Newsletter for October 2025

World Quaker Day

Stony Run Friends will join Quakers worldwide in celebrating World Quaker Day on October 5, an event that celebrates our shared faith. This year's theme is "Love Thy Neighbor." We invite everyone to a special day of community and connection. The day's events will include an Adult Forum with Sarah Gillooly and Nikki Holland from Baltimore Yearly Meeting, youth activities, and a festive potluck featuring global cuisine. Come celebrate the spirit of Quakerism with us!

Stony Run Announcements

Stony Run Jazz Concert

Save the Date! We hope you will join us on October 25 at 7:00 PM for our annual Jazz Concert.

The concert is Stony Run's largest fundraiser, supporting not only our operations but also our social justice and humanitarian work as well.

Join us! Learn more here.

Virtual Book Study Series

Join Karie Firoozmand in a Virtual Book Study discussing The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem on Wednesdays (Oct. 15 - Nov. 5) from 7:00 - 8:15 PM. You may attend one or all of the sessions.

Click here to learn more about the Series.

WHC Gift Bag Project

Stony Run and our Middle/High Schoolers are joining with Friends School Lower School students to collaborate and fill holiday gift bags for clients of the Women’s Housing Coalition (WHC).

We aim to fill 100+ gift bags, and need your help.

Click here to learn how to help.

Walkers Return

On a weekend in May, a group of walkers from Brooklyn on a pilgrimage to D.C. stayed overnight at our Meeting. Their journey ended with the delivery to Congress of a Flushing Remonstrance, a testament to religious freedom.

On Sat., Oct. 18, a small group will return for their Peaceward Project, an Oral History project.

Please share your witness or help provide hospitality. Click here to learn more.

Camping Weekend:

Julie and Blaine are Retiring!

After 15+ years of "not-roughing-it," Julie and Blaine will retire from organizing Stony Run's annual Camping Weekend at Camp Catoctin.

With deep gratitude for the fellowship, camp food, shelter-assigning, hiking, fire circle singing, s'mores, and much more, we thank you, Blaine and Julie!

Interested in stewarding this next year? Please contact Blaine.

Design A Stony Run T-Shirt! A Call for Creativity from Friends

We're looking for creative design submissions for a t-shirt that represents our Meeting.

Anyone who knows and loves Stony Run may submit their art!

Learn more about how to submit a design here.

Potluck Lunch: 10/5

The first First-Day of October will celebrate World Quaker Day, and we've decided to do something a little different for lunch.

Join us on October 5 for a Potluck Lunch.

Bring a dish to share that honors your heritage or just a favorite dish to share

(and don't forget to bring home your serving dishes!).

Adult Forums

Forum with BYM's Sarah Gillooly and Nikki Holland

Sunday, October 5

9:00 AM in the Dining room



Have you ever wanted to know more about Baltimore Yearly Meeting or the greater Quaker community that we are part of? Sarah Gillooly, BYM General Secretary, and Nikki Holland, BYM Development Manager, will join us to answer our questions and connect us to the work of BYM.

Peaceful Protests for our Times

Sunday, October 12

8:30 AM in the Dining room

Join Peace & Justice Committee's Maria Brown, Ann Kehinde, and Ellen Lerner as they discuss participation in ongoing protests and local groups that offer opportunities for peaceful protest.

History of Sanctuary & Asylym with Linda Rabin

Sunday, October 19

9:15 AM in the Dining room

Author of Sanctuary and Asylum: A Social and Political History, Linda will speak to us about the past, present, and future of these institutions. An associate research professor of anthropology at UMD, she is a human rights activist who has published 12 books. Refreshments will be served.

Opening Space for New Possibilities in Worship

Sunday, October 26

9:30 AM in the Dining room

We will explore how we might broaden our experience of Meeting for Worship, bringing us closer to the Beloved Community for all. We will seek out the unspoken assumptions that limit us, balancing the comfort of familiarity and the hope of transformation.

Religious Education (RE)

All Saints Festival

@ the Burial Ground

Join Religious Education for our much loved tradition of meeting at Stony Run's Burial Ground at 2506 Harford Road in Baltimore City.

Saturday, November 1 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

There will be fun, food, and games at this beautiful and historic property. Wear your costume, or come as you are.

If weather prevents us from gathering at the Burial Ground, we will meet at the Meetinghouse instead. 

Contact Blaine Keener for more information.

First Day School

RE is excited to start another year of First Day School, including some play time on the new playground!

Middle and High School students continue to meet together, and look forward to a variety of service learning projects this fall, including the annual Women's Housing Coalition Pie Bake and Sale.

Elementary students look forward to a variety of lessons with rotating teachers: Nancy Moore and Bob Goren, Laura McGuire, Janet Daley, and other special guests!

If you have not, please fill out the youth information sheet. It is helpful to have emergency information on hand and is consistent with our Child Safety Policy.

Library Committee

Book Review

William Penn: A Radical Conservative Quaker

by J. William Frost

J. William Frost's new book, William Penn: A Radical Conservative Quaker, offers a fresh look at the founder of Pennsylvania. The book goes beyond Penn's public image, focusing on his significant contributions as a Quaker leader and his complex role as both a reformer and a traditionalist. Click to read the review, submitted by Václav Zheng.

Peace & Justice Committee

Social Order Box

Donations to the Social Order Box for the month of October will go to ERICA, which with the support of volunteers and community partners helps refugees, asylum seekers, and other newcomers in Greater Baltimore area. Donations for the Social Order Box can be made online here by selecting “Give to Social Order Box Income.” Checks may also be mailed to the Meetinghouse or placed in the Social Order Box to the left of the Library doors. Please make checks payable to Stony Run Friends Meeting, with ‘S.O. Box’ on the memo line.

Please select Give to Social Order Income from the drop-down.

Genocide in Gaza

Peace & Justice Committee would like Stony Run Meeting to come to unity and endorse a statement from the American Friends Service Committee titled "Quakers Discern That Genocide is Occurring in Gaza and Urge Courageous Action." Please learn more here.

IC4BL

Interfaith Coalition for Black Lives Rally

Sunday, October 19

1:30 PM at University Baptist Church

3501 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218

This month's related action will be to support the Episcopal Refugee and Immigrant Center Alliance (ERICA).

News of Friends

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Please hold in the Light: Cindy Eyler, Janet Guthrie, Sandy Adams, Ellen Janes, Suzanne O’Hatnick’s grandson, Alexander Lukens; Karie Firoozmand; and Glen Causey and family.

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GEDCO, a Stony Run-supported community partner, is acknowledging Adrian Bishop with the Spirit Award at its upcoming Thanksgiving Tribute for his many years of service to GEDCO and his commitment to strengthening community resources. Our community has stepped forward to help sponsor the event and purchase a table so that we can be there to show our support of Adrian and GEDCO. If you would like to attend or make a gift, please contact Laura in the Meeting Office. Learn more here.

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Elizabeth Cadwalader is participating in an exhibit showcasing the paintings of 12 area artists with a variety of painting subjects and styles. The exhibit, called A Brush with Creativity, is at the Gallery Unicorn in the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church at 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. and will run until November 16. The gallery is open on Sundays and during the week by appointment (you may call the Church: 410-825-6045).

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Hillary Kruh's composition was performed in September as part of St. David's Recital & Evensong for the Feast of Hildegard von Bingen. Hillary is a pianist, composer, and teacher, and you can hear her accompany Hymn Signing a few times a month. Hillary's music is also available to listen to on Soundcloud Hillary Kruh.

Upcoming Events

Unprogrammed Meeting (11:00 AM) Zoom Link

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business Zoom Link

Recurring

Movement for Wholeness: Every Tues. and Thurs. from 10 - 11:00 AM. Join Sara Workeneh in the double classroom for movement and stretching. 

Bible Study: Every Tues. at 8:00 PM via Zoom. The ID and passcode are the same as for Programmed Worship. Contact Pastor Ronald Moyia for info.

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for the Country: Every Wednesday at 4:00 PM in the Meeting room and on Zoom. We will hold the country and those affected by turmoil, including ourselves, in the Light.

Upcoming

Lunch with Friends: Thursday, October 2 at 12:00 PM in the Holly Terrace at Broadmead. Don't forget to bring take-away containers for leftovers. Broadmead no longer accepts cash/checks for the $15 charge, but credit and debit cards work well. Email RSVPs by 9/29. And afterwards, there will be a special program on traditional Korean dances at 1:15 in the Auditorium.

Memorial Meeting for Bob Breyer: Saturday, October 4 at 11:00 AM in the Meeting Room.

BYM Camps Shiloh Fall Work Day: Saturday, October 4. We will clean and put things away, make repairs and put camp to bed for the winter. We will also pull the dock out of the pond, so be ready to get your feet wet. Register here.

World Quaker Day: Sunday, October 5. Join us at Stony Run for a day celebrating Quakerism and the theme "Love Thy Neighbor." We will host an Adult Forum with Sarah Gillooly and Nikki Holland of BYM, youth activities during First Day School, and a global cuisine potluck. Learn more!

Adult Forum with Sarah Gillooly, BYM General Secretary: Sunday, October 5 at 9:00 AM. Have you ever wanted to know more about the Baltimore Yearly Meeting or the greater Quaker community that we are part of? Sarah Gillooly and Nikki Holland will join us to answer our questions and connect us to the work of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

Potluck Lunch for World Quaker Day: Sunday, October 5 at 12:15 PM in the Dining room. Celebrate World Quaker Day with a diverse potluck lunch. Please bring a dish that honors your heritage or just a favorite recipe to share with our community. 

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business: Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 PM in the Meeting room and on Zoom.

Peaceful Protests for our Times: Sunday, October 12 at 8:30 AM in the Dining room. Join Peace & Justice Committee's Maria Brown, Ann Kehinde, and Ellen Lerner as they discuss participation in ongoing protests and local groups that offer opportunities for peaceful protest.

Bible Study Hour - A Quaker Perspective: Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 PM in the Library and via Zoom. Join us as we explore the Scriptures and fellowship with each other. For more information, please email Paul L. Isayi or call 240-521-6227.

Spiritual Walking Group: Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 PM. Join Stony Run’s Walking Group for a reflective and quiet walk along the Stony Run Trail. Please meet on the front porch.

Memorial Meeting for Nancy Levin: Sunday, October 12 at 3:00 PM.

Virtual Book Study - The Quaking of America: Wednesday, October 15 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Join Karie Firoozmand in a Virtual Book Study discussing The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem. This is one of four sessions and you may attend one or all of the sessions. Click here to learn more about the Series.

BYM Camps Opequon Fall Work Day: Saturday, October 18. We will get camp ready for renters and winter slumber. We may also have some tents to take down and put away and lots of property improvement projects still need doing. Register here.

No Kings 2: Saturday, October 18. Join Peace & Justice in peaceful demonstration speaking to the occupation of our cities. The rally and demonstration for Baltimore City will take place all along the route of the Baltimore Running Festival from 7:00 AM-12 noon. You can find basic information at the No Kings Baltimore site. More information is coming. Stay tuned!

Memorial Meeting for Laura Kinsey: Saturday, October 18 at 11:00 AM.

Walkers Return - Peaceward Oral History Project: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19. The Walkers will return to spend the night on Saturday and attend Meeting for Worship on Sunday. Contact Laura to help provide dinner or breakfast, and learn more about Peaceward here.

History of Sanctuary & Asylum Forum with Linda Rabin: Sunday, October 19 at 9:15 AM in the Dining room. Author of Sanctuary and Asylum: A Social and Political History, Linda Rabin will speak about the past, present, and future of these institutions. An associate research professor of anthropology at the UMD, she is a human rights activist who has published 12 books. Refreshments will be served.

Interfaith Coalition for Black Lives (IC4BL) Rally: Sunday, October 19 at 1:30 PM at University Baptist Church (3501 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218). Learn more about the month’s related action at IC4BL.org.

Virtual Book Study - The Quaking of America: Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Join Karie Firoozmand in a Virtual Book Study discussing The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem. This is one of four sessions and you may attend one or all of the sessions. Click here to learn more about the Series.

BYM Camps Catoctin Fall Work Day: Saturday, October 25. Time to get ready for winter at Catoctin in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains. Come and help get a few repairs done and get things put away for winter. Register here.

Stony Run Jazz Benefit Concert: Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 PM in the Meeting room. Featuring vibraphonist and multi-instrumentalist Warren Wolf plus pianist Helen Sung, with an opening set by our own Friends School Jazz Ensemble. The funds generated support the humanitarian and social justice work of our Meeting. It's our largest fundraiser. Click here to learn more.

Opening Space for New Possibilities in Worship: Sunday, October 26 at 9:30 AM in the Dining Room.We will explore how we might broaden our experience of Meeting for Worship, bringing us closer to the Beloved Community for all. We will seek out the unspoken assumptions that limit us, balancing the comfort of familiarity and the hope of transformation.

Virtual Book Study - The Quaking of America: Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Join Karie Firoozmand in a Virtual Book Study discussing The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem. This is one of four sessions and you may attend one or all of the sessions. Click here to learn more about the Series.

Stony Run All Saints Festival: Saturday, November 1 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Historic Burial Ground (2506 Harford Road). There will be fun, food, and games. Wear your costume, or come as you are. If weather prevents us from gathering at the Burial Ground, we will meet at the Meetinghouse instead.

Children's Library Event: Sunday, November 2 at 9:00 AM in the Dining Room and on Zoom. Join Peace & Justice for a discussion on current programs and events in Rwanda and the wider African Great Lakes Region with David Bucura and Francine Muhawenimana from Friends Peace Teams and Children's Peace Libraries.

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business: Sunday, November 2 at 1:00 PM in the Meeting room and on Zoom.

Virtual Book Study - The Quaking of America: Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Join Karie Firoozmand in a Virtual Book Study discussing The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem. This is one of four sessions and you may attend one or all of the sessions. Click here to learn more about the Series.

Memorial Meeting for Jerry and Joan Gilbert: Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 PM. 

Interfaith Action for Human Rights Adult Forum: Sunday, November 16 at 1:15 PM. Feeling frustrated and wanting to take action to make our world a better place? Come learn what Interfaith Action for Human Rights is doing and how you can participate! Read more on our blog here.

From the Office

Reports, news, and articles for the November issue of the Newsletter are due to news@stonyrunfriends.org no later than noon on October 14. Thank you.

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