Newsletter for December 2025

Photo taken during Peace Promise Weekend in November 2025.

Before December 31, we need to raise $93,200 of our budget of $212,000 for 2025. If you have already given, thank you! We ask that you please consider an additional contribution. If you haven't given yet, please do.

We look forward to growing in the year to come! In 2026, we hope to be able to increase our commitment to organizations and communities around us.

Thank you!

Stony Run Announcements

Carol Sings

Every December, for more than the last 50, Stony Run has celebrated the holidays by gathering for cherished Carol Sings. This year, we welcome Sandy Robson (professionally known as Letitia VanSant) as our song leader. Read more on our blog!

Sun., December 7 at 5:00 PM

followed by cookies and hot chocolate

Sun., December 14 at 7:00 PM

Sun., December 21 at 7:00 PM

followed by cookies and cider

Our first Carol Sing of the season will begin at 5:00 PM to be especially friendly to families with young children, but all are welcome! Join us!

Christmas Eve Meeting for Worship

Join us on Christmas Eve in front of the fireplace in the Library for an informal Meeting for Worship featuring storytelling, songs, and cookies.

We welcome friends of all ages as we celebrate the mystery and magic of the Christmas season.

Wednesday, December 24

at 5:30 PM

in the Library

This gathering will be in-person only and take about one hour, plus time for cookies and socializing afterward.

1st First Day Potluck

Hospitality Committee invites our Stony Run Community to Potluck Simple Lunch on the first Sunday of every month.

This month: December 7.

Friends are invited to bring any contribution: something simple (chips and hummus) or something elaborate (if so led!), but your presence is the most valuable thing you can bring. Read more.

Quarterly Financial Summary

Click here to review Stony Run Friends Meeting's Quarterly Financial Summary from January - September 2025.

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. Items are due by Friday, December 5.

Click here to learn how to help.

Staff Evaluations

Staff Evaluations will take place at the end of the first quarter of 2026. More information will be forth-coming. 

Seeking Clarity and Support:

A Guide to Clearness and Support Committees

One of the ways in which our Quaker Meeting provides support to members of our community is through Clearness and Support Committees. Both are convened through a collaborative process between Stony Run's Ministry and Counsel and Community, Care and Clearness committees.

A Clearness Committee is a Quaker process designed to help an individual find clarity on a deeply felt concern or dilemma. Operating on the principle that the answers reside within one's Inner Teacher, the committee members serve only as compassionate listeners and "channels for the Light."

Similarly, Support Committees can be formed to assist an individual in a specific role or activity, providing needed expertise and encouragement.

Members and Attenders are welcome and encouraged to request a Clearness or Support Committee. You may learn more about each of these in this blog post submitted by Ministry and Counsel and Community, Care and Clearness.

Of Note: From our Blog

Check out Stony Run's T-shirt Design Submissions, and Provide Feedback

Stony Run Annual Jazz Concert Benefit Thank You and Recording

Stony Run's All Saints Day Festival at the Historic Burial Ground with Photos

Children's Peace Libraries and African Great Lakes Initiative Adult Forum Recordings

AP: Young adults turn to Quakers' silent Worship to offset - and cope with - a noisy world.

***

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Library Committee published a series of blogs during November to accompany their display in the Library. The series features the history of Native Americans right here in Baltimore and how Quakers have been involved. Please enjoy!

Following a Leading: Bill Miles and the Sweat Lodge Ministry in Maryland Prisons, featuring Friend Bill Miles

Stewardship and Solidarity: Connecting with the Baltimore American Indian, featuring Friend Dellie James

American Indian History is American History: The Powwow

Honoring History, Celebrating Community: The Lumbee Tribe in Baltimore

Do All Indians Live In Tipis?

Adult Forums

Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities: A New Pendle Hill Pamphlet

Sunday, December 14 at 9:15 AM

in the Dining room



Discussion of the new Pendle Hill Pamphlet: F/friends will come together for Spirit-led inquiry and sharing, so we can learn from each other as well as the text. Regrettably, this forum will be in person only (we need tech-savvy help to hold hybrid forums). Copies of the pamphlet are available from Laura in the Meeting Office. So that cost is not a barrier, F/friends are encouraged to pay what they can with a suggested contribution of $8.50. We will meet in the Dining room, where coffee and tea will be available. Child care for the youngest Friends (age 5 and younger) will be available in the Nursery.

Religious Education (RE)

RE is responsible for Stony Run's children and teens programs on First Day, called First Day School, and for special activities at other times. Not-yet-school aged children may play in our staffed Nursery, while First Day School teachers work with elementary-aged children, and Middle and High School students self-govern alongside Friendly Adults.

November began with the intergenerational All Saints Festival at the Burial Ground. The Middle and High School students held their annual Thanksgiving Pie benefit. Students gathered under the expert guidance of Guli Fager and Rebecca Snyder to bake 39 apple, pumpkin, pecan, and pecan chocolate chip pies. Their efforts raised almost $800 to support the Women's Housing Coalition Gift Bag Project. Thank you to all who supported this effort!

Elementary students learned about birds in winter and made pinecone bird feeders (which were enjoyed by the squirrels as well). Laura continues to engage the students with Faith & Play stories. Nancy shared a variety of stories and engaging activities, including one where the class made a miniature booth to show how people in Jesus’ community celebrated harvest thanksgiving. To further celebrate Thanksgiving, students created a "Tree of Thanks," enthusiastically hanging leaves naming all of the things that they appreciate having in their lives. Family members, pets, and favorite stuffed animals all made it onto the tree. They look forward to a fun Thanksgiving Assembly on November 30.

During December, Middle and High Schoolers will help to stuff and finalize the Gift Bags to be delivered to Women's Housing Coalition (Dec. 7). They also look forward to their annual Christmas Cookie Bake (Dec. 21), which will supply the treats for the final Carol Sing of the season.

Please note that there will be no First Day School or Young Friends classes on December 28.

Save the Dates

December 7 - Middle & High Schoolers will pack WHC Gift Bags

December 21 - Middle & High Schoolers will bake cookies for the final Carol Sing of the season

January 11 - BYM Camps kick-off, all families of camp-age students are invited to meet prior campers & staff

BYM Camps

BYM Camps registration will open to new families on December 15. Learn more about the offerings, including some new!

Christmas Cookie Bake

Sun., December 21

11:20 AM

Dining room

Calling all Stony Run Middle and High School students: We need your help baking cookies for the final Carol Sing of the season. RSVP to Laura McGuire.

JYF and YF Cons

Junior Young Friends (Middle School) Cons



Sat., Jan. 31- Sun., Feb 1^st @ FMW

Fri., May 1-Sun., May 3 @ OQC

Young Friends (High School) Cons



Fri., Feb. 13-Sun., Feb. 15 @ Annapolis

Fri., April 10-Sun., April 5 @ Dunnings Creek

Fri., May 15-Sun., May 17 @ Stony Run

Click here for registrations for the next upcoming Cons.

Peace & Justice Committee

Olivia Lomax and Carol Lanahan (right) during a delivery to Our Community Feeding Others.

Social Order Box

Donations to the Social Order Box for the month of December will go to Our Community Feeding Others, a food pantry serving residents of Baltimore County and City. It operates through St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Turner Station, MD. Turner Station was once the largest African-American community in Baltimore County because of redlining in Dundalk.

Our Community Feeding Others serves 75-85 families every Saturday of the month, except for the first. Like all food pantries, it desperately needs support due to federal cuts affecting the Maryland Food Bank and other sources. In addition, the pantry has seen an increase in requests due to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Our Community Feeding Others assists hungry families without regard to immigration status.

Donations for the Social Order Box can be made online here. Checks may also be mailed to the Meetinghouse or checks and cash may be 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.

News of Friends

Please hold in the Light: Gail Breyer; Glen Causey and family; Cindy Eyler; Karie Firoozmand; and Suzanne O’Hatnick’s grandson, Alexander Lukens. 



Please send cards or notes to: Sandi Adams and Cindy Eyler. Addresses are available in the Meeting Directory in Breeze. Please contact the Office if you need assistance.

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 gentle 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

Thanksgiving Meeting for Worship: Thursday, November 27 at 10:00 AM in Homewood Friends’ Library. It will be in-person only and last for 45 min.

Thanksgiving Weekend, No Simple Lunch: Sunday, November 30. There will be no Simple Lunch on this day. Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy your leftovers!

Lunch with Friends: Thursday, December 4 at 12:00 PM in the Holly Terrace at Broadmead. The cost is $15, and payment is by credit or debit card only. Don't forget to bring take-away containers for leftovers! Email RSVPs by 12/1.

Potluck Lunch: Sunday, December 7 at 12:15 PM in the Dining room. Join with any contribution: something simple (chips and hummus) or elaborate (if so led!), but your presence is the most valuable thing you can bring. Read more here.

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business: Sunday, December 7 at 1:00 PM in the Meeting room and on Zoom.

Carol Sing: Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 PM in the Meeting room. Our first Carol Sing of the season will be earlier this year with families with younger children in mind, but all ages are welcome and encouraged to come! Cookies and hot chocolate will be served afterward. We welcome Sandy Robson/Letitia VanSant as our song leader this year! (Other Carol Sings will take place on Sundays, Dec. 14 & 21 at 7:00 PM.)

Friends Church Baltimore Carol Sing: Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM in the Dining room. Join Friends Church Baltimore’s Carol Sing with dinner afterward. 

Patterns of Racial Wounding and Racial Justice in Quaker Communities: Sunday, December 14 at 9:15 AM in the Dining room. Discussion of the new Pendle Hill pamphlet: F/friends will come together for Spirit-led inquiry and sharing, so we can learn from each other as well as the text. Copies of the pamphlet are available from Laura in the Meeting Office for $8.50 or pay what you can. Coffee and tea, as well as child care for those younger than 5 will be available.

Bible Study Hour - A Quaker Perspective: Sunday, December 14 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, December 14 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.

Carol Sing: Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 PM in the Meeting room. We welcome Sandy Robson/Letitia VanSant as our song leader this year! (Another Carol Sing will take place on Sun., Dec. 21 at 7:00 PM with a cookie reception following.)

Cookie Bake for Middle and High School Students: Sunday, December 21 at 11:20 AM in the Kitchen. Stony Run Junior and Young Friends will bake cookies to be served at the last Carol Sing of the season.

Carol Sing: Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 PM in the Meeting room. We welcome Sandy Robson/Letitia VanSant as our song leader this year! Cookies and cider will be served in the Dining room following.

Christmas Eve Meeting for Worship: December 24 at 5:30 PM. Join us in front of the fireplace in the Library for an informal gathering featuring stories and songs.

Office will be closed: December 24 & 25 and January 1, 2025. The Office will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Potluck Lunch: Sunday, January 4 at 12:15 in the Dining room. Join with any contribution: something simple (chips and hummus) or elaborate (if so led!), but your presence is the most valuable thing you can bring. Read more here.

Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business: Sunday, January 4 at 1:00 PM in the Meeting room and on Zoom.

BYM Stewardship & Finance First Reading of the 2026 BYM Budget: Monday, January 5th at 7:00pm on Zoom. BYM Stewardship & Finance Meeting will present a First Reading of the 2026 BYM Budget and provide an opportunity for questions and discussion. Documents and Zoom link will be announced later.

BYM Camps Kick-off: Sunday, January 11, time TBD in the downstairs Classrooms. All families of camp-age students are invited to meet prior campers as well as staff.

BYM Called Interim Meeting: Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 PM on Zoom. This Called Meeting will feature a Second Reading of the BYM 2026 budget and reconsideration of the camp governance proposal. More details will follow. Read the draft Interim Meeting Minutes from November 15 here.

From the Office

Reports, news, and articles for the January issue of the Newsletter are due to news@stonyrunfriends.org no later than 8:00 PM on Friday, December 12. Thank you.

With the end of year approaching, the Office will be closed on holidays, and staff will be taking time off to spend with their families.

• Elizabeth will be out of the Office from December 22 - 26
• The Office will be closed Dec 24 and 25
• Laura will be out of the office from December 28 - 31
• The Office will be closed on January 1

We wish you, your family, and your friends

a joyful season filled with love and peace!

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