To find out more about Friends, or obtain a speaker about Quakerism, contact the Meeting Secretary.

Recognizing visitors, newcomers and returnees: At the close of Meeting for Worship the Clerk will ask that visitors, newcomers and returnees stand, introduce themselves, and sign our guest book. We hope you will do so.

Libraries: The adult library is located on the shelves in the first large room of the Community House, with many books and periodicals about Quakers. The children's library located in the rear of the Community House. Books may be checked out for 3 weeks. Free leaflets about Quakerism are available on the library cart near the front door of the Community House.

SSMM Annual Budget: An annual budget is prepared for all meeting operations setting out funds for care of the facilities, contributions to other organizations, and committee operations. Funding is primarily through individual contributions. Contact the clerk of the Finance Committee with questions.

Contributions: Individual contributions may be placed in the box at the rear of the Meeting House or mailed to Treasurer, Sandy Spring Friends Meeting, 17715 Meeting House Road , Sandy Spring, MD 20860. Equally important are contributions of time devoted to carrying out Meeting functions.

Committee Assignments: The work of the Meeting is carried out by committees. A list of committees and assignments is located on a board at the rear of the Meeting House. Contact Nominating Committee .

Marriage and Commitment: A written request is made to the Marriage and Family Relations Committee. The Committee interviews and makes recommendation to the Meeting for approval and appointment of an Oversight Committee. Ample time (5-8 months) should be allowed. Call the Meeting office at (301) 774 9792 to be referred to the Oversight Committee clerk.

Births and Adoptions: Contact the clerk to let him know of births and adoptions so that he may share your good news with the Meeting. Members who may wish to have their children listed as Associate Members should contact the clerk of the Membership and Spiritual Care Committee.

Membership: We welcome all to join us in worship. A request for membership is made in writing to the clerk of the Membership and Spiritual Care Committee that includes a summary of the reasons for wishing to join Sandy Spring Friends Meeting. The Membership and Spiritual Care Committee interviews the candidate and brings the request to Business Meeting for approval. A Welcome and Nurture Committee of current meeting members is appointed. Details of membership application may be found in the Guide to Membership.

Milestones and Special Worship: Children in the third grade are presented with Bibles at a Meeting for Worship in the fall. Meeting for Worship is traditionally held on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve. A Christmas Pageant is performed is mid -December.

Clearness: You may request that a small, confidential group of your choosing be gathered to help you through a decision or crisis. The Meeting Secretary can refer you to the clerk of Membership and Spiritual Care.

Financial Difficulties: The Meeting maintains a small personal assistance fund for those in an emergency situation or dire circumstances. Contact the clerk of the Personal Assistance Committee

Meeting Support Group: Meets Monday from 10:00 -11:30 in the Community House. The group is open to anyone who wishes to provide support or is in need of support.

Contact Mimi Keach, 301-598-2044 or the Meeting Office, 301-774-9792.

Counseling Service: A list of Quaker Counselors is available in the rear of the meeting house or from the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Office, 301-774-7663.

Illness: We hold people in the Light. The Clerk needs to know if you wish support. If a hospital stay is involved, we would like to provide brief visits, if the patient wishes. We are all ministers to one another, and there are concerned persons willing to help. Contact the clerk.

Death and Memorials: Copies of a "Practical Guide for Members and Attenders Pertaining to Death" are available in the rear of the Meeting House, or may be downloaded as a "pdf" file (see the bottom of this page for instructions to obtain Acrobat Reader). Contact the clerk to notify him/her of a death. Memorial Meetings are arranged through the Clerk and the Ministry and Counsel Committee. The Graveyard and Grounds Committee may assist in arrangement for burial or scattering of ashes in our Memorial Grove. Members of Ministry and Counsel and Membership and Spiritual Care Committees are available to help in times of grief.

Prison Ministry: Sandy Spring Meeting sponsors a semi-monthly Worship-Sharing group at the Patuxent Institution, a growth experience for all who participate. To get involved, call the Meeting Office, 301-774-9792. More information may be found on the Prison Committee page.

Sandy Spring Friends Meeting Comments: Website Clerk

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