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WINTER
2000 September 10, 2000
Salem Quarterly Meeting met September 10, 2000, at the Greenwich Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, Clerk, opened the meeting with a brief period of worship. She greeted everyone, with a special welcome to the new PYM Adult Religious Education Coordinator, Gene Hillman, and thanked Greenwich MM for making Friends so welcome. She reviewed the agenda, which included committee reports, PYM communications, social concerns issues, her Annual Report, and announcements.
Gloria asked Friends to review the June Quarterly Meeting Minutes printed in the most recent Salem Quarter Newsletter. The minutes were approved with the substitution of “Southern State Prison” for “Salem Prison.”
Sue Price-Redfern, Assistant Treasurer for the Quarter, provided an end of the year report. She noted that the MM covenants were submitted for the year as planned; Gloria expressed appreciation to all MMs for their cooperation. Sue noted that the Quarter now has a surplus due to underspending; the Quarter Finance Committee will review the situation and propose a plan for the extra funds. It was noted that $500 remains in the budget for Youth and $840 exists for Outreach despite those Quarter Committees having been laid down. Friends suggested that we examine what caused the surpluses in deciding how the money should be allocated. For example, George Crispin saved the Quarter $2,700 budgeted for “Maintaining Quarter Properties” by his volunteer services. The recommendation was made that some reserve funds be maintained for “use as needed” to ameliorate the problems experienced last year due to unexpected increased insurance costs.
Gloria announced that PYM is requesting topics for its annual sessions for March and July 2001. The planning group will meet October 24 to begin the agenda; Friends were instructed to present their ideas in writing by October 11. Phil reminded Friends of his availability to facilitate discussions concerning the PYM Queries.
Gloria noted that she had completed the Salem Quarter Annual Report and encouraged Friends to read it in the next newsletter.
Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, reported that Friends who attended the Quarter Retreat strongly praised the excellent program on “Conflict Resolution” for both the adults and the children. Gloria presented a photo display of “Retreat Moments” for everyone to enjoy; many Friends affirmed the exceptional value of this recent weekend retreat. Mary noted that the Retreat Planning Committee met at Alloway’s Creek recently to evaluate the gathering and initiate tentative plans for next year. Phil was requested to include information about the retreat in the next newsletter. Mary also reported that at the recent Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee Meeting representatives from five MMs benefitted from the profound worship sharing on the topic “How MMs Deal with Ideological and Spiritual Differences.” Mary announced that the next Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee Meeting will be held Friday, December 8.
Gloria explained that the Steering Committee has developed a special interactive program for the December Quarterly Meeting on “The Work of Overseers” where all Friends will divide into groups for facilitated discussion. She noted that MM Overseers will be invited to participate in leadership roles. Friends were requested to inform our Coordinator of new Clerks of MM Committees.
Mario Cavallini shared about an unusual “Joint Nuclear Reduction and Disarmament Statement” developed and signed by both church and military representatives at a conference at the National Cathedral.
Gloria read a written Trustees Report submitted by George Crispin, Clerk of Quarter Trustees which noted the good news that an inspection of the Alloway’s Creek Meetinghouse has found little evidence of termites; unfortunately, the Trustees now need to address damage inflicted by post beetles. George reported that his frequent mowing and clipping trips managed to keep up with the vigorous grass growing produced by the wet summer. He emphasized that the Trustees support the Ad Hoc Group of Friends meeting to discern potential uses of and improvements to the old Alloway’s Creek Meetinghouse.
Gloria highlighted the excellent program concerning the Alloway’s Creek Meetinghouse which Friends enjoyed at the last Quarterly Meeting. She noted that Friends strongly supported maintaining the building as historically correct as possible and using it for various purposes. She read a report of the minutes concerning the recent Alloway’s Creek Meeting convened by George and Mario in which ideas for maintenance and improvements were prioritized, including: repairing the building, increasing electric outlets, making the wood stoves usable, and building a small annex (which might be expandable). A request was made for volunteer architectural service to assist in developing careful plans. Sue noted that although $45,000 exists in the Alloway’s Creek Fund, the Quarter generally limits its spending to the interest earned. Friends suggested checking PYM and other sources for possible money available to assist with the maintenance and expansion of old Meetinghouses. Gloria acknowledged the strong support for the continuation of this working group. Friends were encouraged to attend the next meeting scheduled for October 15 at Alloway’s Creek, starting with a potluck supper at 5 PM.
Lois Dinshah reported that she has experienced significant difficulties concerning recent publications of the Criminal Justice Newsletter. She expressed concern that the conference she had planned to attend had raised its registration fees significantly. After clarification of specific costs and amounts already budgeted, Friends reiterated their support for her participation in the conference and accordingly approved $400 more Quarter funds to enable her to attend the conference; the Quarter Finance Committee will recommend which specific funds will be used. The suggestion was made that whenever possible Friends should contact the Quarter Finance Committee prior to making a financial request for a project to enable the Committee to discern where funds might be available to support the project if it receives approval from the Quarter.
Sue mentioned that as agreed at the June Quarterly Meeting, she will ask Judy Suplee to attend Quarterly Meeting to suggest ways the Quarter might be helpful in raising funds for the Friends School.
Phil Anthony requested that the Quarter allocate some funds to provide snacks for the children during Quarterly Meetings; Friends approved the purchase of small snacks.
Phil announced that due to PYM’s elimination of its mailing machine, he will need to investigate bulk mailing for our Quarter mailings.
Gene Hillman, the PYM Adult Religious Education Coordinator, greeted Friends and provided a brief description of his new position, emphasizing his priorities of consulting with MMs and establishing a data base for MMs. He encouraged Friends to contact him with suggestions or questions about adult religious education.
Bob Horvay announced that young Friends in our Quarter might want to participate in the gathering for teens in Chicago which is in preparation for Youthquake. He noted that there is also a sleepover for teens at Woodstown Meetinghouse during the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Friends were encouraged to attend the Tri-Quarter Conference, whose theme this year is “It Takes a Village to Raise a Friend.” This special gathering, which is being hosted by Salem Quarter this year, will be held at Camp Ockanickon the weekend of September 29. Phil reported that the Friends Institute has become active again and is offering a weekend event for adults at the Burlington Meeting House on this same weekend.
Gloria thanked Greenwich MM again for hosting the Quarterly Meeting, and thanked Mullica Hill MM for providing desserts today. She also expressed great appreciation to all Friends whose commitments lead them to work in various capacities for the Quarter. She closed the Meeting after a brief period of worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
