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SPRING
2002 December 9, 2001
alem Quarterly Meeting met December 9, 2001, at Salem Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, our Clerk, opened the meeting after a brief period of worship, welcomed Friends, and thanked Salem Monthly Meeting (MM) for hosting. She noted that she will write thank-you letters to Friends School for their inspiring seasonal music and to Thom Jeavons for his spiritually uplifting program.
Gloria reviewed items on the agenda, including a budget approval, committee reports and various correspondence. After reviewing the September minutes, Friends approved them as written. Gloria stated that she will forward copies of our Quarterly minutes to Swarthmore College soon to update our permanent records.
Gloria read a thank-you note from Karen, Bob and Sam Huber, from Woodstown MM, expressing their appreciation for the Quarter’s scholarship toward Sam's tuition.
Sue Price-Redfern, Quarter Assistant Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report. She noted that all Friends who had registered for the cancelled Quarter Retreat had been reimbursed. Friends accepted her comprehensive report.
Sue presented the proposed Quarter budget for Fiscal Year 2002. She explained that PYM had requested that Quarters contribute more if possible but to at least “hold steady” with their financial covenants; she noted that the proposed budget included about $600 more funds. Friends expressed the need for the Quarter to increase the financial funds available to support Quaker children in Friends’ schools, since more children are applying, tuition costs are increasing, and low interest rates are limiting available money. Discussion ensued on this topic and Gloria discerned strong commitment of Friends to find ways to increase the principal which would augment the interest available to be allocated yearly. Gloria indicated she would write a letter to MMs recommending strong support for Friends’ education. Friends encouraged the Quarter Finance Committee to investigate possible ways to expand the education scholarship funds.
Mary Waddington, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, read a report from the recent meeting. Two major items were discussed during the meeting: (1) The Quarterly Retreat scheduled for August 23-25 at Burlington Center, and (2) The Worship and Ministry Pastoral Care Committee for Friends Home. Several Friends conveyed the value of the worship sharing opportunities at the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee meetings.
Gloria read the Quarter Trustees Report submitted by George Crispin, Clerk of the Trustees. Friends expressed appreciation for the well written report and accepted it as submitted.
Peggy Warner, Clerk of the Quarter Nominating Committee, reminded Friends that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for December 29 at the Mullica Hill Meetinghouse Annex. Mike Ayars reported that Russell Bassett Jr. and Sally Birdsall from Salem MM will be filling two vacant unexpired terms for the Friends Home Board. Friends approved the nominations and accepted the report.
Mario Cavallini, Clerk of the Quarter Steering Committee, reported that the Committee now has a representative from Seaville MM and he encouraged Greenwich MM to designate Friends to serve on this important Committee. He noted that the Steering Committee has adjusted the timeline for evaluating the Coordinator. He read a statement about how the process of evaluation had changed over the past several years to obtain various feedback, emphasizing that this year the evaluation subcommittee chose to evaluate Phil using a three-hour focused dialogue. The sub committee and Thom Jeavons will be visiting the Committee in January to discuss issues related to PYM’s involvement in administering our Coordinator.
Gloria read a report from Lois Dinshah concerning her work with the criminal justice system. Friends expressed appreciation for her dedicated service in this important area.
Gloria read a letter from Concord MM to the Quarter supporting the reinstatement of a full-time Peace Secretary position at PYM to communicate issues and opportunities, to arrange participation in events, and to conduct other vital efforts. Gloria noted that PYM staff primarily now operate as generalists which include this topic; however, Friends acknowledged that there are some specialists at PYM. Significant discussion ensued concerning how we felt led to respond to the letter. Gloria discerned that Friends supported the need to have a person (existing or new PYM staff person), designated to focus on peace concerns, thus to function as a “Peace Secretary.” Friends also expressed the need for more specialists in other areas; however, it was felt that in the response letters to Concord MM and to PYM, Gloria should simply convey our Quarter support for a Peace Secretary.
Mike Ayars reported on progress at the Friends Home. He stated that another newsletter will be forthcoming soon and that fundraising efforts for additional buildings will be commencing in the near future.
Phil summarized his involvement with the new Outreach Committee for the Friends School, which exists to strengthen the relationship and connections between the school and our Quarter. Gloria encouraged Friends to attend Meetings for Worship at the Friends School held on Thursday mornings.
Bob Horvay announced that the Friends General Conference Executive Committee is meeting in our Quarter in May. He thanked Woodbury MM for agreeing to host one night of the meetings and he indicated that more information will be coming about further needed support.
Gloria closed the meeting with a brief period of worship and reminded Friends to attend our next Quarterly Meeting at Woodstown Meetinghouse in March.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
