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SPRING
2000 December 12, 1999
Salem Quarterly Meeting met December 12, 1999, at the Woodbury Meetinghouse. Our Clerk, Gloria Horvay, welcomed everyone and opened the meeting after a brief period of worship. She highlighted some of the items on the agenda: Quarter committee reports, and financial matters. The minutes were approved; then, Gloria thanked Woodbury MM for hosting the Quarterly Meeting and coordinating the Stone Soup Supper.
Gloria read a beautiful note from Sarah Glover who took photographs for the recent article published in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Quakers in South Jersey. She announced that Bob Horvay would display FGC books for sale during dinner and emphasized that all books sold earn a 20% credit for the Quarter which Phil uses to purchase materials.
FGC Books, Friendow Coupons Available Again at March QM Once again, Bob Horvay will have a selection of books from the Friends General Conference Bookstore available for purchase at our next quarterly meeting at Woodstown MM on 12 March. Bob will also have Friendow coupons from Mullica Hill Friends School available for purchase.
He asks that if possible, payment be made by check, and regrets that he cannot accept credit cards for purchases.
Gloria encouraged Friends to purchase Friendow Coupons from Bob today [see sidebar at right], noting that while there is no cost to use them (the purchaser gets 100% of the dollar value), the Friends School obtains 5% of the profits. She urged all Friends in the Quarter to use the coupons all year for the various local grocery and other stores. She also announced that the Friends School PTO is selling magazines to raise funds for which they earn 40% profit, even for renewals.
Gloria reviewed the schedule for today: Stone Soup Supper at 5:00, program at 6:30, music by Friends School at 7:30, followed by candlelight worship at 8:00. Cindy Cox Crispin thanked all MMs who contributed vegetables for the Stone Soup.
Sue Price-Redfern provided the Quarter Treasurer’s Report (see report) [not online]. Clarification of an amount listed for the Education Committee was requested; thereupon, the report was received with appreciation. Sue also presented the Finance Report which included a proposed budget for next year. She noted the resolution by the Finance Committee to cover insurance for the Coordinator’s family which has produced a financial challenge to the Quarter considering that several MMs have reported severely limited covenant donations. She emphasized that the proposed budget established fairly constant funds for the Quarter Committees; however, the Trustees have requested extra funds for property repairs. Discussion ensued concerning the best way to finance the needed property repairs; it was decided to check with our Quarter Treasurer to determine if the Alloway Creek Funds legally can be allocated for the Maurice River property also. The proposed budget was considered a first draft due to incomplete financial commitments from MMs; therefore, since it remains a fluid document, Friends decided that it will not be published in the Quarter Newsletter. Sue urged Woodstown and Salem MMs to respond with their definite covenant commitments by January.
Gloria reported significant progress for the Quarter Outreach Committee in that the ordered copies of the two Quaker videotapes have finally been received and can be distributed to local libraries and schools. It was decided that selected Quaker books will be disbursed at the same time and that due to her library and school contacts and expertise, Gloria will represent the Outreach Committee in coordinating the distribution. Cindy, Co-Clerk of the Outreach Committee, encouraged Friends to attend the next meeting, which will be held as soon as possible in the New Year.
Chris Mahon announced that there is a new art teacher at the Friends School who conducted an excellent program for Woodstown MM; she suggested he might do the same for other MMs. She encouraged Friends to view the exhibit on The Peaceable Kingdom on display at the Philadelphia Art Museum through December.
Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, reported that the Committee met on December 10. She requested all MMs to indicate their interest in resuming midweek Quarter worship; this will be discussed at the June meeting. Mary noted that during the meeting, the Committee focused on queries concerning the right sharing of world resources. She announced that the theme for our next yearly Quarterly Retreat (August 11-13) will be “Conflict: Opportunity for Spiritual Growth.” Fliers on future silent retreats were distributed.
Volunteers and nominations were requested for the PYM Nominating Committee to obtain more grassroots support for the five Standing Committees: General Services (Properties and Finances), Support and Outreach, Peace and Concerns, Worship and Care, and Education. There are descriptions of these committees available at each MM, at the Coordinator’s Office, and on the Quarter web page.
Mario Cavallini reported on behalf of the Steering Committee that a subcommittee is in the process of conducting the evaluation of the Coordinator; he noted that the Steering Committee plans to alter the evaluation process for next year.
Sondra Ball, Clerk of the Quarter Youth Committee, reported that significant reflection and consultation with the Steering Committee led her to suggest laying down the Quarter Youth Committee due to lack of commitment from Quarter Friends. After discussing various ways to offer gatherings of children from different MMs, Friends approved her suggestion with regret; accordingly, it was decided to change the Youth Committee’s funds back to a line item in the Quarter Budget (rather than listed under the Youth Committee). Great appreciation was expressed for the dedication and service of Sondra and the Crispins in providing past Quarter youth activities.
Friends also voiced appreciation of the Quarter Clerk and Assistant Clerk, for the excellent conduction of Quarterly Meetings, and the recording of Minutes, respectively.
George Crispin, Clerk of Trustees, reported that the Boy Scout is still working on the Maurice River Cemetery project; therefore, he suggested that we invite the young man to attend our March Quarterly Meeting. Regarding property repairs, George explained that extensive research and consultation with “old building specialists” has yielded the necessity to repoint the north wall at Alloways Creek Meetinghouse; accordingly, Torrey Reade located Allan Sloane who quoted $4,800 to complete the repointing and some repairs to the wooden structures. George stated that he will send a letter on behalf of the Quarter to Torrey Reade for her dedication to the Alloways Creek repairs. Friends approved the funds for the repairs as suggested by the Trustees. George indicated that other long-range plans include addressing the shutters, cleaning up the Harmersville and old Alloway cemeteries, and possibly replacing the woodstoves and piping to make the Alloways Creek Meetinghouse more useable. A minute of appreciation was approved for the continued hard work by George and the other Trustees to maintain Quarter properties.
Bob Horvay announced that Mickleton MM is hosting FGC’s Long Range Planning Group March 2–5 and may need some Quarter “hosts” (open homes) for out-of-town Friends; he noted that only a bed, access to a refrigerator, and possibly some transportation would be involved since Mickleton will provide lunch and dinner to the expected 15–20 people. Bob also encouraged Friends to review the materials he had brought concerning various Quaker activities; he highlighted a Religious Education Conference to be held in Virginia August 17–20.
Care Commitee in Haddonfield
Priscilla Adams
Peace Field Secretary, Haddonfield Quarter[The following item first appeared in Peace Piece for December 1999 — Ed.]
Haddonfield Quarter has established its first Quarter Care Committee after seeing the wonderful results of such committees in Salem Quarter. Quarter Care Committees are generally established when an individual or family of Friends has a greater need for support than their own Meeting can provide and would benefit from the resources of a larger group of Friends.
The care committee is somewhat similar to an Overseers Committee with members from different Meetings. It meets with the individual or family in a worshipful way to seek clearness about ways that our broader group of Friends can support the individual/family and their Meeting.
Our Quarter Care Committee started this summer and has had a profound effect on all involved. The family the committee came together for has said that the committee's assistance and even the committee's existence have had a moving and powerful positive effect. The members of the committee have each said repeatedly that being part of the committee has been a gift to them and that they have received far more than they have given. The family and the committee members all have said they feel uplifted by the experience and closer to God and each other. Thanks to the family, the Quarter Care Committee, and the individuals throughout the Quarter who have helped.
Phil Anthony, Quarter Coordinator, shared a Peace Piece article about Priscilla Adams’ progress with her war tax protest [see sidebar at right]. He noted his assistance to develop Haddenfield’s first Quarter Care Committee and Priscilla’s wonderful description of what comprises a Care Committee.
Friends were reminded of the opportunities to purchase FGC books and Friendow Coupons during the dinner break. Gloria thanked everyone for participating in this Quarterly Meeting and all the Friends who continue to work hard for the Quarter all year long.
Gloria asked Friends to join in a short period of worship to close the meeting; however, she interrupted the worship when Keith Ragone, Clerk of the Board of Trustees for the Friends School arrived with a short announcement. He stated that he was present on behalf of the Friends School to honor Gloria for her many years of service to the Board and school; he surprised Gloria by presenting her with a special plaque representing the Dorothy Kramme award.
The Quarterly Meeting ended amid applause for Gloria and handshakes all around.
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
