November 2010 Newsletter
Printer-friendly versionFRIENDS MEETING OF WASHINGTON
ORDER OF WORSHIP
MONTHLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH A CONCERN FOR BUSINESS
October 10, 2010
10/10-1 Opening The Meeting opened at noon with a period of silent worship. David Etheridge and Bill Cousins served as co-Presiding Clerks, Susan Lepper, Alternate Clerk, and Merry Pearlstein, Recording Clerk. The clerks read Advices, Queries and Voices related to faith and actions as proposed by the Faith and Practice Revision Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Advices
Our testimonies are not the heart of our faith but are the fruits of our religious convictions. Our actions in the world arise from our love of that light in every person. We regard no person as our enemy. While we often oppose specific actions and abuses of power, we seek to address the goodness and truth in each individual.
Friends are aware that our tasks are founded on witness, not results; that our testimony to the world is the substance of our truth. We assert the transforming power of love and nonviolence as a challenge to injustice and violence and as an instrument for reconciliation.
While faith without works is dead, Friends are convinced that works without faith are futile. We understand that sheer activism is often spawned from an egocentric center. Friends are mindful of the spiritual ground of their outward works and are attentive to the spiritual dangers of benevolent works.
Queries
How have I expressed my faith in action? How are my actions grounded in my faith?
Is my sense of justice based in love?
Do I endeavor to face the pain of the world and match it with forgiveness?
Do I make an idol of that which I am forced to defend?
How do I avoid demonizing those who march against my concern?
Voices
True godliness don't turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavor to mend it: not hide their candle under a bushel, but set it upon a table in a candlestick. William Penn, 1682
Meister Eckhart says that we can only spend in good works what we earn in contemplation, and that is undoubtedly a valuable admonition to those of us serving Quaker institutions, but it is probably equally the case that what is earned in contemplation cannot be saved up indefinitely but must be spent regularly in service to others. Paul A. Lacey, 1988
As Friends we are committed to an “ethical mysticism,” as Howard Brinton described it. The love of God that we have experienced demands that we express our answering love for God in the form of loving others. We begin to understand Jesus’ admonition: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This is the basis for ethical behavior and the only motivation for reform that does not grow weary in well doing, the only passion for social action that does not pall and wane. John R. Yungblut, 1983
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Corinthians 13 (KJV)
It is said that one should never attempt the works of charity unless the motion springs from love in the heart. But God can lead us by more ways than one. Some he makes ready before he sends them out; others he sends out that they may be made ready. Mildred Binns Young, 1961
Yet, in the last analysis, obedience to the Light is the only satisfying course [to pursue a social concern]. Approval is not the criterion. Results are not the criteria. We may never be able to say to our critics and detractors, “The results show that our work was important and rightly ordered.” Dorothy H. Hutchinson, 1996
The great social movements of our time may well be part of our calling. The ideals of peace and justice and equality which are part of our religious tradition are often the focus of debate. But we cannot simply immerse ourselves in these activities. We need to develop our own unique social witness, in obedience to God. We need to listen to the gentle whispers which will tell us how we can bring our lives into greater harmony with heaven. Deborah Haines, 1978
When we begin by demonizing the opposition, we have taken the first step to ensuring no possibility of resolution. However, there is another path: one which is far more likely to result in a positive resolution. Instead of beginning with what divides us, we should begin with our common ground. Lawrence M. Hinman 2005
10/10-2 Attendance Approximately 35 Friends were present. Presiding Clerk David Etheridge welcomed visitor Keith Barton of Berkeley, California, and members Ylene Larsen and Anne Kendall.
10/10-3 Clerk’s Report Presiding co-Clerk David Etheridge announced the death of member Elizabeth (Betty) Morris on October 9, 2010.
He also reported that the Mary Wolcott/Lucy Foster Educational Fund has made two awards of $738 to help young Friends attend Friends schools.
David noted that he had written a letter of introduction for Beverly Reader to Pittsburgh Monthly Meeting, where she will be attending a conference, and that he intends to write a letter of introduction for Kathryn Lipp-Farr to Cuba Yearly Meeting in anticipation of her planned travel there.
David reported that Sara Satterthwaite and Judy Hubbard had been appointed to the Search Committee which chooses the members of the Nominating Committee. He may have additional appointments to announce next month.
David reminded Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting Interim Meeting to be held Saturday, October 16 at Richmond Monthly Meeting beginning at 10:00 a.m.
He reminded Friends of the renovation listening sessions being conducted to afford Friends the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposed renovation and financing. He invited Friends who have not been contacted but who may wish to participate in such a session to contact him or other members of the Healing and Reconciliation Committee engaged in that activity (Gray Handley, Beverly Reader and Merry Pearlstein).
David noted that the next hour would be devoted to worship sharing on the topic of renovations. He said there would be periods of silence between messages and that priority would be given to those who had not spoken during worship sharing in September.
10/10-04 Worship Sharing Several Friends expressed what was in their hearts during worship sharing concerning Meeting renovations. A visitor shared his feeling that expanding the building should go hand in hand with expanding attendance. He shared some of his experiences with renovations at other Meetings in which he had been involved, and noted that in those cases financing had included not only contributions but also the use of Quaker bonds. He suggested that the national significance of our Meeting might facilitate our ability to raise funds from the wider Quaker community.
Another Friend noted that she had been reflecting on the report presented by the Planning Committee last month, and that she had been impressed by its expressed need to identify our financial capacity before determining the scope of the renovations. She shared her belief that there is a growing sense that we need to move forward to preserve and enhance our historic building.
A Friend expressed her deep love for the meeting and its current structure, including the cork floor, the assembly room and the aging kitchen. She indicated she could be satisfied with whatever improvements were decided upon, but that she was deeply concerned about the cost of those improvements, especially since contributions to the Meeting in recent years have continuously failed to meet current operating expenses. She noted that borrowing $1,000,000 at 4% would result in annual debt service of $60,000. She also wondered what the Meeting would be like in the future, and whether the next generation would have the desire and ability to meet those commitments.
Another Friend noted that her financial circumstances had changed since she had been interviewed by Henry Freeman, our financial consultant. She said her Plan B was to make monthly contributions to the capital campaign. She also expressed appreciation for the suggestion of Quaker bonds.
A Friend questioned how Quaker bonds would work, and whether a non-profit institution could provide a sufficient return on Friends' investments.
A Friend expressed her belief that financial realities necessitate a step-by-step process of renovation, and that the Meeting should move slowly and do in stages what it can currently afford and defer further improvements until way opens.
A Friend suggested that publicizing our plans for renovation, perhaps in local newspapers, might stimulate interest and contributions from outside the Meeting community.
Another said his interest had been piqued by the suggestion of Quaker bonds, and that he would consider such an investment as an alternative to CDs he currently has. He shared his belief that other non-profit institutions had successfully used such vehicles as important parts of their financing.
A Friend expressed appreciation for the Friend who had spoken about the need to define what we are financing and the necessity of giving priority to the building of an elevator and replacing the roof. She noted that some funds have already been set aside for this purpose, but that other financial decisions were looming. She also noted that using money currently invested would mean that income on those investments would no longer be available for operating expenses.
The Friend who cited Woody Allen’s line "Money isn't everything; it's just useful for financial purposes" noted that for our Meeting, money is necessary to achieve our needs as a community. This Friend also believed that being able to demonstrate our plan to others might facilitate fundraising.
A Friend spoke fondly of her childhood memories of Friends Meeting of Washington, of her efforts to involve her own children in the life of the meeting, and of the value she had found in the marches and various other works for peace and social justice in which the Meeting had been involved over the years. She said that the Meeting had invested a great deal in her, and that she now felt the need to invest in the Meeting to ensure its ability to continue providing these gifts for future generations. She also shared the experience of a former employer which was able to raise a million dollars in a very short time period through low interest loans.
A Friend expressed his surprise that the focus of so much of the current discussion was on money. He wondered what God would want us to do with the money if we were able to raise $3 million. As a member of the property committee, this Friend noted his tendency to view the proposed elevator from the point of view of an owner, observing that there would be annual maintenance expenses of $2-3 thousand dollars, as well as eventual replacement costs, in addition to the upfront outlay for purchase and installation. This friend also noted that our annual contributions do not meet current expenses, that we have been making up the difference by borrowing from reserves, and that our investment in reserves is insufficient to cover current maintenance costs. He said that, although some institutions have realized increases in annual contributions as they conducted capital campaigns, we cannot assume we will achieve similar results; he expressed his concern that we need to anticipate and budget for increased annual operating costs as carefully as we do the costs of renovations. He also noted that Quaker simplicity argues for modest goals and that he felt these should be prioritized.
A member of the Finance and Stewardship Committee noted that approximately 30% of our current revenue comes from interest on investments and that that income has been declining in recent years and will continue to do so for at least another two years. She noted that the existence of the endowment may have resulted in declining contributions since Friends had grown to rely on those funds, and observed that the median family contribution to the Meeting was around $500 per year, well below that enjoyed by other religious institutions. She noted that capital campaigns typically do increase community, and that she is hopeful for the long run despite the grim short-term financial outlook.
A Friend expressed her hope that renovation decisions would not be based solely on the lowest bidder.
Another noted that in his experience at other religious institutions, fundraising often involved memorial gifts, and that the opportunity to provide a memorial plaque, for example, in honor of a loved one was often an effective means of stimulating generosity.
A Friend noted that she had made a pledge to contribute to the capital campaign and that she would also be willing to lend some of her retirement funds to the Meeting at a low interest in order to help finance renovations.
Another Friend remarked on the creativity evident in the Meeting and expressed his confidence in its ability to find ways to achieve its goals.
Yet another observed that many of us have a fear of financial matters, and reminded the Meeting that historically many Friends have been unabashedly successful businessmen. He said it was time to set fear aside and to think clearly and creatively to find our financial way forward.
Co-Clerk David Etheridge said there would be further worship sharing on this subject during the November Meeting for Worship with Concern for Business. Another Friend clarified that the purchase of Carriage House and Quaker House had been at least partially financed through a mortgage.
10/10-05 Proposal from the Property Committee Neil Froemming, a member of the Property Committee, presented the following proposed minute from the Property Committee, noting that it had arisen from a recent joint meeting of the Property and Planning Committees:
Property proposes that the Planning Committee be renamed the Capital Improvement Task Force, and that its charge be to work very closely with the Property Committee and other relevant Committees in an iterative, transparent, and collaborative way to develop a plan to recommend to the Meeting for the construction of an elevator and other capital improvements.
Neil said that the minute should not be construed as a change in direction, but rather a reflection of experience given the evolving roles of the two committees. Neither should it be construed to mean that the two committees were unable to work together.
A Friend expressed her concern that presentation of a financial plan was not included in the proposed minute. She noted that, although an earlier feasibility study had indicated the Meeting should be able to raise between $1 and $2 million, the cost of the current architectural plan is estimated to be $3.8 million. She stated that any proposed renovation plan must have a corresponding budget and a reliable plan for financing.
Another Friend suggested that the proposed minute be amended to specifically include the Religious Education Committee and First Day School among groups to be consulted since they are the biggest users of space and should have input into any proposed plans.
Ken Forsberg, a member of the Planning Committee, noted his expectation and willingness to work closely with Finance and Stewardship and a capital campaign committee, but shared his concern that the Planning Committee not also be responsible for developing and presenting financial plans. He clarified his understanding that it would be the roles of the capital campaign to keep people realistic in finding the balance between dreams and possibilities and to develop a specific plan for financing.
Another Friend noted that two of the persons being nominated to serve on the Planning Committee had already agreed to work on the capital campaign. He shared his vision that there would be a presentation of a brick and mortar renovation plan by the Planning Committee concurrent with a financial plan by the capital campaign and Finance and Stewardship Committees.
Grant Thompson, who has agreed to work on the capital campaign, noted that the campaign would involve hard work by the entire community, not just the few individuals designated to serve on that group.
A Friend referred to the moving testimony of another Friend regarding the ways in which she had been enriched by the Meeting, and expressed his hope that others would be moved to share their experiences.
The Meeting APPROVED the following Minute:
The Planning Committee is renamed the Capital Improvement Task Force, and its charge is to work very closely with the other relevant committees in an iterative, transparent and collaborative way to develop a plan to recommend to the Meeting for the construction of an elevator and other capital improvements.
10/10-6 Report from the Property Committee Neil Froemming presented the attached report from the Property Committee titled “Sticks and Bricks.” Another member of the committee noted that much of the energy reflected in the report had come from just a few people; he made a plea for broader participation by other members of the Meeting.
10/10-7 Report from the Nominating Committee Marcia Reecer, interim Clerk of the Nominating Committee, put forth the nominations of Byron Sandford, Robinne Gray and Neil Froemming to the Planning Committee, now renamed the Capital Improvement Task Force, and the nomination of Ken Forsberg to be Clerk of that group. Friends APPROVED these nominations.
Marcia also stated that the nomination of Justin Connor to the task force would be held over for procedural reasons. She noted that the Nominating Committee is actively seeking others, particularly a parent or parents of First Day School children, to serve on the task force (although the Committee recognizes that parents of young children have very limited time in which to assume such additional responsibilities).
10/10/-8 Membership Committee Harry Massey, Clerk of the Membership Committee, introduced committee member Monica Jacobe, who has worked with the committee in recent years to revise the forms provided to prospective members (attached). Monica noted that the revised forms are reflective not only of her professional experience but also the spiritual journeys of members of the committee and the Society of Friends. It is hoped the forms will be useful not only for those wishing to join our community but also for current members as they contemplate the meaning of their participation in Friends Meeting of Washington. Harry noted that the Membership Committee is planning a membership event, which will be open to everyone, on Sunday, October 31, at noon in the Quaker House living room. Friends expressed their appreciation for the work of the Membership Committee.
10/10-9 Concern about the Conduct of Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Pam Callard said that she usually really valued her experiences at meetings for worship with concern for business, but that she has sometimes felt something was missing and the process didn’t work as well as it should. She cited the creation story in Genesis, in which “…the spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” to create form from the void; she said she had witnessed discussions in meetings for business which really worked to change people’s minds. Pam was influenced by Arlene Kelly’s article in the July 2008 issue of Friends Journal titled “Conflict in the Life of Our Meeting: Friends Peace Testimony at Work?” which emphasized that something as central to Friends as the peace testimony should not simply be displayed proudly on a shelf but put into use in our everyday lives.
Concerned that perhaps hers was a singular experience, Pam sought guidance through a clearness committee, the Ministry and Worship Committee and consultation with David Etheridge, co-Presiding Clerk, before bringing her concern to meeting for business. She feels there have been times in which issues raised in meeting for business have been ignored and not minuted, and that too much responsibility is sometimes delegated to committees rather than having important decisions made in meeting for business. She noted that this has been a long-term problem she has observed under several different Presiding Clerks.
A Friend said he would have found it helpful to have been provided a proposed minute or summary of this issue to study before the meeting. Another noted her understanding that many committee meetings are open to visitors, especially when deliberating matters of importance, and that this process provides opportunities for input from the wider community. A third observed that “We come to meeting with knowledge, not positions,” and that we need to be open to one another. He observed that Pam had spoken inspirationally about how the Meeting should be making decisions. We trust, but verify, the work of committees, and we need to keep our spiritual center. A fourth stated that sometimes meetings for business work well and sometimes we become so caught up in committee offerings that we forget what is in our hearts. She felt that Pam’s concern was a reminder that, regardless of tasks we necessarily delegate to committees, it is the Meeting alone that can determine the sense of the Meeting in its meetings for worship with concern for business.
A member of the Ministry and Worship Committee said that the committee viewed Pam’s concern as a true calling. Ministry and Worship recognizes its value and expressed appreciation for her courage in bringing it forward.
10/10-10 Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Annual Report Anne Kendall, clerk of the Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Committee, presented the attached Annual Report, noting that thirteen young people are currently being supported by this important outreach program. She thanked the Meeting for the depth of its commitment, noting that another Barbara Nnoka memorial lunch to benefit the scholarship committee was being planned for the winter or spring. Friends expressed their appreciation for the work of the committee, and also noted that they would appreciate personal contact with scholarship recipients if it could be arranged.
10/10-11 Other Reports Reports from Friends who attended Baltimore Yearly Meeting annual sessions and from Friends Non-Profit Housing were deferred to a later meeting.
10/10-12 Minutes The minutes were read and APPROVED.
10/10-13 Adjournment With approximately 30 Friends present, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. to reconvene as way opens on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
ATTACHMENTS: Sticks and Bricks: Property Committee Interim Report
Revised Membership Forms (they will be at the end of the newsletter)
Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Committee Annual Report
Sticks and Bricks
Property Committee Interim Report
October 2010
The Property Committee wants to keep FMW Friends informed about what we’re up to, so we can address concerns and ideas that may come from outside the committee.
In the last month:
• We had previously reported that our relationship with the Peace Tax Fund had become unsettled, partly due to the illness of their sole staff member. We are happy to say that the September PTF Board meeting seems to have resolved the difficulties and we now have nothing to grumble at. Payments are current and PTF is cooperating wonderfully with our efforts to renovate the Quaker House office areas. Thanks to all concerned.
• PTF has temporarily consolidated its operations in the large northwest back room of Quaker House 1st floor. We are cleaning and renovating the southwest front office with the expectation that PTF will move back into that room around the end of the year. Our plan is then to renovate the back room and the front foyer area to be made available as “incubator space” to be shared by small non-profit organizations that cannot afford larger, dedicated office space. • Much of the space formerly occupied by Peace Tax Fund and School for Friends is now empty and cleared out. With great help from Meeting volunteers, we’ve made initial steps to clean and repair that space.
• There’s continued progress on renovating Decatur Place Room and making it a more welcoming space for First Day child care.
• Members of Property and Religious Education Committees met with other concerned Friends to discuss and plan for near term and longer term First Day School space needs.
• The “Storage Room” behind the Children’s Library is now empty and ready for intensive cleaning, renovation, and testing and remediation of possible environmental hazards. Proposals for how to use that space are being advanced.
• Discussions are under way that may lead to relocating the bookkeeping function out of the Children’s Library, to make that space more suitable for First Day School use.
• We have begun discussions of how best to ensure that the renovation and planning work of the Property Committee supports, informs, and is integrated into the broader long-term renovation planning process.
• We have begun work on renovation of the now-vacant first floor of Carriage House to allow for expansion of the space occupied by Tostan. In return for use of that space, Tostan will contribute
an additional $30,000 a year (more or less — we’re still talking).
• We have begun work on renovation of the empty five rooms on the second and third floors of the north wing of Quaker House, as well as the vacant room on the southwest corner of Quaker House second floor, with a view to making some or all of that space available to a non-profit space sharing partner. Lacking funds to pay for the kind of work that is needed, we are very reliant on the continuing efforts of FMW Friends at Property work days. The time and effort involved is really beyond our capabilities and we need many, many Friends (probably including you) to pitch in regularly and (the tricky part) joyfully.
Below is a tentative list of things we hope to get done in the next two or three months. If you see an item on this list that you think you might be willing to tackle, please let us know. Some of the work needs to be done at our workdays, but some of these tasks can be accomplished at your convenience.
Draft FMW Property Work Plan—Fall 2010
Continue safety and environmental testing and abatement as needed*
Decatur Place Room
• Seal remaining exterior moisture leaks*
• Complete final area of painting
• Finish storm window cleaning
• Install child safety gate
MH1 Offices
• Shift unused cabinets and archives to Third Floor North.
• Improve corner office: paint/ organize/ improve storage.
MH1 North Room*
• Remove unused steam pipe along baseboard.
• Vacuum all surfaces with HEPA VAC (need to buy) including tops of ducts.
• Clean all surfaces with TSP, starting with ceiling.
• Contract to box over pipe along ceiling (if no longer in use).
• Wet-strip or dip doors and window.
• Apply skim-coat to all walls and ceiling using plaster bond.
• Repair trim.
• Prime seal and paint all walls, window, doors, and ceiling.
• Install new flooring.
• Test out possible RE/FDS Center [this needs formal approval]. Decide space use/ division/ ventilation/lighting/ storage/ etc.
Quaker House North Wing 2nd & 3rd Floors*
• Order replacement window for top of stairs
• Test electrical outlets
• Wet scrape and patch plaster as needed in stair and top floor
• Clean all surfaces with TSP
• Paint all five rooms
• Install replacement window
• Refinish floors
Carriage House 1st Floor
• Decide on affordable and reversible improvements
• Revise space sharing agreement with Tostan
• Remove old counters etc.
• Build out office spaces*
• Replace boys rest room with kitchenette*
• Clean with TSP and paint
Quaker House 1st Floor PTF Office (SW corner)*
• Expose surface plumbing and electric lines needing replacement
• Clean and abate environmental hazards as needed
• Repair and replace plumbing and electric as needed.
• Restore paneling
• Move PTF back into this space Quaker House Kitchen*
• Replace bowed shelving with wall cabinets Quaker House Incubator
• Clean & renovate remaining QH1 spaces incl. 3 rooms, 5 closets, & bath.*
• Consider service center/ FMW office space in former SfF office.
• Consider shared high-speed Internet.
Landscape
• Scrape, prime, paint Decatur stair railing, East Garden fence*, and AR fence.
• Clear drains as needed, including behind Carriage House.
• Fix landscape behind Assembly Room fence (clear all but fig and jasmine).
Planning
• Plan next steps: safety, security, accessibility, capacity, efficiency, drainage, greening.
• Continue developing State of the Property Reports.
• Explore, with staff and Personnel, reconfiguration/relocation of offices.
Meeting Communication
• Add ongoing updates to web page and board: work day reports, testing, photos, & plans.
• Provide updates to each Meeting for Business on property improvements/plans. * Tasks requiring professional help
Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Committee
Friends Meeting of Washington
Annual Report July 13, 2010
The Mary Jane Simpson Committee has received strong support this year. The Bethesda Friends Meeting provided funds for one $1500 scholarship and in addition the Barbara Nnoka lunch provided funds for a second scholarship. The Meeting has continued its support as well. As a result of these contributions and some outside contributions, we are able to give four $1500 awards to college freshmen. In addition we are working towards giving multi-year awards. This year we will give $1000 grants to last year’s recipients for their sophomore year. We will give $500 grants to the 2008 awardees entering their junior year. Because of a onetime donation, we also plan to give $2000 awards to the three 2007 recipients who are entering their senior year.
This year’s awardees are an impressive group.
Mercedes Butler graduated from Howard Woodson High School. She was Executive President of the student government and academically ranked second in her class of 120 students. Mercedes is strong in math and science. She demonstrates organization, focus, and leadership and likes to network. She is the eldest of four children. Her father is incarcerated. Her mother, who did not finish high school, is the sole provider for the family.
Plan: Mercedes plans to go to Xavier University of Louisiana, a black university in New Orleans which has historically been successful in preparing students for medical school. She plans to major in biology to prepare for medical school. She will take a particularly heavy load of math and science courses in the fall since her high school did not offer AP courses in math or sciences. Mercedes plans to be a pediatrician serving low income families. She is committed to creating an organization for low-income families whose health is suffering. This summer she is working as a receptionist to save money for college.
Yolande Ngakouan Paho graduated from Mckinley Technical High School. Although her primary language is French and she speaks some Amharic, and has succeeded in high school in English, graduating 5th out of 206 students. Yolande emigrated from Cameroon two years ago following a personal tragedy. She became a certified home health care worker so that she could help support her family while completing high school. She describes herself as very determined to do what she needs to do to be successful. She also credits her family with providing support for her. Yolande has begun to counsel teenagers who have been physically abused.
Plan: Yolande will go to Salisbury State. She is aware that this is a largely Caucasian population but she is confident that she can get along with anyone. She plans to either participate in a work study program or work in the community as a home health care aide. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner. This summer she is working as a nurse’s assistant to save money for school.
Nosa Odigie has attended Cardozo High School where he has been the captain of the basketball team and ended up ranking 3 in his class. Math and science have always been easy for Nosa, but this year he took AP Literature and Language. He credits his teacher with broadening his horizons by introducing him to authors and having the class read screen plays. Nosa has been an academic tutor during his high school years. Nosa has received support from his mother and her father. He says that his maternal grandfather has always been there for him. His grandfather has taught him that you sometimes have to look at problems from a wide angle not just in a straight forward manner. Nosa was very distressed by the drive by shooting in SE this spring which killed one of his friends. He feels a strong drive to support this community.
Plan: Nosa has decided that he would be best served at Hampton University. While he will get less public aide because it is a private college, he feels that the structure which includes curfews will be good for him. He wants to major in marketing and accounting and eventually get an MBA. He is committed to returning to his neighborhood at some point because he feels many of the young people he grew up with have no idea that they can succeed. He is motivated to change that perception.
Jeanifer Uwaechie has been a student at Benjamin Banneker High School. She has a strong academic record with an interest in the sciences. Jeanifer’s family emigrated from Nigeria. They originally came here because her father was seeking eye treatment. Unfortunately this treatment did not go well and he is totally blind. Jeanifer spent her childhood as his “sight.” She accompanied him to accounting classes at UDC and once even answered a teacher’s question correctly. Jeanifer has a commitment to medicine and has accumulated 413 community service hours volunteering as a translator in Ibo, Yoruba and Spanish at area hospitals.
Plan: Jeanifer will be attending Rutgers University in the fall. She wants to go to medical school and become an ophthalmologist, one day returning to Nigeria to set up an eye clinic. This summer she is working at Children’s Hospital and Howard Hospital in a sickle cell program. She is saving money for college.
We for the first time are giving added support to former scholarship recipients. We are giving $1000 to each of the five grantees from last year. They have all successfully managed the transition to college and are returning for a second year. We are giving $500 to the five 2008 recipients. They too have all stayed in college despite some turbulent times.
We had a one time grant to support four 2007 recipients. One of these dropped out after the first year. A second was unable to complete her junior year; however, she is going to a community college next year and if she is successful with this next semester, she will be supported for the second semester. The other two are still in college. We will be giving them support for their final year.
Again we would like to thank everyone in the Meeting for their interest in these students. It means a great deal to have a community committed to the talented yet poor students in DC. Anne Kendall, Clerk of the Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Committee
FMW NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2010
FALL EVENTS
Pakistan Lunch
Half a world away, the sweeping devastation of the July-August Pakistan floods continues to spread. More people were hurt or rendered homeless in this disaster than all those affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake combined. Estimates of the economic impact are now approaching $50 billion USD. The human toll continues to escalate, with the compounding impact of disease, violence and destruction of food and the medical infrastructure.
In response to this crisis, at the rise of Meeting on Sunday, November 7, the Meeting will host a fundraising luncheon in the Assembly Room to benefit the Pakistani relief and aid efforts. Anybody who would like to help should contact Marcia Reecer. Volunteers are needed to help promote support for this effort, prepare food, set-up, serve, and clean up. All funds raised will go to the Pakistani relief. Friends are invited to consider collecting contributions from family, friends, and colleagues. If you would like to bring guests to the luncheon that have not attended an FMW event, please check with Marcia Reecer to ensure there is enough food for everyone. Please consider joining in reaching our hands and hearts around the world to help those in need. — Steve Coleman
William Penn House
William Penn House, a Quaker Center on Capitol Hill, hosts monthly potluck dinners with a speaker and discussion afterwards. In addition to the monthly potlucks the William Penn House provides low cost accommodations and Quaker centered programs and seminars. On Sunday, November 7, at 6:30 p.m. Charles Nelson will speak about the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The Institute provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peace building. Mr. Nelson is the vice president of USIP’s headquarters project. Among his many duties, he works on USIP’s relations with Congress and on the development of architectural plans and funding for the Institute’s new headquarters building. He also overseas the Institute’s Latin America activities, which have included programs focusing on democracy-building, civil-military relations and the Organization of American States. Bring a “covered dish” to share, and meet new F/Friends. Everyone is welcome. William Penn House is a tobacco-free, alcohol-free facility at 515 east Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. For more information, contact either the William Penn House or the FMW Office.
FMW’s Senior Center in November
Programs of slides or talks are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Decatur Place Room at 1:30 p.m. On November 10 Carol Coffee will present Turkey II. On Wednesday, November 24, the Senior Center will not meet as the following day is Thanksgiving.
Property Committee Work Day
The Property Committee will hold a work day on Saturday, November 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate and help. It does not matter what your skill level is, there are lots of jobs and tasks that F/friends can complete. For F/friends who have not participated in a work day, this is an excellent war of meeting other FMW Quakers and providing the Meeting with service. For F/friends who feel that committee work is a big commitment, try a work day-it is just a few hours. Thinking there are F/friends in the Meeting that you don’t know? This is a great way to get to know F/friends and make new F/friends. For more information, talk with any member of the Property Committee or call the FMW Office.
Living Our Queries
Discover how the monthly queries, advices and voices connect with our daily spiritual experiences. This Adult Education program will continue on Sunday, November 21 at 9:15 a.m. in the Quaker House Living Room. In November the group will discuss Peace. For more information contact Justin Connor.
J.E. McNeal Speaks About Kenyan Travels
J.E. McNeil, a long time member of FMW, and Baltimore Yearly Meeting representative to the General Board of Friends United Meeting (FUM) will give a talk at the rise of Meeting on Sunday, November 21 in the Assembly Room. She will talk about what she learned about FUM’s (and FMW’s) work in Kenya. J.E. spent more than a month traveling in Kenya and Tanzania under a travel minute from FMW. Come hear about AIDS work, help for AIDS widows, and the other members of BYM who live in Kenya now. Kenyan Chia will be served.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thinking About Race: Use the Platinum Rule
We are all familiar with the Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” Following the Golden Rule is an essential step in building community. When bridging cultures, there is an added rule that is important to follow: the Platinum Rule states, Treat others the way they wish to be treated.” This means, your perspective or beliefs aside it is important to learn and acknowledge others’ feelings, experiences and opinions. When we treat others in a way that is not based on our own assumptions about their experiences, we learn how to interact with others in a truly helpful and respective way. –Be Not Afraid- A project of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, a document on “Cultural Competence and Sensitivity.”
The Baltimore Yearly Meeting Working Group on Racism meets most months on the third Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm at Bethesda friends Meeting or Friends Meeting of Washington. If you would like to attend, either on a regular or a drop-in basis, please contact Clerk Elizabeth DuVerlie.
Office Closed for Thanksgiving
Please note that the FMW Office will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
NOTES ABOUT FRIENDS
Recent Deaths in the Haskell Family
FMW family members Mark Haskell, Elise Stork and Annelise Haskell would like Friends to know that Mark’s mother Elizabeth Ann Sullivan Haskell died peacefully in her home near Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday morning, October 22, 2010. She was born on January 7, 1929. Mark’s grandmother, Annelise’s great-grandmother, Elizabeth Henry Sullivan died peacefully in the home of her son Glen, in Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 25, 2010. She was born on December 15, 1904.
Dave and Jane Markham
FMW Friend Hayden Wetzel recently was in contact with former FMW members David and Jane Markham. Dave says:
“I am the alternate clerk for the Davis Friends meeting and active in the life of the meeting. Good folk. Not nearly as interesting as the people on Florida Street, but
a loving community. Jane and I are living o about 50 acres of California farmland. We have 30 acres in organic almonds, and they are being harvested now as we type. The labor required overcame us a couple of years ago, particularly with an organic crop, so we leased on a profit sharing basis the orchard to an organic farmer neighbor. One of the first things I noticed is what he didn’t do that I had been doing”.
“Jane is a member of the local school board. I have just stepped down as Chairman of the Board after five years of a local homeless and substance abuse center. Homelessness has become a big business here in California. Much different than in the District. Our organization is making efforts, somewhat successfully, to eliminate homelessness. It’s a struggle, but we have some success stories”.