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SPRING
1999December 13, 1998
Salem Quarterly Meeting met December 13, 1998, at Salem Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, Salem Quarter Clerk, opened the meeting after a brief period of worship and welcomed everyone. She expressed thanks to Salem MM for hosting our session today.
Gloria reviewed items on the agenda, including committee reports, the treasurer’s report, the budget, and some peace and social concerns items.
Gloria first read a thank-you correspondence from John Harkins for supporting scholarships for Quaker children in the amount of $800 for three students. Friends were encouraged to attend the Meetings for Worship held on Thursday mornings at the Friends School: the Lower School meets at 9:05 for twenty minutes, and the Upper School meets at 10:20 for forty minutes.
Gloria asked for any corrections to the minutes for the September Quarterly Meeting; the minutes were approved as written.
Gloria announced that the Quarter needed to consider its process of designating two representatives to serve on the Friends School Board since there was a recommendation in the Handbook of Independent Schools that special groups not be included in determining board members. It was reported that the Bylaws of the Friends School state that the Board must be comprised of more than fifty percent Quakers. Lengthy intense discussion of the situation yielded consensus that as a Quarter we should continue to nominate two Friends from the Quarter for consideration as Board members. It was decided that these individuals will be listed on our Quarter list of nominations and their terms will coincide with the school’s terms; however, the two Friends will no longer be designated as Quarter representatives on the school’s list.
Lois Dinshaw brought forth a social concern to enlist Quarter support; Gloria presented a minute from Mullica Hill MM supporting Lois in developing a Criminal/Restorative Justice Newsletter. Lois requested financial support from each MM if possible, with a suggested amount of $100. Mario Cavallini reported that Mickleton MM already has provided a minute of support as well as some financial aid for the project. Gloria noted that Lois needs Quarter support to progress to the PYM Peace and Social Concerns Committee. Friends agreed to provide a minute of support for the newsletter and to consider providing Quarter funds to support this project when we develop our next Quarter Budget. Some Friends expressed there is a need for developing a PYM Testimonies and Concerns Newsletter which would combine different social issues.
Diane Metz announced the requests from a Friend who will be visiting the country of Belize, for prayers and financial support; David Romberger from Seaville MM plans to leave at the end of January to work in a school and facilitate the start of Quaker communities. Friends agreed to provide prayer support as well as $100 from the Quarter. Diane will fax information to Phil Anthony, our Quarter Coordinator, to put the prayer request in the next newsletter. Individual donations for the cause should go to the Quarter with a designation on the check.
Diane also reported a serious concern about the leak at the Salem Nuclear Reactor in December. She summarized some information from the press conference she attended yesterday: The leak was originally classified as “an unusual event” when it should have been “an alert” according to one scientist who stressed that “it was one step away from a meltdown.” She noted that many groups are now involved in the Unplug Salem Campaign; nevertheless, at this time she is urging letters of support “Not to restart the Salem Two Plant” be sent to Frank LoBiondo ASAP. She agreed to send information directly to each MM concerning the grave situation.
Jeff Summerton announced a special Super Bowl combination service and outreach opportunity, called “The Souper Bowl of Caring,” which entails different congregations nationwide donating money to charities with the total amount given and the number of churches participating being reported on television during the Super Bowl Game on January 31. Jeff generously offered a friendly challenge to Friends at each MM in the Quarter: He will make a symbolic “matching” financial donation to each MM who participates in raising funds for a charity project of its choice. Jeff agreed to forward further information to the Steering Committee to disseminate to MMs.
Mario shared two minutes approved by Mickleton MM: (1) Nuclear Weapons Taboo, and (2) Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament (see written minutes). He referred to the first, which was printed in the current newsletter; he read the second and distributed copies of both. He noted that Mickleton MM sent the political minutes to lawmakers and the President. He requested support from the Quarter for the two minutes. He emphasized that “just because there are criminals doesn’t mean you don’t make a law.” Friends supported the minutes and will forward these to PYM acknowledging that we hope to support this concern further with action as we are able. Friends also agreed to send the Nuclear Disarmament minute to lawmakers and the President and the Nuclear Weapons Taboo Minute to newspapers through “Letters to the Editor.” It was agreed to send the two minutes also to Methodist and Mennonite churches; Mario will compose the needed correspondence.
Gloria announced that she had received information from the Board of Directors of the Fiduciary Company concerning a new agreement which clarifies the relationship between the Fiduciary and its constituents and provides assurance of limited liability to the Fiduciary and it constituents. It was agreed that Gloria will sign the necessary page for the Quarter.
Sue Price Redfern provided the Treasurer’s Report and the Financial Annual Report for the Quarter (see reports); then she presented the Budget for next year (1999-2000) as prepared by the Quarter Finance Committee. The Annual Report was accepted providing a question was answered concerning the actual Coordinator’s amount. Sue noted that all Quarter Committees’ requests were supported fully in the budget. Friends approved the proposed budget as presented. After discussing the pros and cons of including the financial details in the Quarter Newsletter, Friends agreed to print all the financial information but with smaller print in the next newsletter.
Mario, the new Treasurer of the Steering Committee, presented the proposed Coordinator’s Budget for the year 2000-2001. He noted that we are currently using “Coordinator Surplus Funds” to pay for the family health insurance for Phil; however, the surplus will be gone soon, which will require the Quarter to pay the full amount through budgeted funds. He also noted that in recent past our PYM funding shrunk from 25% to 10% but during the last few years we have been raising the funding back to the original 25% level. Friends suggested that next year’s Coordinator Budget include a step increase to start funds accumulating to pay for the family health insurance since the surplus will run out in two years.
Gloria announced that there was a new MM in PYM: Towanda MM; accordingly, it was agreed to minute a welcome to Towanda MM.
Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, submitted a written report which was read aloud:
This committee met on 12/11/98 when Phil Anthony facilitated a presentation on leadings. Members carried queries on leadings back to their MMs for further consideration. An increasing need for silent retreats was discussed. Woodbury MM issued an invitation to the Quarter to attend their retreat on January 23rd. Consensus was reached to sponsor a Quarter silent retreat to be held on April 24th. The next Quarterly Worship and Ministry Committee Meeting will be held in March the Friday before Quarterly Meeting at the home of the Warners.
Sondra Ball, Co-Clerk of the Youth Committee, reported that the Quarter teen-agers really enjoyed sleeping at the Crispins’ farm last night. She noted that the teens are planning a silent retreat and meditation workshop for January and/or February and then another sleepover in March. Friends were reminded of the teen opportunities at Burlington Meeting House.
Cindy Cox Crispin, Co-Clerk of the Quarter Outreach Committee, encouraged Friends to read about the various outreach activities in the Outreach Committee Meeting Minutes which were printed in the Salem Quarter Newsletter. She emphasized the importance of all MMs participating in this Quarter Committee and reminded Friends that the next meeting will be held at Woodstown Meetinghouse on Sunday, January 10, with a covered dish lunch at 1:00 p.m. and meeting to convene at 1:30 p.m.
Mario reported on the web site development. The Quarter approved Mario being the designated agent for posting Quarter items to the PYM web page. He will be supervised by the Quarter Outreach Committee.
Bob Horvay announced that there will be a Pre-Youthquake Meeting in October 1999, and information concerning an essay contest to be sponsored by the Outreach Committee for the students of the Friends School will be presented to the Quarter Outreach Committee in January.
Gloria closed the meeting with a period of worship.
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