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WINTER
1999 September 12, 1999
Salem Quarterly Meeting met September 12, 1999, at Greenwich Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, our Clerk, opened the the meeting with a brief period of worship. She welcomed everyone and expressed thanks for Friends’ prayers concerning her son and she reported he is recovering nicely. She thanked Chris Mahon for clerking our last meeting.
Gloria asked Friends to review the June minutes printed in the most recent Salem Quarter News. The minutes were approved with minor corrections.
Gloria asked Phil Anthony, our Quarter Coordinator, to introduce Sarah Glover, a photographer from the Philadelphia Inquirer, who was requesting to take pictures of our meeting to print in connection with a future article about Salem Quarter Quakers. The Meeting approved the photographs.
Gloria introduced Libby Marsh from PYM’s Peace and Concerns Standing Committee as the speaker for our program on leadings. For our guests, Gloria asked each Friend present to state his or her name and Monthly Meeting (MM).
Gloria read correspondence to the Quarter. In his letter to the Quarter, Ben Carpenter from Salem Monthly Meeting thanked the Quarter for his scholarship money. John Harkins from Mullica Hill Friends School wrote to thank the Quarter for the scholarship money assisting four students to attend Friends School; he noted increased enrollment this year. Gloria noted that mailings will be forthcoming conerning the Amos and Eleanor Bond Scholarship Fund, and she encouraged Friends to support the Friends School by purchasing Friendow Coupons. She also reminded Friends to support the school by attending meetings for worship held each Thursday during the school year: Lower School at 9:05 AM and Upper School at 10:20 AM. She also requested Friends to support the Building Fund, which is replacing an old building and expanding the school. Lastly, she encouraged Friends to assist with and/or attend the annual Friends Fair scheduled for October.
Gloria reported that the Quarter had received a $25 memorial donation in June concerning Mary Eitzel Locke.
Sue Price-Redfern, our Assistant Treasurer, provided an Annual Financial Report for the Quarter. She noted that we did not have to use some of the surplus funds that we had expected to use; thus, we only used $3,400 rather than $4,100. Details will be included in the written reports in the Quarter Newsletter [print only]. She also presented the Quarter Financial Report, noting no areas of concern. She announced that the Finance Committee will be implementing a quarterly reminder to MMs concerning Covenants. Gloria thanked Sue for her accountability of such challenging financial details and thanked the Finance Committee for its helpful notices and work throughout the year. Gloria noted that Sue will be reporting our Quarter Covenant to PYM on November 6. Accordingly, each MM needs to decide its covenant to the Quarter (including the PYM portion) ASAP; any questions should be directed to Sue. Friends were reminded that the covenant system entails each MM giving what it truly can each year.
George Crispin, Clerk of Quarter Trustees, reported that Billy Smith, the volunteer Eagle Scout, had worked during the summer on the Port Elizabeth Graveyard. George will write a final letter confirming the young man’s completion of: stonewashing the wall, making a new sign and gate, and mowing and maintaining the grounds. George stated that he had received a call about prisoners mowing Port Elizabeth’s Graveyard; however, mowing this past summer was episodic due to the drought and volunteers were able to keep all Quarter properties maintained, saving considerable money for the Quarter. He reported that four Sunday sessions were held at Alloway Creek Meetinghouse (one was cancelled due to heat); at each session, Friends enjoyed a potluck supper, a spiritual dialogue, and a short meeting for worship. George discussed possible future building plans, including replacing the woodstoves and piping to assist in drying out the walls; he noted that Partners for Sacred Places had conveyed that silicon was not recommended. It was announced that the Trust Fund for Alloway Creek was collecting good interest due to the volunteers’ work and that there was also the $5,000 bequest available. George reported that there had been two burials at Harmersville Cemetery and one plot purchased. He raised the question of how records should be kept; it was decided that copies of letters concerning such transactions will be given the the Assistant Clerk of Trustees, the Coordinator, and Clerk of the Quarter. George stated that he is making inquiries concerning how to clean old meetinghouses, including the correct soap and/or oil for benches. He announced spring plans for another Quarter Intergenerational Workday to clean up Quarter properties. Friends accepted the Trustee Report and suggested inviting Billy Smith to the December Quarterly Meeting to receive a Minute of Appreciation, signed by Gloria for the Quarter; it was also suggested that Quarter Friends be represented at the young man’s Scout ceremony.
Cindy Cox Crispin, Co-Clerk of the Quarter Outreach Committee, reported that the next Committee Meeting will be held at 1:00 PM on November 7 at the Woodbury Meetinghouse. During this Committee hiatus, the focus is on MM projects and Quarter reports.
Biz Thomas, from Woodbury MM, reported that some funds have been found to support Camp Darkwaters as a Quaker facility; however, more support is needed. Chris Mahon noted that we must consider the time commitment of Friends who will be needed to serve on Support Committees, as our Quarter is still looking for a replacement for Mike Ayars to serve on the Burlington Support Committee. It was decided to minute our interest in the Darkwaters project and invite individuals to become involved as led; an update report will be presented at the December Quarterly Meeting.
Gloria read the Salem Quarter Annual Report she submitted to PYM, for July–June 1999 (see written statement). She requested that each MM submit information to her in a timely fashion so that she can write her report and present it to the Quarter at its June Meeting. Friends approved including her report in the next Quarter Newsletter.
Gloria noted a detailed report regarding costs for production of the Criminal Justice Newsletter which Lois Dinshah submitted. Lois stated she had sufficient PYM money for her Newsletter through June 2000; therefore, Mickleton MM’s pledged support for the Newsletter is being directed toward conferences. Friends approved the idea of putting information about Criminal Justice in our Quarter Newsletter.
Mario Cavallini read a report from Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee (see report). It noted that the Committee had sponsored the Quarter Retreat in August; the evaluations of the Retreat will be examined and a decision will be made concerning having next year’s Retreat. The Committee discussed the concern about lack of Quaker clergy with regard to hospitalized patients; each MM needs to report suggestions about this situation to Mary Waddington. The Committee requests feedback concerning interest in reviving the mid-week travelling Meetings for Worship.
Phil announced that an open Retreat Planning Meeting has been scheduled for 12:30 PM Thursday, October 14, at the Woodstown Meetinghouse. All interested Friends are welcome.
Mario, Treasurer of the Steering Committee, reported that we are almost exactly on target for the Coordinator Budget (see written report). Jack Mahon, Clerk of the Steering Committee, added that the Budget for 2000-2001 has been submitted to PYM.
Mario reported on progress of the Ad Hoc Working Group established for the Kosovo refugees. He expressed the interest of the Committee in altering its efforts to include other refugees and to work in conjunction with an Ecumenical Group (Prime-ECR). Friends approved the expanded refugee efforts and approved Biz Thomas as an observer of the Board of the Ecumincal Group. Sandy Boone offered to share written materials at the next Quarterly Meeting.
Sondra Ball, Clerk of the Quarter Youth Committee, reported that the Committee is an enthusiastic group, planning various intergenerational events throughout the year. She stated that information from families is needed to make the program work and asked Friends to complete the available forms.
Phil requested approval of the $400 targeted for the Tri-Quarterly Gathering. Gloria indicated that the funds have already been approved; therefore, he will contact the Quarter Treasurer to have the check written and mailed. Friends were encouraged to attend the Tri-Quarterly Gathering later this month.
George made a suggestion that Friends support a minute of objection to the cemetery wall being destroyed at Burlington Meetinghouse. Discussion ensued about the merits of the wall vs. the enormous cost of repairing and replacing the wall. Gloria determined that the sense of the Meeting was to support the decision of the Burlington Committe who had investigated different options for two years.
It was announced that the Federal Government has donated 150 old computers for the computer donation project; accordingly, Friends are needed to assist in moving boxes on Friday.
Friends were encouraged also to attend Mickleton MM’s Bicentennial Celebration which includes meeting for worship at 10:00 AM and a free lunch for those gathered.
Gloria announced that memorial services have recently been held for Betty Scott and Helen Thompson. Friends held their families in the Light.
Friends were invited to partake in a parenting class being hosted by Woodstown MM. The six week class, “Raising Children in a Quaker Way,” will start October 7. Those interested should call Chris Mahon.
Gloria thanked Greenwich MM for hosting the Quarterly Meeting and closed the Meeting after a brief period of worship.
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
