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FALL 2001
June 10, 2001
Salem Quarterly Meeting met June 10, 2001, at Mullica Hill Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, our Clerk, opened the meeting after a brief period of worship, welcomed Friends, and thanked Mullica Hill Monthly Meeting (MM) for hosting. She expressed special appreciation for the First Day School volunteers who provided meaningful program activities for the children and to the performers from the Friends School who furnished beautiful music. Gloria noted she will send a thank-you letter to the school.
Gloria reviewed items on the agenda and a name correction was approved for the minutes printed in the newsletter: “The Abolish Nuclear Weapons Working Group.” Gloria announced that she now has a notebook of Quarterly Minutes from 1986, which she displayed. Friends thanked her for completing the task of compiling the official records. For archival purposes, she will copy the minutes onto acid-free paper and send them to Swarthmore to update our permanent records there.
Gloria read correspondence from Woodstown MM thanking the Quarter for our annual financial contribution toward utilities and building expenses regarding our use of the Coordinator’s Office.
Gloria provided a financial report from Sue Price-Redfern, Assistant Treasurer for the Quarter (see pp. 19–20). She noted that $7,300 was an overpayment to PYM which was allocated toward our current year’s expenses, so our finances are cleared for June 2001 to start the new fiscal year in July. Friends accepted the budget report as presented.
Mario Cavallini, Clerk of the Quarter Steering Committee, announced that Phil Anthony, our Quarter Coordinator, has been asked to serve as Clerk of Regional Staff. He urged Friends to register for the Quarter Retreat, which will be held the first weekend in August at Mickleton MM’s Little Red School House. He also publicized the Overseers Conference entitled, “Care in the Meeting Community: Balancing Compassion, Responsibility and Resources,” which will discuss concerns of Burlington, Haddonfield, and Salem Quarters on Saturday, November 3.
Mario also encouraged Friends to attend the annual Tri-Quarter Gathering scheduled for the last weekend in September at Camp Ockanickon. Cards imprinted with “Refilling Our Cup,” this year’s revitalizing theme, were distributed by Cindy Cox Crispin, who is serving as the Registrar of the event. Phil shared some of the inspiring workshop topics to be presented and discussed.
Mario explained that the Quarter Steering Committee is exploring mid-range projects for two or more MMs to accomplish together; any ideas for projects may be forwarded to the Steering Committee for consideration.
Mario presented the proposed Salem Quarter Coordinator’s Budget for Year 2002–2003; copies were distributed for Friends to review. He emphasized that we did ask for and receive a 30 per cent contribution from PYM to support our Quarter program, an increase from the past 25 per cent amount received. He noted a significant savings on insurance due to Phil’s wife, Meg, now getting insurance coverage through her new job. He explained that some Quarter budget items do not receive matching funds from PYM (i.e., insurance coverage for the Coordinator’s family and registration for Tri-Quarterly Gathering), so these will come from the general Quarter budget rather than the Coordinator’s Budget. Support was expressed to allocate funds to send Phil to training conferences and gatherings; Mario noted that there is other training money available through PYM. Mario also acknowledged increased telephone costs but lower postage expenses due to the Internet usage. Friends approved the budget as presented.
Mario described difficulties recently encountered by publishing Coordinator’s budget information in the Salem Quarter newsletter; therefore, he reported that the Steering Committee suggests we send the Coordinator’s Budgets directly to MMs rather than publishing them. Friends approved this change in policy. Some concern was expressed that we publish other financial material; however, Friends were reminded that no financial details for the Quarter are displayed on the web page. Gloria agreed to include a discussion of whether we should publish any financial matter at the next Quarterly Meeting.
Bob Horvay announced the Moorestown MM Vocal Arts Festival to be offered on June 16; he encouraged Friends to attend.
Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, read a written report, including a minute brought forth for approval concerning Quarter support to the Friends Home (see report, p. 18). Mary explained that this volunteer effort would involve providing individual spiritual support and visits to Friends, which is different from the wonderful support for Meeting for Worship being offered by Woodstown MM Friends. Gloria discerned approval for this minute and project; the Friends Home will disseminate information. Gloria acknowledged the wonderful article in our last newsletter about the Friends Home.
It was announced that George Crispin will share his report on the Quaker trip to Bury, England, at the next Quarterly Meeting due to his absence today because of illness.
Gloria read correspondence from Ruth Hall Brooks, Salem MM, concerning the opening of the Alloways Creek Meetinghouse on May 5 in conjunction with the Salem County Garden Show. She reported that over one hundred people visited our old Meetinghouse that day!
Gloria reported that the Quarter Trustees met recently; she read a report submitted by Sue Price- Redfern, who recorded minutes for the meeting (see p. 14). Friends approved a minute of appreciation to the Mullica Hill MM children’s First Day School Clean-Up Crew (see letter to the Quarter, p. 15); Gloria agreed to send a letter of appreciation to the children from the Quarter.
Gloria announced information from Amnesty International urging Friends to write letters to the governor of New Jersey concerning a moratorium on the death penalty.
Mario reported that Mickleton MM developed a “Minute of Concern Regarding National Missile Defense” in response to the January appeal by the Abolish Nuclear Weapons Working Group (see Mickleton MM’s letter and minute, pp. 16–17). Friends united with this minute, which will be sent to Interim Meeting and the Working Group. Mario also described their concept of developing a means to convey individual MM’s expressions of similar beliefs. Friends decided Mario should forward this suggestion to the Working Group.
Lois Dinshah shared a variety of information on several social concerns, including racial profiling, drug abuse, and gun control. She offered useful handouts to interested Friends.
Phil announced that the Gathering for Ministry and Eldering will be meeting soon; interested Friends should contact him for more information.
Bob Horvay raised the possibility of Quarterly Meeting having half our worship spent in worship sharing time in small groups similar to Friends General Conference. He suggested that the Steering Committee consider doing this as well as more flexible schedules for Quarterly Meetings (rather than always one hour for the program) to facilitate more variety and interesting programs.
Gloria concluded the meeting with a brief period of worship. Friends thanked her for her continued excellent clerking of Quarterly Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
