January 2011 Newsletter
Printer-friendly versionCONTENTS
December 2010 Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Attachments to Minutes:
- Nominations for Officers and Committees
- Sticks & Bricks – Property Committee Update
- Annual Report – Ministry & Worship Committee
- Report of Liaison to AFSC
Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Minutes – December 10, 2010
12/10-1 Opening The Meeting opened at noon with a period of silent worship. David Etheridge served as Presiding Clerk, Susan Lepper, Alternate Clerk, and Merry Pearlstein, Recording Clerk. Sabrina McCarthy joined the clerks on the facing bench holding the Meeting in the Light. The clerks read Advices, Queries and Voices concerning education which have been proposed by the Faith and Practice Revision Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Advices
Seek for ourselves and for our children the full development of God’s gifts, which is true education. Realize that education should continue throughout life, and that all should share its opportunities and privileges. Be ready at all times to receive fresh light from whatever quarter it may come; approach new theories with discernment.
Friends are concerned to educate for individual growth, community responsibility, knowledge of God’s world, and a sense of wonder at continuing revelation in this changing universe. Religious education begins early in the home as the child participates in family silence, prayer, readings from the Bible and other religious works, and in family discussions. We set an example in our own lives and seek actively to guide our children’s development of sensitivity to God and the world.
Meetings should foster activities that bring all age groups together. Conferences, workshops, and retreats, organized by Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly Meetings or other Friends’ bodies, provide contacts with a variety of Friends’ viewpoints. We should encourage adult members to follow their leadings in seeking education of all kinds and should be sensitive in offering the financial assistance sometimes needed to take advantage of such opportunities.
For many years Friends have been concerned about the problem of exclusivity in private schools especially those carrying the name of Friends. Those concerned with any Quaker-related school would agree that each institution has a continuing responsibility to discourage snobbishness and feelings of false superiority, to encourage economy and simplicity, and to cultivate a realization that with special opportunities go special obligations.
Queries
How can we most effectively foster a spirit of inquiry and a loving and understanding attitude?
What effort are we making to become better acquainted with the Bible, our Judeo-Christian heritage, the history and principles of Friends, and the contributions of other religions and philosophies to our spiritual heritage?
Do we take an active and supportive interest in schools, libraries, and other educational resources in our communities and elsewhere?
How do we prepare ourselves and our children to play active roles in a changing world?
Voices
But I showed them by the scriptures that there was an anointing within man to teach him and that the Lord would teach his people himself. George Fox, Journal
How is the Inward Teacher known? In joy and health, but also in loneliness and alienation; in the deepest encounters with other people and in dialogue with great ideas and works; in love but also in emptiness; in hunger but also in plenitude; in solitude but also in community. Wherever we are is the starting place for encountering the voice which can speak to our condition. We cannot compel the inner voice to speak, we can only try to practice openness and attention, and when we hear the voice we can only practice minding and answering. Paul A. Lacey, Education and the Inward Teacher
The fundamental religious education of the soul is conducted by the Holy Spirit, the living voice of God within us. He is the last and greatest teacher of the soul. All else is but pointings to the inward Teacher, the Spirit of the indwelling Christ. Until life is lived in the presence of this Teacher, we are apt to confuse knowledge of Church history and Biblical backgrounds with the true education of the soul that takes place in the listening life of prayer. Thomas R. Kelly, Reality of the Spiritual World
Lacking a creed, what is it we teach? Theology has been defined as faith reflected upon. For Friends, theology, or what takes the place of theology, is experience reflected upon. We begin by reflecting on our own experience, but as members of the Religious Society of Friends we are engaged in a corporate endeavor. Ours is not a do-it-yourself religion but a do-it-together religion.
Gene Hillman, Reflections on Quaker Religious Education for Adults, Friends Journal (July, 2003)
12/10-2 Attendance Approximately 26 Friends were present.
12/10-3 Clerks’ Report Presiding Clerk David Etheridge noted the way the Meeting Room had been reconfigured for this month’s Meeting for Business. The more intimate arrangement is intended to address the needs of the hearing impaired.
He said that the next 30 minutes would be devoted to worship sharing regarding renovations.
David announced that the Meeting had raised over $3,000 for the Citizens Foundation for relief efforts in Pakistan.
He also noted that the responses gleaned in renovation listening sessions had been forwarded to the Capital Improvements Task Force, who will consider those comments as well as others in helping the Meeting determine the way forward for renovation of the property
David expressed appreciation for the support of Bill Cousins, Susan Lepper and Merry Pearlstein, whose terms as co-Presiding Clerk, Alternate Clerk and Recording Clerk, respectively, expire at the end of the year.
Finally, he announced that there would be a pot luck luncheon in the Assembly Room at the rise of the meeting.
12/10- 4 Renovation Worship Sharing A Friend reflected on a taped lecture by Joseph Goldstein, a leading American teacher of Buddhist insight meditation. The lecturer observed that the architectural details in which he was involved in planning a forest refuge for meditation were all-consuming to the point that he found himself overly attached to specifics and losing awareness of the purpose for which the retreat was intended. The Friend cautioned that too ardent a focus on the details of our renovation could be a dangerous process that could lead individuals to champion and cling to certain features they hope will be incorporated in the final design. He urged us to maintain a certain level of detachment in the process, keeping our primary focus on preserving and strengthening our community.
Another Friend expressed confidence in the Meeting’s ability to achieve a sense of the Meeting without splitting the community.
A third voiced agreement that the renovation decision process is one of the most difficult ones facing the Meeting, and a fourth observed that we need constant reminders that the needs of the community override individual attachments to certain desired features of the renovated buildings.
A member of the Property Committee, citing many urban renewal (sometimes referred to as “Negro Removal”) projects, observed that many development projects, though planned with the best of intentions, often achieved results that were out of touch with the needs of the people they were intended to serve. He observed that, in contrast, he had seen members of the Meeting come together in the past few months working to effect important changes in our campus and actually living the change they wanted to achieve. The Friend observed that the Meeting is living and breathing renovation now, and that he was encouraged and moved by recent progress.
Another Friend noted that from the time of George Fox, Friends have understood that our spaces are not sacred, but have meaning in what they represent to us. He noted that, with minor exceptions, our community has historically erred on the side of caution in making decisions concerning our physical plant. He urged Friends to consider how the campus serves us and nurtures us as a community. He also expressed his appreciation to the Property Committee for showing us what is possible.
Still another said we need to be mindful of who we are as a community and guard against having a beautiful piece of real estate which is used primarily on Sunday mornings. He urged us to see ourselves and our campus as a community center, serving not only the needs of our members but also those of the community in which the Meeting is located.
A Friend who has recently joined the Capital Improvements Task Force confessed that she had originally thought of the renovations as a “big deal,” something that needed to be done “right,” but that in considering the process she had become aware of the fluidity of the meeting community, which she viewed as one of its strengths. Her current focus is on helping to determine the sense of the Meeting to enable it to move forward in developing spaces that can adapt to its changing needs.
Another Friend noted that although she had not found this morning’s Meeting for Worship particularly inspiring in other ways, she had become increasingly aware during the hour of the phrase “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” The Friend noted that in her current job search, she feels called upon to define her relationship to the Meeting and has realized that that relationship is almost entirely independent of the buildings themselves. She feels that perhaps it is time to let go of the idea of building the perfect space and to “step out on faith.”
12/10/-5 Capital Campaign Committee Grant Thompson requested that the Meeting approve the official establishment of the Capital Campaign Committee and authorize its members to have access to the Meeting’s donor information, with the understanding that such information would be kept confidential. Grant cited a memorial service he had attended that morning for Jimmie Newmyer at Sidwell Friends as a striking example of a richly intertwined community coming out in support of a loved one. He noted that in his role as liaison between the Finance and Stewardship and Property Committees, he had been amazed and delighted by the changes being wrought by the latter, and observed that those changes were not limited to physical space but also affected the sense of community within the Meeting.
Grant observed that fundraising is often perceived negatively, and that Friends, who tend to be wary of power, often associate money with power. One response to that is through service, and he cited the experiences of Marshall Sutton and others who had participated in hunger experiments as conscientious objectors during World War II. He also mentioned the experiences of Josiah Cadbury, founder of the Cadbury chocolate company, whose extensive investments in his company’s employees and community were richly rewarded with the loyalty of his employees and neighbors.
Grant urged the Meeting not to fear the capital campaign. He and Robinne Gray, Willy Wilson and Byron Sandford, had been meeting informally to discuss the capital campaign and believe it is time to seek the approval of the Meeting and begin their work. They see their mission as including reaching out to people who care and encouraging them in turn to contact others within the community and make them want to be part of the renovation efforts. They hope and expect that the process will galvanize the Meeting to move forward even if it isn’t yet clear what the nature and scope of renovations will be.
Loie Clark, Clerk of the Finance and Stewardship Committee, noted that her committee had met recently and minuted its approval of the establishment of the capital campaign committee as well as granting its members access to the Meeting’s donor information.
The Meeting APPROVED the formation of the Capital Campaign Committee. It also APPROVED making donor information available to members of the Capital Campaign Committee with the understanding that such information would be kept confidential.
12/10/-6 Report from the Nominating Committee Marcia Reecer, Interim Clerk of the Nominating Committee, presented the attached partial slate of officers, committee members, clerks and representatives for the year beginning January 1, 2011. Persons whose names are underlined on the attachment are those being newly nominated for those positions.
Marcia asked that the Meeting minute its thanks for Denny Hartzell, whom she said had “occupied every clerkship” during his years at Friends Meeting of Washington and is now in the process of relocating to Florida. The Meeting APPROVED a minute of appreciation for Denny Hartzell’s service.
Marcia noted that the Board of Trustees is self-nominating; current members nominate replacements. She also noted that members of the Nominating Committee are nominated by the Search Committee and approved by the Meeting. Nominations for all other positions are put forth by the Nominating Committee. As required in the Handbook, Marcia noted those persons serving on more than one standing committee, and asked for a waiver for Beverly Reader, who is nominated to serve on three committees. The Meeting APPROVED this waiver. There was a discussion concerning the wisdom of relying on too few people to perform too many tasks, and it was noted that, although it would be preferable for Friends to serve on only one committee at a time, our limited pool of persons willing to serve necessitates multiple commitments.
Marcia requested a waiver for John Scales to serve a third term on the Religious Education Committee, noting that John hopes within a year or so to find someone else to take over his adult education classes. Although Friends spoke warmly of John’s service, some expressed general reservations concerning extended service by any individual on a specific committee on the grounds that such extensions limited the individual’s ability to serve in other capacities and also had the tendency to discourage others from serving on the committee in question. Friends APPROVED the waiver for a third term for John Scales on the Religious Education Committee, but noted the general desirability of term limits.
Marcia said that the Nominating Committee would be contacting the clerks of the various committees to confirm committee membership.
A Friend suggested that the group which has been working on communications should be made an official committee of the Meeting. That item will be included in the order of worship for the January Meeting.
There was also a discussion concerning service by non-members on committees, which is again necessary due to the limited number of members available for such service. A Friend suggested that non-members willing to serve be encouraged to apply for membership.
Friends APPROVED the nominations on the attached listing of officers, committee members and representatives, and thanked Marcia Reecer and other members of the Nominating Committee for their excellent work.
12/10-7 Update from the Capital Improvements Task Force Tina Giffin, a member of the Capital Improvements Task Force, reported that the task force had had its first meeting and was committed to improved communications and to helping the Meeting reach a sense of the way forward. She also noted the considerable optimism expressed by members of the task force, and invited Friends who have ideas and concerns to share them with task force members.
12/10-8 Request for Marriage under the Care of the Meeting Susan Griffin, Clerk of the Marriage and Family Relations Committee, made the second presentation of a Request for Marriage under the Care of the Meeting of attenders Frank Taylor and Mark Meinke. The marriage is scheduled for March 26, 2011. She noted that Tom Libbert, Joe Izzo, and a member of the Marriage and Family Relations Committee to be named later would serve on the committee of oversight for the marriage. The Meeting APPROVED this request.
12/10-9 Update from the Finance and Stewardship Committee Grant Thompson, a member of the Finance and Stewardship Committee, reported that the Meeting has sufficient funds to meet payroll and other necessary expenses through the end of the year, but that, as always, additional contributions are needed for ongoing operations. It was noted that donations postmarked by December 31, 2010 will be acknowledged by the Meeting as having been received this calendar year.
12/10-10 Update from the Property Committee Neil Froemming, member of the Property Committee, presented the attached updated “Sticks and Bricks” report regarding recent activities of the Property Committee, noting that the report had been prepared too late to have been fully reviewed and approved by members of the committee. A Friend who noted the proposed leasing of additional space wondered how much space would remain for use by the Meeting for its activities. Neil responded that only spaces currently empty, including that formerly used by the School for Friends, were being marketed. The Committee expects to lease all of Carriage House, and is negotiating with Promundo for use of the top floor of the north wing of Quaker House, with a possible extension to the two attic rooms. Tenants are being sought for the first floor space of Quaker House not being used by the Peace Tax Fund, leaving only the Quaker House Living Room and the space formerly used as the School for Friends office open. It was noted that leasing revenue from these spaces could result in income of between $80,000 and $100,000 per year. Neil also noted that all leases are on a month-to-month basis.
12/10-11 Annual Report from Ministry and Worship Faith Williams, Clerk of the Ministry and Worship Committee, presented the attached annual report.
12/10-12 Report from the Liaison with American Friends Service Committee
Beverly Reader presented the attached overview of the work of the DC office of AFSC, which has focused on the human rights learning project and the workers rights project.
12/10-13 Other Marcia Reecer announced that the second annual Barbara Nnoka Memorial Lunch would be held on Sunday, January 30, 2011. Proceeds will support the Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Fund. Friends willing to help with planning and preparation are urged to contact Marcia.
12/10-14 Minutes The minutes were read and APPROVED.
12/10-13 Adjournment With approximately 22 Friends present, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. to reconvene as way opens on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 11:45 a.m.
Attachments to Minutes:
- Officers, Committee Members and Representatives Nominations (Note this attachment is at the end of the printed newsletter)
- Sticks and Bricks, Property Committee Interim Report
- Annual Report of the Ministry and Worship Committee
- Report from Liaison to American Friends Service Committee, DC
Officers, Committee Members, and Representatives
Nominations (Partial Slate) – December 12, 2010
Presiding Clerk: David Etheridge
Alternate Clerk: Meg Greene
Recording Clerk: Debby Churchman
Treasurer: Bob Meehan
Assistant Treasurer: Loie Clark (through 6/11)
Assistant Treasurer:
Financial Coordinator: Ed Hustead (through 6/11)
Special Positions
Historian: Hayden Wetzel Librarians: Jean Miller, Tom Epps
Administrative and Maintenance Services
Administrative Secretary: Tom Cooke
Assistant Secretary:
Bookkeeper: Laurie Wilner
Board of Trustees
(Terms change in October of year given)
2011 2013 2015
Judy Hubbard Mary Campbell Steve Coleman
Elise Storck David Etheridge Tracy Hart
Arne Paulson Bill Cousins John Scales
J.E. McNeil, Clerk Virginia Avanesyan
Standing Committees
(Terms change at end of year given)
2011 2012 2013
Finance and Stewardship
Loie Clark, Clerk Willy Wilson Jim Bell
Ed Hustead John Hurvitz Christopher Warren
Dick Bellin
Grant Thompson
Ex officio: Treasurer, FinancialCoordinator
Healing and Reconciliation
David Etheridge BeverlyReader Debby Churchman
Bill Cousins Marcia Reecer Merry Pearlstein,Co-Clerk
Susan Lepper Gray Handley, Co-Clerk Neil Froemming
Diane McDougall
Hospitality
Tom Libbert Frank Weiss, Co-Clerk Michael Conklin
Lib Segal Alex Mathews, Co-Clerk Susan Lepper
Judy Hubbard Pam Callard
Christopher Warren Sara Satterthwaite
Marcia Reecer
Robin Stanton
Library
Ray Allard Virginia Harris
Michael North, Clerk (until 12/10)
Ex officio:Librarian, liaison member from Records and Handbook
2011 2012 2013
Marriage and Family Relations
Erica Hurvitz Jane Edgerton Justine Kalas Reeves
Susan Griffin, Clerk Christine Lynn TaraTappert
F.T. Clark
Margot Greenlee
Membership
Harry Massey, Co-Clerk Monica Jacobe, Co-Clerk
Hayden Wetzel Jean Meyer Capps
Molly Tully
Gerri Williams
Ministry and Worship
Gray Handley Martha Willcox Kevin Camp
Stephen McDonnell Anne Harper
Robinne Gray
Faith Williams, Clerk
Debby Churchman
Nominating Committee
Beth Cogswell Meg Greene Arne Paulson
Diane McDougall Merry Pearlstein
Marcia Reecer, Interim Clerk
Peace and Social Concerns
Malachy Kilbride, Clerk Steve Brooks Susan Meehan
Paul Didisheim Beverly Reader
Ex officio: AFSC and FCNL Liaisons
Personal Aid
Jim Steen Pam Callard Janet Dinsmore, Clerk
Thurla McCash Beverly Reader Patty Murphy
Elizabeth Johnson
Sara Satterthwaite
Personnel
Bill Strein, Ed Hustead Bill Foskett
Byron Sandford Michael Cronin, Clerk
Ex officio:Presiding Clerk
2011 2012 2013
Property
Geoff Bannister Steve Coleman TaraTappert
Steve Brooks, Co-Clerk Andrew Lightman
Martha Solt, Co-Clerk
Neil Froemming
Ken Forsberg
Bruce Kellogg
Basil Kiwan
Ex officio:Administrative Secretary, Finance & Stewardship member
Records and Handbook
Todd Harvey Montague Kern, Clerk
J.E. McNeil
Ex officio:Recorder, Historian
Religious Education
Rob Farr Tracy Hart, Clerk Marsha Holliday
Virginia Avanesyan John Scales
Jonathan Ottke Charmaine Gilbreath
Justin Connor Patrick Lynam
Lynsey Wood Jeffries
Karen Taylor Kusterer
Special Committees
Annual appointments beginning January, unless specified:
Child Safety Committee
Marsha Holliday, Tracy Hart, John Scales
Garden Committee
Mark Haskell (Clerk), Mira Courpas, Bruce Kellogg, Tara Tappert, Gerri Williams
Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Fund
Anne Kendall (Clerk), Debby Churchman, Bill Strein, Tina Giffin, , Marcia Reecer, Mark Kawar, Holly Moore, Tia Duer, Monica Jacobe
Mary Walcott-Lucy Foster Educational Fund
Bruce Kellogg
Search Committee (October to October)
Sara Satterthwaite, Judy Hubbard
Senior Center Advisory Committee
Clem Swisher
The following committees have no specific terms:
Capital Improvement Task Force
Byron Sandford Ken Forsberg, Clerk Judy Hubbard
Robinne Gray Tina Giffin Neil Froemming
Justin Connor Steve Brooks Merry Pearlstein
FMW Capital Campaign Committee (pending)
Grant Thomson Byron Sandford Robinne Gray,
Willy Wilson
Hunger and Homelessness Task Force
C.J. Lewis, Co-Clerk John Watts Rita Carey
Steve Brooks, Co-Clerk Eric Nothman Faith Williams
Debby Churchman Michelle Williams
Susan Coleman Daryl Wagner
Beverly Darnell Jackie Vorhauer
Patty Murphy Gray Handley
CommunicationsCommittee
Steve Brooks Neil Froemming, Clerk Dick Bellin
Marcia Reecer Administrative Secretary Assistant Secretary
David Etheridge
Ad Hoc Committee for Special Events
Charmaine Gilbreath
Young Adult Friends
Kait Decker, Convenor
Representatives To Other Organizations
(One-year or three-year terms, as indicated)
Quaker Organizations
Meeting Liaisons:
American Friends Service Committee Beverly Reader
BYM Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee Michael Cronin
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends United Meeting J.E, McNeil
Right Sharing of World Resources Karen Grisez
Joan Gildemeister
Friends Non-Profit Housing, Inc. Board
2011 2012 2013
Willy Wilson, Clerk Dan Dozier
School for Friends Board
6/1/11 6/1/12 6/1/13
Michael Cronin Erica Hurvitz Julia Elliott
Molly Tully
William Penn House Board
Non-Quaker Organizations
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2-D
DC Council of Churches (Representative to Annual Meeting)
Susan Meehan
Property Committee Interim Report
December 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.
There’s a lot going on, and we struggle to move the work forward expeditiously while maintaining unity and constraining costs. Although we are using professional help where necessary, our efforts have benefited greatly from the work of many Friends who have pitched in to help, both on work days and at many other times.
“Storage Room”
The Northeast Room on the Meeting House ground floor (formerly the “Storage Room”) is getting a new face. FMW volunteers pitched in and made a lot of progress cleaning and prepping the room at the Work Day on November 20th. We expect to have new tile (covering the old asbestos tile), new paint, and other renovation work completed in time for the room to be useful to the Shoebox Project work on December 18th.
New Space Sharing Partner?
Promundo, a Brazilian NGO that seeks to promote gender equality and end violence against women, children and youth, is interested in occupying the three unused rooms on the second floor of the north wing of Quaker House, and we have approved that use. We are moving forward with renovation of those rooms by the end of the year, so that Promundo can move in. Painting, plumbing, electrical work, and new or renovated flooring are needed.
The work includes creation of a bypass corridor from the “Committee Room” to the hall at the top of the west stairs, so that traffic can move to and from the north wing without disturbing events taking place in the Quaker House living Room space.
Promundo is expected to contribute $24,000 per year to the revenue side of the property budget, putting us on track to meet our budget goals, and contributing to the cost of maintaining and improving our somewhat neglected facilities.
Thanks to Meg Greene for putting us in touch with Promundo. For more about their work, see their website: http://www.promundo.org.br/en.
Carriage House Renovation
Also in progress is work on the ground floor of Carriage House, to ready the space for occupancy by Tostan (who already occupy the upper floor). The anticipated work includes division of the former classroom into a conference room and two offices, with related renovations to the ceiling, walls, and (possibly) the floor. Conversion of one of the two existing bathrooms into an office kitchen is also proposed. When Tostan occupies the new space, they will contribute an additional $30,000 (approximately) to the annual property budget.
Quaker House Ground Floor
Work is moving forward on cleaning and renovating the southwest corner office on the ground floor of Quaker House, for re-occupancy by the Peace Tax Fund. Some plumbing, electrical, and woodworking is needed, along with extensive cleaning and other minor repairs and improvements.
Upon completion of the work, perhaps as early as the end of this month, PTF will be moving into that office and relinquishing their ground floor space in the north wing. We will then be able to move forward with renovation of that space in preparation for making it available as “incubator space” to be shared by small non-profit organizations that cannot afford larger, dedicated office space.
Meeting Offices
We are moving forward with plans to relocate the office of the FMW Administrative Secretary to the front office (southwest corner of the Meeting House), and to relocate the office of the bookkeeper to the space vacated by the Administrative Secretary. Preliminary discussions of the optimum long-term configuration of our office space are under way.
Ministry & Worship Committee Annual Report
This year the Ministry and Worship Committee focused on establishing a peaceful, inclusive spiritual community and continuing to increase our welcome.
Spiritual State of the Meeting Report.
As usual, we prepared this report, this time drawing from a session in Meeting for Worship for Business, as well as written comments.
Heads of Meeting. We arranged two six-month schedules of committees, so that members and attenders would be more aware of their work and could more easily join as they felt moved to.
Ministry and Worship recommended the Friendship Preparatory Meeting be officially closed (not enough people).
Welcoming Task Force.We supported enthusiastically the work of the new Ad Hoc welcoming task force. We worked on signage, on an easel for new members and a newcomers packet. We reviewed the website.
We drafted and presented to Monthly Meeting a letter to Mr. Obama inviting him to attend Meeting for worship but laid it down after Meeting for Worship for Business expressed reservations.
Workshops. This year the Ministry and Worship Committee had hoped to host a workshop on building Beloved Community early in 2010, but our Committee funds were depleted from Quaker Quest, and we could not fund the proposed outside speaker. We noted that the Religious Education Committee had hosted a number of events which kept the calendar quite full. The October 31 session on Eldering drew five attendees in addition to the three presenters; the 9:00 am time may have had an effect on attendance. Those who attended felt it was valuable. We have included, below, the information they gave us on “speed eldering”.
Our committee worked with the Planning Committee, and worked with Healing and Reconciliation Committee considering what to do with hurtful behavior in Meeting for Worship. Members also assisted with Religious Education.
Clearness Committees: We organized or completed three this year and held several less formal listening sessions with members who had raised particular concerns.
We made two recommendations for travel minutes. One clearness committee was for a friend concerned with conduct of Meeting for Worship for Business. Later we supported her as she brought her concern to Meeting for Worship for Business.
Memorial Services: There were four held under the care of the Meeting (Peter Craig, James Akins, Kie Sebastian, Elayne Bundy). There was a Memorial Meeting for Elise Boulding done jointly with Nonviolence International, plus a recent Unitarian memorial service for Betty Morris which was attended by several M&W Committee members. The family had originally requested a memorial in the manner of Friends and later modified it to be a Unitarian service.
Omissions. We did not work with Nominating Committee to recommend someone with a concern for ministry or pastoral care to participate in the meetings and responsibilities of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee.
Margaret Benefiel’s abbreviated
clearness committee routine
Reminder of confidentiality. Reminder that clarity sometimes comes later – comes with living with the questions.
1 Minute Take one minute of silence, holding the focus person in God’s presence, in tenderness, in your compassion, in Light, in warmth, holding the focus person in our awareness, cherishing him/her and his/her gifts.
4 Minutes As the focus person speaks, listen not only to the words, but to the deeper level (wisdom/truth within) of the person. Listen for God within the person.
1 Minute Now take time for clarifying questions that the focus person will answer, remembering that these are very brief informational questions.
2 Minutes Take two minutes to hold the focus person and the situation in God’s presence (compassion, in the Light) in the silence.
10 Minutes Now, still maintaining this prayerful (deeper, quieter) frame of mind, ask questions or make comments. Remember, the focus person won’t respond and someone will write down the questions and comments. Remember, the purpose of the questions and comments is to help the focus person go deeper in God (wisdom).
2 Minutes Now move into a time of prayer for the focus person. The focus person will choose what form of prayer s/he would like: silence, spoken prayer, a blessing, a song, something else. (Affirmations of his/her gifts, best hopes, etc.)
AFSC REPORT FROM LIAISON
D.C. Human Rights Learning Program
Almost two years ago, through the work of the American Friends Service Committee’s DC Peace and Economic Justice Program (AFSC- DC), Washington, DC was declared the first human rights city in the United States.
Since then, more than 500 students in the DC area have learned to use the human rights framework to promote peace and justice in their daily lives. They have developed peace clubs and presented testimony to the DC City Council in order to advocate for their rights.
The city-wide D.C. Human Rights People’s Movement has remained active and faithful to its two purposes: 1) To facilitate a process for human rights learning and framing of the various issues and struggles affecting the D.C. area using the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and 2) To facilitate a bottom-up process of coordinated actions and movement building for realizing human rights for all D.C. residents.
Over 185 students benefited from weekly sessions during the first semester of this school year in 2010. Under the leadership of DC area director, Jean-Louis Peta, students continue to respond to human rights learning with enthusiasm. With help from 6 local law students, working as AFSC/DC interns’, efforts to expand human rights learning in DC public schools continues to grow.
Fundraising events this past year included a simple meal and video presentation by Jean-Louis Peta at FMW this past spring, the Human Rights luncheon sponsored by the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area and the DC office of Human Rights and, this past evening, AFSC/DC had its annual holiday celebration/fundraiser. Also, AFSC received a grant for $10,000 from he Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation for continued support of the Human Rights Learning Project.
Finally, the project continues to expand with the addition of a full-time Stephen Cary fellow, Sara Ramey, an international human rights attorney who will work with Jean-Louis to further develop and expand the human rights curriculum this next calendar year.
Worker’s Right Project:
AFSC/DC continues to work with underprivileged workers through advocacy and education to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency. In collaboration with partners such as D.C. Jobs With Justice, English lessons were offered to day laborers gathered outside of the Home Depot on Rhode Island Avenue. Additionally, low-skilled workers are learning how to ask for unpaid wages as well as dignity and respect from employers through the “Know Your Rights” workshops provided by AFSC-DC and its partners, which also will continue through the upcoming year.
FMW NEWSLETTER January 2011
WINTER EVENTS
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 monthly potlucks the William Penn House provides low cost accommodations and Quaker centered programs and seminars. On Sunday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. FMW member Hayden Wetzel will describe a recent month long trip in four countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus and how his membership in two peace-making organizations shaped and enriched this experience. In Kyrgyzstan he met with two elderly ladies he has financially supported for eight years thru the local organization Babushka Adoption, which matched overseas sponsors with impoverished pensioners. In Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Armenia he stayed with local families and met other new friends thru the international organization Servas, which brings foreign travelers together with local residents to promote international friendships. All of this, and the other personal acquaintances he made on the trip made for an intense but highly rewarding vacation. The talk will be accompanied by photos, mostly of people and activities, but also of churches, mountains and outhouses.
The William Penn House is located at 515 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003.
It is an alcohol and tobacco free facility.
On Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the William Penn House is celebrating Byron Sandford’s ten years of service and dedication to the organization. The celebration will be held at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, Washington DC. The cost is $60 per person which includes fountain drinks and coffee. Bar service is available. Menu options will include chicken, fish, vegetarian and vegan choices. Friends are welcome to share stories, anecdotes and well wishes that speak to Byron’s service and character.
FMW’s Senior Center in January
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 Wednesday, January 12, Carol Coffee will present a slide show on Poland and Hungary. On Wednesday, January 26, Maurice Boyd will present a Program on Celebrate Carnival (Marti Gras is March 8) by listening to samba and bossa nova music of Brazil, with the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim featured. Come and find out what is a “Carioca”.
Living Our Queries
Please join the group and discussion as Friends discover how the monthly queries, advices and voices connect with our daily spiritual experiences. On scheduled Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the Quaker House Living Room F/friends will share how the queries for the coming month help us live our faith. Queries, advices and voices are available on the Baltimore Yearly Meeting web site. In January, two sessions are scheduled – On January 9, and on January 30. On Sunday, January 9 in the Quaker House Living Room the query to be discussed is Education. On Sunday, January 30, the query to be discussed is Simplicity. For more information, or questions contact Tracy Hart.
Adult Discussion Group
The Adult Discussion Group will meet on Sunday, January 9 at 9:15 a.m. and on Sunday, January 23 at 9:15 a.m. The Group meets in a corner of the Assembly Room. The group will continue to discuss Quaker leaders. Please watch the Sunday announcements or speak to John Scales about the group and discussion topics. It is not mandatory to attend every group meeting if a F/friend is interested in participating.
Inquirers Class 2011
Write on your 2011 calendar- the Inquirers class will start on Monday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. and will continue for 5 weeks through Monday, February 7. This is great way to learn more about Quakers and the Religious Society of Friends. Newcomers and not-so-newcomers are welcome. Attendance at all five sessions is not mandatory. For more information contact the FMW Office or speak with Michael Cronin.
Barbara Nnoka Memorial Luncheon
The second annual Barbara Nnoka Memorial lunch will take place on January 30, 2011, at rise of meeting. It will benefit one of Barbara's most cherished activities, the Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Fund, The fund, which has been going for over 30 years, helps talented graduates of DC public schools attend college. If you would like to help with the lunch, contact Marcia Reecer, 202-686-9266.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FMW Friendly 8’s Re-Opens
Friendly 8’s is an FMW program (and a Quaker tradition) in which members and attenders gather together in dinner groups, typically of 6-8 participants, on an informal basis to share a meal and fellowship together. Groups meet about one evening each month for a potluck meal, often times at the home of one of the group members who offers to host. All are welcome to join. There are currently five groups meeting, formed this fall, which have been meeting regularly this year. If there is sufficient interest, we may create one or more new groups starting in January, which would meet through the spring time, likely ending in May. Justin Connor coordinating this effort and would like to find out if anyone is interested in joining a newly forming group; if so please call (202) 709-7560 or justinconnoratgmail.com. (Please us the 'at symbol in this address). Kindly first review your schedule and fixed commitments so that you can express your preference with respect to the day(s) of the week to meet. Also, please send Justin your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
Thank You from Young Friends
Dear Friends Meeting of Washington,
Thanks You for your wonderful hospitality and letting us use your beautiful Meeting House! While at this conference we had many business meetings in which we worked on our current policies and what they mean to our community. We engaged in thought provoking workshops centered around social and political change. We had many deliciously prepared meals. We had committee meetings where we scheduled upcoming conferences, revised out handbook, discussed nominations for next years executive committee, and worked on a YouTube video for the It Gets Better project (supporting LQBTQ Youth), and last but not least had tons of fun at the super dance parties, a park trip, and just hanging out with friends.
Thanks you again for you great facility and fantastic Quaker awesomeness!
Love and Light,
The BYM Young Friends
(Editor note- the Baltimore Yearly Young Friends held a conference at FMW on the weekend of November 26-28, and had 85 Young friends in attendance).
Thinking About Race
The Blog of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Working Group on Racism:
The Working Group on Racism (WGR) has collaborated with Jim Rose, Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s web manager to create a blog to provide information and a forum for discussion about race. The URL is http://racismwg.bym-rsf.net.
The information there is available to all with internet access. The same is true for reading what is being said in the discussions. However, to participate actively in the discussion, you need to register with the BYM web manager and obtain a username and password.
To do that you go to http://bym-rsf.net/2010/07/20/2-getting-started and follow the instructions. Although it refers to people wanting to manage their Meeting’s or their committee’s website, this is also the way for anyone to register for getting a username and password. To register, send an email to webmanager@bym-rsf.net giving your name andthe name of your meeting or committee. Then just sit back and wait for a reply giving you your password.
You can type in that email address without going to the website, but since it is a “hot link” on the website, clicking it there will open an addressed email for you to send. You may suggest your own username, or let the web manager assign one to you. The system generates the passwords. As with most systems, if you would like to change the assigned password to one you choose, you scroll down to the bottom of the window described here and input a new one after you have received your initial password via return email.
Anyone registering is a “subscriber.” If you want to post any new items (other than commenting on existing post), you would contact Elizabeth DuVerlie at eduverlieatjhu.edu to obtain the status of “contributor.” Once designated as a “contributor,” you will get instructions for going to the blog’s “dashboard” and maneuvering there.
Questions? Email Elizabeth DuVerlie at eduverlieatjhu.edu or Jim Rose at Rose.Jimatverizon.net Please use the "at" symbol for the print "at" .
Events At Sandy Spring Friends School
There are so many exciting things happening here at SSFS. Tom Gibian is meeting with prospective families on January 12th and our camp, Summer at Sandy Spring is now registering campers for the 2011 season.
Sandy Spring Friends School Information Session and Lunch with new Head of School Tom Gibian on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Please arrive by 10 a.m. for tours and information session, followed by lunch with new Head of School Tom Gibian.
Sandy Spring Friends School, Is located at 16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860.
There is no need to pre-register and prospective students are welcome to attend. Please call Admissions at 301-774-7455 for more information.
Registration for Summer at Sandy Spring is now Open
Summer at Sandy Spring is a one-stop summer experience for all age ranges (4 to 18). Families can take advantage of the comfort and convenience of having all of your children in one place—while knowing that they’re having a great time. We are excited for you to meet our staff and to experience firsthand our beautiful 140 acre wooded campus and our top-notch facilities, streams, ponds, and challenge courses.
Feel free to call our camp office any time to request a catalog or to schedule a tour—we would love to show you around!
Summer at Sandy Spring, 16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Call 301-774-7455, ext. 167. .
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sarah Margolis
Community, Media and Public Relations
Sandy Spring Friends School
301-529-3613 (cell)
301-774-7455, ext.353
NEWS of FRIENDS
Francis Williams was born to FMW attenders Barrie and Penny Williams on October 31, 2010. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. at birth, and one month later he weighed 9 lbs 8 oz. All are doing well.